The term Jiu-Jitsu can be translated to English as ‘the gentle art’. It’s also frequently likened to a chess match in the world of martial arts. This is because of the fine intricacies that make the sport so interesting. One wrong move and it’s all over. It’s an amazingly technical martial art but how long does it take to learn Jiu-Jitsu?
How Long It Takes To Learn Jiu-Jitsu
It takes several years training to become proficient in the art of Jiu-Jitsu. Jiu-Jitsu should be seen as a journey rather than a destination. There is always more ways to learn and improve. Even at black belt level and beyond.
But if you’d like to know how long it generally takes to become somewhat skilled for the purpose of self defense or competitions, it can be broken down using the belt rank system.
White Belt
Every Jiu-Jitsu practitioner starts his or her journey as a white belt. This is beginner level. The rank is held by any athlete new to the sport and has no prerequisite level of training.
A white belt should have knowledge of basic offensive submissions like armbars and also able to pass guard.
- Beginner level
- No minimum time requirement to be eligible to progress to blue belt
Blue Belt
At the blue belt level, BJJ athletes gain a wide range of technical knowledge and have already completed hundreds of hours of mat time to learn how to implement these moves efficiently.
Blue belt is usually the rank at which the practitioner learns a large number of the techniques they will ever know.
- Must hold blue belt for at least 2 years to be eligible to progress to purple belt
- Must be at least 16 years old
Purple Belt
A purple belt has gained a huge amount of knowledge through hundreds and hundreds of hours training. They are generally considered qualified to help instruct lower-ranked students like white belts and blue belts.
- Intermediate level
- Must hold purple belt for at least 1.5 years to be eligible to progress to brown belt
- Must be at least 16 years old
Brown Belt
It generally takes a minimum of 5 years of dedicated training to reach brown belt level. As one rank from black belt, a brown belt has advanced level skills and knowledge of Jiu-Jitsu.
- Advanced Level
- Must hold brown belt for at least 1 year to be eligible to progress to black belt
- Must be at least 18 years old
Black Belt
A Jiu-Jitsu black belt is regarded as an expert. They are often addressed within the art as “professor” or “coach”.
Within black belt, there are 9 degrees of expertise with several years training involved between each rank.
- Expert level
- Must be at least 19 years old
- A minimum of 24 years is required to reach 9th degree black belt from the point of receiving 1st degree black belt
Conclusion
So how long does it take to learn Jiu-Jitsu? That depends on what level you want to be at. White belt for beginner level. Blue for a more than basic understanding. Purple for intermediate. Brown for advanced. And finally, black belt to be considered an expert or “professor”.
