BJJ Basics Curriculum

[pstevens]

Hey Everyone,

I'd like your help on an important project. I'm developing a Basic BJJ Curriculum for a contract in the works. It will last approximately one year and meet twice per week. Thus far, I have a list of techniques (not necessarily in order) I'd like students to know. I would like you guys to critique my list (below) and add/subtract anything you feel is relevant/irrelevant.

Keep in mind, I want to leave students with a set of core techniques that can be developed and added to over time. I'm not training future Mundial champions. I'm looking for a basic foundation.

Here's my list:

1. Triangle Clinch & Crunch Takedown
2. Maintain the Mount (swim, pull & head control)
3. Arm-bar from the Mount
4. Upa (Mount Escape)
5. Stacking Guard Pass
6. Guard Hip-switch to Side Mount
7. Side Mount Hip-switch to Mount
8. Re-guard (Side Mount)
9. Arm-bar (Guard)
10. Scissors Sweep
11. Key-lock (Mount)
12. Elbow Escape (Mount)
13. Guard Arm-drag to Turtle
14. Turtle Flip to Back Mount
15. Rear Naked Choke (Back Mount)
16. Side Escape (Back Mount)
17. Rolling Guard (Turtle)
18. Triangle (Guard)
19. Guard Replacement (Stacking)
20. Cross Knee-slide Pass
21. Far Arm-bar (Side Mount)
22. Escape to Knees (Side Mount)
23. Knee On Stomach
24. Kimura (Knee On Stomach)
25. Knee On Stomach Knee-slide to Mount
26. Re-guard (Knee On Stomach)

[pstevens]

List continued

27. Scissors Sweep
28. Elevator Sweep
29. Flower Sweep
30. Hip-bump Sweep
31. Double-ankle Grab Sweep
32. Tripod Sweep
33. Sickle Sweep
34. Take the Back from Guard (Arm-drag method)
35. Arm Wrap from Guard
36. Posture Break from Guard (2 ways)
37. Turtle to Back Mount Transition (2 ways)
38. Clock Choke from Turtle
39. Crucifix from Turtle
40. Arm-bar from Turtle
41. Re-guard from Turtle (Granby Roll)
42. Side Roll Escape from Turtle
43. Sit-out Escape from Turtle
44. Guard Replacement against Stacking (2 ways)
45. Guard Replacement against Knee-slide
46. Guard Replacement against low pass (2 ways)
47. Side Control
48. Spinning Arm-bar from Side Control
49. Kimura from Side Control
50. Skirt Choke from Side Control (2 ways)
51. Near-side Arm-bar from Side Control (opp. Pushes your chest)
52. Elbow Lock from Side Control (opp. Pushes your hip)
53. Knee On Stomach (KOS)
54. Kimura from KOS
55. Arm-bar from KOS
56. Cross Choke from KOS
57. Baseball Bat Choke from KOS
58. Knee On Stomach Knee-slide to Mount
59. Escape from KOS (3 ways)
60. North & South Escape (3 ways)

[Hardball]

What about Breakfalls? Isn't that very basic?

[Ben Grimm]

Yeah. I would have put breakfalls in that list as well.

[Tant01]

I looked at the list... there's a good deal to be said for diversity but a one year program should master the basics. You need a name for every variation... blah, blah...

Where's your "electric chair" (hip locks, sweeps and escapes, counters)?

Keep the fun in your fundamentals, keep it focused and see how it goes. Don't want to get fluff for my money...Keep it simple. (seriously)

[pstevens]

I looked at the list... there's a good deal to be said for diversity but a one year program should master the basics. You need a name for every variation... blah, blah...

Where's your "electric chair" (hip locks, sweeps and escapes, counters)?

Keep the fun in your fundamentals, keep it focused and see how it goes. Don't want to get fluff for my money...Keep it simple. (seriously)

I agree with you that keeping it interesting will be a challenge. Many people quit BJJ or martial arts for that matter, because they lose motivation. My plan is to really communicate each idea before moving to the next. Also, I'm implementing a progressive approach. For example, instead of teaching 3 sweeps in one day, my first few lessons will look like this:

Day 1
Talk about the purpose of clinching.
Teach correct distance and level changing.
Teach correct mechanics for clinching.
Drill the techniques

Day 2
Review and take questions about last class.
Teach a takedown from the clinch.
Drill Techniques

Day 3
Review the takedown from last class
Talk about the mounted position (where you ended up)
Introduction of maintaining mount

And so on...

As far as break falls, shrimping, bridging, etc... Those will be part of our regular warm-ups.

Oh yeah... Almost forgot. I won't be going "Eddie Bravo" style with the names. I want to keep my technique names consistent with what most people know. I know people use different names anyway, but for the most part it's pretty similar. Therefore, no "mission Control" for me.

[Hardball]

I agree with you that keeping it interesting will be a challenge. Many people quit BJJ or martial arts for that matter, because they lose motivation

The interesting part is when you get to work on different bodies every week. If your class is big enough people won't get bored having a different body, with different physical characteristics to work on every week. Bring on the uke meat!! LOL

[pstevens]

The interesting part is when you get to work on different bodies every week. If your class is big enough people won't get bored having a different body, with different physical characteristics to work on every week. Bring on the uke meat!! LOL

I realize that there are common personalities that join BJJ gyms. They are:

1. Ex-MArtist. Someone who's studied other martial arts in the past, heard about the effectiveness of BJJ and decided to try it out. This scenario usually ends in two ways: (1) they become fascinated and want to learn more, or (2) they quit because the reality is too harsh to accept.

2. Tough guy. A person who's known for his physical and mental toughness decides to join out of curiousity. These types usually go at you 100% and exert all their strength. Like the ex-martial artist, he either becomes humbled and stays or quits because it destroys his ego.

3. Weakling. Someone who's had a history of being picked on or isn't physically strong. My experience is that these people stay the longest. That's because they have something to prove to themselves. Some do quit because they give up before they see results.

4. MMA Wannabe. The worst students are those who come in with wild expectations. This doesn't happen nearly as often anymore, with MMA gyms opening across the country; but it used to happen at our gym all the time. Someone would come in wearing a TapOut T-shirt and act like they knew everything about MMA, only to get tapped; then never show up again.

5. Soccer-mom (dad). Then, you get very average-family people who come in to study. They keep things level-headed and some go far while others quit when they realize life gets in the way.

The bottom line is that people, like myself, that truly love the martial arts continue doing it because it has become a lifestyle. There's not a day that goes by that I don't contemplate about martial arts. It's in my blood, so that's why I teach it.

[Mr. Miyagi]

That list is quite comprehensive. I actually think you could simplify it, that is, if you're not looking to make a serious, intense bjj curriculum.

[pstevens]

That list is quite comprehensive. I actually think you could simplify it, that is, if you're not looking to make a serious, intense bjj curriculum.

Miyagi-san,

You're still around? Cool... Advice noted. Actually, I'm revamping my curriculum to be more self-defense oriented, so an updated list is in the works.

[Tant01]

Re: spam

The best full body workout for people aspiring to learn MMA. Combination of basic boxing techniques, knees, and kicking. This class has a little bit of everything designed to tone and shape the whole body. Plyometrics, pushups, situps, jump roping, and medicine ball training is integrated into all classes to give body conditioning. This class improves strength, energizes, and challenges the body. Bag Circuit classes allows one to hit a bag (gloves and handwraps required) and be left to work at their own pace but pushed by an instructor. Strength and Conditioning (S&C) classes are designed to complement Bag circuit classes. S&C classes require no equipment.

When I see duplicate posts on multiple forum boards I tend to DELETE them and ban user posting them.

Why not try to contribute to the topics instead of ADVERTISING here?

Clearly you have a lot to offer...

Or not?

[Junka]

I realize that there are common personalities that join BJJ gyms. They are:

1. Ex-MArtist.
.......
5. Soccer-mom (dad). Then, you get very average-family people who come in to study. They keep things level-headed and some go far while others quit when they realize life gets in the way.

I pretty much fit the last category without being a dad. It's recreational for me these days but I love it. I can relate to your list as that's what I've seen at the place I practice at. I will say though that, here the MMA guys come to learn and are a great addition to the club.

The bottom line is that people, like myself, that truly love the martial arts continue doing it because it has become a lifestyle. There's not a day that goes by that I don't contemplate about martial arts. It's in my blood, so that's why I teach it.

Great attitude, if I lived in your area I'd sure train with you.

Think I'll be spending more time on this forum.