The human being, for various reasons, needs concrete symbols to feel that he is advancing, that he is in progress. Because of this, the teaching of Krav Maga in the civilian world follows a system of graduations through different belt colors, similar to other martial arts. The course modules for the security world do not follow the same graduation system.

BELT ORDER AND MINIMAL STAY IN EACH ONE OF THEM

BELT	TIME
WHITE	6 MONTHS
YELLOW	12 MONTHS
ORANGE	18 MONTHS
GREEN	18 MONTHS
BLUE	24 MONTHS
BROWN	24 MONTHS
BLACK BELT 1st DAN
BLACK BELT 2nd DAN
BLACK BELT 3rd DAN
BLACK BELT 4th DAN
BLACK BELT 5th DAN
WHITE AND RED BELT 6th DAN
WHITE AND RED BELT 7th DAN
WHITE AND RED BELT 8th DAN
WHITE AND RED BELT 9th DAN
RED BELT 10th DAN*

* The Red Belt 10th dan would be the title given to the one chosen by Imi, the creator of Krav Maga, to be his successor. However, before his death, he did not appoint anyone for this position.

The teaching of Krav Maga is divided in two parts. The first part is from the white belt to the blue belt, where the student learns the techniques of self-defense. And the second part, from the blue belt o the black belt, where the techniques of body-to-body combat, military combat and other complex exercises are taught. Below, you will find a brief description of each belt level.

Yellow Belt

In this initial stage it is important to learn the movements paying close attention to each and every detail. Here we will find the first movements of releases and attacks. Most of these can be used in any kind of aggressive situation, coming from a short or medium distance. The strikes must be practiced repeatedly and in a slow manner. After the movement has been learned in full detail, then one should start to practice the strikes at a maximum speed. And one must always keep in mind that only the constant repetition of the exercises will result in the improvement of ones skills.

Orange Belt

Once a student gets to the orange belt, he must already have total knowledge of the first attacks previously taught, and must be able to apply them with high efficiency and speed. Here one will learn more complex exercises at a short distance of combat, which will require a very fast reaction. He will learn the series of strikes in all directions, with responses to aggressions at greater distances and at the end of this phase he will have his first body-to-body contacts.

Green Belt

If in the first two phases the student was learning about releases and attacks, in this one he will be practicing defense tactics which will be much faster and objective for all those attacks. The student will need to go back and practice all the movements he has learned up to this point and execute them with a greater efficiency. There is an increase of the level of physical conditioning required and a pursuit for greater speed in all movements.

Blue Belt

At this stage, the student will be required to show speed, motor coordination and a force of maximum power. In the blue belt, the student will encounter defense tactics against white weapons and firearms for the first time. At a second stage, they will experience the part of body-to-body combat with or without the help of weapons or objects.

Brown Belt

Besides the exercises against two, three or more assailants, the student will acquire his first knowledge in military body-to-body combat.