The first thing I teach new white belts at my BJJ gym?
How to tie their jiu-jitsu belt.
In this article and video, you’ll learn how to tie a jiu-jitsu belt in 30 seconds — and make sure it looks pro!
How To Tie A Jiu-Jitsu Belt In 34 Seconds
Here is a list of the steps for the video above:
Step 1 – Cross your jacket
Lay the left lapel over the right so the jacket stays shut.
Step 2 – Center the belt and wrap it around
Place the middle of the belt on your stomach, label-side out, and wrap both ends around your back until they meet again in front. The tails should hang equal length.
Step 3 – Lay the left tail across
Lay the left tail straight across your navel.
Step 4 – Lay the right tail over the left
Lay the right tail over the left, still crossing on your centerline.
Step 5 – Thread the right tail upward
Thread the right tail upward from underneath both belt layers. You now have two stacked layers around your waist plus one vertical tail.
Step 6 – Create a horizontal gap
Create a small horizontal gap by tugging the top belt layer away from your body.
Step 7 – Feed the lower tail through the gap
Feed the lower tail down through the gap to form the classic front loop.
Step 8 – Pass the upper tail through the loop
Pass the upper tail through the front loop (toward the floor) so the knot squares up.
Step 9 – Tighten and adjust the knot
Tighten the knot by pulling both tails outward, then adjust so the ends hang level and the knot sits flat.
Finito!
Now your belt should have the perfect knot, like so:
(Dig my BJJ gear in this video? I’m wearing a Scramble BJJ gi with BC Kimonos gi pants and a Gold BJJ Heavyweight belt.)
How To Tie A Jiu-Jitsu Belt: Final Thoughts & Discussion
So there you have it: how to tie your jiu-jitsu belt.
This is the easiest method I know.
Do YOU know of an easier or quicker way to tie your belt?
If so, leave a comment and let me know.
And if you used this method to tie your belt, I’d love to hear it!
Happy rolling. 🤙
Tsavo Neal
Tsavo is the founder of BJJ Equipment, author of BJJ For Beginners, creator of the BJJ Missions app, and a brown belt instructor at InFighting. He launched BJJ Equipment to help grapplers at every belt level train smarter, make faster progress, and find the best gear for their game.