In kids Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, different belts are used which means they have different colors. Unlike the adult belt system of white through the black belt, it’s not the same but does have 5 colors like adults, as well as stripes and time in between each rank too.
Interestingly, the kid’s BJJ belt system also uses black and white lines which also act as sub-belts within each color. It should also be noted that according to the IBJJF, each belt should be worn for a minimum of eight months before a promotion.
Technically, there are 5 belts but 13 sub-ranks within these 5 colors which means the quickest you could get to the final kids belt is just over 8.5 years. Typically, most kids will have turned 16 years old by then which means they get promoted to blue belt, but if a kid starts young enough then they may be lucky enough to achieve the final rank of green belt. To find out more about the children’s belt rankings in BJJ read on for more information.
Table of Contents
White belt
The only belt that kids have in common with adults is the white belt. Like adults, they also start at white belt which is seen as the beginner belt. This belt also has up to four stripes but unlike the adult version is relatively short lived.
Typically, an adult may stay as a white belt for a year and a half of regular training. However, the kid’s version usually lasts closer to a year. This means that a kid will usually graduate beyond white belt quicker than the average adult.
Grey belt with white bar
The next belt is a grey belt with a white bar running through it horizontally. A similar system is also used in other martial arts like Karate where previous belt colors remain to show a user is still relatively new within their rank.
Grey belt
The grey belt is the middle rank of grey colors and shows the child is still very much a beginner when it comes to BJJ. At the same time, they should be able to show enough technical ability to prove they’re not a white belt either.
Grey belt with black bar
The final belt at grey has a black bar running through it. This shows that the child is soon ready to advance onto their next color and will have finished with the grey belt.
Yellow belt with white bar
The yellow belt is kind of like the kid’s equivalent of a blue belt and shows real progress compared to a beginner. Like the other ranks (other than white belt), this begins with a white bar running through it to show a newly acquired color.
Yellow belt
The solid yellow belt is the middle rank of the yellow belts. At this point, there’s not really much difference between the other yellow belts but this shows that the child is still on the right track.
Yellow belt with black bar
This is the last rank of the yellow belt and shows preparation for the next promotion. At this point, your child is roughly half way through the belt system.
Orange belt with white bar
The orange belt is the penultimate color in kids BJJ belts and signifies a deep understanding of fundamental BJJ. Although it’s hard to compare kids to adults – this is a tough belt for a kid to get to and shows dedication and years of training.
Orange belt
Like the other solid belts, this is the same for the orange color. Really, there’s probably not much in it between an orange belt and one with a bar either being white or black in terms of skill.
Orange belt with black bar
This is the final rank at orange belt and shows a real commitment to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. At this stage, your child should know quite a lot.
Green belt with white bar
The first rank of the green belt has a white bar through the middle and this is the last colored belt in BJJ. Whilst it’s unfair to compare the green belt with an adult black belt, it still shows seniority as a child and probably means a lifelong memory of skills that can be called upon later in life.
Green belt
The solid green belt once again comes with great respect for the child that wears it and shows a lot of dedication.
Green belt with black bar
This is the highest rank that a kid can achieve in BJJ and is a huge accomplishment. As mentioned, getting to this rank is actually incredibly difficult especially as so many kids are promoted at age 16. If there is a kid in their early teens who is a green belt, it’s fair to say that they can demolish most adults at a similar weight, provided there’s not a huge strength disparity.
This is understandable too, considering a green belt with black bar should mean the child has put in a minimum of 8.5 years of training to wear this belt. Theoretically, a 14 year old could achieve this belt and wear it for a couple of years after.
Summary
Whilst kids’ BJJ belts should be celebrated and their rank should be respected, it should also be known that kids’ BJJ is typically different from adults. Often, it involves more play and is taken less seriously than adults. It may be true that kids learn things quicker and soak up knowledge naturally but generally their BJJ may not be as theoretical compared to a grown adult.
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