Sep 13, 2025

Mastering the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Belt Tie: A Beginner’s Guide

Red Hawk Sublimation Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Gi (BJJ GI) - Summo Sports

When you step into a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) academy for the first time, one of the first challenges isn’t executing an arm bar or escaping side control — it’s figuring out how to tie your belt properly. The Brazilian Jiu Jitsu belt tie may seem like a small detail, but it’s a symbol of respect, discipline, and tradition.

A well-tied belt keeps your GI secure, represents your rank with pride, and shows that you take training seriously. On the flip side, a sloppy knot that constantly falls apart can distract you during rolls and make you look unprepared.

In this guide, we’ll cover:

🎯 Why tying your belt correctly matters
🥋 The parts of the BJJ belt and uniform
📜 Step-by-step instructions for different tying methods
⚠️ Common mistakes and how to fix them
🔒 Tips to make your knot stay tight during training

🎯 Why the BJJ Belt Tie Matters

The belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu serves multiple purposes:

🥋 Rank Identification – Shows your progress and helps instructors and teammates know your level.
✅ Practical Use – Secures the GI jacket during training and competition.
📜 Tradition – A proper tie reflects discipline and respect for the art.
🧠 Mindset – Taking the time to tie it correctly sets the tone for focused training.

A belt that falls off every few minutes is frustrating — so learning the correct tie is one of the first technical skills every student should master.

🥋 The Parts of the Belt and GI

Before tying, understand the components:

👕 GI Jacket (Kimono): Cross the left lapel over the right — always left over right, a martial arts tradition rooted in Japanese culture.
➖Belt (Obi): A thick cotton belt, about 7–9 feet long, depending on size.
↔️ Tails: The two ends of the belt that hang down once tied.

Knowing how the belt wraps around your waist and over the jacket will make the tying process smoother.

⛓️ Step-by-Step: The Standard BJJ Belt Tie

This is the most common way to tie a belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu — secure, neat, and widely accepted in academies and competitions.

1️⃣ Find the Center

Hold the belt in both hands.
Fold it in half to find the middle point.
Place the centre of the belt against your stomach, just below the navel.

2️⃣ Wrap Around Your Waist

Wrap both sides of the belt around your waist and cross them at the back.
Pull them forward again so both ends are even in length.
Make sure the belt overlaps neatly and lies flat against your GI (no twists).

3️⃣ Cross the Ends in Front

Take the right side and cross it over the left side.
Tuck the right side under both layers of the belt from the bottom up.
Pull it through and tighten — this forms the base layer.

4️⃣ Tie the Knot

With the left end in your left hand and the right end in your right hand, cross the right over the left.
Loop it underneath and pull tight to form a square knot.

✅ Result: A flat, even knot with both tails pointing down at the same length.

🔄 Alternative Methods of Tying

Different academies and practitioners use slightly different belt tying methods. Here are the most common variations:

🎬 1. The “Hollywood Tie” (Wrap-Around Method)

Instead of finding the center, place one end of the belt at your hip.
Wrap the other end around twice until both ends meet in front.
Tie the knot the same way as the standard method.

🔹 Advantage: Creates a very clean look with no crossing at the back.
🔹 Disadvantage: Harder to adjust if belt length is off.

🔒 2. The “Super Lock” Knot (Competition Tie)

Start with the standard method.
After tucking one end under both layers, cross the tails and loop as usual — but add an extra wrap in the knot.

🔹 Advantage: Great for tournaments where you don’t want constant adjustments.
🔹 Disadvantage: More difficult to untie at the end of class.

🌟 3. Instructor Tie

A stylistic variation often used by professors.
Typically tied with slightly longer tails or adjusted for personal flair.
Functionally the same, but neatness and presentation are emphasized.

🔹 Advantage: Demonstrates professionalism and tradition.
🔹 Disadvantage: Purely aesthetic, not more secure than the standard tie.

🌀 4. Double Wrap Tie

Place one end of the belt at your hip.
Wrap the longer end twice around the waist instead of once.
Tie the knot as usual.

🔹 Advantage: Extra firm hold, belt feels thicker and more secure.
🔹 Disadvantage: Adds bulk around the waist, not ideal for everyone.

⚠️ Common Mistakes Beginners Make

❌ Uneven Tails: One end hangs much lower than the other. Fix by adjusting before tying the knot.
❌ Twisted Belt: The belt twists behind the back instead of lying flat. Always smooth it out during wrapping.
❌ Sloppy Knot: If the knot isn’t square, it will fall apart quickly. Make sure you cross right over left consistently.
❌ Wrong Lapel Order: Never put the right lapel over the left — in Japanese tradition, this is only used for dressing the dead.

🎯 How to Keep Your Belt Tied During Training

Even when tied correctly, BJJ belts loosen during rolling. To minimize this:

🔒 Pull tight at each step when wrapping and knotting.
➰ Double-knot using the super lock method.
🧵 Break in your belt — new belts are stiff and untie easily. After a few washes, they tie more securely.
⏸️ Adjust during breaks — it’s normal to retie several times in a sparring session.

🧒 Teaching Kids to Tie Their Belt

For children, tying the belt can be extra challenging. A few tips:

🎯 Use the wrap-around method, which is simpler to learn.
🩹 Coaches often mark the “starting spot” on the belt with tape.
👨👩👧 Encourage kids to practice at home — just like tying shoelaces.

By the time they transition to adult belts at 16, they’ll be tying confidently on their own.

🔹 The Symbolism of Tying the Belt

For many practitioners, tying the belt is a small ritual before training. It represents:

💪 Commitment to showing up and putting in the work.
🙏 Respect for the art, instructors, and training partners.
🧘 A reset — leaving outside stress behind and focusing on the mat.

Even seasoned black belts perform this ritual daily, showing that no matter your rank, you start every session the same way: tying your belt and stepping on the mat with humility.

🥋 Final Thoughts

Learning how to tie your Brazilian Jiu Jitsu belt may seem like a small detail, but it sets the foundation for your journey. A neat, secure knot is both practical and symbolic — keeping your gi in place while showing respect for the tradition of the art.

Whether you prefer the standard tie, 🎬 Hollywood method, 🔒 super lock for competition, 🌟 instructor variation, or 🌀 double wrap tie, what matters most is consistency and pride in wearing your belt.

With practice, tying your belt will become second nature, a simple but powerful reminder that every class is another step forward in your BJJ journey.

So next time you step onto the mat, take a moment to tie your belt properly — it’s the first move you’ll master in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and one you’ll repeat for the rest of your training life.

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