At El Dorado Hills Jiu Jitsu, we believe that a strong foundation is crucial for success in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ). Our written standards curriculum for all belts is designed to ensure that our students learn in an organized and systematic manner. This curriculum covers 12 essential positions and 350 movements, providing a comprehensive roadmap for beginners to develop their skills effectively and experienced practitioners to review and deepen their understanding of their standards.

The Importance of Structure in Learning BJJ

Starting your BJJ journey can be overwhelming. With countless techniques and positions to learn, it’s easy to feel lost. Our structured curriculum helps white belts navigate this complexity by breaking down the learning process into manageable sections. By focusing on 12 fundamental positions and their associated movements, we provide a clear path for progression.

The 12 Essential Positions

Our curriculum includes the mastery of 12 key positions. These positions form the foundation of standard Jiu Jitsu techniques and strategies. They include:

1. Butterfly Guard: Learn to defend and attack from this versatile position.
2. Closed Guard: Control your opponent while setting up submissions and sweeps.
3. Open Guard: Use leverage and mobility to keep your opponent at bay.
4. Half Guard: Develop sweeps, passes, and submissions from this transitional position.
5. Collar Sleeve Guard: Transition smoothly and set up attacks from this often-overlooked position.
6. Spider Guard: Utilize grips and leverage to control and attack from the bottom.
7. Side Control: Control your opponent and set up attacks from a dominant position.
8. Mount: Maintain control and apply submissions from the top.
9. Back Control: Secure dominant control and execute high-percentage submissions.
10. Turtle: Defend and counter-attack from a defensive posture.
11. Standing: Engage and initiate takedowns from a standing position.
12. Knee on Belly: Apply pressure and control while transitioning to submissions.

350 Movements: Building a Comprehensive Skill Set

Within these 12 positions, our curriculum outlines 350 specific movements. These include:

• Escapes: Learn to free yourself from inferior positions.
• Sweeps: Master techniques to reverse your opponent and gain a dominant position.
• Passes: Neutralize the guard and move into dominant positions like side control, the back, and mount.
• Submissions: Develop a repertoire of joint locks and chokes.
• Transitions: Smoothly move between positions to maintain control and pressure.
• Self Defense: Understand the untrained reactions you might experience in self defense positions.

Each movement is broken down step-by-step, with visual aids to ensure clarity and precision. By practicing these movements systematically, white belts build muscle memory and develop a deep understanding of the mechanics of BJJ. Upper belts who understand the standards curriculum benefit from a strong grasp of the basics and an opportunity to further deepen their understanding and elevate their baseline standards.

Benefits of the Written Standards Curriculum

1. Consistency: All students receive the same high-quality instruction, ensuring a uniform learning experience.
2. Progress Tracking: Our curriculum allows students to track their progress and identify areas for improvement.
3. Confidence Building: Mastering fundamental positions and movements instills confidence, encouraging students to push themselves further.
4. Foundation for Advanced Techniques: A strong grasp of basics provides the groundwork for learning more complex techniques and strategies.

Join Us on the Journey

At El Dorado Hills Jiu Jitsu, we are committed to helping our students succeed. Our standards belt curriculum is designed to provide a structured and comprehensive approach to learning BJJ. By mastering 12 essential positions and 350 movements, our white belts are equipped with the skills and confidence needed to progress in their BJJ journey.

Whether you are a complete beginner or have some experience, our curriculum is tailored to guide you through the fundamentals of BJJ. Join us on the mats and start your journey towards becoming a skilled and confident practitioner.