Can someone in real life be higher than a black belt?

that depends on the style


there are 10 degrees in most systems some have more and even thought they may use 10 degrees the highest rank may only be a 6th or 7th it doesn't have to be 10th . and some have different color for them after black belt, red or red/white are common ones. and to make it more confusing other use red belt as a low rank





it all depends on the school/ instructor/ organization or style. there is no set standard.|||As far as I know, BJJ have red belt but only two person ever had them and I think only one is still alive.





Beside that... If a title champion count then I guess that is higher than a black belt.|||Yes there are different degrees, not to mention Jujitsu has a red belt.|||Once you reach black belt, you can gain degrees, but no other color; ie, 2nd degree black belt, 3rd degree, etc...|||what martial art are you talking about? there are different rating systems for each. in karate there are multiple dan's and a red belt (master)


I've even heard of martial arts that black belt is the first belt.|||babaganoosh what are you babbling about?





any way, yes some styles have belts that are higher in ranking than the black belt, usually it's red, and some even have red belt with a white stripe through the middle of it.








but again it all depends on the style, i've heard of some styles where black is right about the middle of the ranking system, and some where it means your relatively new.|||Of course. Black belt is only a rank given by those who see fit to give it, whereas skill can always increase, no matter what. As they say, there's always someone better than the best.|||Yes there are. For starters black belt always has multiple "degrees" or "dans". There are 10 degrees of black belt. And in some styles there is a red belt that signifies "Master" or "Grand Master".





Just depends on the style.|||at that point its more a matter of accomplishments, titles, awards, wins/loses, how many styles you've mastered, knowledge, sure they'll continue to raise your degree of black belt... but I'd say those who are "higher" than others have the proof to show for it other than more stripe on an already black belt|||the theroy of blackbelt, no. the actual black belt yes. in BJJ at 10th degree blackbelt you literally wear a Redbelt. in Judo, for 6th degree and up there is Red %26amp; White belt, in some traditional Ju Jutsu Ryu's there is even purple belt for Rokudan (6th) or up. but they are called "Black belts."


there are only 10 Dans (degrees) in the blackbelt stage. contrary to popular belief once you get to ten you CAN go higher. at least in Judo. Jigoro Kano sayd "There is always room for improvement. if someone deserves a rank higher than Jyudan, there is no reason they shouldn't be promoted." 2 problems. 1. no one has ever done it and 2. since Kano Jigoro is dead, no one ever will. i suppose if you invent your own art you could but i don't see how credible it would be or how realistic you would look.











as another add on, in a few arts you start as a red belt get to white, black, blue, orange, brown and Red with White stripe




















and just to be a smartass yes i can be higher than a blackbelt if stand on a stool|||Yes, red, which is worn by a grandmaster.|||Well, in Brazialian Jiu-Jitsu once you get to a black belt you go through degrees (10th being the highest, but only the founding brothers which are the gracies from brazil have reached that high). So the highest you normally get in it is 9th degree and not many get that. At 7th degree the belt changes to alternately red and black, then at 9th degree (which you can only hold as long as you either train or instruct) the belt changes to solid red.





have i helped you any?|||yes, a black belt is what is considered an actual beginner in the martial arts. A black belt isn't the end it's a standard that says to the world you learned the basic of basic techniques. A belt is not a transmission of skill- nor is it a rank that is even considered high. The Master of any art is the 'highest' grade =if you were actually grading them- it's a distinctive bestowed honor to even find an actual 'master' of a style. there are title like grand master, and supreme grand master.These titles mean nothing- there is a master and the rest are all students. you know what you don't know in any given art- your skill is not above nor equal to the 'master' of the art you have a black belt in- black belts are a dime a dozen. Most people collect various black belts never committing to any art- they were sold the black belt.





my thoughts...|||It depend on the style in which is practiced. Some martial arts only go up to black belt, while others go much higher.|||yes you can be higher than a black belt. after being a black belt you can become 2nd,3rd,4th degree but you can only go up to 9th degree because it is closest to perfect and no one can be perfect and when you reach 6th degree you can take this test and if you pass the test you can become a master. i do taekwondo and i am a state champ in x-treme its pretty fun i would want to become world champ when i become black belt.|||Yes.|||Not all black belts are equal. you get black belts who can best others easily the same as you get lower belts able to best higher belts.





Sometimes in some very traditional japanese systems, you have white,black and red.|||In Brazilian Jiu Jitsu There is a Red Belt,and 10 Dans must be earned (white stripes on the belt) on top of that,Dont belive that kid,there are dozens of Red Belts throughout the world,and Most of them are not even Gracie Barra,or Gracie Garage students.|||The belt system is relatively new to martial arts. Different styles have adopted it because it gives the practitioner a sense of progression or accomplishment (really your skills should be all you need) which really helps the average person stay motivated.





As for belts "higher" than a black belt, you've read the answers here. Red belt or "red and white" are common to Judo and Gracie/Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (which is a modified form of Judo anyways). The red belt in BJJ is reserved for the founders of the art and as far as I'm aware is not awarded to anyone else.|||be specific about the art because they start and end at different belts. alot of traditional chinese arts don't have belts at all.|||Yes, most arts have "degrees" of black belts. Some arts even have belts above black, generally reserved for the art's founder or only a few at the very top.





Remember though, belts don't tell you anything. Individual arts and even individual schools have their own grading systems. Some people just buy black belts. There are no third-party certification agencies that reliably certify instructors of all different arts. Look into the history of the school and practitioner to make an accurate judgement.|||OF course i have meet tons, my head sensi is a seventh dan and i have met a ninth degree black belt