For many, achieving the blue belt in BJJ is a massive milestone. Unlike the white belt, it is seen as more mature and taken seriously. It also shows you have put the time into your training and are somewhat focused on getting better. Whilst the blue belt shouldn’t be your only goal whilst training BJJ – it should still be celebrated as a key moment in your journey.
There are various factors that go into obtaining the blue belt which will be discussed in-depth, but these factors are also dependent on the discretion of your instructor. In other words, getting promoted to blue belt has no set path and it differs per individual and school.
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How long does it take to get to blue belt on average?
For most people, it takes between 1 and 3 years to achieve a blue belt. This depends on a number of circumstances. For instance, if you’re a serious competitor then you may be held back to test yourself at the highest level of the white belt competition scene. Although this scene is relatively easy compared to other belts, it still has some serious people at the most prestigious competitions such as Worlds and Euros.
Because of this, even if someone is training 7 days a week, they may not even get promoted to blue in 3 years. Whilst this is rare, it is usually a mutual relationship between the competitor and their teacher to keep competing and gaining experience whilst training.
However, for most hobbyists this is different. Usually, you will get to the blue belt after a year or two of training. Again, this isn’t concrete and some gyms are stricter than others. But for most people, this is the norm. Once more, there are some factors that go into this.
For example, if you train once a week and barely spar then you may be waiting a long time for promotion. However, if you train at least 4 times per week, spar, and have a willing attitude – you could get the blue belt in one year. This view is held by the famous coach Firas Zahabi who believes the blue belt isn’t a massive deal compared to other belts and so it is easier to obtain compared to others
Learning the fundamentals
.The best way to get promoted is to learn the fundamentals which take time. As said, if you barely train then you can expect to wait for your promotion. However, it’s a numbers game and if you keep turning up then things will start to click and the fundamentals will set in. Basically, whilst the blue belt is still a young belt – the requirements often involve a grasp of the fundamentals.
These include knowing basic sweeps and submissions from the main BJJ positions. Elsewhere you should have a little knowledge of takedowns and passing. Specifically, things like acknowledging the underhook whilst passing half guard should be learned before blue belt to cut out any horrible mistakes.
In short, most gyms do not ask for perfection to become a blue belt. However, there is a level of competence required. You may not be a world champion or have intentions of greatness; but at the same time, you should be able to hold your own against newcomers, as long as they aren’t significantly bigger and stronger. With this said, it’s good to focus on the basic moves of BJJ instead of getting carried away with fancy Youtube moves. There’s nothing wrong with learning from videos, as long as the moves are practical.
How to get promoted to blue belt fast
Whilst you should enjoy your time at the top of the pool as a white belt, this is something that a lot of people will be wondering. In short, it’s not good to chase belts and instead you should enjoy the journey. This is because when you do get promoted, you may feel empty and realize the physical belt isn’t important – but instead the process and change which earnt the belt is the main thing.
Regardless, the fastest way to get promoted to blue belt is by proving your worth in the gym. A good attitude and open mind is a good place to start, so don’t be arrogant, you can always look for help from higher belts. Alongside regular drilling and sparring, you may notice that you quickly improve. Your quick improvement won’t go un-noticed.
Often during specific sparring, your coach may be watching and if you hit a good move then they may mentally take note. Further, if you start tapping other belts then your stock will begin to rise within the gym. In very rare circumstances, there are cases of people getting promoted in a few months, although this isn’t common. These people that do get promoted quickly may already have years of judo or wrestling experience to their name.
Another method for quick promotion is to compete often. This sounds contradictory when looked at alongside the top competitor’s segment earlier. However, we’re not on about being the best competitor at this point. Instead, what is meant is that if you compete and do quite well locally, it will further add to your reputation in the gym. At some point, people will start noticing you as a good white belt, which means a promotion is near.
Blue belt requirement tests
In some gyms, the promotion to blue belt takes place in the form of a literal test. Popularised by Roy Dean – this is similar to having a driving test. Here, you will need to show your teacher certain moves such as a Triangle choke from closed guard, and a pass from De La Riva.
There are often a number of moves to perform which will show the teacher whether you are good enough for the blue belt. In short, the more smooth the technique the better whereas if it’s done sloppily then you may not get promoted. Often this is done in a drilled setting so you don’t have to worry about hitting moves on a higher belt which may be intimidating.
However, this is quite rare and most gyms will often promote after a class. One issue with belt requirement tests is that it isn’t as natural as sparring. For instance, you may be good at drilling but lose focus when sparring. As it’s not done against a resisting opponent, it’s hard to tell if your BJJ is actually effective or whether it just looks good. Another issue is that in some gyms, they will pay for a blue belt test. Whilst this is not common and is certainly not practiced by Roy Dean who is legit, it is a controversial method which some accuse of paying for promotion.
Slow can often mean fast in BJJ
One of the main mistakes which hold people back in getting promoted is trying too hard. For example, in drilling you may be hitting submissions with too much intent. Elsewhere, you may be trying to muscle on moves whilst sparring and rely on explosive athleticism over technique.
Whilst these attributes are good – they are not essential, especially as a white belt. Too often, white belts are overly enthusiastic and try killing each other whilst sparring. Many refer to this as spazzing as it shows a lack of self control. By slowing down, you can actually take in and remember the techniques more as oppposed to going fast. This is ideal as a beginner as you’re more likely to learn by doing this. By doing this, you will gain friends in the gym who appreciate a measured approach. Of course, this is BJJ which involves fighting, so you don’t want to be too soft either. With that said, it’s not a wise idea to annoy others by training like a wild person.
Don’t worry about blue belt or try to rush it
As mentioned earlier, the blue belt should not be your goal. In fact, no belt in BJJ should be, and that includes black belt. BJJ should be a long-term passion that focuses on slow evolution rather than chasing a belt colour. Because of this, you shouldn’t worry about not getting promoted. Generally, your teacher will know when it’s time and this will be the best time for your promotion. Possibly the worst thing to do is moan about being held back which may cause others to resent your attitude.
Not only this, but you should actually enjoy being one of the best belts in your gym. When you do get to blue belt, remember you will probably be one of the worst for a long period of time. Because of this, you should embrace being a superior white belt. One issue with being a blue belt is that it means higher belts will respect you more and spar harder. Against white belts as a blue, you will also get people trying to scalp you. With this said, staying at white belt can actually be a good thing as there’s less pressure to perform.
This is often why blue belts quit because they put too much emphasis on the belt. When they get to blue, the practitioner may feel too much pressure to do well or that their goal is finished. Of course, getting a blue belt is really where your BJJ training begins. In advanced terms, you’re still a beginner who is growing and learning. With this in mind, don’t worry about staying at white belt as your time will come. Perhaps the one thing more frustrating than not getting promoted is getting an early promotion and being poor for your rank. Nobody wants to be that person.
Summary
As looked at, getting promoted to blue belt should be a goal for all but shouldn’t be your ultimate goal in BJJ. By training regularly, sparring and having a good attitude you will begin to progress as a white belt and be on your way. With this mentality, you will truly embrace training BJJ and eventually, the blue belt will be granted. Because of this, half the battle to getting promoted to blue isn’t about being great at BJJ. It’s actually about turning up and embracing the art and showing you’re mature enough to learn as a practitioner. To conclude, getting to blue belt can be achieved by a willing spirit, but that alone is not what BJJ stands for.
