What Earning a BJJ Blue Belt Really Takes
A BJJ blue belt isn’t just a sign that you’ve learned the basics — it’s proof that you’ve stuck with something most people give up on. The early stages of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu are filled with doubt, discomfort, and failure. That’s normal. What matters is how you respond to it.
At Next Generation Martial Arts in Thibodaux, we’ve helped dozens of students earn their BJJ blue belt — not by chasing quick results, but by focusing on steady progress and building the right mindset. We understand that success on the mat starts with showing up, being consistent, and embracing the challenge.
This post breaks down what to expect on your path to a BJJ blue belt, using our four-stripe system as a guide. From your first awkward rolls to becoming a dependable, confident teammate, we’ll show you what this journey really looks like — and why it’s worth it.
(Related: Afraid to Start BJJ? You’re Not Alone)
Stripe #1: Surviving the Beginning
The first step toward your BJJ blue belt isn’t about mastering techniques — it’s about surviving the beginning. The early weeks of training are the hardest. Everything feels awkward. You’re unsure of your movements, overwhelmed by the pace, and likely questioning if you belong on the mat at all.
At this stage, you’ll start to feel more comfortable in your gi and less intimidated by the setting. You’ll begin to remember basic movements and class structure, and you’ll start trying techniques during training — most of which won’t work at first.
That’s not failure. That’s the process.
The students who make it past this phase aren’t always the most athletic or confident. They’re the ones who keep showing up. The ones who understand that failure isn’t something to avoid — it’s something to push through. If you can show up consistently, keep your ego in check, and stay open to learning, you’re already on the path.
Your BJJ blue belt journey starts with this simple truth: progress begins when you stop needing every round to feel like a win.
Stripe #2: Finding Your Legs
By the time you’re approaching your second stripe, things begin to click — not perfectly, but noticeably. Your body feels more capable, your mind less overwhelmed. You’re still a beginner, but no longer lost. This is the moment when many students start to believe they might actually earn that BJJ blue belt one day.
You’ll know the warm-up movements well and begin to apply them with purpose. You’ll start rolling with more direction and be in far less of a panic. You’re no longer just reacting — you’re making decisions. You may still struggle to finish anything, but you’re developing a feel for position, control, and timing.
You’ll also begin to understand the positional hierarchy — learning which positions give you the most control and which ones you need to escape. Along with that comes the idea that your next move should always advance your position, your control, or your awareness. That principle becomes a compass for your training.
By this stage, you’ve more than likely watched one of your training partners earn their BJJ blue belt — and suddenly, the journey feels real. You realize this isn’t just something other people achieve. It’s something you can earn, too.
Physically, your body starts to adapt. You recover faster. The soreness fades. Mentally, you’re more confident, but still humbled every time you train — and that’s exactly where you should be.
At this stage, your BJJ blue belt still feels far away, but it’s no longer abstract. It’s something you’re actively moving toward.
Stripe #3: Becoming a Problem-Solver
By the time you reach your third stripe, your training starts to feel less chaotic and more calculated. You’re not just reacting — you’re observing, anticipating, and solving problems in real time. You haven’t mastered the art, but you’re learning how to think through positions and make better decisions under pressure.
Your body has fully adapted to the physical demands of training. You move through warm-ups with ease, your conditioning has improved, and your recovery time between sessions is faster. You’re rolling with direction, not desperation. You know where you are in a position — and just as importantly, you know where you want to go. You don’t always get there, but you’re no longer just surviving.
Against newer students, you begin to feel in control. You see the mistakes they’re making — and you know why they’re making them, because not long ago, you were making the same mistakes yourself. By this point, you’ve likely been training for nine to twelve months, and the learning curve — though steep — has left a lasting imprint. You’ve learned dozens of techniques across multiple positions, but more importantly, you still remember how it felt to be lost. That memory builds empathy, and that empathy helps you become the kind of training partner others trust.
You may not be tapping everyone out, and you’re likely still getting caught by higher belts — but now you understand what’s happening. You’re not confused. You’re developing composure, control, and clarity. You’re starting to embody what it means to be a student of the art.
At this point, your BJJ blue belt is no longer just a goal — it’s a reflection of how far you’ve already come.
Stripe #4: Becoming Reliable and Resilient
When you reach your fourth stripe, your instructors and teammates begin to see you differently — not because you’re the most technical person on the mat, but because you’ve become dependable. You’ve put in the time. You’ve weathered the tough rounds, the off weeks, the setbacks. And you’re still here.
At this stage, you roll with calm under pressure. You can survive bad positions and work your way to safety without panicking. You can maintain top control with intention. Your movements are more fluid, your breathing more relaxed. You’re no longer reacting to chaos — you’re navigating it.
Instructors trust you to train with anyone. That trust isn’t based on skill alone — it’s built on your ability to protect your partners, manage your ego, and bring value to the room. You’re not just part of the culture — you help create it.
You may still struggle to finish submissions consistently, and that’s okay. By now, you’ve learned that control, timing, and safety matter more than chasing taps. You’ve become the kind of student new people look to for guidance, and you’ve earned that through your consistency and attitude.
At this point, the BJJ blue belt is within reach — not because you’ve arrived, but because you’ve proven that you’re committed to continuing.
Your BJJ Blue Belt Is Earned — Never Given
The journey to a BJJ blue belt isn’t about winning every round, collecting techniques, or being the most athletic person on the mat. It’s about consistency. It’s about learning to keep showing up — especially when you feel like quitting.
Each stripe you earn represents something deeper than time on the mat. It represents resilience. Humility. Awareness. You begin to move not just with your body, but with intention — with purpose.
And when that blue belt finally gets wrapped around your waist, it won’t feel like a reward. It will feel like recognition for becoming someone who didn’t give up. And yet, even at that moment, many students still ask themselves, “Am I really ready?” That doubt is normal. In fact, it shows you’ve developed one of the most important qualities in Jiu Jitsu: humility.
There’s no shortcut to getting there. But if you’re ready to start your journey — or stay the course — you’ll find the support, structure, and training environment to help you succeed right here.
👉 Start your journey with us.
Just show up and do your best.