It’s More Than Just Time on the Mat

The first question people ask is often, “How long does it take?” Typically, a consistent student might reach blue belt in 1.5 to 2 years. However, this is just an average. The real requirement is not measured in months, but in consistent hours of focused training.

Consistency is the master key to progress. A student who trains three times every week without fail will progress much faster than someone who trains five times one week and then takes two weeks off. Jiu Jitsu is a language of movement, and regular practice is how you achieve fluency. We look for a commitment to a consistent schedule. This demonstrates the discipline necessary to truly absorb the art’s complex lessons.

The Technical Foundation: Defensive Solidity

Before you can effectively attack, you must be able to survive. A blue belt is, above all, difficult to submit. They have moved past the initial panic of being in a bad position and can defend themselves intelligently.

Key Defensive Skills

• Escapes from Major Positions: This is non-negotiable. A blue belt must demonstrate a reliable, technical escape from the main threatening positions.

  • Mount Escape: Knowing the Upa (bridge and roll) and the elbow escape is fundamental.

  • Side Control Escape: You must be able to create space, get a frame, and re-establish your guard.

  • Back Control Escape: You need a systematic way to address the hands, clear the hooks, and turn to safety.

• Submission Defense: You must recognize common submission threats like the armbar, triangle, and kimura, and know the primary defensive movements to counter them before they are fully locked in.

• Guard Retention: When an opponent tries to pass your guard, you cannot simply let them. A blue belt understands how to use their legs, frames, and movement to keep the opponent at bay and prevent them from easily getting to a dominant position.

This defensive shell is the base upon which all offense is built. Without it, you are just gambling.

Building Your Offense: Positional Control and Attacks

While defense is primary, a blue belt is not purely defensive. They have begun to develop their own attacks, always guided by the core BJJ principle: position before submission.

Positional Hierarchy and Control

You must understand which positions are dominant and be able to control your opponent from there. This means using proper weight distribution and body mechanics, not just muscle. A blue belt should be able to:

• Maintain Mount and Side Control: You can hold these positions against a resisting opponent of similar skill.

• Control from the Back: You understand how to use the seatbelt grip and leg hooks to control your opponent and set up attacks.

• Pass the Guard: You need at least two reliable methods to pass the closed guard and a conceptual understanding of how to pass basic open guards.

Basic Offensive Arsenal

A blue belt does not need to know a hundred submissions. They need a handful of high-percentage attacks that they can execute correctly from dominant positions.

• Submissions from the Guard: At least one choke (e.g., cross-collar) and one joint lock (e.g., armbar, kimura).

• Submissions from Mount: The Americana or a basic armbar.

• Submissions from the Back: The Rear Naked Choke is the most important submission in all of Jiu Jitsu.

• Sweeps: You must have at least two reliable sweeps from your closed guard (e.g., scissor sweep, hip bump sweep) to reverse the position.

The Conceptual Shift: Thinking Like a Jiu Jitsu Player

This is perhaps the most important and least tangible requirement. A blue belt thinks differently than a white belt. The frantic energy is replaced by a calmer, more strategic approach.

• Technique Over Strength: You have stopped trying to muscle your way out of every situation. You actively look for opportunities to apply leverage and technique.

• Energy Management: You have learned to relax and breathe under pressure. You are not exhausted after a single two-minute roll because you are using your energy efficiently.

• Problem-Solving: You view each roll as a series of problems. You are actively thinking about frames, posture, and angles to solve the physical puzzle your opponent presents.

This mental shift is a clear sign that the lessons from your Brazilian Jiu Jitsu classes are truly taking hold.