How long does it take to get a BJJ blue belt? You have to show proficiency in a number of basic techniques and train a certain amount of time. The average person can usually obtain a BJJ blue belt after 2-3 years of training Jiu Jitsu. Each BJJ school has different requirements and you have to prove to your coach that you’re ready for a blue.
For this article we are going to break down everything that goes into getting a blue belt. Everything from the usual time frame and techniques you need to know.
We’ll also go into things that could shorten or lengthen your time to get to blue belt.
What Do You Need To Get A BJJ Blue Belt?
Before we get into how long it could take, we’ll list the requirements to be a BJJ blue belt.
Each school has a few different things they require, but they pretty much have the same core requirements.
Techniques You Should Know
Below is a complete list of all of the techniques a BJJ blue belt must know.
Every school has it as a prerequisite that their white belt students know these moves before earning their blue belt.
- Submissions From Guard: Know and perform these basic submissions from guard. These submissions include armbar, triangle, guillotine, kimura, and omoplata. Maybe also gi chokes that could include a cross choke or lapel choke variations.
- Sweeps From Guard: A BJJ blue belt has to know a number of sweeps from guard. Hip bump, scissor, butterfly, flower, spider, etc.
- Guard Passes: Know how to do a variety of different guard passes. From passing closed guard, open guard, spider guard, and De La Riva Guard.
- Takedowns: Blue belts need to know basic takedowns that include single and double leg takedowns.
- Judo Throws: Know around 3 basic Judo throws. Drop Seio Nage, Osoto Gari, and Koshi Garuma for example.
- Escapes: A blue belt needs to know how to escape from bad positions. Elbow escapes and reversals from mount and side mount.
- Basic Solo Drill Movements: Knowing how to do basic movements in solo drills is another must for white belts going to blue belt. Elbow escapes, front rolls, technical get up, etc.
- Basic Self Defense Techniques: Finally knowing how to use BJJ in basic self defense situations. Defending punches, grabs, and back takes are something every BJJ practitioner needs to know.
How Long Does It Take To Get A BJJ Blue Belt?
The typical time to get a BJJ blue belt is between 1-3 years. A year to a year and a half is the normal amount of time to get a blue belt. In extenuating circumstances, the time it takes to get a BJJ blue belt could take longer.
Here’s the International Brazilian Jiu Jjitsu Federation Graduation System belt rankings breakdown.
How To Get A BJJ Blue Belt Within A Year
For white belts that want their blue belt within a year have to do a few things. Here is how you can get a blue belt within the normal time frame.
- Train Consistently: It is as simple as that. If you want to get your BJJ blue belt, you have to train as much as you can. Two classes is usually the average for most students, but if you’re dedicated and have time 3+ is even better.
Training also goes beyond just attending class. You have to put time in outside of class drilling and doing conditioning for BJJ. If you want that blue belt within a year, you’re going to have to make time and work for it.
- Compete?: This doesn’t go for all schools, but it will definitely help your efforts in trying to achieve a blue belt. Competing is a live action test of your skills. By actively competing this can show that you have the skills to be a blue belt.
Winning tournaments may factor in, but it honestly isn’t that important. What is important is that your coaches see that you’re committed to BJJ and trying to better your game.
- Try Not To Get Hurt: This may sound silly, but try not to get hurt. If you are shelved with an injury this will definitely add time on to your wait time. A bad injury could even add a year or more, so be careful.
Things That Could Make it Longer To Get A Blue Belt
Since there’s things to keep you on track for a blue belt, there are also things that can prolong it. Below is a list of circumstances that could make you wait a little longer than for that blue belt.
- Not Training Regularly: To get a blue belt within a year, you need to train regularly and if you don’t it’ll take longer. White belts that only train maybe one time a week or less will have a longer wait for their blue belt.
The reason they don’t train as much could be lack of dedication or a busy personal life. Either way, they will have to wait a little longer for their blue belt.
- Injury: As we said in the other section try not to get hurt. But if you do that is rather unfortunate.
Injuries will put you on the shelf and will definitely extend your stay at white belt. It’s not your fault, but that is the nature of this martial art. You’ll just have to wait it out and get back when you can.
- Move Locations or Schools: If you move from your current location or change schools this could also be a factor. When you move to another area for example it can take you a while to get settled and find a new school. The new BJJ school you choose could have different standards, so this will also factor into the time.
- Family: Having a family will definitely factor into the time it takes to get a blue belt in BJJ. Especially if you are or have a newborn. Ask your teammates that have kids and they’ll tell you it takes some to get back with a new baby.
Factors That Could Speed Up The Time To BJJ Blue Belt
There are two particular factors that will go into someone getting their blue belt in BJJ earlier. Here are the two factors listed below.
- Prior Training: This is someone that has prior experience in a form of grappling like Judo, wrestling, or no gi Jiu Jitsu. They already have a base no part of the fundamentals of BJJ. They just need to make a few tweaks and they’ll be at blue belt quick.
- Talent: You can’t teach talent. Some people are just gifted at BJJ and advance faster than others.
They excel in class and at competition. If you are one of these lucky people, then good for you. You got a gift, so don’t stop training.
Things To Remember About Pursuing A BJJ Blue Belt
Remember these important before you worry how long it takes to get a blue belt in BJJ. These are the biggest things that go into your journey to a blue belt.
- Train: The main requirement for all BJJ schools is the same and that is you gotta train. The more you train the better. This shows your instructors that you are dedicated and are working towards earning your BJJ blue belt.
Even after you get a blue belt, guess what you’ll have to do for a purple belt? That’s right, you gotta put even more training in. Never forget that putting your time in training is the most important thing you can do to advance levels.
- Focus On The Rolls And Technique: Do not focus on the belt. You don’t know when it’s coming, so don’t stress about it. Focus more on the rolls and technique in class.
Your technique and how you perform rolling is far more important than a belt. Each technique and roll gives you the chance to better your BJJ game, so focus on that.
- Have Patience Don’t worry about the time it takes to get the belt and enjoy the journey. Know that BJJ is a process and not every gets rankings at the same time.
Everyone has a different path in BJJ. One person can get a blue belt in a year and it takes another person three years. Have some patience and your time will come.
- It’s Just A Belt: At the end of the day, the belt is just part of the uniform. As you put more time into your training, the belts become less important. What is important is that you keep training and always work to improve your technique.
- Jiu Jitsu Is Fun: Remember that Jiu Jitsu is supposed to be fun. Once you make it about earning belts, you slowly start to lose your passion. If you’re not having fun, then you need to reevaluate your view on Jiu Jitsu.
Overview
These are all the factors that go into the length of time it takes to get your blue belt. Also along with helpful advice, the important thing however is this.
Don’t worry about how long it takes to get a blue belt in BJJ. Just focus on your training, and enjoy the journey.
Now that you know how long it takes to get your blue belt, maybe you’ll want to know “How Long Does It Take To Get Good At Jiu Jitsu?”.