Combat Ju-Jitsu Sunderland

Syllabus Overview

This is a general overview of the syllabus as it currently stands. The body of technique is constantly evolving to meet the sort of threats our students might encounter.

Everyone (of whatever grade) is taught the Basic syllabus (White to Orange belt) as a core of technique. To progress, it is necessary to pass the three belt gradings. Note that the class is a voluntary organisation and does not make a profit (at present, it does not even pay instructor expenses!). Mat fees etc cover the venue and insurance plus whatever incidental expenses may be incurred but nobody is making any money.

Thus we have no incentive whatsoever to push people through gradings, hold them back or whatever. You grade when you are ready, and you pass when you meet the standard. It is not actually necessary to grade if you do not wish to do so. There is plenty to learn in the Basic section of the syllabus, plus the general self-defence material taught in the class but not specifically assessed.

At present, we are hoping that gradings will be free of charge. You’ll need to buy your own belt, though we do have a number of spares that can be borrowed if you prefer. As yet we don’t know if gradings will be free or not, but it does look likely. In any case they will never be expensive

Gradings, if you choose to take them, are simply part of the training process. The instructors will from time to time ‘see you through’ a belt syllabus and, if it is good enough then the grade will be awarded. If not, you’ll be given pointers on how to improve and can ask to be assessed when you feel you are ready. This eliminates some of the grading-stress, though standards are very high. It also means that you don’t fail; you simply get some coaching hints each time until you hit the right standard.

This is the syllabus as it stands. Note that there is other material which is not assessed at the Kyu (coloured belt) grades, for example stick, knife and bottle defences. These are taught as part of the general self-defence component of the class and tie in with many of the syllabus techniques.

Basic: Red, Yellow, Orange Belt
Intermediate: Green, Blue, Purple Belt
Advanced: Brown Belt

Basic Syllabus: White to Orange Belt

The Basic syllabus is taught to all students. It provides a foundation upon which the more advanced techniques are built, and also serves as a body of effective self-defence technique.

There are really only two kinds of thing taught in the syllabus - techniques that can be used immediately for self-defence, and things a student needs to know to learn other things or to train safely. Examples include Breakfalls, Tai Sabaki (body movement or body management, which includes tactical manoeuvring to evade an opponent and gain an advantageous position) and concepts such as Self-Defence Law.

Red Belt

Breakfalls:
Front
Left, Right
Rear

Strikes:
Eye Strike
Jab, Cross, Palm Heel, Hammerfist
Elbows
Knees

Techniques:
Straight Armlocks (high and low punch, elbow and palm heel)
Shoulder Lock/knee to face (high and low punch)
Basic Hip Throw (any finish)
Body Drop (any finish)
Front grab/strangle defences (palm heel, hammerfist, hip throw)
Rear grab/strangle defences (body drop, shoulder lock)

Other:
Six Basic Positions of Tai Sabaki

Yellow Belt

Breakfalls:
Forward Roll
Side Roll

Techniques:
Hip Throw and Head-Hip Throw with Falcon Lock and step-over armlock
Shoulder Armlock (high and low punch)
3 Armlocks:

• Outside evasion and wrist

• Outside evasion and figure-4

• Inside evasion, strike and falcon lock

5 Wristlocks

• Single wrist grab same side

• Single wrist grab opposite side

• Double wrist grab

• Lapel grab

• Wrist lock and throw from punch (low and high)

Ground Defences
Ground Strangles:

• Mount

• Side

• Open Guard

• Head

Kicks:

• Single Inside Takedown

• Single Outside Takedown

• Double Outside Takedown

• Hook ankle & kick
  
  

Orange Belt

Breakfalls:

• Rolling Back

• Rolling Side

• Fore-Flap

Techniques:
Outer Reaping Throws: Cross Hock, Knee Wheel, Outer Reap
Inside Hock, Reclining Leg
Collar bone strike and back hammer lock
Single-leg takedown (leg throw)
Bear Hug Escapes

• Front, over arms

• Front, under arms

• Rear, over arms

• Rear, under arms
  

Demonstrate strikes with impact equipment
Demonstrate six basic positions of Tai Sabaki and show understanding of concept
Show very basic understanding of self-defence law
Demonstrate adequate defences against:

• 4 grabs (can be wrist, lapel, front, rear)

• 4 punches to the head (different defence in each case)

• 2 ground attacks (kicks or strangles)

• Demonstrate ability to spar safely and with control

Intermediate Syllabus: Green to Purple Belt

By the time the student has competed and passed the Basic syllabus they will have a firm grounding in the basic principles of the art and will be able to train both effectively and safely. They will also have a good grounding in basic self-defence and close-quarters combat.

The Intermediate syllabus adds more advanced and destructive techniques as well as increased understanding of self-defence concepts. It also includes a number of traditional Ju-Jitsu techniques with fairly specialist applications, but which are useful to help understand body mechanics.

Green Belt

Strikes:
Shovel Hook, Body Hook, Hook, Powerslap
Knife hand
Inside wrist
Front Snap Kick
Front Push Kick
Side kick (front and rear leg)
Stamp kick

Techniques:
Shoulder Throws: Full and Half Shoulder, Dropping Full Shoulder
and head-hip-knee throw
Sweeping Loin Throw
Drawing Ankle Throw
Rice Bale Throw
Chokes and Strangles:
Symmetrical scissors with clothing
Asymmetric scissors with clothing
Rear Naked Choke
Rear Choke with opponent’s arm
Spin and Choke restraint hold
Pinch Choke
Rear
Scissors Takedown (front and rear)
Escape Full Nelson
Escape Half Nelson (wipeoff, wrist lock)

Blue Belt

Strikes:
Roundhouse kick
Low Thai kick

Techniques:
Hip Throws: Head-hip-knee, Spring hip, Hip wheel
Cross Ankle Throw
Scoop Throw front and rear
Outer Wheel
Outer Hook
Escape garrotting: Side, rear, front
Grab defence using wedge block: head-hip throw, knee and elbow strike
Overhead strike defence using X-block: Falcon Lock, Figure-4 armlock, shoulder lock
Elementary ground fighting: pins, basing, simple submission holds

Purple Belt

Strikes:
Reverse Hook Kick
Rear Thrust Kick

Techniques:
Winding Throws: Inside & Outside
Reverse Hip Throw, Reverse Sweeping Loin Throw
Sacrifice Throws: Valley Drop, Corner Throw, Rolling Ankle Throw, Stomach Throw, Rear Throw
Reverse Shoulder Wheel
Counter to straight armlocks: pullout & strike, wipeoff, cross-arm throw
Counters to back arm & collar: wrist lock (sankyo), wrist/arm takedown, leg throw, wipeoff
Counters to rear double wrist grabs: Sankyo, Leg Throw, Wipeoff, Half Shoulder
Demonstrate effective strikes with impact equipment
Demonstrate use of Tai Sabaki to defeat 3 attacks of the student’s choice
Show understanding of appropriate use of force.
Demonstrate effective defences against:
6 grabs (can be wrist, lapel, front, rear)
6 punches to the head (different defence in each case)
2 double punches to the head
Demonstrate basic ability to groundfight with suitable control

Advanced: Brown Belt

The Advanced syllabus is mainly about applications of what the student has already learned. To pass, the student must demonstrate not only technical ability but also an understanding of the responsible use of force. Responses must be tailored to the requirements of the situation.

Techniques:
6 One-Handed Throws
6 Wrong-Handed Throws
Rear Takedowns:

• One Ankle, Hock and Shoulder Barge

• Rear Cross Hock

• Rear Knee Wheel

• Rear Double Cross Hock

Arm & Shoulder Throw with wrist lock and shoulder lock
Demonstrate highly effective strikes with impact equipment
Demonstrate effective defences against:

• 8 random attacks (single attacker)

• 8 2- or 3-man attacks

Demonstrate ability to groundfight and spar safely and effectively
Demonstrate 2 ‘control & restraint’ solutions to any attack
Demonstrate 2 ‘finish’ solutions to any attack

Black Belt

After Brown Belt of course comes Black Belt. To be permitted to move on to the black belt syllabus a student must meet appropriate standards of fitness (obviously this depends on the individual; a 50-year old with a dodgy back will not be expected to perform the same as a 21-year-old gymnast), of technique and conduct. The latter are not flexible. We do not award black belts for ‘time served’, nor do we give them to individuals whose character is in doubt since this grade is sometimes seen as a requirement to teach. We are not prepared to inflict idiots on unsuspecting students.

The Black Belt syllabus contains some mandatory techniques but also a degree of individual flexibility. It will be discussed with students when they are ready to proceed.