The Belt System

United Martial Arts Academy uses a belt system to measure progress and provide goals to strive for.

In Kickboxing there are exams about every two months. We review all the required techniques and award stripes or belts to students who perform them to the instructors’ satisfaction.

Kickboxing belts follow this order: White Belt, Yellow, Orange, Green, Purple, Blue, Brown, Red, Red/Black (or the “Sith” Belt as some students affectionately call it) and Black Belt. One stripe must be earned on each belt before advancing to the next belt.

Kids under the age of 16 can earn a Junior Black Belt which is a Black Belt with a white line running through its center. When they reach their 16^th birthday, Junior Black Belts can complete a ceremony (usually a hard workout, because we make them sweat for it) and they will be awarded their Black Belt.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu belts follow this order: White Belt, Blue, Purple, Brown and Black Belt. Four stripes must be earned on each belt before advancing to the next belt.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu exams are more irregular and informal than most other styles. An approximate time to hold each belt is two years, but it often takes much longer. There are very few Black Belts in this style.

We also have a belt system in our Little Ninjas Pre-School Program. It is intended to measure progress and motivate kids to do their best. They can earn a stripe at the end of every class if they try hard and earn a new belt every few months when they master certain skills.

We charge a small fee for belt exams to cover the costs of belts, rank certificates and instructors‘ time.

Belts are important in martial arts, but they should not be THE REASON why you train. Too often, students are more interested in the color of their belt than attaining the skills that it represents. Beware of “McDojos” that promise a “Black Belt in a year and a half.” Steer clear of schools that have a multitude of "black belts" in their ranks, many of them young children.

The frequency of your belt progression depends on how fast you learn, your attendance and how hard you train. If you are told that you need more practice before receiving your next rank, do not get discouraged. Work harder.