KOBUKAI JU-JITSU

Ranking and Promotional Requirements

WHITE BELT: Beginner. Approx. 6 months – 1 year. Novice Ju-Jitsu practitioner. Must know and demonstrate basic techniques. Must be able to execute most of this levels techniques in practical application.

YELLOW BELT: Advanced Beginner. Approx. 6 months – 1 year. Has a good base. Knows all beginner techniques. Exhibits a basic toughness and necessary aggressiveness tempered with safety. Starts to show understanding of strategy. Must be able to execute most of this levels techniques in practical application.

BLUE BELT: Intermediate. 1-2 years. Knows all beginner and advanced beginner techniques. Uses these techniques in self-defense and ne-waza. Developing strategies. Setting up strings of techniques. Makes smooth transitions and understands principles. Either beats white belts most of the time or can at least defend against anything a white or yellow belt tries in a fight. Knows some history. Must be able to execute most of this levels techniques in practical application.

BROWN BELT: Advanced. 1-2 years. Knows all beginner, advanced beginner and intermediate techniques, and variations. Has developed own strategies. Excellent at unrehearsed self-defense. Easily beats white and yellow belts. Catches blue belts when they make a mistake. Knows history. Can assist in teaching class. Understands safety issues. Wins matches or fights with experience and clean technique. Has developed personal maturity. Trains without ego.

BLACK BELT: Assistant Instructor. Teaches by example in attitude, strategy and technique. Has moved beyond performing technique and setting strategy in a match or fight, to allowing the opponent to “choose” technique and strategy for them. Has passed formal Shodan test in front of a mixed Joseki. Represents the school. Understands that the real learning is about to begin. Is accepted as a Blackbelt by peers. Excellent at all aspects of unrehearsed self defense, ne waza, and weapon defenses. Title of Sempai.