The most important aspect of Black Dragon Kai Jiu Jitsu is respect. Even if you cannot remember all the rules of etiquette, if you are acting with a respectful heart, it should be enough.
Upon entering and leaving the dojo, bow to the instructor and towards the centre of the dojo. This is a sign of respect to your teachers and the area you train i
Students should not come in and out of the class without permission from the instructor, if you are delayed for any reason, please wait until the instructor invites you to join the class.
Gi's should be clean and hygienic (washed regularly) and should not have any rips or tears.
Students are expected to participate in seminars, competitions, and demonstrations with a view to developing their own techniques and representing Black Dragon Kai.
Black Dragon Kai expects that older or advanced students give examples of discipline to new and beginning students in a polite and helpful manner.
Jewellery (piercings, necklaces, rings watches, etc) are not permitted to be worn during training.
Every student must have their uniform clean and complete with official patches from Black Dragon Kai. Other uniforms are not permitted.
Any assistant instructor or senior student that is taking the class should be treated with the same respect as the usual instructor.
Do not talk when instructor is talking / teaching
Do not ask higher belts to spar with you, instead wait until they ask you
Always let your partner know about any injuries before you begin drilling or sparring with them.
Never injure your partners
Don’t make overt displays of how tired you are, no matter how tired you are. Do not sit our rounds.
Do not make excuses about why you had to tap – this does not help develop the BDK Combat Mindset
Start with feet apart, Arms crossed to your shoulders
Squat back low towards the floor
Rock backwards, curving your back as you rock
Keep your head tucked in to avoid contact on the floor
Slap the ground with your palms and arms just before your shoulder blades make contact with the ground
Arms should be out at 45o, hands in line with your belt
Let your hips rise off the floor when you break fall.
Forward Break Fall
Start in a standing position feet apart
Face your palms forward
Forearms at a 45-degree angle
Fall forward and turn your head to the side
Land on your hands and forearms
Do not let your knees or stomach touch the ground
The Forward Break Fall is essential to learn to prevent injury from falling face first onto the ground. Ensure that you have a strong body when your palms and forearms impact on the ground.
Side Break Fall
Start standing
Bring your leg and same side arm out to the side
Squat down towards the floor
Rock sideways, curving your back as you rock
Keep your head tucked in to avoid contact on the floor
Slap the ground with your palm and arms just before your shoulder blade make contact with the ground
Arms should be out at 45o, hands in line with your belt
Let your hips rise off the floor
As your legs return to the floor, ensure your straight leg remains straight
ensure your bent leg remains bent
Do not let your legs cross each other
Slap the floor again with your arm as your straight leg slaps the ground and the ball of your foot on your bent leg hits the ground.
This is a live Self Defence Drill. In this scenario you have managed to secure a mount position over a threat. Your partner will try to get you off by pushing you away, pulling your arms in and by bridging to the side. Demonstrate the use of the following tehcniques to maintain mount.
Side to Side Drill
Your partner pushes ribs left and right - Flare Arms & Hook Head
Low Swim - Partner Pulls Arms In
Your partner pulls your arms - Stiff Arm and Low Swim
Even if both arms are grabbed swim one arm in at a time.
High Swim - Partner Pushes Chest
Your partner pushes your chest - High Swim to Low Position
Students are expected to Spar at the level of 1st Degree White Belt before they will be invited to grade. It is ones capability to employ Jiu Jitsu against a resisting opponent that matters first, before ones knowledge is assessed.
As students gain competency in their understanding and application of BJJ, they may wish to test themselves in actual competition. There are various levels of competition students will be able to enter.
It is exceptionally important that students have permission to compete from their instructor.
BDK Competition
BDK Competitions are an internal tournament and a great way for students to compete in a very safe and friendly environment against other members of Black Dragon Kai. This kind of competition is often the first competition a competitor will compete in.
External BJJ Competition
The next level of competition is when a student competes against competitors from other clubs and teams. Your instructor will tell you when you are ready for this.
Other Grappling Sports Competition
There are many other kinds of grappling competitions, and each of them will enhance your overall grappling ability. As each competition will have different rules, talk to your instructor before you try these out! Examples are below
Students are encouraged to progress in the following combat sports to enhance their BJJ Training. All systems will be taught in conjunction with regular classes
Kosen Judo
Jiu Jitsu came from Judo and as such it is the root of most techniques practiced in Jiu Jitsu. Kosen Judo represents the bridge between Standing Techniques and Ground Techniques. Students will be expected to slowly progress in Kosen Judo grades as prerequisite for Belt promotions in Jiu Jitsu. For example, students are expected to learn and grade to Yellow Belt in Kosen Judo before they attempt their Blue Belt in Jiu Jitsu.
L.A.C.E. U.P. Wrestling
Just as Kosen Judo is important to learn for Gi Grappling, Wrestling is important to learn for No Gi Grappling. L.A.C.E. U.P. Wrestling is an acronym for Level Achievement Competency Evaluation - Upgrading Progress. Grades are represented by the different coloured shoelaces the wrestlers wear whilst training and competing. It is expected that students have completed their level 1 in this system by the time they have graded to Blue Belt.
Submission Arts Wrestling (SAW)
Submission Arts Wrestling (SAW) a modern Catch Wrestling based Japanese Martial Art and Combat Sport that incorporates elements from Sambo, Judo and Jiu Jitsu. Founded in the 1980′s by Hidetaka Aso, a student of “Catch Wrestling Legend Karl Gotch, SAW constitutes a NO-GI grappling system that focuses on forcing one’s opponent to submit by employing “chains” of chokes and joint locks. One of the trademarks of SAW are its many variations of devastating leg locks. The practice of Submission Arts Wrestling relies on solid technical principles, live sparring sessions and specific conditioning.
After you have completed all the prerequisite requirements, it is now important to receive your instructor’s permission to grade. There may still be aspects outside of the specific skills that you need to complete or become competent with.
Please also remember that even though your instructor has tried their upmost to prepare you for the grading, in the end it is up to you to earn your next rank not them. Without effort, determination, dedication and desire, you will struggle in the grading and your next belt may elude you.
However if you strive your hardest and train with constant improvement in mind by the time you grade you will take your next belt. There are no gifts, belts are earned never given.
What to expect on Grading Day
It is important that you arrive 30-15minutes before the grading is scheduled to begin. This will give you plenty of time to register for the grading, locate a seat with your family and friends to watch, prepare your gear and hydrate.
