Belt Requirements

OBJECTIVE:

Objective: to make clear and predictable the requirements for students and/or athletes for grading and belt promotions.

Art. 1: all of the students enrolled in the schools affiliated with Team Oliveira must fill out a card with all of their personal information and sign an agreement with the school’s code of ethics, belt rankings and respect for the philosophy of the martial arts.

Art. 2: the evaluations must be completed in the months of July and December of every year. The testing dates will be announced one month prior.

Art. 3: the students who are due for testing must be attending classes on a regular basis, and their respective instructors must give consent.

Art. 4: the instructors are those members, who have already reached a satisfactory experience level for that purpose, based on technical level, their physiological balance, first aid knowledge, didactics, no criminal background, and be authorized and registered with Team Oliveira.

Art. 5: in the tests the following will be required both theoretically and practically: the history of Jiu-Jitsu, physical competency, projection techniques, strikes, blocks, joint locks, chokeholds, pressure point strikes, submissions, takedowns, self-defense, competition, arbitration, first aid, and didactics. The number of techniques and knowledge of the material will depend on the belt promotion level.

Art. 6: belt promotions granted by the school, can at any point in time be revoked, if the student has disrespected the principles set by the ethics committee of Team Oliveira.

Art. 7: belt evaluations are done by a committee of black belts members, who are recognized by Team Oliveira and by the PABJJF and IBJJF. The student can count on the presence of their respective instructors.

ORIGIN OF JIU-JITSU

Despite contradicting versions, the origin of Jiu-Jitsu can be contributed to India, a birth continent to various civilizations, cultures and religions. Just north of India, a few miles from Benares, a prince by name of Sidhartha Gautama, known as Saquia Muni (the lonely prince) and later became known as Buddha – the Enlightened One.

The beginning of Buddhism led to the rise of Jiu-Jitsu. Since Buddhist monks from distant monasteries had to travel far to spread their teachings and many times came across people who did not believe in their religion. The monks could not use arms since it was against their philosophy. Therefore, they began to observe the movements of animals and gained great knowledge about the human body and how it interacts with the laws of physics, such as equilibrium, momentum, lever, inertia, center of gravity, etc. From this the greatest art of self-defense derived, leading to a most complete system of combat without the use of weapons, the JIU-JITSU. Buddhism arrived in China and later Japan, which became the birthplace for all martial arts. During this time, Feudalism was present and the nobles relied on Samurais for their protection. It is important to note that these Samurais were warriors who fought using their bodies. From this, one can understand more about the philosophy of Jiu-Jitsu since these Samurais fought so hard to protect their masters, clans and their fidelity that they didn’t stop at anything, only death prevented them from fighting for what they believed.

After the Industrial Revolution, the Japanese migrated West. And with this a great curiosity spread over their culture and an obvious interest over the secrets behind their martial arts. At this time the Japanese tried to preserve their culture along with their knowledge in weapons and warfare techniques. As a result the Jiu-Jitsu is fragmented into various arts. The Japanese began exporting Karate, Judo, Aikido, and other techniques that developed and later became great combat sports. However, Jiu-Jitsu was preserved by the Japanese emperor who declared crime against their homeland to those who taught it outside of Japan.

JIU-JITSU IN BRAZIL

During World War I many Japanese migrated West and many settled in Brazil. In 1917 MITSUYO ESAI MAEDA, also known as CONDE KOMA, chose to live in Belém do Pará. Coincidentally, Gastão Gracie and his sons; Carlos, George, Oswaldo, Gastão Filho and Hélio, also lived there. In time, Gastão met the Conde Koma and helped him get settled in the new city. Shortly after they became good friends and in appreciation for his gratitude the Conde decided to teach Gastão’s oldest son, Carlos, the art of Jiu-Jitsu. Carlos soon became fascinated with the sport and mastered every technique so perfectly that he was soon able to teach his brothers. This was the beginning of Jiu-Jitsu for the Brazilians. Subsequently, the Conde Koma settled in Belém do Pará where he died in June of 1941 at the age of 63.

Another part of the history of Jiu-Jitsu in Brazil comes from Hélio Gracie, the youngest son of Gastão. He developed new techniques that were very efficient. Unfortunately, Hélio Gracie had medical restrictions that prevented him from practicing sports due to his frail physique. He couldn’t handle intense physical activities and would faint whenever he attempted to do them. He would watch all of his older brother’s classes and wish that he could participate. One day, his brother was late to teach the class, and Hélio decided to fill in for him. From this day forward he became known as the “teacher”. By attending all of the classes he was able to explain everything in great detail. As a result, the most perfect fighter and greatest promoter of the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu was born.

MINIMUM TIME REQUIRED FOR BELT PROMOTIONS

White Belt: beginner belt, only the basic requisites covered in art. 1 are required.

The stripes of the white belt will be directly related to the training time of the students, every three months, students will receive a new stripe, upon completing one year of training the student should have received a total of four stripes, giving the student the right to test for the blue belt and/or the yellow belt.

Blue and yellow belt: upon receiving four stripes in the white belt division that student may request the test for the next belt, if the student completes all of the stripes (divisions) well before the test dates, the student may receive a special exam or wait until the scheduled test date.

The tests for belt promotions in the blue and yellow divisions will be every six months, that is, the date periods cited in art. 2.

Purple and orange belt: upon receiving four stripes in the blue/yellow belt division students may request the test for the next belt promotion.

The tests for belt promotions in the purple and orange divisions will be every six months, that is, the date periods cited in art. 2.

Brown and green belt: upon receiving four stripes in the purple/orange belt division students may request the test for the next belt promotion.

The tests for the belt promotions in the brown and green divisions will be every six months, that is, the date periods cited in art. 2.

Obs. 1. Those who achieve the 4th degree in the brown belt division will only be able to request the test for the black belt if they have competed in an official national and/or international championship. (CBJJ). Special cases will be evaluated.

Obs. 2. The students who take first place in their respective belt tests will receive one incentive stripe, that is, students with the second stripe will receive the third, and students with the third stripe will receive the next belt promotion.

Black Belt:

Black belt with a white band: represents first year as a black belt, allowing the athlete to help teach the classes.

Black belt with a red band: represents second year as a black belt, and the athlete is the instructor’s assistant.

Black belt with a red tip with white stripes: represents third year as a black belt, and the athlete may now become an instructor.

Black belt with a red band with one division (1st degree or 1° dan): represents the fourth year as a black belt. From here on, the stripes or degrees with be acquired every four years, where it then becomes necessary to prove the consistent participation in activities related to the development of jiu-jitsu, such as, teaching, refereeing, as an athlete, an organizer, attending seminars, competitions, promotional events, conventions, in conclusion everything that relates to the good practice of the jiu-jitsu sport.

Black belt with a red tip with 7th and 8th degrees or a dan: upon achieving the 6th degree black belt and completing the proper four years, the instructors will now become known as masters and start wearing a red belt with a white band and seven divisions (7th degree), and after completing the next proper four years, the master will receive the eight degree, that is, a red belt with a white band and eight divisions.

9th degree red belt (master): represents that the master has achieved thirty-six years since he was promoted to the black belt.

10th degree red belt (grand master): represents the completion of the belt rank system, with a total of forty years since being promoted to the black belt.

Obs.: all of the belt promotions certificates for all belt divisions must be solicited to the Team Oliveira. It will then be analyzed by the evaluation committee of The School of Officials of Jiu-Jitsu.

BELT RANKING

All belt ranks must be rigorously completed. All belts must have one end with 10cm black band placed 2cm away from the tip of the belt; this is where the divisions (stripes) will be placed. The black belt will have a white band placed the same way. Only the black belt instructor will have a red band, to show his special rank.

Requirements for Blue/ Yellow Belt

I - FALLING TECHNIQUES (6)

Exercises that enables the student to protect themselves from falls and loss of balance.

• Backward side rolls;
• Sitting down backward rolls;
• Side rolls from the knees;
• Standing backward rolls and standing forward rolls;
• Running forward rolls to the right and to the left;
• Running forward rolls;

II - SETUPS AND TAKEDOWNS (6)

The adversary uses setups and takedowns to get the opponent on the ground. In the evaluation it is extremely observed the technique, velocity and setup of the takedown both by who gets taken down and who is punched.

• OsotoGari
• OuchiGari
• KouchiGari
• Ogoshi
• UkiGoshi
• KoshiGuruma

III - JOINT LOCKS (3)

These are grappling techniques that use the manipulation of the opponent’s joints in such a way that the joints reach their maximal degree of motion.

• With the opponent in stand-up position;
• With the opponent in guard position;
• Mounting the opponent;

IV - CHOKEHOLDS (3)

A grappling hold applied to the neck that strangles the opponent and leads to unconsciousness. It cuts off air and blood flow causing a cut of oxygen to the brain.

• With the opponent in stand-up position;
• With the opponent in guard position;
• Mounting the opponent;

V - IMMOBILIZATIONS (3)

This consists of the absolute control over the opponent using positioning and the body without the need of chokeholds and joint locks. It will be required both the application of the immobilizing techniques and the escapes.

• North south position, immobilize/control the hips of the opponent;
• North south position, under/over hooks (the arm) of the opponent;
• Side control, immobilize the head;

VI - MOVEMENTS (3)

This is part of the movements in jiu-jitsu where points are scored and/or unfavorable escapes:

• Passing the guard;
• Sweeps;
• Front and back mounts;
• Free movements.

VII - COMPETITION

The evaluation will be performed through combats in which it will be observed the performances of the student in the following situations

BELT	PRETA	MARROM					ROXA					AZUL
STRIPES	s/d	4	3	2	1	s/d	4	3	2	1	s/d	4	3	2	1	s/d
QUESTIONS	G	G	G	G	G	G	G	G	G	G	G	20	15	15	10	10
GYMM	F	F	F	F	F	F	F	F	F	F	F	F	M	M	L	L
BREAK FALLS	10	10	10	10	10	10	10	10	10	10	10	10	8	8	6	6
TAKE DOWNS	30	24	23	22	21	20	18	16	14	12	10	10	8	8	6	6
STRIKES	G	G	G	G	G	G	G	G	G	G	G	G	G	G	G	G
JOINT LOCKS	G	26	25	24	23	22	21	18	18	15	12	9	6	6	3	3
CHOKES	G	26	25	24	23	22	21	18	18	15	12	9	6	6	3	3
PRESSION	G	G	G	G	G	G	G	G	G	G	G	-	-	-	-	-
IMOBILIZATION	G	15	14	13	12	11	10	10	9	8	7	6	5	4	3	2
POSITIONS	G	G	G	G	G	G	G	G	G	G	G	5	4	3	3	3
COMPETITION	F	F	F	F	F	F	M	M	M	M	M	L	L	L	L	L
SELF DEFENSE	G	G	G	G	G	G	G	G	G	G	G	-	-	-	-	-
REFEREE	G	G	G	G	G	G	G	G	G	G	G	-	-	-	-	-
FIRST AID	G	G	G	G	G	G	G	G	G	G	G	-	-	-	-	-
DIDATIC	G	G	G	G	G	G	G	G	G	G	G	-	-	-	-	-