How to Tie Your BJJ Belt: A Beginner's Guide

Tying your BJJ belt correctly keeps it secure during training and ensures you look put-together on the mats. Skip the hassle of a messy knot that constantly comes undone or looks out of place (see below for an example). Instead, try one of these solid methods: Superlock Variation or Hollywood Variation. Pick the one you prefer and get started!

Example of a badly tied BJJ belt

How To Tie BJJ Belt Super Lock Variation

1. Ensure your gi jacket is worn correctly

Wearing your gi properly ensures a clean look and helps keep the belt secure during training. Fold the right side underneath the left side for a traditional fit.

Gi jacket being folded correctly, left hand side of the jacket over the right.

2. Place the middle of the belt below your belly button

Take the center of your belt and place it just below your belly button. This ensures the belt sits evenly when wrapped around your waist.

BJJ belt being placed just below belly button

3. Wrap behind your back and swap hands

Wrap the belt around your waist, crossing it behind your back. Swap the ends to the opposite hands and pull them forward evenly, ensuring equal lengths.

BJJ belt

4. Form an X and secure the black-bar end

Cross the ends in front of you to form an X. Take the end with the black bar. Pull tightly to ensure equal lengths.

BJJ Belt

5. Hold and tuck the tail end

Hold the two belt loops in one hand and pull them slightly away from your body. With your other hand, take the end with the black bar and tuck it upward underneath the two loops where you created the gap.

Tucking the belt tail

6. Pull both ends to secure tightness

Once the tail end is tucked, hold both ends of the belt and pull them firmly in opposite directions to tighten the knot securely. This step ensures the belt stays in place during your training.

Pulling the belt ends to tighten

7. Create a large loop

Take the piece of the belt that's facing the ground and thread it between the two belt loop layers on your hip. This creates the loop needed to complete the knot.

Creating a loop for BJJ belt

8. Thread through the loop

Take the black-bar end and thread it through the large loop you created in the previous step.

BJJ Belt

9. Wedge the belt end between the loops

Carefully wedge the belt end between the two layers of belt loops. This step helps secure the foundation of the knot.

Wedging the belt end between loops

10. Tighten the knot

Pull both ends of the belt tightly to finish the knot. Adjust as needed for a secure and neat fit.

Final tightening of BJJ belt

Check Out The Video:

How To Tie BJJ Belt Hollywood Variation

The Hollywood style of tying a BJJ belt is perfect for practitioners who value a clean and polished look. Unlike the Super Lock Variation, which creates two overlapping loops, the Hollywood Variation results in a single, sleek knot. This method ensures the neatest appearance on the mats, making it a favorite for photos, competitions, and anyone who wants their belt to look its best.


1. Ensure Your Gi Jacket Is Worn Correctly

Wearing your gi properly ensures a clean and professional look while helping to keep the belt secure during training. Make sure to fold the right side of your gi jacket underneath the left side for a traditional fit.

Properly folded gi jacket with the left side over the right

2. Place the End of Your Belt at Your Back

Take the end of your BJJ belt with the tag or logo and position it at your far hip or back, depending on the length of your belt. This placement ensures even wrapping.

BJJ belt positioned at the back with the tag visible

3. Wrap It Around Twice

Wrap the belt around your waist twice, keeping it flat and even as you go. Make sure the layers don’t overlap or twist.

BJJ belt being wrapped around the waist twice in a neat manner

4. Push the Bottom Layer of the Belt Out

Adjust the belt so it sits neatly in the center of your stomach. Push the back layer of the belt down and out to ensure both layers sit flat and even.

Adjusting the bottom layer of the belt for a neat fit

5. Create Two Tails Again

With the belt adjusted, you should now have two tails. Take the end of the belt with the black bar and thread it up behind the two layers of the belt.

Threading the black-bar end of the belt through the layers

6. Pull Both Ends Slightly to Adjust Tightness

Pull both ends of the belt to tighten it slightly and ensure they are of equal length before proceeding.

Pulling the belt ends evenly to adjust tightness and length

7. Make an X

Flip the bottom hanging piece of the belt over, then proceed to create an X shape with the two tails. This is a critical step to achieve the neat Hollywood style.

Flipping the bottom tail and forming an X shape with the belt

8. Pull the Black Bar End Through the Loop

Reach through the loop you’ve created and grab the black-bar end of the belt. Pull it all the way through the loop carefully to prepare for tightening.

Pulling the black-bar end of the BJJ belt through the loop

9. Tighten the Knot

Once the black-bar end is through the loop, pull both ends of the belt tightly in opposite directions. This secures the knot and ensures a clean, polished look.

Tightening the BJJ belt knot for a neat appearance

Check Out The Video:

Conclusion

Mastering how to tie your BJJ belt is an essential skill for every practitioner. Whether you prefer the secure Super Lock Variation or the neat and polished Hollywood Style, a properly tied belt ensures you’re ready to focus on your training without distractions. Practice these steps regularly, and soon tying your belt will feel as natural as stepping onto the mats. Stay consistent, train hard, and represent your journey with pride!

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