Updated March 2026 | Sensei Sandy BJJ | Catskills
If you are new to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, belts can feel confusing. Kids earn stripes. Adults earn stripes. Sometimes a new belt shows up and everyone claps. So what is actually happening?
At Sensei Sandy BJJ, promotions are not about who wins rounds. They are about real progress built on three habits that never go out of style: safety, consistency, and being on task. For kids, promotions are a family process, not a mystery, so parents can understand what progress looks like and celebrate it at home.
We use IBJJF belt order and age minimums as a reference point, while remembering one essential truth: progress is not automatic. Coaches promote people, not calendars.
What Are Stripes in BJJ?
Stripes are mini-promotions. They are a coach's way of saying, "Your habits are improving."
We award stripes when students show growth in the daily behaviors that matter most:
- Safety: training with control, tapping early, releasing fast.
- Consistency: showing up regularly over time.
- Focus: listening, trying the technique as taught, caring for partners.
A stripe does not mean you know everything. It means you are building the habits that make learning faster and safer.
What Do BJJ Belts Mean?
A belt is a long-term milestone. It means a student can handle the fundamentals for that level, train safely with others, and use technique with reliability instead of panic or force.
Belts help students:
- Track progress over months and years.
- Stay motivated during slow-growth phases.
- Set goals without rushing or burning out.
Kids BJJ Belts (IBJJF Guideline)
Kids progress through more belt colors than adults and that is intentional. Kids develop in smaller steps, and frequent milestones help them stay confident and engaged.
Typical kids belt progression (roughly ages 4 to 15):
- White
- Grey / White to Grey to Grey / Black
- Yellow / White to Yellow to Yellow / Black
- Orange / White to Orange to Orange / Black
- Green / White to Green to Green / Black
As kids get older, the adult belt system becomes relevant along with minimum age requirements.
Adult BJJ Belts (IBJJF Guideline)
The classic adult belt order:
White to Blue to Purple to Brown to Black
The IBJJF publishes minimum age and time-in-rank guardrails, especially for higher belts. Still, the instructor makes the final call based on readiness, not the calendar.
Our Promotion Leading Indicators
How students earn stripes faster, the right way.
1) Safety Comes First
- Controlled movement.
- Respectful training, no ego battles.
- Early taps and quick releases.
- Technique over strength spikes.
2) Consistency Beats Talent
- Regular attendance.
- Showing up even when it is hard.
- Steady progress over time.
3) Being On Task
- Listening the first time.
- Helping training partners.
- Trying the technique as taught.
- Staying engaged instead of drifting.
If someone is talented but unsafe, we slow things down. Safe students improve faster.
What We Do Not Promote
- Bullying or roughness.
- Winning rounds by force.
- Ignoring instructions.
- Skipping fundamentals.
- Racing teammates to rank up.
If something builds bad habits, it does not earn stripes, no matter how flashy it looks.
How We Handle Kids Promotions (and Why Parents Matter)
Kids need two things at the same time: clear rules about what earns stripes and real encouragement that matters. That is why we communicate with parents when kids earn stripes or belts, so families can:
- Celebrate at home.
- Understand what the promotion represents.
- Reinforce the same values: safe, consistent, focused.
Promotions become a shared family win, not just a moment on the mat.
Promotions Are Not a Race
A healthy BJJ belt system keeps training honest. You do not speed-run it, you build it. When students rank up here, they know it was earned through habits that make Jiu-Jitsu work for life.
FAQ: BJJ Belts, Stripes, and Ranking Up
How many stripes are there per belt?
Many schools use up to four stripes per belt. Stripes are a coaching tool, and systems vary.
How long does it take to get promoted?
It depends on age, attendance, safety, and readiness. Guidelines exist, but coaches decide.
What is the fastest way to earn stripes?
Be safe. Be consistent. Be focused. That path works because it is real.
Do kids get different belts than adults?
Yes. Kids use the grey, yellow, orange, and green system. Adults use white, blue, purple, brown, and black.
Ready to Start Your First Belt Journey?
If you want a beginner-friendly place with calm coaching, clear standards, and a safe training room, come try a class.
Sensei Sandy BJJ - Catskills / Tannersville, NY.