Understanding the Mystery of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu: Belt Graduation

   
     Have you been wondering how the belt promotion system in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu works? I've heard and read many different explanations on how to understand the belt promotion system in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Every system or school of thought has a unique way of assessing their students and promoting them to the next belt color. After doing lots of investigating, thinking, and reflecting, I've found Grandmaster Francisco Mansor explanation as a great measuring stick for all those training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. 

    Think of each belt as an accumulation of points. For each stripe promotion there is roughly 100 points associated. Every activity you are involved in for the betterment of your Brazilian Jiu Jitsu leads to the accumulation of points. (Please note this is not Master Mansor's system but my simple interpretation of it) For example; each training session is one to two points. Each seminar attended is two to three points. Each tournament is two to three points with an additional two to three points for earning a medal at the tournament. Each private lesson is two to three points. If your academy offers other grappling based training classes, that may be incorporated into the general accumulation of points depending on the class and instructors perception. The underlying theme behind the system is that consistency and experience are the only way to progress and validate you promotions in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. 

     At EDH BJJ every students attendance and participation in tournaments, seminars, etc are recorded for each and every student. I randomly selected a few of these cards and assessed where each student was ranked and applied the point system their records. Interestingly enough their progress and point accumulation matched very closely. Thank you Master Mansor for sharing your knowledge and Jiu-Jitsu experiences with us in El Dorado Hills!

Eliot Kelly

EDH Grappling

Wrestling, Judo, Jiu-Jitsu