Promotion Guide
Curriculum, Requirements & Score Sheet
Testing for White belt, stripe 1
18 techniques required · 18 new at this stripe
On Your Back 12
Triangle Choke
Opponent in your guard
Arm Bar
Opponent in your guard
Scissor Sweep
Opponent in your guard
Pendulum Sweep
Opponent in your guard
Cross Collar Choke
Opponent in your guard or mounted on you
Kimura
Opponent passing your half guard
Arm Triangle Choke
From bottom while mounted or in side control
Elbow Push Escape
Opponent has you in side control
Hip Bump Sweep
Opponent in your guard
Trap, Buck, and Roll Sweep
Opponent in mount
Standard Shrimping
Forward Shrimping
From the Top 2
Escapes 1
Escape Mount (reclaim guard)
How We Handle Promotions
There is no rule against asking about your eligibility for promotion. Feel free to ask any instructor. We are not gatekeeping.
If you feel you are not ready to be promoted, you may decline the promotion for as long as you feel necessary.
Understanding Belt Rank
Belts represent your rank based on your potential. Not all students at a given rank are the same. Age, health, injuries, cardio, strength, and many other factors play a role in determining rank. Rank is based on you as an individual and your potential to grow.
A higher-ranked student, especially a smaller one, is not guaranteed to defeat a lower-ranked opponent.
Testing and Scoring
Testing is based on technical proficiency. Three instructors score the test individually while you demonstrate the techniques. Each technique is scored from 0–100%. Know the name of each technique, be able to demonstrate it, and apply the proper timing.
| Scoring factor | Weight |
|---|---|
| Technical proficiency | 50% |
| Timing (may vary by technique) | 35% |
| Technique name recognition | 15% |
| Belt | Minimum score to pass |
|---|---|
| White | 70% |
| Blue | 80% |
| Purple | 90% |
| Brown | 95% |
Testing Days
Testing days are announced in advance, so you will have time to prepare.
If You Do Not Pass
Not passing a test is a normal part of training. You are welcome to test again on the next testing day. In the meantime, feel free to ask any instructor which techniques to focus on.
Time and Attendance
Every rank has a minimum time at rank and a minimum number of classes. There are two paths to each rank. Whichever path you take, you must meet both the time at rank and classes attended minimums to promote. The Professor may change these at his discretion.
| Promotion | Path 1 | Path 2 |
|---|---|---|
| White → Blue | 12 months training and 140 classes attended | 24+ months training and 120 classes attended |
| Blue → Purple | 24 months at rank and 180 classes attended | 30+ months at rank and 160 classes attended |
| Purple → Brown | 24 months at rank and 180 classes attended | 30+ months at rank and 160 classes attended |
| Brown → Black | 30 months at rank and 200 classes attended | 36+ months at rank and 180 classes attended |
| Belt rank | Stripe 1 | Stripe 2 | Stripe 3 | Stripe 4 | Next belt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White | 28 classes | 28 classes | 28 classes | 28 classes | 140 classes |
| Blue | 36 classes | 36 classes | 36 classes | 36 classes | 180 classes |
| Purple | 36 classes | 36 classes | 36 classes | 36 classes | 180 classes |
| Brown | 40 classes | 40 classes | 40 classes | 40 classes | 200 classes |
To test for your next belt you need four stripes, the minimum number of classes, and the minimum time at rank.
Reading the Curriculum
Each technique shows the belt and stripe where it is first required, for example White · stripe 2. Once a technique is required, it stays required at every higher belt. A belt test covers all four stripes of your current belt plus the first-stripe techniques of the next belt.
- White · S2White · stripe 2
- Blue · S1Blue · stripe 1
- Purple · S3Purple · stripe 3
This list is not all-inclusive and is subject to change.
Disciplinary Procedures
All students and guests are expected to adhere to our rules and guidelines at all times. Violations may result in immediate removal from the facility. Repeated violations will result in a permanent ban with no right of appeal.
Score sheet: White belt, stripe 1
Score each technique: name recognition 0–15, technical proficiency 0–50, timing 0–35. Minimum average to pass: 70%.
| # | Technique | Name 0–15 | Proficiency 0–50 | Timing 0–35 | Total /100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Triangle Choke · Opponent in your guard | ||||
| Notes | |||||
| 2 | Arm Bar · Opponent in your guard | ||||
| Notes | |||||
| 3 | Scissor Sweep · Opponent in your guard | ||||
| Notes | |||||
| 4 | Pendulum Sweep · Opponent in your guard | ||||
| Notes | |||||
| 5 | Cross Collar Choke · Opponent in your guard or mounted on you | ||||
| Notes | |||||
| 6 | Kimura · Opponent passing your half guard | ||||
| Notes | |||||
| 7 | Arm Triangle Choke · From bottom while mounted or in side control | ||||
| Notes | |||||
| 8 | Elbow Push Escape · Opponent has you in side control | ||||
| Notes | |||||
| 9 | Hip Bump Sweep · Opponent in your guard | ||||
| Notes | |||||
| 10 | Trap, Buck, and Roll Sweep · Opponent in mount | ||||
| Notes | |||||
| 11 | Standard Shrimping | ||||
| Notes | |||||
| 12 | Forward Shrimping | ||||
| Notes | |||||
| 13 | Americana · From side control | ||||
| Notes | |||||
| 14 | Knee Slide Guard Pass · Opponent's full guard | ||||
| Notes | |||||
| 15 | Escape Mount (reclaim guard) | ||||
| Notes | |||||
| 16 | Technical Stand-Up · From sitting | ||||
| Notes | |||||
| 17 | Forward Roll · From sitting | ||||
| Notes | |||||
| 18 | Backward Roll · From sitting | ||||
| Notes | |||||
Student: _______________________ Date: ______________ Instructor: _______________________
Name recognition 0–15, proficiency 0–50, timing 0–35. Minimum average to pass: 70%.
1. Triangle Choke — Opponent in your guard
Name: ___/15 Proficiency: ___/50 Timing: ___/35 Total: ___/100
Notes: _______________________________________________
2. Arm Bar — Opponent in your guard
Name: ___/15 Proficiency: ___/50 Timing: ___/35 Total: ___/100
Notes: _______________________________________________
3. Scissor Sweep — Opponent in your guard
Name: ___/15 Proficiency: ___/50 Timing: ___/35 Total: ___/100
Notes: _______________________________________________
4. Pendulum Sweep — Opponent in your guard
Name: ___/15 Proficiency: ___/50 Timing: ___/35 Total: ___/100
Notes: _______________________________________________
5. Cross Collar Choke — Opponent in your guard or mounted on you
Name: ___/15 Proficiency: ___/50 Timing: ___/35 Total: ___/100
Notes: _______________________________________________
6. Kimura — Opponent passing your half guard
Name: ___/15 Proficiency: ___/50 Timing: ___/35 Total: ___/100
Notes: _______________________________________________
7. Arm Triangle Choke — From bottom while mounted or in side control
Name: ___/15 Proficiency: ___/50 Timing: ___/35 Total: ___/100
Notes: _______________________________________________
8. Elbow Push Escape — Opponent has you in side control
Name: ___/15 Proficiency: ___/50 Timing: ___/35 Total: ___/100
Notes: _______________________________________________
9. Hip Bump Sweep — Opponent in your guard
Name: ___/15 Proficiency: ___/50 Timing: ___/35 Total: ___/100
Notes: _______________________________________________
10. Trap, Buck, and Roll Sweep — Opponent in mount
Name: ___/15 Proficiency: ___/50 Timing: ___/35 Total: ___/100
Notes: _______________________________________________
11. Standard Shrimping
Name: ___/15 Proficiency: ___/50 Timing: ___/35 Total: ___/100
Notes: _______________________________________________
12. Forward Shrimping
Name: ___/15 Proficiency: ___/50 Timing: ___/35 Total: ___/100
Notes: _______________________________________________
13. Americana — From side control
Name: ___/15 Proficiency: ___/50 Timing: ___/35 Total: ___/100
Notes: _______________________________________________
14. Knee Slide Guard Pass — Opponent's full guard
Name: ___/15 Proficiency: ___/50 Timing: ___/35 Total: ___/100
Notes: _______________________________________________
15. Escape Mount (reclaim guard)
Name: ___/15 Proficiency: ___/50 Timing: ___/35 Total: ___/100
Notes: _______________________________________________
16. Technical Stand-Up — From sitting
Name: ___/15 Proficiency: ___/50 Timing: ___/35 Total: ___/100
Notes: _______________________________________________
17. Forward Roll — From sitting
Name: ___/15 Proficiency: ___/50 Timing: ___/35 Total: ___/100
Notes: _______________________________________________
18. Backward Roll — From sitting
Name: ___/15 Proficiency: ___/50 Timing: ___/35 Total: ___/100
Notes: _______________________________________________
Scored 0 of 18 Average — Minimum 70% Result: Not scored
Instructor signature: _______________________________