Frequently asked questions
what experience do i need ?
No experience is needed, most people who join our class have never attented a martial arts class before.
When can i start ?
Students are welcome to start at any time as the class runs all year, all you have to do is turn up, fill out an induction form and the have a go.
What does it cost to train,and what nights is the club open ?
| Day | Kids class | Kids Subs | Adults Class | Adults Subs | Under 18's Subs |
| Tuesday | 6.30 - 7.30 | £4.00 | 7.45 - 9.15 | £8.00 | £5.50 |
What do i need to wear ?
Initially something loose and comfortable which allows you ease of movement , t-shirt and a trecksuit bottoms would be ideal.
Footwear is not required as we train in our bare feet, a ju-jitsu suit (Gi) is not required in the early stages of training , i would avoid buying one straight away until you are sure you want to stick at it.
How often do i need to train ?
Ideally students should train twice a week so that they get the best from training but this isn't always possible as alot of people work late or their shift patterns change etc. students should remember that the more you put into training the more you get out.
If i have a medical condition can i still train ?
As long as your instructors are made fully aware of your condition and both you and your instructors know how much (if at all) it limits you training then you will be fine.
Any medication needed eg inhalers, insulin etc should be brought to each training session.
Do i need to bring somebody to train with ?
There will always be someone in the class who new students can train with so its fine to come along on their own .
When will i be ready for my first belt ?
Based on twice a week students should be ready for their first belt in approximately 3 months this can vary depending on the students abilities and the effort they put in .
The time between each belt increases as you progress through the belts .
Do you use weapons in ju-jitsu ?
As students progress through to higher grades they will begin to use a varity of traditional japanese weapons including bo staff, jo staff, sai, katana and more.
How do i tie my belt ?
UK / EUROPEAN Uniform Sizes
SIZE CM HEIGHT AGE (Approx) Body Weight
(Approx) UK Body Weight
(Approx) EU
000 110 UNDER 3' 8" 4-5 yrs 45lbs 20.5Kg
00 120 3' 9" to 4' 2" 6-7 yrs 60lbs 27.0Kg
0 130 4' 3" to 4' 5" 8-9 yrs 80lbs 36.5Kg
1 140 4' 6" to 4' 9" 10-11 yrs 100lbs 45.5Kg
2 150 4' 10" to 5' 2" 12-13 yrs 120lbs 54.5Kg
3 160 5' 3" to 5' 5" Small 140lbs 63.5Kg
4 170 5' 6" to 5' 9" Medium 175lbs 79.5Kg
5 180 5' 10" to 6' 1" Large 185lbs 84.0Kg
6 190 6' 2" to 6' 5" X Large 200lbs 91.0Kg
7 200 6' 6" UP XX Large 225lbs 102.0Kg
What are breakfalls ?
Breakfalls are moves that you learn at the start of your training , there are different falls for different moves .
It is best to relax when you are doing breakfalls so that you don't hurt yourself .
Names of breakfalls in japanese
Mae ukemi drop flat
Yoko ukemi side breakfall
Ushiro ukemi back breakfall
Mae kaiten forward roll
What are throws ?
What are Gradings ?
Gradings are the method by which the progress of students is assessed and the belts (or grades) awarded.
A grading will begin much like any other lesson , but during it's course students will be called onto to demonstrate the techniques that they have learnt and answer questions related to the grade for which they are being tested.
Some nerves are normal in this situation but try not to worry too much .
What order do the belts go in ?
you start off as a white belt which is just to hold your gi together, then you start to get your coloured belts.
yellow, orange, green, blue, brown 1 red strip, brown 2 red stripes, brown 3 red stripes, black 1 red stripe and so on.
What is dojo etiqutte ?
When in the dojo always address black belts sensei
Upon entering or exiting the dojo you must always bow facing towards the mats
Swearing in the dojo will not be tolerated
- Any student suspected of being under the influence of drugs or alcohol will be asked to leave the dojo
- No form of footwear is allowed to be worn on the mats at any time
- Before you move onto or exit from the mats during training , you must have the most senior belt bow you off or on the mat
- your gi must always be clean and ironed , your own personal hygiene is paramount as this shows respect to his partner,dojo
- Always respect others and their property
- At the beginning and the end of training there must be a formal bow
- All injuries, no matter how minor should be reported , any medical condition a student has should be reported to the sensei
- Should another instructor from another club enter the dojo the sensei will call mateh all students will bow to the instructor
Terms used in class
Yamai means stop
Do i tashi mash te means your welcome
Domo arigato gozaimashita means thank you (formal)
Hajimae means start begin
What are pressure Points ?
Pressure points are all around your body, in ju-jitsu we attack these points they hurt like mad you know if know what you are doing you can take an attacker down with one finger .
Japanese martial arts terms
Ai-yotsu Same grip used by both persons, either right or left
Ashi Foot, leg
Ashi Waza Foot techniques
Atemi Waza Striking techniques
Ayumi Ashi Ordinary pattern of walking
Batsugun Instant promotion
Budo Martial ways
Bujutsu Martial arts
Bushido Way of the warrior
Dan Black belt rank
Debana Instant of opportunity to break balance as opponent initiates a motion
Dojo School or training hall for studying the way
Eri Collar, lapel
Fudoshin Immovable spirit
Fusegi Escapes
Goshin Jutsu Art of self defense
Hajime Begin
Hando no Kuzushi Unbalancing by reaction
Hara Stomach
Hidari Left
Hiji Elbow
Hiza Knee
Jigotai Defensive posture
Jita Kyoei Principle of mutual prosperity
Joseki Place of honor, upper seat
Ju no Kata Forms of gentleness
Ju no Ri Principle of flexibility or yielding
Jujutsu Gentle art
Kaeshi Waza Counter techniques
Kake Completion or execution of technique
Kansetsu Waza Joint locking techniques
Kappo Resuscitation techniques
Kata Forms
Kata Shoulder
Katame no kata Forms of grappling
Katsu Resuscitation
Kenka Yotsu Opposite grips used by each person, one right/one left
Kiai To gather spirit with a shout
Kinshi Waza Techniques prohibited in competition
Ki o tsuke Attention
Kodansha High ranking judoka -- 5th dan and above
Koshi Hip
Koshi Waza Hip techniques
Kubi Neck
Kumikata Gripping methods
Kuzure Modified hold
Kuzushi Unbalancing the opponent
Kyoshi Instructor
Kyu Student rank
Maai Space or engagement distance
Mae Forward, front
Mae Sabaki Frontal escape
Mae Ukemi Falling forward
Masutemi Waza Back sacrifice throws
Mate Stop (wait)
Migi Right
Mudansha Students below black belt rank
Mune Chest
Nage Throw
Nage no Kata Forms of throwing
Nagekomi Repetitive throwing practice
Nage Waza Throwing techniques
Ne Waza Techniques on the ground
Obi belt
Okuden Secret teachings
Osaekomi Waza Pinning techniques
Randori Free practice
Randori no Kata Forms of free practice techniques
Randori Waza Techniques for free practice
Rei Bow
Reiho Forms of respect, manners, etiquette
Renraku Waza Combination techniques
Ritsurei Standing bow
Seika Tanden A point in the abdomen that is the center of gravity
Seiryoku Zenyo Principle of maximum efficiency
Seiza Formal kneeling posture
Sen Attack initiative
Sensei Teacher, instructor
Shihan Title for a model teacher or "teacher who sets the standard" (i.e. Kano-shihan)
Shime Waza Choking techniques
Shintai Moving forwards, sideways & backwards
Shisei Posture
Shizentai Natural posture
Shomen Dojo front
Sode Sleeve
Soke Founder of a martial art or ryu
Sono Mama Stop action; command to freeze
Sore Made Finished, time is up
Sute Geiko Randori throwing practice against a higher level
Sutemi Waza Sacrifice techniques
Tachi Waza Standing techniques
Tai Sabaki Body control, turning
Tatami Mat
Te Hand, arm
Te Waza Hand techniques
Tekubi Wrist
Tokui Waza Favorite or best technique
Tori Person performing a technique
Tsugi Ashi Walking by bringing one foot up to another
Tsukuri Entry into a technique, positioning
Uchikomi Repeated practice without completion
Ude Arm
Uke Person receiving the technique
Ukemi Breakfall techniques
Ushiro Backward, rear
Ushiro Sabaki Back movement control
Ushiro Ukemi Falling backward
Waki Armpit
Waza Technique
Yakusoku Geiko (or renshu) Pre-arranged free practice
Yoko Side
Yoko Kaiten Ukemi Sideways rolling break fall
Yoko Sutemi Waza Side sacrifice throws
Yoko Ukemi Falling sideways
Yoshi Resume action, continue
Yubi Finger
Yudansha Person who earned the black belt
Yudanshakai Black belt association
Zanshin Awareness
Zarei Kneeling salutation
Zenpo Kaiten Ukemi Forward rolling break fall
Zubon Pants
Counting
1 - Ichi
2 - Ni
3 - San
4 - Shi
5 - Go
6 - Roku
7 - Shichi
8 - Hachi
9 - Ku
10 - Ju
11 - Juichi (10 plus one)
12 - Juni (10 plus 2)
...
19 - Juku (10 plus 9)
20 - Niju (2 10's)
...
29 - Nijuku (2 10's plus a 9)
...
30 - Sanju (3 10's)
...
35 - Sanjugo (3 10's plus a 5)
...
99 - Kujuku (9 10's plus a 9)
100 - Hyaku
1000 - Sen
10,000 - man
100,000 - juman
1,000,000 - hyakuman
10,000,000 - senman
100,000,000 - oku
Although Jujitsu is primarily an unarmed combat system, like many martial arts it has a tradition of weapons techniques designed to compliment and add to the total martial arts combat experience.
These martial arts weapons are not the exclusive preserve of
Ju-jitsu, nor are they exclusively Japanese in origin. Martial arts weapons training derived either from a heritage born out of prohibition and repression, when martial arts fighting skills were banned by a foreign invader or as a direct influence from the ancient battlefields, like Kendo or Iaido the study of traditional Japanese swordsmanship.
Bo-Staff
A wooden staff of well polished wood, five to six feet long which may have originated with the poles used by farmers to balance heavy loads across the shoulders. In feudal Japan, it was part of the bugei - early Japanese martial arts. It's obvious advantage is its length, which can be employed to keep an attacker well away either as defence or while advancing for an attack. Although a different weapon the Jo, is used by children to learn Bo techniques; they are three to four feet long and thus easier for them to handle.
If you have any further questions please contact us