Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu students train and compete in uniforms called a Gi; these are certified and traditional uniforms of this martial art sport. Click HERE to read more about the history of the Gi.
A Gi is composed of a jacket, pants and a belt in regulatory colors of white, blue or black. There are numerous colored belts, some with stripes and some without. The colors of the belts along with their stripes are based on an earned ranking system.
BJJ Belt Color
The belt color is based on experience, age, skill level and technique.
Let’s look into the children’s belt color coding system (ages 15 and under) as it differs a from the adult system.
Every new student begins with a white belt. This color reflects newness. From white, the child can be promoted by belt color in the following manner.
White
Grey/White —> Solid Grey —> Grey/Black
Yellow/White —> Solid Yellow—> Yellow/Black
Orange/White —> Solid Orange —> Orange/Black
Green/White —> Solid Green —> Green/Black
The belt promotion can be awarded for time, knowledge, behavior and performance. Black belt students or teachers certified by the SJJIF (Sport Jiu-Jitsu International Federation) are the only people allowed to promote students through the belt ranking system.
BJJ Stripe System
Each belt has 5 levels in which all must be completed before advancing. These levels are signified with a stripe (level 1 is the belt color; the subsequent 4 stripes signify the four other levels within that belt color thereafter).
Other Belt Parameters
Every belt color holds the student in that category for a minimum of 8 months. In this time, much will be learned and perfected. After 8 months, the child is eligible to earn his or her next belt advancement which is solely at the discretion of the teacher.
The chart above reflects age categories in pairing with belt colors. For instance, a student must reach the age of 10 before eligibility of earning his/her orange/white belt and so on with the other colors.
The excitement of the belt and stripe system in regards to ranking in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is quite promising for kids. The system gives children a striving point and goals to progress toward. It encourages hard work, dedication and patience.
There you have it, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu belt and stripe coding system for children.
Source: Nabjjf