Alright, so I’ve been grinding away at Jiu Jitsu for a while now, and the question of “how long does it really take to get a black belt?” keeps popping up. So, I decided to dive deep into my own journey and track everything.
I started by just showing up. Seriously, that was the biggest hurdle. Finding a good gym, getting over the initial awkwardness, and just consistently going. I remember my first few weeks – I was sore in places I didn’t even know existed!
My Training Timeline
- First 6 Months: Feeling like a complete newbie. Got tapped out constantly. Learned the very basics – guard, mount, some basic submissions. Spent a lot of time just trying not to get crushed.
- Year 1: Started to get a little bit of a flow. Could survive a roll without feeling totally lost. Started landing some basic sweeps and submissions on other white belts. Still got smashed by anyone with stripes.
- Years 2-3: This is where things started to click a little more. I started to develop my own “game” – figuring out what positions and techniques worked best for my body type and style. Started competing a bit, which was a whole different level of intensity. Lots of ups and downs, wins and losses.
- Years 4-5: Felt much more comfortable on the mats. Could roll with higher belts and not feel completely outmatched (though still got tapped, of course!). Started focusing on more advanced techniques and strategies. This is where the real learning began, I think. Refining everything.
- Years 6-8: Keep going and going. Training as much as I could. Keeping add pressure.
- Years 9-?: Keep going, and don’t stop.
The biggest thing I learned is that it’s not just about the time, it’s about how you spend that time. Showing up is half the battle, but you also have to be present, pay attention, drill consistently, and constantly try to improve. There were plateaus, injuries, times I felt like I wasn’t getting any better… but pushing through those tough spots is what really made the difference.
It is not easy and make me feel hard, But I will keep training.
