Like most other Asian martial arts, jiujitsu practitioners wear a colored rank belt to represent their skill, time in training and commitment to the art. A black belt represents strong competency, but isn't the end of a jiujitsu stylist's journey. Instead, he can pursue increasingly higher degrees of black belt to indicate advanced levels of training and contribution.
Governing Body
No centralized authority governs the requirements for and awarding of black belt levels in jiujitsu. This is left to the leadership of individual organizations, schools and programs. For this reason, the requirements for a specific belt rank can vary widely, depending on who awarded the belt and under what circumstances.
Time in Grade
One of the most common qualifying requirements for advanced black belt ranks in jiujitsu is time in grade. A candidate is typically eligible for promotion a minimum number of years after her last promotion equal to her next degree of black belt. This means a third-degree black belt must train for a minimum of four more years before she is eligible for promotion to fourth degree. This time in grade doesn't guarantee promotion, it's simply the minimum requirement of time before a candidate can be eligible.
First Through Fourth Degree
First-degree black belts are normally allowed to teach jiujitsu students without a higher-ranking assistant, though they rarely run a school or program on their own. This privilege is usually reserved for those of third-degree rank or higher. In general, students at this level continue to work on their physical attributes: conditioning, skill at specific techniques and ability to perform those techniques under pressure or in competition.
Fifth Through Eighth Degree
These advanced practitioners are frequently awarded the title of "master," and are qualified to teach those who run entire jiujitsu programs. At this level, a jiujitsu stylist has studied for a minimum of 18 years. During these advanced ranks, a practitioner shifts from physical to mental attributes, developing a deep understanding of the theory, science, philosophy and history of the arts. Personal contribution to an organization and the art as a whole is another part of earning jiujitsu black belts at this level.
Ninth and 10th Degree
These ranks represent the highest possible achievement in jiujitsu black belts. The requirements are rarely codified objectively, instead relying on political appointment, unique contribution or a position as the most senior teacher in a system. Some jiujitsu organizations save these ranks for a limited number of individuals -- for example, reserving ninth degree for the system's current leader and 10th degree for its founder. The titles "grandmaster" and "great-grandmaster" are often associated with this rank.
References
- "USJA Basic JuJutsu Manual"; Phillip Porter; 1996
- Jiu-Jitsu: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Newby Guide - FAQs
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