Complete BJJ Curriculum Guide for Gym Owners

Position-based curricula organise techniques by fundamental positions: mount, guard, side control, back control, turtle, and transitions between them. Students systematically master escapes from each position first (survival), then controls and pins (dominance), then submissions (finishing).

Structure example: Month 1 covers closed guard (maintaining guard, basic sweeps, submissions from bottom, passing from top). Month 2 covers side control (escapes from bottom, maintaining control from top, submissions). Month 3 covers mount (escapes, maintaining mount, submissions). Month 4 covers back control (defending, taking the back, finishing). Cycle repeats with progressively advanced techniques.

Advantages:

• Clear structure for beginners who need concrete roadmap
• Easy to organise and teach—positions provide obvious categories
• Measurable progress through position mastery
• Works excellently for self-defence emphasis (survival first)
• Students understand 'what position am I in' quickly

Disadvantages:

• Can feel rigid for creative students
• Less adaptable to individual games and preferences
• May not reflect modern competition meta emphasising leg locks and complex guard systems
• Advanced students may find systematic position review boring

Best for: Fundamentals programmes, traditional self-defence gyms, beginners needing systematic progression, instructors who prefer clear structure.

Concept-based curricula organise around principles rather than positions: base and posture, leverage and mechanical advantage, timing and rhythm, pressure and connection, framing and creating space. Students learn principles first, then apply them across various positions to develop personal games.

Structure example: Month 1 explores 'creating and maintaining base' across all positions. Month 2 explores 'using leverage to overcome strength' in various scenarios. Month 3 explores 'timing attacks to opponent's movements.' Students learn why techniques work, not just how to perform them.

Advantages:

• Develops problem-solving skills and adaptability
• Highly adaptable to different body types and preferences
• Reflects modern competitive BJJ thinking
• Encourages creativity and individual style development
• Students learn 'why' behind techniques, improving retention and application

Disadvantages:

• Can overwhelm beginners who need concrete techniques
• Harder to structure systematically—concepts are abstract
• Requires highly skilled instructors who understand principles deeply
• Progress harder to measure objectively
• New students may feel lost without positional framework

Best for: Advanced students (purple belt and above), competition-focused gyms, experienced instructors comfortable teaching concepts, students with prior martial arts background.

Most successful UK gyms use hybrid models: position-based for fundamentals (white and blue belt levels) transitioning to concept-based for intermediate and advanced students (purple belt and above). This provides beginners with clear structure whilst allowing experienced students creative development.

Why 80% of successful gyms use this model:

• Clear beginner pathway reduces early dropout (structured fundamentals)
• Structured fundamentals build solid positional foundations
• Creative advanced development retains experienced students who crave depth
• Balances predictability with flexibility
• Adapts as students progress rather than one-size-fits-all

Implementation example: White and blue belt students attend fundamentals classes using strict position-based curriculum (12-week cycles covering all major positions). Purple belt and above attend advanced classes exploring concepts like timing, pressure, and leverage applied across positions. Students transition between tracks as they progress.

The hybrid approach recognises that beginners need concrete techniques they can practise immediately (shrimp to escape side control, bridge to escape mount), whilst advanced students benefit from understanding why techniques work to adapt them to different situations and opponents.

Your philosophical emphasis between self-defence and sport dramatically shapes curriculum content and marketing appeal.

Traditional Gracie Self-Defence Emphasis:

• Street effectiveness: techniques work against untrained attackers
• Clinch work: controlling distance, takedown defence against haymakers
• Striking defence: protecting yourself whilst closing distance
• Positional control for safety: pins prevent opponent striking you
• Simple, high-percentage techniques over flashy sport moves

Modern Sport BJJ Focus:

• Competition techniques: current meta positions like De La Riva, leg entanglements
• Berimbolo and inversions: dynamic movements for competition advantage
• Competition strategy: point scoring, advantage accumulation, time management
• Sport-specific training: takedowns starting from standing, guard pulling
• Complex techniques: spider guard, lasso guard, 50/50 leg locks

Balanced Approach (Recommended for Most UK Gyms):

Most UK students want fitness and sport rather than pure self-defence, but self-defence context helps beginners understand practical applications of techniques. Everyone understands defending against attacks; not everyone cares about berimbolo competitions.

Recommended balance: self-defence fundamentals as accessible entry points (clinch defence, basic takedowns, escaping pins), transitioning to sport techniques that maintain engagement for long-term students interested in competition (advanced guards, modern passing systems, leg lock basics for no-gi).

Your lineage naturally influences your emphasis—Gracie Barra affiliates lean traditional, whilst competition-focused lineages emphasise sport. Be transparent about your approach so students know what to expect. Market self-defence for beginners, competition success for advanced students.

Core Objectives: Survival and defence, basic positions and escapes, fundamental movements (shrimping, bridging, rolling), safety and etiquette, building mat hours and conditioning.

Essential Positions to Cover:

• Closed guard (top and bottom)
• Mount (top and bottom)
• Side control (top and bottom)
• Back control (defence primarily)
• Turtle position (entering and escaping)

Essential Techniques (30-50 Techniques Total):

• Escapes from each position (priority): Shrimp escape from side control, elbow-knee escape from mount, standing to break closed guard, hand fighting to prevent back control
• Basic guard passes (2-3 fundamentals): Knee slice pass, double under pass, standing guard break and pass
• Basic sweeps from closed guard (2-3): Scissor sweep, flower sweep, hip bump sweep
• Basic submissions: Armbar from guard and mount, triangle from guard, Americana from side control and mount, rear naked choke from back
• Self-defence basics: Clinch control, takedown defence, defending strikes from guard

White Belt Milestones: Can survive rolling with other white belts without panicking, knows proper positional hierarchy (what positions are good/bad), escapes from bad positions with technique not strength, understands basic strategy (position before submission), completed minimum hours (typically 150-200 mat hours over 2+ years).

Core Objectives: Refine fundamentals with details and pressure, develop guard game beyond closed guard, improve positional control and transitions, expand submission arsenal beyond basics, begin developing personal style and preferences.

Expanded Positions:

• Open guard variations (spider guard basics, De La Riva fundamentals)
• Half guard (top and bottom, essential for competition)
• Knee on belly (control and submissions)
• North-south position (control and attacks)

Technique Expansion (50-80 Total Techniques):

• Advanced escapes: Technical details on fundamental escapes, multiple escape options per position, timing escapes to opponent's movements
• More guard passes: Pressure passes (stack pass, knee cut variations), speed passes (leg drag, X-pass), passing different guard types
• Sweeps from open guard: Scissor sweep to technical mount, De La Riva sweep to back take, butterfly sweep and variations
• Guard retention fundamentals: Framing, hip movement, recovering guard after pass attempts
• More submissions: Kimura from multiple positions, omoplata from guard, chokes from various positions (loop choke, baseball choke), straight ankle lock basics (especially for no-gi)

Blue Belt Milestones: Has a 'game' (preferred positions and techniques that work consistently), can teach white belts fundamentals clearly, survives against purple belts without getting dominated, competition-ready if interested in competing, understands strategy beyond survival (setting up attacks, chaining techniques).

Purple Belt Core Objectives (48-72+ Months Total): Refine personal game with advanced details, develop advanced techniques and systems, begin teaching and mentoring regularly, competition success if pursuing competitive path, mastery of fundamentals with high-level execution.

Advanced Positions: Advanced open guards (lasso, worm guard, leg drags), deep half guard systems, leg entanglement positions (50/50, ashi garami), berimbolo and inversion techniques (for sport-focused students), advanced passing systems (stack passing, leg drags, headquarters position).

Purple Belt Milestones: Strong personal game identity, can hold their own with brown belts, regularly helping coach lower belts, technical proficiency across all positions, understanding of advanced concepts (timing, pressure, leverage).

Brown Belt and Black Belt (72+ Months Total): Mastery level focusing on refinement not expansion, significant teaching responsibilities, competition at high level if pursuing competitive path, developing next generation of students, leadership within academy culture. Brown and black belt curriculum focuses on mastery through repetition and refinement rather than learning new techniques—these students drive their own development based on competition feedback, personal weaknesses, and teaching experiences.

Note: Detailed purple, brown, and black belt curriculum falls beyond scope for most gym owners—these students largely direct their own learning at this stage. Focus your curriculum documentation on white and blue belt content where systematic progression matters most for retention.

Each week focuses on specific theme:

• Week 1: Guard passing
• Week 2: Guard retention and sweeps
• Week 3: Mount attacks and escapes
• Week 4: Back control and defence

Cycle repeats monthly with variations. Monday-Friday classes teach different aspects of weekly theme (Monday: basic technique, Wednesday: advanced variation, Friday: combinations and flow).

Advantages: Varied yet focused (students see different themes weekly), builds depth through repetition (same theme returns monthly), easy to plan lessons (clear weekly objectives). Disadvantages: Can feel repetitive to students training 5-6 times weekly, requires tracking to ensure all positions covered quarterly, may not suit students who attend sporadically.

Each month dedicates to one position:

• Month 1: Closed guard (maintaining, sweeps, submissions, passing)
• Month 2: Side control (escapes, control, submissions, transitions)
• Month 3: Mount (escapes, control, attacks, taking the back)
• Month 4: Back control (defence, control, finishing)

Cycle repeats quarterly with progressively advanced techniques each rotation.

Advantages: Deep dive into positions builds mastery, students become very comfortable with monthly position, easy for beginners to understand progression. Disadvantages: Can feel slow for eager students wanting variety, students joining mid-month miss position introduction, requires 3-4 cycles before students see all positions multiple times.

12-week modules cover all major positions and concepts:

• Weeks 1-3: Fundamental positions and escapes (mount, side control, back)
• Weeks 4-6: Guard passing and passing defence
• Weeks 7-9: Submissions from top positions
• Weeks 10-12: Submissions from bottom positions

Repeat cycle four times annually with variations each cycle. First cycle covers basics, second cycle adds details, third cycle introduces advanced variations, fourth cycle focuses on combinations and flow.

Advantages: Beginners can jump in any week (each week stands alone), covers everything regularly (students see all positions 4x yearly), variety prevents boredom whilst maintaining structure, easy to document and track. Disadvantages: Advanced students may feel basic repetition (mitigate with fundamentals vs advanced class separation), requires careful planning to ensure progressive difficulty across cycles.

Why cyclical curriculum works best: New students can start any week without feeling lost, experienced students see constant variety through different cycles, all major positions covered comprehensively, easy for instructors to plan (follow documented cycle), students training 2-3x weekly see complete curriculum over one cycle.

Technique 1 → Technique 2 → Technique 3 in strict sequence. Beginners must start from Week 1, progressing through curriculum like academic course.

Advantages: Logical progression where each lesson builds on previous learning, very structured approach appeals to systematic learners, works well for kids programmes with set terms. Disadvantages: New students can't join mid-cycle (must wait for next beginning), inflexible when students miss classes (fall behind permanently), difficult for gyms with rolling admissions.

Best for: Small gyms with infrequent new members, kids programmes running term-based schedules, intensive courses or bootcamps.

12-week cycles covering all major positions, each cycle using slightly different techniques/variations, fundamentals class using basic versions whilst advanced class uses complex variations.

Example: Cycle 1 guard passing teaches knee slice pass and double under pass. Cycle 2 teaches stack pass and leg drag. Cycle 3 teaches pressure passing and headquarters position. All cover same concept (passing guard) with different technical approaches.

Benefits: new students can start any week, experienced students see constant variety, fundamentals and advanced classes use same curriculum structure but different complexity levels, easy to document (12-week plan x 4 difficulty levels), instructors can substitute preferred techniques within theme.

Beginners need safe environment where everyone shares similar experience level. Different pace and intensity prevents injuries and intimidation. Focus on survival and basics builds confidence before exposing to advanced techniques. Reduced dropout rates justify separate class investment—gyms with structured fundamentals programmes report 30-40% better retention through white belt compared to mixed-level-only gyms.

Option 1: Time-Based (Most Common)

First 3-6 months, students attend fundamentals only. After period, students can join all-levels classes whilst continuing fundamentals if desired.

Advantages: Clear pathway everyone understands, ensures minimum mat hours before advanced exposure, safety-focused approach. Disadvantages: Eager students may feel restricted, requires strict enforcement (students pressure for early promotion), may lose impatient students to less structured gyms.

Option 2: Technique-Based

Must demonstrate X techniques before promotion to all-levels. Checklist approach covering all fundamental escapes, basic submissions, positional knowledge.

Advantages: Skill-based progression (not just time served), students understand exactly what they need to learn, works well for fast learners. Disadvantages: Requires testing or tracking (administrative burden), creates pressure on students to 'pass' tests, may rush students not ready.

Option 3: Stripe-Based

After 2-3 stripes on white belt, students can join all-levels. Combines time and skill assessment—stripes awarded roughly every 2-3 months for consistent attendance and progress.

Advantages: Visible milestones motivate students, combines time and skill factors, familiar system (stripes) students understand. Disadvantages: Requires stripe system (some gyms don't use stripes), subjective assessment (when to award stripes), students may focus on stripes rather than learning.

Recommendation: Time-based with skill checkpoint. Minimum 3 months fundamentals attendance, plus informal assessment ensuring student knows basic escapes and can roll safely. Communicate clearly at start so students know expectations.

Emphasis on safety and survival: Positional escapes comprise majority of curriculum (60-70% of techniques taught), basic controls and pins (understand positions), self-defence context for beginners (practical application understanding), controlled rolling only (positional or specific training, not full competition intensity), lots of drilling and repetition (master fundamentals through volume), slower pace with more explanation (assume zero knowledge).

Weekly Fundamentals Schedule Example:

• Week 1: Mount escapes (elbow-knee escape, bridge and roll)
• Week 2: Side control escapes (shrimp escape, recovering guard)
• Week 3: Back control defence (hand fighting, turning in)
• Week 4: Closed guard basics (maintaining guard, basic sweep, armbar)

Repeat cycle monthly with slight variations. Every 4 weeks students see all fundamental positions, building comfort through repetition.

Many UK students have zero martial arts background (unlike countries with strong judo/wrestling traditions). Self-defence provides selling point but sport focus ensures retention—market safety and confidence, deliver fitness and technique.

Insurance considerations require demonstrating duty of care—documented fundamentals programme shows professional approach to beginner safety. DBS-checked instructors for kids fundamentals prove essential (all instructors teaching under-18s need Enhanced DBS checks costing £24 for volunteers).

Cold UK winters necessitate longer warm-ups in fundamentals classes—beginners less conditioned, require extra time reaching training temperature safely.

Minimum blue belt typically, though some gyms allow experienced white belts (6+ months, instructor approval) once they demonstrate safe training ability. Students must train safely at higher intensity without ego issues or injury risk to others.

Less time on basics, more on refinement and details. Modern techniques and competition meta (leg locks, advanced guards, current passing systems). Higher intensity rolling (longer rounds, faster pace, competition simulation). Complex positions and transitions (berimbolo, leg entanglements, deep half guard systems). Instructor can assume foundational knowledge (no need to explain closed guard basics).

• Leg locks and entanglements: Straight ankle lock, toe hold, heel hook (no-gi advanced only), 50/50 position, ashi garami variations
• Advanced guard systems: De La Riva guard, X-guard, reverse De La Riva, lasso guard, spider guard details, worm guard
• Berimbolo and inversions: Berimbolo to back take, crab ride, kiss of the dragon, inversion guard retention
• Modern passing systems: Leg drag passing, headquarters position, over-under passing details, stack passing variations, pressure passing from top
• Competition strategies: Point scoring tactics, stalling prevention, time management, advantage accumulation
• Technique chaining and systems: Multiple attacks from same position, if-then technique trees, creating dilemmas for opponents

Advanced doesn't mean competition-only focus. Many hobbyists reach purple and brown belt training recreationally—they deserve challenging curriculum without mandating competition. Avoid making advanced class exclusively for competitors or recreational students feel excluded.

Optional competition-specific classes (separate from regular advanced classes) serve dedicated competitors without alienating hobbyists. Sunday afternoon competition training works well—competitors attend whilst recreational students enjoy day off.

Document what you currently teach: what techniques appear regularly, is there structure or randomness, which positions receive emphasis, which get neglected. Gather student feedback: do students understand progression, what confuses them, what works well, what could improve. Identify gaps: which positions lack coverage, which techniques need better introduction, where do beginners struggle most.

Decide position-based, concept-based, or hybrid (hybrid recommended for most gyms). Determine self-defence emphasis versus sport focus (balanced approach suits most UK markets). Consider your lineage and background influence (honour your training whilst adapting to students). Define target student profile (families, young professionals, competitors, recreational adults).

List major positions and themes to cover. Assign positions to weeks in logical order (related positions cluster together). Identify key techniques for each week (2-3 techniques for fundamentals, 3-4 for all-levels, 4-5 for advanced). Consider beginner and advanced variations of same themes (fundamentals class: basic mount escape, advanced class: complex mount escapes and transitions).

Sample 12-Week Cycle:

• Weeks 1-2: Closed guard (bottom and top)
• Weeks 3-4: Mount (escapes and attacks)
• Weeks 5-6: Side control (escapes and control)
• Weeks 7-8: Back control (defence and attacks)
• Weeks 9-10: Open guard basics (introduction)
• Weeks 11-12: Takedowns and standing (self-defence context)

Repeat cycle quarterly with variations maintaining engagement.

Design class format (warm-up 10min, technique 25min, sparring 20min, cool down 5min for 60-minute classes). Plan technique selection per week (Monday: position introduction and escape, Wednesday: control and submissions, Friday: combinations and transitions). Document progression from Monday to Friday within weekly theme. Link to class structure guide for detailed format templates.

Create written syllabus for each belt level (30-50 techniques for white belt, 50-80 for blue belt). Develop instructor guidelines explaining philosophy and approach. Build technique checklists (optional but useful for tracking student progress). Establish belt progression criteria tied to curriculum (students must demonstrate X escapes, Y submissions, Z sweeps for promotion).

Store documentation accessibly—Google Docs, Notion, or shared instructor drive. Update annually as curriculum evolves.

Ensure all instructors understand curriculum philosophy and structure. Establish consistency requirements (all instructors follow same weekly themes). Allow flexibility within structure (instructors can choose specific techniques within themes based on expertise). Hold regular instructor meetings coordinating upcoming weeks. Link to staff management cluster for instructor development systems.

Explain curriculum structure clearly (website, new member orientation, posted schedules). Show progression pathways (fundamentals → all-levels → advanced). Set belt progression expectations (time minimums, technical requirements). Make curriculum visible (posters showing current cycle week, website showing upcoming themes, student handbook explaining system).

Launch with core structure (don't wait for perfect curriculum—start with good enough and improve). Gather feedback after 12-week cycle (student surveys, instructor debriefs, retention analysis). Adjust based on what works (what techniques students loved, what confused them, pacing issues). Refine over 6-12 months (curriculum development ongoing process, not one-time project).

Technical requirements: Must demonstrate X escapes (all fundamental position escapes), Y submissions (minimum submission arsenal from various positions), Z sweeps (guard retention and recovery skills), positional knowledge (understanding hierarchy and strategy).

Time in training minimums: Mat time hours not just calendar time (someone training 5x weekly needs less calendar time than 2x weekly trainer). IBJJF minimums: white to blue 2+ years, blue to purple 2+ years, purple to brown 1.5+ years. Adjust for regional norms (if nearby gyms promote faster, strict adherence loses students).

Class attendance thresholds: Minimum classes attended (e.g., 150-200 classes for blue belt over 2+ years equals 2-3 classes weekly consistently). Regular training not sporadic (verify sustained attendance not disappeared for 6 months then returned).

Demonstration of techniques: Informal or formal testing showing competence. Can teach technique to partner (best test of understanding). Sparring performance showing application under pressure (informal observation during rolling).

Character and attitude: Helps beginners without ego. Maintains control during rolling (taps to submissions, doesn't injure partners). Embodies gym values (respect, discipline, continuous improvement). Shows up consistently and supports teammates.

Link to complete belt progression guide for detailed criteria templates and assessment frameworks.

Transparency builds trust—students should know what's expected rather than guessing when promotions occur. Publish written belt progression criteria on website and in student handbook. Provide regular feedback from instructors (every 3-4 months, informal check-ins discussing progress). Award stripes as intermediate milestones (every 2-3 months for consistent progress, visible recognition maintaining motivation).

Avoid surprise promotions or non-promotions—students should have general sense of timeline and remaining requirements. If student expects promotion but isn't ready, explain specific areas needing improvement privately and respectfully.

Too strict: Students quit before blue belt frustrated by slow progression. Losing students to faster-promoting gyms nearby. White belt becomes multi-year grind feeling like punishment. Attrition rate climbs above 60-70% before blue belt.

Too lenient: Belt inflation damages reputation (blue belts who can't escape mount). Students feel cheated (worked hard for belt others received easily). Advanced students leave for more rigorous gyms. Competition performance suffers (your blue belts get dominated by other gyms' blue belts).

The 'Goldilocks Zone': Recognised standards aligned with IBJJF general minimums (white to blue 2-3 years typical). Regional norms consideration (if local gyms promote at 18-24 months, your 4-year minimum loses students). Individual journey acknowledgement (different learning speeds, life circumstances). Clear technical competence (blue belt demonstrates fundamental proficiency, purple belt shows advanced understanding). Student satisfaction (promotions feel earned but achievable, worth celebrating).

Blue belt should feel like achievement earned through dedicated training—meaningful milestone not automatic participation trophy. Purple belt represents advanced competence not merely time served. Balance rigour with reality recognising retention economics.

BJJA (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Association) curriculum framework: BJJA provides curriculum support for affiliated gyms, though specific detailed curriculum may not be publicly available. Affiliation offers structural guidance and legitimacy.

UKBJJA (UK Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Association) grading syllabus: UKBJJA serves as National Governing Body but doesn't mandate detailed standardised grading syllabus like judo organisations. Unlike British Judo Association with comprehensive published syllabuses, BJJ typically lacks centralised standardised grading—criterion generally determined by individual instructors and academies.

This means UK BJJ gyms enjoy significant autonomy setting their own standards based on lineage and instructor preferences. UKBJJA membership provides benefits including liability insurance, discounted courses and competitions, and UKBJJA ranking points without mandating specific curriculum.

Independent gym flexibility: Many successful UK gyms operate independently without governing body affiliation. Complete curriculum autonomy allows setting your own standards based on lineage. Most follow IBJJF general timelines (white to blue minimum 2 years, blue to purple minimum 2 years, purple to brown minimum 1.5 years, brown to black minimum 1 year).

Affiliation benefits (insurance, legitimacy, tournament access) versus autonomy costs (membership fees, curriculum constraints) require individual assessment. Many gym owners appreciate independence over mandated systems.

Most UK gyms reference IBJJF standards as baseline:

• White to blue: Minimum 2 years (typically 2-3 years UK reality)
• Blue to purple: Minimum 2 years (typically 2-4 years)
• Purple to brown: Minimum 1.5 years (typically 2-3 years)
• Brown to black: Minimum 1 year (typically 2-3 years)
• Total to black belt: 8-12+ years typically

IBJJF age requirements: blue belt minimum age 16, brown belt minimum 18, black belt minimum 19. World championship exception: As of 2022, IBJJF allows coaches to ignore minimum time requirements if practitioner wins adult world championship at current belt level.

Stripe system provides intermediate milestones: white, blue, purple, and brown belts have 4 degrees (stripes) before promotion to next colour.

Kids curriculum must be age-appropriate with games and activities suitable for development stages. All instructors working with under-18s require Enhanced DBS checks—martial arts governing bodies mandate Enhanced DBS with barred list searches for all teaching roles. Cost: £24 for volunteers/unpaid instructors, different rates for paid instructors, with annual renewal recommended.

Safeguarding Code in Martial Arts (developed by Sport England) provides recognised standards covering safeguarding policies, reporting procedures, codes of conduct, and regular reviews. Curriculum documentation demonstrates professional approach and duty of care.

Gov.uk guidance compliance essential—DBS checks in sport guidance explains requirements. Parent communication protocols and supervision ratios (typically 1 instructor per 12-15 kids) prove critical for kids programmes.

Structured curriculum demonstrates professionalism to UK insurance providers. Documented safety progression (fundamentals programme separating beginners) shows injury risk management. Instructor qualifications matter for coverage—insurers prefer DBS-cleared instructors with recognised qualifications.

Public liability insurance (£5-10 million minimum) essential. Specialist providers like BMABA understand BJJ-specific risks better than general fitness insurers. See insurance guide for UK provider comparisons.

Separate curriculum from adults essential. Game-based learning for young kids (ages 4-7)—BJJ techniques taught through games maintaining engagement. Simplified techniques (focus on fundamental movements not complex submissions). Character development emphasis (discipline, respect, perseverance alongside technique).

Different belt system: grey (ages 4-6), yellow (7-15), orange (10-15), green (13-15) before transitioning to adult white belt at 16. Age groups typically segment: 4-7 years (games and basic movements), 7-11 years (structured technique with games integrated), 11-15 years (adult-style classes with age-appropriate expectations).

Link to complete kids programmes guide for age-specific curriculum templates and game libraries.

Same technical curriculum as men—BJJ techniques work universally regardless of gender. May emphasise different positions (guard positions where flexibility advantages shine, defensive escapes for practical self-defence). Self-defence components particularly popular in women's programmes. Link to women's programmes cluster for curriculum adaptations and marketing strategies.

Same core curriculum foundation—everyone learns fundamental positions, escapes, and techniques. Competition training adds sport-specific techniques (current competition meta, point scoring strategies, competition conditioning and preparation). Competition class supplements core curriculum rather than replacing it. Link to competition team guide for supplemental training structures.

Same curriculum with adjusted intensity—techniques remain identical but training pace adapts to injury prevention. Emphasis on technique over athleticism (leverage and positioning over strength and speed). Injury prevention focus (thorough warm-ups, controlled training intensity). Realistic self-defence context (practical applications appeal to older demographics). Many masters students train for longevity and lifestyle rather than competition.

BJJ-specific platforms:

• BJJLINK: Made specifically for jiu-jitsu schools with belt progress tracking, attendance tracking, and event management centred around BJJ training workflows
• Zen Planner: Tracks promotions, attendance, and testing milestones digitally with customisable rank requirements fitting your academy's curriculum (from £99/month)
• Martialytics: Automates belt progression eligibility calculations based on attendance, skill level, and customisable criteria
• Gymdesk: Offers deepest BJJ-specific features including skills tracking, family billing, and parent portals (£75-200/month)

Integration with gym management software streamlines attendance tracking automatically feeding belt progression calculations. See software comparison guide for detailed UK platform analysis.

Google Sheets for curriculum mapping (12-week cycle spreadsheet showing weekly themes). Notion for curriculum database (technique library organised by position and belt level). Video library for technique references (private YouTube channel or Google Drive with instructor demonstration videos). Student handbooks (PDF or digital) explaining curriculum structure, belt requirements, and gym culture.

YouTube channels for technique ideas: Lachlan Giles (systematic approaches and details), John Danaher (conceptual frameworks), Bernardo Faria (practical competition techniques), Keenan Cornelius (modern techniques and teaching methods).

BJJ Fanatics for systematic instructional series (comprehensive technique systems by world-class instructors). Books: Jiu-Jitsu University by Saulo Ribeiro (excellent belt-level progression framework), Mastering the Rubber Guard and other systematic curricula, various established gym curricula (Gracie Barra, Alliance) for inspiration.

UKBJJA resources for affiliated gyms. UK BJJ forum discussions on curriculum approaches and regional standards. DBS check process (Gov.uk) for safeguarding compliance. NSPCC safeguarding guidance for child protection best practices.

Problem: Students feel lost without clear progression. Can't connect random techniques into coherent understanding. Don't know what to practise or focus on. High dropout rates as frustration builds. Solution: Implement at least basic cyclical structure (even simple 4-week cycle better than nothing). Document core curriculum covering fundamental positions. Communicate structure clearly to students.

Problem: Can't adapt to student needs (if whole class struggles with technique, can't adjust). No flexibility for current events (major tournament coming, students want competition prep). Instructors feel constrained (can't teach what excites them). Curriculum becomes stale. Solution: Structure with flexibility built in (themes not specific techniques, instructors choose techniques within themes). Allow occasional 'off-curriculum' classes for special topics. Annual curriculum reviews adapting to evolving sport and student interests.

Problem: Doesn't fit your philosophy (Gracie Barra curriculum doesn't suit competition-focused gym). Doesn't match your students (London competitive demographic differs from rural recreational gym). Doesn't align with instructor strengths (your instructors excel at techniques not in copied curriculum). Solution: Use established curricula as inspiration not duplication. Adapt to your gym's philosophy, student demographics, and instructor expertise. Build curriculum authentically representing your academy's identity.

Problem: Beginners overwhelmed in all-levels classes. High dropout rates (60-70% attrition before blue belt). Unsafe training environment (beginners panic, use too much strength, get injured). Solution: Strong fundamentals programme mandatory first 3-6 months. Separate fundamentals classes with appropriate pace. Focus on survival and safety before advanced techniques. Patient culture pairing beginners with helpful upper belts.

Problem: Gaps in student knowledge (instructor loves spider guard, never teaches wrestling). Students unprepared for competition (entire gym has weak takedown game). Curriculum reflects instructor preferences not comprehensive skill development. Solution: Comprehensive curriculum covering all positions (even ones you don't personally enjoy). Multiple instructors balance preferences (one loves guard, another loves top pressure). Regular curriculum audits identifying gaps.

Problem: Inconsistency between instructors (students confused by contradictory teaching). Hard to train new instructors (they don't know what to teach). No reference for students (can't remember what was taught last month). Curriculum exists only in head. Solution: Written curriculum guide accessible to all instructors. Documented lesson plans showing weekly themes. Technique checklists by belt level. Regular instructor meetings ensuring everyone teaches same themes simultaneously.

Problem: Curriculum becomes outdated (missing modern techniques like leg locks). Students learn competition-irrelevant techniques. Competitor students struggle against gyms teaching current meta. Stale curriculum bores experienced students. Solution: Annual curriculum reviews incorporating new techniques and strategies. Instructor continuing education (seminars, instructionals, competition observation). Student feedback identifying gaps and desires. Balance tradition with evolution—honour fundamentals whilst embracing innovation.

Get something in place—perfect remains enemy of good. Simple cyclical curriculum covering core positions (mount, side control, guard, back). Focus on fundamentals (white and blue belt content). Don't overthink complexity—basic structure dramatically better than random techniques.

Student feedback incorporated (what worked, what confused them). Instructor input integrated (teaching insights from frontline experience). More detailed technique progressions (building on Year 1 foundations). Adding specialised classes (no-gi, competition prep, kids programmes). Documentation improves (written lesson plans, technique libraries).

Detailed syllabus by belt level (comprehensive technique requirements). Multiple class tracks (fundamentals, all-levels, advanced, no-gi, competition, kids). Documented instructor training (new instructors onboard smoothly). Regular curriculum reviews (annual updates maintaining relevance). Your gym's 'signature' approach (distinct curriculum reflecting your academy's identity and philosophy).

Evolving competition meta influences curriculum (new guard systems, leg lock innovations, modern passing approaches). Instructor continuing education (attend seminars, watch instructionals, train at other gyms, compete). Student interest and trends (if everyone wants leg locks, incorporate systematically). Balance innovation with tradition—fundamentals remain timeless whilst advanced techniques evolve.

• Choose philosophical approach (position-based, concept-based, or hybrid)
• Decide self-defence versus sport emphasis
• Map out 12-week curriculum cycle covering all major positions
• List essential techniques by belt level (30-50 white belt, 50-80 blue belt)
• Create fundamentals programme requirements (time-based, technique-based, or stripe-based)

• Write curriculum overview document explaining philosophy and structure
• Create weekly lesson plan templates for instructors
• Document belt progression criteria (technical, time, attendance, character requirements)
• Develop instructor guidelines ensuring consistency
• Create student handbook section explaining curriculum and progression

• Train instructors on new curriculum structure and expectations
• Communicate structure to students (website, posters, orientation)
• Launch fundamentals programme if applicable (separate beginner classes)
• Begin first 12-week cycle with documented themes
• Track attendance and progress using software or spreadsheets

• Gather student feedback after 12 weeks (surveys, informal conversations)
• Instructor debrief on what worked (successes and challenges)
• Identify gaps or issues (missing positions, confusing progressions)
• Make adjustments for next cycle (refine based on feedback)
• Document changes and rationale (maintain institutional knowledge)