Judo BJJ skills BJJ skills reference
Common BJJ Skill Progression A practical reference for the skills commonly associated with the adult white-to-black belt journey. Promotions are decided by each instructor and academy, not by a universal technique exam.
This is not an official IBJJF syllabus. The IBJJF Graduation System defines belt and degree progression; it does not prescribe one mandatory technique list for every academy.
White belt Safety and survival
Build the movement vocabulary and positional awareness needed to train safely and find stable positions.
Tap early and recognize common submission danger Breakfall, technical stand-up, bridge, and hip escape Identify standing, guard, side control, mount, and back control Escape mount, side control, and back control into a usable position Maintain a basic guard, sweep, pass, and finish a few fundamental submissions Blue belt Reliable fundamentals
Make sensible decisions across the major positions and begin building a personal game that works against resistance.
Defend and escape reliably against common attacks Use at least one dependable guard and a route to sweep or stand up Pass with both a distance-based and close-range option Stabilize side control, mount, or back control after a pass or sweep Connect positional control to two or three safe submission attacks Purple belt A connected personal game
Develop depth, recognize reactions, and connect preferred positions into reliable offensive and defensive systems.
Use a defined A-game with credible secondary routes Diagnose common reactions and choose an appropriate adjustment Chain guards, passes, transitions, and submissions rather than relying on isolated moves Adapt the game to different body types, styles, and levels of resistance Explain and teach core movements clearly to newer students Brown belt Pressure and efficiency
Refine timing, pressure, and decision-making while closing the gaps that skilled opponents can expose.
Impose a high-percentage A-game with efficient movement Recognize and exploit small positional or timing errors Transition cleanly between control, passing, escapes, and submissions Maintain broad competence outside the preferred game Coach and demonstrate techniques with detail, timing, and safety Black belt Mastery, teaching, and continued development
Demonstrate mature judgment across the art, contribute to the development of others, and keep refining the game.
Use a complete, adaptable game in offense and defense Make strong strategic decisions against varied opponents Understand the principles behind techniques, not only their sequences Teach, coach, and communicate the art at a high level Continue researching, adapting, and contributing beyond personal performance Informed by common coaching standards and published belt guides, including theBJJ More belt curriculum reference . Requirements vary by academy, ruleset, gi/no-gi focus, age, and training goals.