How Dangerous is a BJJ Brown Belt?
In terms of how dangerous is a bjj brown belt, they would likely dominate any untrained individual in a self defense scenario regardless of an attacker’s weight and size.
A brown belt in bjj is the fourth belt in jiu jitsu and is just before black belt.
In the Brazilian jiu jitsu training room, they should be able to control and submit every lower belt (which are white, blue, and purple). Also it’s not uncommon for a brown belt to submit a black belt.
Since a brown belt and a black belt are very close in rank, a brown belt will likely be a competitive roll for a black belt.
How Dangerous Is a BJJ Brown Belt – Key Takeaways
- Self Defense: A brown belt in bjj should be able to dominate any untrained individual regardless of their size in a self defense scenario
- Vs Purple Belt: A purple belt in jiu jitsu may have some of the same skills as a brown belt, but likely needs more time perfecting them as well as working on their weakness (which are usually wrestling, leg attacks/defenses, and control)
- Vs Black Belt: It is not uncommon for a brown belt to submit a black belt in bjj (this doesn’t mean they are better than them, it just means they caught them in a submission)
- BJJ Belt Timeline: With consistent practice, on average it usually takes 6-8 years to achieve a brown belt in bjj
What It Means to Be a Brown Belt in BJJ
What does it truly mean to be a brown belt in bjj?
What Separates Brown Belts from other Jiu Jitsu Belts?:
- They can actually see or know what will happen next from a certain position during a match or sparring session.
- This just shows that they are confident in their skills and can move instinctually because they have a plan for the next reaction or position of their opponent.
- Brown belts are skilled in setting traps against their opponent.
- They are able to set the tempo against lower belts in order to bring them toward their favored position or sequence.
- A brown belt in bjj knows and acknowledges what they are good and bad at.
- They know what needs to be worked on and improved.
- Brown belts have a strong effect on the gym culture.
- Other bjj students will look up to brown belts for how to act so they should always try to be a good role model for all.
- Although some brown belts in bjj deal with impostor syndrome. There would be those thinking that they may think that they are not worthy for their rank or they may be struggling with lower belts submitting them.
- However, even though some brown belts do not feel like they are ready for their rank like many other bjj belt promotions, they will grow into their new rank as time goes by.
- Therefore, to feel more confident as a brown belt in bjj, they should focus on why and how positions, techniques, and submissions work by analyzing every detail.
- Finally, at brown belt bjj practitioners have gone through countless ups and downs in their training but one thing remains constant – they keep showing up.
Is Brown Belt Advanced?
Yes, a brown belt in bjj is already considered an advanced level. A brown belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu have mastered the fundamentals of the sport and have a deep understanding of its principles.
Moreover, these brown belts in bjj have no weaknesses. They are well rounded and effective in every major position of BJJ. To add to that, these brown belt in bjj already have a high skill level compared to the lower ranks, wherein they are capable of setting traps and finding openings even in difficult scenarios.
Difference Between Purple and Brown Belt BJJ
When compared to a purple belt, a brown belt in bjj simply has:
- more control
- more technique
- and overall more knowledge and experience
While a purple belt may have several techniques or positions that display hints of greatness in their jiu jitsu, they just need more time perfecting their preferred techniques, positions, and submissions and more time improving on their weaknesses.
Whereas a purple belt may do extremely well in certain positions – they still likely have large holes in their bjj game. For many purple belts, they often need to work on wrestling, leg attacks/defenses, positional control, and pinning techniques.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Brown Belt in BJJ
For a BJJ practitioner who trains 3 times a week, they are very likely to earn their brown belt in BJJ within 6-8 years.
Granted that they are consistent in training, there are still several different factors being looked at in order to get promoted to become a BJJ brown belt.
Some people can stay shorter or longer at a certain rank compared to others. This just means that they still have to meet their school and professor’s standard in order to level up.
Also, there would be some leveling up faster compared to others because of their background or experience in other grappling sport or martial art.
What Is Expected of a Brown Belt in BJJ
Achieving a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is no small accomplishment.
It takes discipline, dedication, and countless hours of hard work to achieve this level of expertise.
With it comes great responsibility and expectations; once you have earned your brown belt you become an ambassador for your academy and must lead by example.
You are expected to be a role model for younger students as well as possess a deep understanding of the fundamentals of BJJ, as well as master many basic techniques.
Brown belts should also be proficient with their technical abilities, so they can teach other members in their club.
Lastly, brown belts are expected to think on their feet and answer any questions that others may have about Jiu Jitsu.
Achieving a Brown Belt
Earning a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is no easy feat. It takes patience, dedication and hours upon hours of hard work to reach this level of expertise.
- A brown belt has a deep understanding of BJJ fundamentals and has mastered many of the basic techniques associated with this martial art.
- They also have a good grasp on strategy and know how to turn a defensive position into an offensive one in order to gain an advantage over their opponent. This makes them a formidable force on the mats and someone who should be taken seriously by any opponent they face.
- In addition to the technical knowledge that comes with earning your brown belt, developing strong mental toughness is equally as important. It’s during this stage of your journey that you learn how to push yourself past your limits and stay focused even when things are going wrong.
If you’re able to develop this type of mental fortitude then you’ll be well on your way towards mastering BJJ at its highest level.
The Goal for a BJJ Brown Belt Is to Be Well Rounded
A brown belt in BJJ should be a well-rounded martial artist with an array of knowledge and skills.
They will have the technical ability to execute various takedowns, sweeps, submissions, and defensive techniques.
Brown belts should also be able to recognize with confidence when they are at risk of being put in dangerous positions and how to counter them effectively.
Additionally, their experience gives them the ability to think ahead and plan for more complex scenarios.
They should understand the theory behind Jiu Jitsu more deeply than lower belts and can anticipate potential strategies from opponents more accurately.
FInally, they should acknowledge and actively work on any weaknesses in their jiu jitsu.
Some questions to help this are:
- What submissions am I getting most frequently caught with?
- If I was to try to beat myself at jiu jitsu what position, submission, or technique would I use?
Brown Belts May Need to Work on Their Leg Locks
Some brown belts may have bad leg locks, as they may not have had the opportunity to train with leg locks as often as other submissions.
This is often due to many BJJ gyms (and particularly those that follow the IBJJF rule set) don’t allow leg locks until purple belt. This means that brown belts who are only training in these gyms won’t have had much experience with these techniques and could be at a disadvantage when it comes to self-defense scenarios.
However, this doesn’t mean that all brown belts will be lacking in skills when it comes to leg locks; some may still have trained extensively at lower belts or may took a liking toward leg locks and developed strong skills in this area.
It’s important for any practitioner to make sure the are always actively chipping away at their weaknesses.
How Long Does It Take to Reach Black Belt from Brown in BJJ?
On average, a brown belt in BJJ will spend at least 2-5 years of training before earning their black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Although, this can take longer or shorter, depending on many different factors like:
- Dynamics of skills – The goal in mind to become a black belt in BJJ is to become a master of all the skills and be able to apply on the mats.
- Capability of teaching and helping lower ranks – BJJ is a sport that will live on for many more centuries. As a brown belt, one thing being looked at is your ability to pass on the knowledge to those who are lower in rank.
- Consistency in learning – Before a teacher, one is always a student. One attitude being looked at in order to get promoted is being able to master a certain skill, but still open to more learning and knowledge.
- Attitude on and off the mats – A martial artist is someone who is discipline and respectful. As a brown belt, your professors should see that you are a walking representation of what the sport is all about. You are a role model on and off the mats.
- Leadership – No one is born a leader. But as you learn about the sport and the way of life that goes with it you will become a leader. You will be able to lead by example those who look up to you.
- Competitive skills – Joining competitions to test your skills is something that will always be recognized by your school and professors. As a brown belt, compete in competitions to see where you currently stand. This will allow you to test your capability and know what you still have to improve on.
- Others
Can a brown belt beat a black belt? (Bjj brown belt vs black belt)
A Brazilian Jiu Jitsu brown belt is already considered highly dangerous on and off the mats.
It is not entirely uncommon for a brown belt in BJJ to actually beat and submit a black belt when sparing.
Although rare, you can expect that there will be some instances that even a BJJ black belt can succumb to a lower rank such as a brown belt or on even more rare occasions, a purple belt.
However, this doesn’t mean that the brown belt is better than the black belt or that the brown belt knows more than the black belt – it just means that the brown belt caught the black belt in a submission.
Hope this has been a good read!
Catch you next time!
Chris a white belt BJJ practitioner under Tom de Blase and competitor who has done several Asian Jiu Jitsu Submission No Gi competitions. My current favorite jiu jitsu submission is straight foot lock from ashi garami and honey hole.
