UAF Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Club Manual Adopted from Aurora Aerial Arts 2014 Updated 10/6/2015 Introduction The UAF Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Club is an organization dedicated to providing a safe, structured environment for its members to practice the sport of submission grappling. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a physically and mentally demanding sport. It will provide a more engaging option for UAF students to improve their general physical fitness, as well as improve self-esteem and confidence. It is also been empirically demonstrated to be a phenomenal method of self-defense, allowing you to protect yourself while inflicting no lasting damage to an assailant. The techniques taught in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu rely largely on leverage and mechanical advantage, and as such, can be successfully applied regardless disparities in strength, size, or speed. The unique nature of this club would give students with an interest in the myriad traditional martial arts, wrestling, self-defense, or general fitness more incentive to attend UAF by broadening their options. Participation Requirement: Must sign liability waiver. Must read and sign UAF Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Club Constitution/Bylaws and Manual. Must follow all rules and directions of club officers and/or guest instructors. Must remove jewelry, and close or otherwise cover gauged ears.
Safety Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, like any other physical activity, has the potential for injury. However, due to the lack of striking of any kind and low-impact nature of the activity, it is generally much safer than many other martial arts. In fact, a study[1] published by the University of Hawaii in 2014 found that Brazilian Jiu- Jitsu practitioners are, at a conservative estimate, less than half as likely to sustain injury compared to Taekwondo, Judo, and other martial arts. With strict attention to safety and proper training, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu can be a very rewarding and safe activity. The most populated brackets in most Brazilian Jiu- Jitsu tournaments are the Masters 1-6, which are reserved for practitioners age 30 to 60. However, the nature of the sport means that members must hold themselves and their fellow club members to a very strict set of safety standards, and understand how Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners are injured so they do not repeat the same mistakes. Primary causes of injury Skin Infection Minor lacerations due to excessive nail length Exceeding ability Lack of proper protective equipment Common skin infections encountered by Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners are those common to most gym environments: staphylococcus and ringworm. Proper hygiene and cleaning procedures are absolutely critical. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners will be expected to exhibit proper personal cleanliness, and wash all of their equipment after each use. Club members that cannot meet these standards will be dealt with my Student Officers or the Staff Advisors on a one-on-one basis. The UAF Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Club will sterilize all grappling surfaces, and perform a visual inspection to ensure the safety and integrity of the mat, before and after every use. Gear failure can occur when equipment is used beyond its safe lifespan or for a purpose for which it was not intended or designed. There are very few pieces of personal protective equipment for Brazilian Jiu- Jitsu, and club members are encouraged to seek guidance when they have questions about the functionality of their gear. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners generally exceed their ability in one of three ways: they continue practicing past the point of fatigue, they attempt a technique beyond their understanding, or lose control of a position/submission. To prevent injuries due to members exceeding their ability, all members, and the Student Officers in particular, have the ability and responsibility to tap out anyone that they feel is being unsafe in any way. By tapping someone out, the member is asking their peer to take a break of at least 15 minutes (if they are fatigued) or entirely discontinue an activity (if they are attempting a technique beyond their ability or otherwise being unsafe). If the peer does not voluntarily take a break or discontinue the activity, the
member must bring the activity to the attention of a UAF Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Club officer or advisor who will take disciplinary action if appropriate. Disciplinary action can include verbal warnings, written warnings, suspension from meetings, expulsion from meetings, and/or expulsion from the UAF Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Club. Supervision of activities is the primary responsibility of the UAF Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Club Student Officers and Staff Advisor. The Staff Advisor and Student Officers can issue verbal warnings, written warnings, and suspensions that are less than one day. Disciplinary action with a duration exceeding one day will follow Section 8 of the UAF Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Club Bylaws. Safety Policies and General Notes Horseplay and foul language of any sort is strictly prohibited. No striking (ie. punching, kicking, head-butting) of any kind. No slamming (lifting you partner off of the ground) of any kind. No fish-hooking or eye-gouging of any kind. No small-joint (ie. fingers, toes) manipulation. No twisting leg-locks (ie. heel hooks) or kneebars until Blue Belt level or higher. Practices will be videotaped and archived for no less than one (1) year. These recordings will serve as a record if there is an injury and will also assist members with correcting form & technique. In addition to current contact information, each UAF Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Club member must also provide an emergency contact number. This information will be kept in the UAF Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Club binder, which must be readily available at all practices and events. In the event of an injury, an incident report will be filed with Risk Management and Student Clubs & Orgs within 48 hours. The Student Officers will be responsible for filling out and submitting this form. Skill Levels General Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu splits its practitioners into belt levels, based on a combination of demonstrable skill and attendance. The UAF Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Club will follow the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation s (IBJJF) regulations for belt levels and grading, which are as follows: White Belt -> Blue Belt -> Purple Belt -> Brown Belt -> Black Belt
In addition, degrees or stripes can be affixed to belts to indicate advancement, which traditionally take the form of white athletic tape affixed to the blank ranking tab at the end of a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu belt. A belt can hold no more than four degrees, with the exception of a Black Belt, to which a limit of 6 is applied. There are further honorary belts, but they are well outside the scope of this club. White Belt Brand new to the sport of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Blue Belt Requires, on average, 18-28 months of consistent attendance, and for the participant to be age 16 or older. Purple Belt Requires, on average, an additional 24-36 months of consistent attendance. Total time practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu between 42-64 months. Brown Belt Requires, on average, an additional 18-24 months of consistent attendance, and for the participant to be age 18 or older. Total time practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu between 60-88 months. Black Belt Requires, on average an additional 12-24 months of consistent attendance, and for the participant to be age 19 or older. Total time practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu between 72-112 months. Promotions Degrees, or stripes, will however be given to club members in the form of athletic or electrical tape displayed on the ranking bar of their belt. The first two degrees will be given based on attendance, and will be received upon completion of 48 and 96 classes, respectively. The third and fourth degrees will be given based on a combination of skill, attitude, and commitment, as decided by the UAF Brazilian Jiu- Jitsu club Executive Board by a simple majority vote. Belt promotions are currently outside the scope of the UAF Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Club Executive Board, although they may be awarded by visiting instructors. Technique The first things taught to practitioners of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu are safety techniques. The primary safety technique is that of the tap, which is used to indicate that a submission technique has been successfully applied by a training partner. No submission is ever applied to the point of pain or danger,
and participants are taught to tap early, and tap often. Break fall techniques are taught as well, which teach the practitioner injury mitigation when dealing with trips and falls. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a living, competitive sport. As such, techniques are constantly be added and evolving. However, the techniques can be loosely split into categories based on their function. The nature of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is such that there are hundreds of variations of even the most basic position, but as practitioners gain experience, they are expected to become familiar with them. Positions The posture and location of one participant s body in relation to his/her partner s. All Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu positions take place on the ground, with one or both participants seated or prone. Submissions The majority of submissions are achieved using a combination of leverage, body mechanics, and dominant body position. When the practitioners realize that a submission is inescapable due to the level of control established, one participant will signal by tapping, and resetting the practice session. Sweeps Sweeps are techniques used to improve the position of a participant. For example, when you have someone in guard, you would use a combination of limb control and timing to cause your partner to lose their balance, allowing you to advance to the mount position. Equipment Equipment Mat Mats come in a few different forms. The most popular is the tatami style mat, although they no longer use the traditional materials, and the term is largely used to refer to the texture. These mats are vinylcovered, foam core pads with a textured surface to prevent slips. The vinyl tatami style is preferred for its durability, and ease of sterilization before and after use. Gi/Belt The Gi, also referred to as a kimono, is the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu version of the classic martial arts outfit. The material, construction, and color vary, but they are typically constructed from thick cotton, with foam-cored lapels to prevent neck injury.
Rash Guard The rash guard functions as an extra layer of protection for the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner s skin. It reduces skin-to-skin and skin-to-surface contact, helping to prevent minor abrasions/rashes, as well as infection. They come in a wide variety of styles. Mouth Guard Even the most basic mouth guard is critical in the prevention of orthodontic injury, and they have also been shown to reduce the likelihood of concussion. Headgear An optional piece of protective equipment. Worn to protect the practitioner s ears from trauma, which can lead to minor hematomas, which are colloquially referred to as Cauliflower ear. Cauliflower ear is, with the exception of extreme cases, a cosmetic issue. Training and Professional Resources In order to perpetuate a high level of skill, it is of the utmost importance for the UAF Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Club members to have regular training opportunities with high-level instructors, and be given the opportunity to train with members of other academies. The UAF Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu club will fulfill this goal in five ways: 1. The UAF Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Club will seek to have a staff advisor is trained in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. If there are no UAF employees trained in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu who can serve as the club s advisor, the UAF Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Club will seek out a local instructor to act as a mentor to the club, in addition to their staff advisor. This mentor will be a professional with at least 5 years of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu experience, holding a belt level blue or higher from an IBJJF recognized school/affiliate. The UAF Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Club will ask that this mentor attend at least three practice sessions per semester. These sessions will be open to all members. During these sessions, the mentor will evaluate the progress of the members, correct form and technique, and office suggestions for improvement. The mentor should also be available be phone and email if the UAF Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Club has questions regarding technique or safety between sessions. 2. At least once every year, the UAF Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Club will seek grants and raise funds to host a seminar with a high-level guest instructor. The guest will be contracted as a professional service fulfilling the Procurement Services requirements for such services. This guest instructor will be well-known with the international Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu community, ideally holding the rank of Black Belt, and/or having competed successfully at an international level. The guest
instructor will be responsible for introducing new techniques to the club, correcting technique and reviewing safety procedures to make sure that they are current with industry standards. 3. The UAF Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Club will seek travel grants for members to attend and compete in regional IBJJF and North American Grappling Association (NAGA) tournaments. 4. The UAF Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Club will establish and maintain good relationships with the various Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu clubs and academies in the state. We will schedule, and otherwise encourage, regular visits to these groups to foster a sense of community involvement, as well as draw further interest to the UAF Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Club, and UAF as a whole. 5. The UAF Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Club will provide training material in the form of books, manuals, and instructional videos to club members, which will be produced by experienced Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners/instructors. Clothing When practicing, members must wear appropriate clothing. Appropriate clothing for Gi Brazilian Jiu- Jitsu as described by the IBJJF is as follows: Gis constructed using a cotton-like fabric Gis may not exhibit obvious mending or tears, be wet, or emanate unpleasant odors A rashguard/shirt of an elastic material that hugs the body, either short-sleeved or long-sleeved Long hair should be tied up in such a fashion that it will not interfere with practice No jewelry of any sort, including rings, earrings, bracelets, or necklaces Undergarments Appropriate clothing for No-Gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as described by the IBJJF is as follows: Shorts containing no pockets, buttons, snaps, nor any plastic or metal piece that presents a risk of injury to training partners Gi pants are also an acceptable replacement for shorts A rashguard/shirt of an elastic material that hugs the body, either short-sleeved or long-sleeved Long hair should be tied up in such a fashion that it will not interfere with practice No jewelry of any sort, including rings, earrings, bracelets, or necklaces Undergarments Glossary of Terms Positions Guard One participant has their back on the ground with attempting to use their legs and arms to control their partner s body. An individual can also be described as in guard if they are the one being controlled.
An example of Closed Guard: An example of Open Guard:
Mount One participant sits on or straddles their partner s torso, with their body facing towards their partner s head. An example of Mount: Back Mount or Back Control One participant is behind their partner, using their arms and legs to control their partner s posture and movement. An example of Back Mount:
Side Control One participant lies on top of their partner chest-to-chest, with their bodies aligned perpendicular to one another. An example of Side Control: Submissions Joint Locks Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu utilizes a number of large-joint manipulation techniques, typically targeting the shoulders, elbows, and knees of a partner. During training, joint stress does not actually occur, and stops before the joint is fully extended or rotated. An example of a joint lock, the Arm Bar:
An example of a joint lock, the Kimura: Choke Holds There are two varieties of chokes in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, those impeding air flow, and those impeding blood flow. During training, neither are applied in such a fashion that air or blood are actually restricted. An example of a blood choke, the Triangle Choke:
An example of an air choke, the Guillotine: Gi References 1. Assessment of Injuries During Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Competition Link: http://ojs.sagepub.com/content/2/2/2325967114522184.full