Rank Up Right: What We Look for at Each MUAY THAI Level
If you’ve trained traditional Muay Thai before, you might be surprised to see a ranking system at ITC. After all, Muay Thai isn’t known for having colored armbands or belt progressions. In fact, in some circles, introducing ranks is treated as a red flag—a sign of a so-called McDojo that’s more interested in selling stripes than building skill.
We get it. And we agree… to an extent.
But here’s the truth: ranking systems aren’t the problem—how they’re used is.
Judo, for example, didn’t always have belts either. Originally, there were just two ranks: white and black. But as the art spread and became accessible to more than just elite fighters, the ranking system evolved into a tool for structure, motivation, and recognition of progress. The same shift is now happening in modern Muay Thai.
Today, Muay Thai isn't just for professional fighters looking to build a career in the ring. It’s for anyone—students, working professionals, parents, athletes—who wants to train seriously, get sharper, and test themselves. Not everyone will compete. But everyone deserves the chance to track their growth in a meaningful way.
That’s why we implemented our Muay Thai ranking system at ITC. It isn’t about gimmicks. You can’t pay for next rank (we lose money on giving out these armbands 😭) It’s about helping you see your improvement, set goals, and feel a sense of earned progression—beyond just your win/loss record.
Here’s what we look for at each level.
🥋 White Rank
Focus: Foundations
Solid stance, basic strikes (jab, cross, teep, round kick)
Knows how to hold pads properly
Starts to understand class structure and rhythm
This is where you’ve learned the basic language of Muay Thai. We don’t expect power or speed—just attention to detail, effort, and a willingness to be coachable. Once you’ve earned your white rank, it means you’ve been recognized as a student of ITC who is here to learn and progress.
💛 Yellow Rank
Focus: Comfort & Coordination
Comfortable with basic combinations
Footwork is coordinated with strikes
Can move smoothly without freezing or rushing
Yellow rank students can link movements together. They’re more at ease in drills and don’t need constant correction. The biggest leap is from White to Yellow as it shows that not only do you have the basics down, but you’ve gone a step further and you understand the concepts behind those basics.
🧡 Orange Rank
Focus: Combo Flow & Control
Confident use of all major strikes
Clean, flowing combinations with balance
Developing rhythm and timing with a partner
Here we see students using more advanced combinations with intention. It’s not just movement—it’s Muay Thai. It’s more than just boxing with some kicks. You are understanding the language of the art and beginning to see how to speak that language on your own.
💚 Green Rank
Focus: Defense & Conditioning
Effective use of blocks, checks, and counters
Understands the "why" behind defensive choices
Can keep pace with high-intensity classes
Green rank shows you’re not just hitting—you’re reading. You can defend, return fire, and maintain performance without falling apart. This is the level that separates the casual gym-goer with someone who wants to be able to confidently say “I know Muay Thai.”
💙 Blue Rank
Focus: Advanced Sparring & Clinchwork
Demonstrates control and strategy in sparring
Beginning to flow in clinch and execute basic sweeps
Can adjust to different styles and partners
This is where maturity in technique begins. It’s not about going hard—it’s about fighting smart. If someone were to come in from another school or from another martial arts discipline, we shouldn’t be worried about you working with them.
💜 Purple Rank
Focus: Leadership & Mastery of Class Work
Assists newer students with form and drills
Has sharp technique across all class combos
Understands conditioning pacing and proper pad-holding
Purple rank signals the start of leadership. You’re not just here to train—you’re here to elevate the room.
🤎 Brown Rank
Focus: Instruction & Advanced Skills
Clean, reliable padwork for all levels
Controls distance with confidence
Strong clinch entries, counters, and exits
Brown ranks often assist in classes or serve as trusted partners. Your timing and control should be elite. You are likely either fighting or assisting the fight team with holding pads or conditioning drills. You may be second or third cornering at this point.
🖤 Black Rank
Focus: Complete Muay Thai Understanding
Total fluency in striking, clinch, defense, and padwork
Teaches, leads, and trains with intention
Inspires and sharpens everyone in the room
Black rank is not the end—it’s a commitment to lifelong learning and leadership. You embody what it means to be a martial artist, both technically and mentally. You can achieve this rank without stepping into the ring, but you can’t achieve it without committing yourself to the sport, the art, and the team.
🧠 How to Know You’re Ready to Rank Up
We don’t do pressure tests or follow a checklist. Ranking is based on class performance, consistency, and attitude. Here’s what matters most:
Are you consistent in attendance and effort? If you’re someone who comes once in a while, we can’t see consistent improvement. You are more than welcome to train if you’re not consistent, but we can’t confidently say that you have achieved all the requirements of a rank unless we can see you on your good days and your bad days performing like that rank should.
Do you show control—not just power—in drills and sparring? Power doesn’t get you anywhere at ITC. It can score you the lucky knockout victory in the ring, but again, that’s not what these ranks are about. We want to see proper knowledge and execution of Muay Thai, not the ability to brawl.
Are you receptive to feedback and actively trying to improve? If you’re coming just to do some drills and the hit the bag, that’s okay. But you’re not going to move up the ladder of ranks here at ITC. We welcome all different kinds of Muay Thai practitioners, but the ranking system is for the practitioners who come here to learn and better their execution of Muay Thai, not just to get fit or let out some energy.
Do you support your training partners and represent the ITC vibe? When someone new steps onto the mat, we want to be proud when they see someone at the rank they are. The last thing we’d want is a green rank performing like a beginner, or a purple rank who should be assisting being standoff-ish with a trial member. Your vibe needs to match the rank that you have, and this is an important but understated requirement.
If you're not sure—ask. Your coaches are always watching, and we’re here to guide you.
💥 Final Thought
Our ranks aren’t about showing off. They’re about showing up.
You don’t need to chase a color. Just keep chasing better. And if you keep doing that… your next rank will come naturally.
