THE SYLLABUS and GRADINGS

Students learn their various moves and techniques in groups that start from the basics and build step by step until they become a  complete syllabus. For the White belt, time is spent learning how to fall correctly (Breakfalls) and avoid being injured whilst they learn the various moves. Each series of moves and techniques for each belt is part of the SYLLABUS which is learnt over many years, this does not preclude any other variation or technique that may be learnt, for example on Course. The Syllabus is the basis to examine the progress that each student makes against a know Benchmark for each award (Belt). At each grading the Student is examined against the sets of moves and techniques for that belt, and may be required to demonstrate any other move or technique from any previous belt. The student will generally be examined by one or two Instructors for the belts upto and including Brown, for Shodan (Black belt) at least two senior Instructors form a Panel, and for all subsequent gradings the Panel will comprise at least two Senior Instructors. For all Dan Grade gradings the rank of all the examiners will be at least one grade above the level being examined, and will not include the students Instructor. For high Dan grade examinations the panel will include at least the two most Senior Instructors of the Style.

Juniors follow a similar Syllabus without certain moves that are deemed unsuitable and some of the longer Syllabuses are broken into two or three parts. When a Junior reaches the appropriate age these Syllabus techniques are taught and the junior is reclassified as Senior.

Other aspects that are learnt during the Students career include Kata, which are set moves in set patterns, Randori which is the competitive form of the various moves, and once the Adult Student attains Dan grade status the full range of Martial Arts weapons such as Bo, Jo, Tonfa, Nunchaku, Sai etc. are included.

Students are required where possible to train at other Dojo’s and Courses organised within our Association to gain the experience, confidence and friendship that comes with this.

At our Dojo we also have Senior Instructors who are qualified to teach the Katana form of Iaido in the style of Sei Tei to Dan grade standard should the student wish to include this, but it is a separate Art and not compulsory.

It is difficult to give firm timescales for gradings as students are individuals who have varying levels of aptitude, fitness and time to train, but it is fair to say that the more time a Student practices Jujitsu the sooner they will move through the grades, but the main criteria is the knowledge and proficient execution of the techniques not timescales. For Green Belt and above a minimum is two sessions per week are necessary, higher fitness levels are required to perform to the standards of these grades and this increases as the Belt level does, so that by the time a Student is studying for Shodan they will be supplementing their training regime themselves.

A guide ONLY, (for Senior students) is

White and Yellow are quite short syllabuses so 2-3 months each,

Green approximately 9 months,

Blue approximately 4-6 months

Purple approximately 4-6 months

Brown approximately 6-9 months

Shodan approximately 12 months

Nidan minimum 2 years

Sandan minimum 3 years

Yodan minimum 4 years

Gondan minimum 5 years