No, most Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu schools do not follow a standard curriculum or syllabus.
BJJ is known for its relaxed, informal classes, where instructors often teach whatever they feel like showing that day. This can make new students feel lost and confused about what they should be working on first.
Many BJJ instructional products exist to lay out the basic techniques or show the path to blue belt. These can be a helpful supplement to regular classes. (Check out Can I learn BJJ from books, DVDs, videos, etc.?)
Certain associations have created standardized curricula for their affiliated schools to follow. Gracie Barra is the most prominent of these, with beginners and advanced programs that follow 16 weeks of lesson plans. GB instructors will also teach classes outside of the curriculum, especially in the highest level and competition prep classes.
Even though they may not be teaching from a rigid curriculum, an experienced instructor will know how to teach so that beginners and advanced students are learning. This can be frustrating to white belts who are hungry for clear answers now, but give it a while–6 months to a year–at a good school and you should catch on.
In the meantime, BeginningBJJ.com has a very good free e-book and newsletter that I recommend to all BJJ white belts. It doesn’t teach many techniques, but it does explain principles, theories and concepts that help tie everything together.
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No, most Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu schools do not follow a standard curriculum or syllabus.
BJJ is known for its relaxed, informal classes, where instructors often teach whatever they feel like showing that day. This can make new students feel lost and confused about what they should be working on first.
Many BJJ instructional products exist to lay out the basic techniques or show the path to blue belt. These can be a helpful supplement to regular classes. (Check out Can I learn BJJ from books, DVDs, videos, etc.?)
Certain associations have created standardized curricula for their affiliated schools to follow. Gracie Barra is the most prominent of these, with beginners and advanced programs that follow 16 weeks of lesson plans. GB instructors will also teach classes outside of the curriculum, especially in the highest level and competition prep classes.
Even though they may not be teaching from a rigid curriculum, an experienced instructor will know how to teach so that beginners and advanced students are learning. This can be frustrating to white belts who are hungry for clear answers now, but give it a while–6 months to a year–at a good school and you should catch on.
In the meantime, BeginningBJJ.com has a very good free e-book and newsletter that I recommend to all BJJ white belts. It doesn’t teach many techniques, but it does explain principles, theories and concepts that help tie everything together.
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