Milestone map
Milestone map
3 milestones
Compete at purple belt and log attendance
6–12 months
Enter at least one IBJJF or nationally affiliated tournament as a purple belt and maintain consistent training. Competing while at purple validates readiness for the brown belt conversation — promotors across all affiliations cite competitive experience as the clearest signal of readiness.
Proof required
Submit: (1) competition result from an affiliated tournament showing name and purple belt division; (2) attendance record from your academy showing consistent training over the preceding 6 months.
What gets checked
- Tournament is IBJJF or nationally affiliated (British BJJ, UAEJJF, ADCC regional) — open mats alone do not count
- Attendance record shows ≥72 sessions over 6 months (3×/week average) signed by instructor
- Both documents come from recognised third parties — not self-reported spreadsheets
Common mistakes
- Training without competing: remaining at purple indefinitely without pressure-testing technique, which delays most promotors' readiness assessment
- Attendance gaps without explanation: months-long breaks without communication read as commitment issues to promoting instructors
Powstik Guide
A purple-belt competition result and an attendance log.
Steps
- Enter an affiliated tournament.
- Compete in the purple belt division.
- Save the official result.
- Keep a dated attendance log.
Template
Tournament: Date: Division: Result: Attendance (sessions/month):
What gets sent back
- Unaffiliated event.
- Wrong division.
- No attendance log.
Resources
Foundationstart here
Masteryfor the dedicated
What a verifier looks for
- Is the competition result from a named affiliated tournament with a visible date and division?
- Does the attendance record carry academy letterhead or instructor signature?
- Is the 3-session/week average clearly supported by the record dates?
You'll sign in first, then come straight back here.
Receive structured instructor technical assessment
1–2 sessions to capture; ongoing to address gaps
Request a private assessment from your head instructor covering specific technical areas where you are ready for brown belt and where gaps remain. Document the feedback in writing. This is a professional development conversation — it creates a record of your progression and signals readiness for the promotion discussion.
Proof required
Submit: instructor's written assessment or your transcription of their verbal feedback, countersigned by the instructor, covering at least 3 technical areas with specific strengths and gaps named.
What gets checked
- Assessment is specific — 'good guard' is insufficient; names positions, techniques, or game systems
- Both strengths and development gaps are identified — an all-positive assessment is a quality flag
- Instructor is a verified black belt at an IBJJF-affiliated or nationally recognised academy
Common mistakes
- Submitting a vague note: treating the milestone as a checkbox rather than a genuine development conversation
- Passive waiting: not requesting the assessment at all, waiting for a promotion rather than initiating the readiness conversation
Powstik Guide
A written technical assessment from your head instructor.
Steps
- Ask for a private assessment.
- Ask about at least three technical areas.
- Write it up and get it countersigned.
- Note the gaps you'll work on.
Template
Instructor: Date: | Area | Ready? | Gap to close | |------|--------|--------------| Instructor signature:
What gets sent back
- Fewer than three areas.
- No instructor signature.
- Your view only.
Resources
Foundationstart here
Depthgo deeper
What a verifier looks for
- Is the assessment countersigned or directly provided by a verified black belt instructor?
- Does it name at least 3 specific technical areas — not just general impressions?
- Are development gaps identified alongside strengths?
You'll sign in first, then come straight back here.
Receive brown belt promotion
1 day
The promotion ceremony is the proof. Document it through photo or video and the instructor's formal attestation. In BJJ, belt promotions are social, witnessed events — the instructor presents the belt in front of the class after training.
Proof required
Submit: (1) photo or video at the belt ceremony showing you and the promoting instructor; (2) letter or email from the instructor confirming your promotion to brown belt with the date.
What gets checked
- Photo or video shows a recognisable ceremony context — not someone alone holding a brown belt
- Instructor attestation names you, names brown belt rank, and is dated
- Instructor is an IBJJF-registered or nationally affiliated black belt
Common mistakes
- No documentation: receiving the belt without capturing evidence, making the milestone unverifiable
- Unaffiliated promotion: receiving a belt from a school not connected to a recognised federation
Powstik Guide
Photo or video of your brown belt promotion and instructor confirmation.
Steps
- Keep training until your instructor promotes you.
- Get a photo or video at the promotion.
- Ask your instructor for a short confirmation email.
Template
Academy: Promoting instructor: Date: Evidence: photo/video + instructor email
What gets sent back
- A belt bought, not awarded.
- No instructor confirmation.
- No date.
Resources
Foundationstart here
Depthgo deeper
What a verifier looks for
- Is the ceremony photo or video dated and does it show a recognisable promotion context?
- Does the instructor attestation come from a confirmed affiliated black belt?
- Are you named specifically with the belt rank and date?
You'll sign in first, then come straight back here.
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