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BJJ curriculum · 12 weeks

White Belt Roadmap

Foundational 12-week roadmap to build posture, base, escapes, and core guard skills.

What white belt means

White belt is where everyone starts, whatever their age or background. It means you are learning to survive: staying calm under pressure, escaping bad positions and holding a few basic pins without help.

How long white belt takes

IBJJF minimum: None. You wear a white belt from your first class, and the IBJJF sets no minimum time at white. You must be at least 16 to move to an adult blue belt.

Typical: Most adults who train two to four times a week spend 1.5 to 3 years at white belt before their coach promotes them to blue.

See the full BJJ belt order with IBJJF minimums

What you're usually tested on

  • Escaping mount and side control with the hip escape and the bridge and roll.
  • Keeping posture inside closed guard and breaking grips to open it.
  • Scissor and hip bump sweeps from closed guard.
  • A straight armbar and a triangle choke from guard, finished with control.
  • Passing with the knee cut, holding side control and taking the back for a rear naked choke.

Learning Objectives

  • Develop posture, base, and guard retention fundamentals.
  • Learn high-percentage escapes from every major position.
  • Introduce core submissions with safe mechanics.
  • Build training consistency and mat awareness.

How to use this roadmap

  • Work through one block at a time. Drill each technique, then test it in positional sparring before moving on.
  • Bring the list to class and ask your coach which details matter most in your gym.
  • Promotions are your coach's call. This is a study plan, not a promotion checklist.

  1. Block 01

    Weeks 1-4: Survival Fundamentals

    Focus on defensive posture, base, and escapes to stay safe and regain guard.

    • Hip Escape (Shrimp) Series

      Work hip escapes from mount, side control, and seated guard entries.

      fundamentalsBeginner

    • Bridge and Roll Escape

      Learn the Upa escape against mount with proper trapping sequence.

      positionsBeginner

    • Closed Guard Posture

      Maintain upright posture, break grips, and start stand-up guard break.

      positionsBeginner

  2. Block 02

    Weeks 5-8: Guard Building & Attacks

    Construct offensive guard with sweeps and primary submissions.

    • Scissor & Hip Bump Sweeps

      Chain fundamental sweeps from closed guard using angles and timing.

      transitionsBeginner

    • Straight Armbar from Guard

      Learn safe mechanics for the armbar plus posture breaking setups.

      submissionsBeginner

    • Triangle Choke Fundamentals

      Finish triangle choke with angle adjustments and grip fighting.

      submissionsBeginner

  3. Block 03

    Weeks 9-12: Top Control & Passing

    Transition to dominant positions and finish with positional control.

    • Knee Cut Pass Sequence

      Establish grips, cut the knee across, and stabilize side control.

      transitionsBeginner

    • Side Control Pressure & Switches

      Hold side control with hip switches, frames clearing, and step-over mount.

      positionsBeginner

    • Back Control Basics & Rear Naked Choke

      Maintain hooks, attack hand fighting, and finish the RNC safely.

      submissionsBeginner

White belt FAQ

How long does it take to get out of white belt?

Most adults who train two to four times a week reach blue belt in 1.5 to 3 years. The IBJJF sets no minimum time at white belt, only a minimum age of 16 for an adult blue belt.

What should a white belt know before blue belt?

Most coaches want to see you escape mount and side control, keep posture in closed guard, sweep from guard, and finish basics such as the armbar, triangle choke and rear naked choke against resisting partners.

Is there a test for blue belt?

Usually not a formal one. Your instructor decides when you are ready, mostly by watching how you roll. Some academies hold grading days, but the IBJJF does not run belt tests.

How many stripes does a white belt get?

Most academies give up to four stripes on a white belt before the promotion to blue. Stripes are progress markers, and the number and timing vary by gym.

Up nextBlue Belt RoadmapAdvance beyond foundational survival with combinations, pressure passing, and guard retention upgrades.
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Blue Belt