How to tie a Jiu-Jitsu Belt

 

Step 1: Fold your belt in half, making sure both ends are even

Step 2: Close your gi, folding the left side over the right side 

Step 3: Place the middle part of the belt, right over your belly button

Step 4: Wrap the belt around your back, passing each of its ends to the opposite hand

Step 5: Pull at each end, so the belt is tight around your torso

Step 6: Bring both ends to your belly button and overlap the right end with the left

Step 7: Insert the left end underneath all layers of the belt and pull it out at the top

Step 8: Pull at both ends of the belt to tighten it

Step 9: Make a knot by looping the right end around the left end

Step 10: Pull at both ends to tighten the knot

 

 

Now that you’ve got your belt sorted let’s talk a little bit about the history of jiu-jitsu belts.

The belt system used in jiu-jitsu was borrowed from judo, which was developed in the late 1800s by Jigoro Kano. Kano introduced the belt system to differentiate between beginners and more advanced practitioners.

 

Initially, there were only two belts in judo: white and black. White was worn by beginners, while black was reserved for instructors and advanced students. As the sport became popular, other belts were added to the ranking system. By the 1920s, brown and blue belts had been added, and in the 1960s, purple belts were introduced.

 

When jiu-jitsu was introduced to Brazil in the early 20th century, the belt system was adopted and modified to fit the new sport. In the 1960s, the red belt was introduced to honor Carlos Gracie, one of the founders of modern Brazilian jiu-jitsu. This belt is reserved for high-level practitioners who have dedicated their lives to the sport.

 

Today, the belt system in jiu-jitsu consists of six colors: white, blue, purple, brown, black, and red. Practitioners progress through the ranks based on their skill level, with promotions usually coming after a certain amount of time spent training and competing.