Are there any age restrictions for participation?
Currently the club is restricted to over 14s only, under 18s must have permission from a parent or guardian before starting. We will look into extending club training to include junior members from the age of 6 if there is demand and we have the necessary resources available.
What should I wear to a Jitsu training session?
Eventually you’ll need a Judo style Gi (training uniform), but jogging bottoms and a sweatshirt are fine to start with. If you have a Gi from doing another martial art, that’s also fine for starters. Shoes/socks aren’t worn and you shouldn’t wear any jewelry, or a watch, for safety reasons.
The style of Gi required is plain white with no badges or logos other than the Jitsu Foundation badge on the right sleeve.
When and where does the Guildford Town club train?
Training is held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 8pm till 10pm every week at the Guildford Community Centre Sports Hall, Leapale Lane, Guildford, Surrey GU1 4LY
How much does it cost?
- The training sessions are 4 pounds each to attend (although your first tryout session is free).
- Once you have been training for 2 weeks you need to purchase a license which includes personal Insurance at the cost of 20 pounds for the year.
- You will also probably need to purchase a Foundation style Gi before you can participate in your first grading, these cost around 30 pounds each.
Where does this money go?
The club is a non-profit organisation which means that the instructors are working for the love of the art and not for a wage. Any money paid to the club is used to cover necessary expenses with all left over funds being used to subsidise gradings for club members and club visits to Regional and National events.
How is the club run?
An elected committee comprising of a Chairperson, Treasurer, Secretary, Publicity Officer, Social Secretary and Safety Officer looks after the day to day running of the club as well as organising future events. Notices will be given when the club committee is holding meetings and all members are welcome to attend and participate, including the option of running for positions on the committee.
The club instructor is Dave Michael.
Where can I find out more about this style of Jiu Jitsu?
The style practiced is TJF (The Jitsu Foundation). For more information visit the website.
Is there any etiquette I should know?
Most of the etiquette in Jitsu is there for safety reasons and to aid learning.
- To come on to the training mat, you should rei (bow) to the highest grade on the mat as they are responsible for keeping it safe.
- If you need to leave the mat, ask the highest grade and they will rei you off. This helps ensuring everyone’s safety.
- If the instructor calls the word “Yame” you stop what you are doing immediately.
- Turn up on time, 10 minutes before the session starts.
- When training with someone, you always rei to each other before you start. This signifies that you are both ready to start.
What do the different coloured belts and black trousers signify?
Jitsuka progress through the grades, gaining a different colour belt, by passing gradings (see below). The colours in order are: white (novice), yellow, orange, green, purple, light blue, dark blue, brown and then black. Everyone progresses at different rates but as a rough guide it takes around 5 years to gain Brown belt (the first level at which you can be an instructor).
Once you have obtained purple belt you are considered a ‘senior’ grade and some additional courses to further your Jitsu career become available.
Instructors wear black trousers called hakama.
How do people progress through the grades?
Every 3 months gradings are held at a regional level, where you prove what you have learned and when successful are awarded the next grade.
What other Jiu Jitsu events are organised?
Regional courses where all the clubs from the region get together, there are also National courses and competitions, gradings and lots of socialising!
What social activities does the club organise?
When it comes to organising social events it’s basically up to the club members to decide what they’d like to do! We go to the bar after every session, on top of this we normally have a club social event at least once a month with larger events including other Jitsu clubs being held relatively often.
