If you are interested in learning Brazilian Jiu Jitsu then you might be wondering how long it will take you to reach a high skill level.
Brown belt is the belt below black belt, and it takes a lot of skill and dedication to reach this level. But how many years of classes will it take to get there?
We have put together this guide to help you understand how long it will usually take for someone to reach a brown belt level in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Keep reading to find out more.
Progression In Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is one of the fastest growing martial arts in the world.
Lots of people are choosing to learn this dynamic sport. In the first 6 months of training is when the most people will drop out of their classes.
This is because it is a steep learning curve and the sparring, also called rolling, can be very intense.
If you make it past the 6 month mark then there is a good chance that you will stick at it for several years. Progression in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is based on a colored belt system.
Beginners start with a white belt, then you move on to blue, purple, brown, black, black and red, red and white, then the final belt is red.
It takes a long time to progress through the different belts, and some students will gradually drift away from classes the harder it gets as they lose motivation.
Less than 3% of students who begin Brazilian Jiu Jitsu make it to brown belt level.
How Long Does It Take To Get A Brown Belt?
In the first one and a half years of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training, students will tend to progress from a white belt to a blue belt, and then from a blue belt to a purple belt.
This only applies to students aged 16 or over – you must be 16 to wear a blue belt, and there is a different set of belts for junior students.
Some people will take 2 to 3 years to reach purple belt level – it depends on how often you train and practice and how quickly you learn.
Certain organizations require you to remain a blue belt for two years before you can progress to a purple belt, especially if you intend on teaching students on a lower belt than you once you progress to purple.
Once you reach a purple belt you are required to stay at this level for a year and a half before attempting to progress to a brown belt.
This is because there is so much to learn and you need to gain experience of combat at this level. You can begin to coach and teach other students once you are at a purple belt level.
Once you have spent a year and a half with a purple belt you can try out for your brown belt. This will usually be after around five years of consistent Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training.
It is very rare that someone can become a brown belt sooner than this due to the skill level that is required. You must be at least 18 years old to wear a brown belt.
Once you have achieved your brown belt, you must stay at this level for at least a year before progressing to a black belt. You cannot progress to black belt until you are 19 years of age.
If you get to black belt level, you must remain there for three years before progressing. Not many people make it this far or move on to the specialized belts above a black belt.
Why Does It Take So Long?
The belt progressions in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu take a lot longer than it does in other forms of martial arts. There are several reasons for this.
Technique
The techniques you have to learn for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu are very complicated.
The grappling, joint locks and throwdowns have the potential to seriously injure your opponent if you do them wrong, so you have to perfect the movement and make sure that you are performing them safely.
You are supposed to overpower your opponent, not leave them with permanent or life-changing injuries.
Injuries
Small injuries are inevitable as part of your Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training. This means that you may have to take a few weeks out now and again to recover, which can slow down your progress.
As you become stronger and more resilient it should happen less, but it is important to take your recovery seriously.
Experience
Unlike other belt systems, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu requires that you spend a certain amount of time at each belt level before your progress.
This is because Jiu Jitsu is not just about skill, but also experience.
You can know the moves, but you need to get used to applying them and understanding the strategy to go with them.
Patience
If you want to find a martial art that you can learn quickly and reach a black belt level in for status then Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is not for you.
Mastering the art of patience, determination and perseverance is part of the process, as you must embody the philosophy of the martial art as well as the skill.
Should You Learn Brazilian Jiu Jitsu?
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is one of the best forms of martial art for self-defense.
You can learn to overpower your opponent regardless of how much bigger or stronger they are, which makes it a great choice for lots of different people.
You will need to be patient and resilient to succeed, but if you do then your hard work will be rewarded.
Summary
Getting to brown belt level in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu takes at least five years of consistent training, sometimes longer.
It is a long process that takes time and patience, but if you reach brown belt then you will be at a very high skill level and then progress to black belt.
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