Curriculum

  • Where can I find the Technique videos?
  • How is our Jiu-Jitsu curriculum structured?
  • How is the Striking curriculum structured?
  • Can my child review the techniques at home?
Where can I find the Technique videos?

Download the Zenplanner app: iOS or Android

You can also review all the main techniques from the current block directly on our Vimeo page.

How is our Jiu-Jitsu curriculum structured?

Our Jiu-Jitsu curriculum is broken down into 5-week blocks. Each block covers a sequence of techniques. Video recordings of the techniques of the current block are available on our Vimeo channel

Week structure:

  • Week 1 usually covers stand-up techniques (usually takedowns)
  • Week 2 usually covers position control, position advancement, and submission techniques
  • Week 3 usually covers escape techniques
  • Week 4 is a test week where students demonstrate the past 3 weeks’ techniques individually and together at a faster pace and with higher resistance from their training partner than the past 3 weeks
  • Week 5 covers anti-bully/Self-defense training and competitive sparring

Note: Little Kids program (5-6yo) doesn’t always follow this structure but instead focuses on games that help students build a strong foundation around the main Jiu-Jitsu positions.

How is the Striking curriculum structured?

Our Striking curriculum is also broken down into 5-week blocks.

Typical week structure:

  • Week 1 covers Offense (including clinch and sweep)
  • Week 2 covers Defense (block and evasion)
  • Week 3 covers Tactical fighting (Counter, feint and footwork)
  • Week 4 is test week
  • Week 5 covers anti-bully/self-defense training and sparring

Note: Attending striking classes does not go toward a student’s promotion in Jiu-Jitsu. We also do not implement a striking ranking system.

Can my child review the techniques at home?

Students are encouraged to review the techniques at home with their siblings or parents as long as it is playful and not forceful


Belt Promotion

  • What are the promotion criteria?
  • How does the belt system work?
  • Our Discipline approach
What are the promotion criteria?
1. Good attitude and behavior
It means no behavior mark in and outside of the gym (ie: home, school, …). 1-2 warnings will be given depending on the severity. Don’t hesitate to share any behavior you want us to reinforce.
2. Attendance
Students can’t be successful without consistent training.  Students are not eligible to test at the end of the block if they have missed 2 weeks without attending make-up classes.
3. Knowledge and mastery
Students are able to perform the techniques slowly and quickly without pausing. Students in traditional classes can narrate and answer questions about the tested techniques. We are looking at 70% mastery during the test which means that students know and are able to perform the techniques on a partner that is not giving resistance. Applying the technique in sparring requires more training.
Attending only does not guarantee a promotion. On top of performing the techniques correctly,
Students need to do well in school and have no behavior marks in the past 3 weeks.
How does the belt system work?
Students start their Jiu-Jitsu journey with a white belt. The next belts are Grey/White, Grey, Grey/Black, …
Kids Graduation System and minimum eligible age
Stripe promotion
Stripes on belt is a way to measure progress between belts. Students can receive a stripe promotion during test week (every 5 weeks) or outside of the test week based on the promotion criteria (see above).
– For the first two belts (white and grey-white belts), students get 5 stripes (4 whites and 1 red) prior to being eligible for their next color belt.
Note: IBJJ states 1 stripe promotion every month with the assumption that the student trains at least 2-3 times a week. Since our students mostly train 1-2 times, we have extended it to 5 weeks.
– For higher belts, students receive 11 stripes: 4 whites, 4 reds, and 3 colors of the next main belt color (yellow, orange, green)
Belt promotion
Belt promotion typically takes ~6-8 months of consistent training for the first 2 belts, then ~1-2 years for higher belts.

Our Discipline approach
Managing behavior in youth class is not just about demanding compliance; it’s about nurturing a positive learning environment where students feel safe but are also accountable for their behaviors. While we promote positive teaching strategies and provide individualized support as much as possible, we can’t prompt students who distract others repetitively in our group class. That’s why we implement a comprehensive discipline rule that is very similar to the 1-2-3 Magic discipline method. For it to be effective, students, parents, and coaches need to understand how it works.
Before anything, our coaches are encouraged to be proactive and anticipate when students can act inappropriately based on previous classes or current observations. They can provide earlier support by greeting students, setting the tone, reminding students what is expected, and providing individualized encouragement.
Here are our 5-step discipline rule
1. Proximity Praise & Coach Presence are 2 effective positive discipline techniques:
– Proximity Praise: Praise another student nearby for the expected behavior. Ex: “Great job Paul sitting straight with your hands on your lap. Johnny, can you show me?”. Doing so typically encouraged other students to follow as well.
– Coach Presence: Getting very close and then making eye contact. Almost every time the student will know why and stop the behavior. If not clear positive instructions will be given.
2. Correct the behavior and Accountability: If this student is still not following the expected behavior, the coach will communicate to the student a first warning by saying firmly and respectfully: “Johnny, that’s 1 (pointing to the poster),  sit straight, cross your leg, and have your hands on your lap. Next time you will get a 2 and won’t get to participate in the game“. Calisthenic (ex: Push-ups, Squats, Jumping Jacks, Burpees) might be given depending on the kid’s profile.
3. Age-Appropriate Time Out: If the behavior persists, the student will have a time-out/break (ie: one minute per year of age) and will not participate in the game at the end of the class. “Johnny, that’s 2, please sit there quietly for the next X minutes, you will then be able to join back on your own into class but you will have to skip the game  “.  The number is given calmly, emotionless and there is no talk after a number is given unless the behavior is new, unusual, or dangerous.
4. Parent-Coach Conference: Finally, if the student continues to disrupt class, the coach will say “That’s 3, please sit out”. The student will have to sit on the side for the rest of the class and have a discussion with the coach and parents after the class about what happened and reinforce expectations/what can be done in the next classes to improve.
5. Break or membership cancellation: After this, if the behavior persists, the student is faced with taking a break from group classes or not continuing. Of course, we want to avoid this. Our coach-parent collaboration is critical to anticipate conflicts and guide our students to a successful martial arts journey.
This is the poster we use to remind students about our 1-2-3 discipline rule:

Gi uniform

  • How to tie the Jiu-Jitu belt?
  • Why is the Jiu-Jitsu Gi uniform needed?
  • How do I wash the Gi uniform?
How to tie the Jiu-Jitu belt?

Please watch our video tutorial and practice at home.

Why is the Jiu-Jitsu Gi uniform needed?

The reasons to wear the Jiu-Jitsu Gi are:

  • Hygiene
  • Functional
    • Many techniques rely on the Gi and it also helps to slow down movements which facilitate learning.
  • Team spirit
How do I wash the Gi uniform?

Wash the Gi uniform after every single training.

Air dry is recommended but you can put it in a dryer using Delicate mode (low temperature). Warm temperatures can shrink the gi and stress out the fabric.


Parent guide

  • How to be a supportive Jiu-Jitsu parent?
  • What if my child wants to quit?
  • What if my child missed a class?
How to be a supportive Jiu-Jitsu parent?

Parents have an important role in their children’s progress. Here are the 5 best practices we recommend our parents:

  • Set them up for success
    • Ensure your child gets enough rest
    • Arrive for class a little early when possible
    • Be enthusiastic and encouraging
  • Stay on the side during class
    • Avoid staring or calling out to your child
    • Refrain from coaching your child during or after class.
    • Stay in the waiting area unless invited onto the mat.
  • Be your child’s #1 supporter
    • Focus on what they do right
    • Initiate discussion on the way home about class and how they feel
    • Jiu-Jitsu is hard. Tell them often how proud you are.
  • Talk to us
    • Frequently share with us any feedback directly or online
    • Discuss with us as early as possible if you see that your child is losing motivation
  • Bring them to class consistently
    • Continuous effort is key to unlocking potential.

This is an excellent guide for parents

What if my child wants to quit?

Jiu-Jitsu is not easy. It is physically, mentally, and emotionally demanding. Few students may show signs they want to quit before their first belt promotion which is in 6 to 12 months. If your child has lost motivation, please reach out so we can discuss potential options. Sometimes it doesn’t take much to build back a student’s interest. A simple discussion can uncover why the student is no longer having fun. Making small adjustments in their next classes, attending other classes, or doing a private class can put your child back on track.

What if my child missed a class?

Cancel ahead (4 hours prior to class) on Zenplanner in order to book a make-up class within the same week, or reach out as early as possible for us to help you book it this week or the following week.