BELT GRADING STRUCTURE
Gradings take place 3 – 4 times a year depending on grade and age.
Little Ninja preschool programme: Students grade 3 times a year, in May, August and early December.
From grade 1 until the age of 12 years, students grade at the end of each school term.
From 13 years of age (teenage programme) students grade 3 times a year, in May, August and early December.
With regular twice a week attendance, students will be prepared for these assessments. There are rare occasions in which students will not be sent for grading.
There will be two circumstances under which children will not be sent for their next grade:
- If their attendance is less than 80%,
- if their behaviour and training attitude is very poor in class.
This does not occur often as classes are done in a disciplined but uplifting manner and instructors carefully deal with any bad behaviour early so that is does not escalate and effect the student’s progress.
Grade levels are achieved in the form of levels/stripes on the belts. Please refer to the chart that outlines the belt progression from white to black belt.
GRADING PROCEDURE
Grading assessments are done in a format that is formal. Students are assessed in groups relating to their ability. They are assessed by a panel of instructors and the student’s class instructor is always present (only exception being if they are ill).
Although the grading procedure is formal and the “counter” (person counting and directing the technique) is strict and precise, the manner in which the whole grading is conducted allows the students to be comfortable but still peak in performance.
Children especially are given that extra bit of encouragement during the assessments.
Our focus is on passing the students at their assessments. It is very rare that students fail a grading as they are well prepared during class training and are only sent for assessment if they are deemed ready.
We also welcome the attendance of parents. There is also time for photo opportunities.
Junior gradings take place during the week in normal training time and usually at the venue in which the student trains regularly.
AGE DIVISIONS AND RELATED CONTENT
CLASS LEVELS
We have clearly defined classes from beginner to intermediate to advanced and children transition from one class to the next under the careful guidance of their instructor. Classes are not only belt level dependent, they are also age level dependent. Class levels form guidelines for student’s abilities but within those guidelines there are sometimes exceptions with age, maturity and ability that warrant us moving a student to the next class phase.
All students from beginner to advanced are placed where they can perform at their best in terms of what their capabilities are. All instructors keep a close eye on this.
BEGINNER STUDENTS:
It is important to note that our school has a fully developed programme that allows students to transition and development in a systematic way from the ‘little ninja” level all the way through to black belt and beyond.
BEGINNER students are welcomed at any age and are attended to either separately or within an appropriate group, lead by a very experienced instructor together with an assistant.
We always encourage students to try out a lesson of 2 to be sure that what we are offering is a good match for them. This is especially important for parents to also view the manner in which the classes are conducted.
VIEWING OF CLASSES:
Parents are allowed to watch trial lessons. Thereafter upon completion of membership, parents may only view classes in the last week of every month.
Beginner students are welcomed throughout the year.
INJURY FACTOR:
Techniques that are taught in martial art training can be dangerous and devastating when put to use in full force. This is the benefit of gaining the skills to protect yourself in a serious situation of self defence.
Having said that, control is of the utmost importance when training with these techniques. From day one and going forward, good discipline and control of the body is taught. Injury factor is thus kept as MINIMAL as possible.
Our Academy instructors all understand the importance of protecting growing bodies from injury and are attentive at all times to any lack of control, from junior to senior adult students.
TRAINING VENUE & CONTACT DETAILS:
Central Somerset West: First floor – West Workout Gym, Fountain Square, Caledon Street.
Jerome Petersen: 083 462 9089 | jerome@apex-jiujitsu.co.za OR jerome@sa-selfdefence.co.za
BEGINNER STUDENTS ACCEPTED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR
Please email or call us for any enquires or to book your child for 2 trial lessons.
Jerome Petersen: 083 462 9089 and Terry Lynn Petersen: 083 208 5584 or email admin@sa-selfdefence.co.za