On the Mat

GZ Class structure and organisation:

Most classes start with a 10-15 minute warm-up, including sport specific exercises and stretches. Next 30 mins is the technical session where various techniques are taught based on grade. The level of resistance is increased until you are able to apply the technique (eventually) on a fully resisting opponent.
The last 30 minutes is set aside for free training. This is the chance to try your skills on others in the class. High grades will help the low ones - not beat them up!  Finally there is a warm down and stretch and time for everyone to catch up and socialise.

GZ Etiquette:

- Bowing to the instructor at the end of class as well as whenever walking onto/leaving the matted area is means of showing respect for the academy, your instructor and your fellow students.

- Shaking or 'slapping' hands signifies the start and end of a bout so both parties know when the opponent is ready to start or end training with them.

- Toe and finger nails must be regularly trimmed for hygiene and safety purposes.

- Remove all jewellery before training.

- Students using tape for their fingers/toes/joint support - please bring your own tape as it is not supplied by the club.

- For hygiene reasons as well as the comfort of others - Clean, fresh clothing/GI to be worn to training only. BJJ is a close contact  sport.   Ensure others do not need to approach you about this.

- No pay, no play. No exceptions.

Belts and Grades

White Belt - While submissions are spectacular and dramatic, white belts should focus on body position, weight distribution and escapes. Prior to receiving a blue belt white belts are graded with Yellow, Orange, Green & Blue-White belts. 

Blue Belt - The first major grade and the focus is on movement, escapes and basic submissions. The premise is ' If you can escape everything you can't be beaten' and to have one escape and submission from each of the basic positions (Mount, Guard, Half Guard, Back Mount and Top Control) and two throws. As well as being able to do the basic submissions you also have to be able to escape them and regain control of the fight.

Purple Belt - Purple Belt is about developing your Guard to a high degree, with combinations in all positions whether in attack or defense being the norm. It's really when you start to feel the efficiency of the art as you start to create traps for your opponent. Taking the favourite technique you used on the way to Blue Belt you now add a complementary technique creating pairs of techniques you can use to confuse and disorient your opponent and hide your true intentions.

Brown Belt - If Purple Belt is about developing favourite combinations then Brown is about forgetting them and 'have no favourite technique'. You will have many different options and will strategically and tactically examine your opponent looking for weaknesses and will choose the most appropriate technique (even if it's not your favourite) as it is the easiest to apply for the given situation at hand. For Purple developing your Guard for a strong defence was important, now for Brown the challenge is to take that knowledge and use it against the Guard fighter as you focus on your Guard Passing.

Black Belt - While it may sound silly Black Belt really is just mastering the basics. You will have good escaping from gaining your Blue Belt, good combinations and defense with Purple Belt and strong Guard Passing and technique selection from your Brown belt and then Black Belt is about TIMING.
Choosing the right technique is difficult but it may be impossible to execute if done at the wrong time and that is what Black Belt is about. Listening (to your opponents breathing), watching (for signs of their intentions) and feeling (weight distribution and force) for the right time to do it. Granted ten years is a long time to train consistently but the rewards are worth it. It is one the greatest challenges of the Martial Arts World and if you want it you too can tie one around your waist.

BJJ Positions

Top Tier (most dominant)

• Mount
• Side Mount
• Back Mount and
• Half Guard Back Mount

Middle Tier (past the belt but on the outside of the opponent)

• Top Control
• Side Control and
• Knee Ride.

Bottom Tier (least dominant but still able to attack and sweep from)

• Half Guard
• Closed Guard and
• other variations of Guard.

Strategically you want to move up the tiers and prevent your opponent from controlling you in dominant positions. Learning to escape the Top Tier positions is very important. Often it is not a magical reversal of position but even just moving so your opponent controls you with  a lesser dominant position is smart and allows you to intelligently make your way back into the fight.

Conversely, once in a dominant position your focus should be in maintaining it and not moving backwards and allowing the other person to make their way back into the fight.