New Grades with the BJA

As from April 1st 2008 the new grading scheme for both Mon and Kyu grades is in place.

 Technically it is different to the old scheme, and there is now no contest element outside of the Club to pass before the grade is awarded.

It has been estimated each candidate will require about 10-15 minutes to be graded, so it may no longer be possible to carry out club gradings at Bath judo Kwai during the 1 hour club session, where in the past we have managed to grade 10-15 players in this time.

At the meeting before the Western Area AGM local clubs were talking about combining their coaching staff, which can grade players and combine the club gradings. Nothing has been established or firmly agreed on this, but it may be the best way to go, as more coaches grading will mean that more candidates can be examined at each session. Bath Judo Kwai is fortunate to have so many coaches, other clubs operate with 1 or 2 coaches, and they will need help.

It is down to the discretion of the coaches to decide who is ready and sufficiently prepared to grade. It is recommended that coaches should not grade their own players, something, we as a club, have managed to avoid for a number of years.

Players at Bath Judo Kwai will be required to attend a minimum number of training and coaching sessions, depending on the level of grade they are at, before they will be eligible to grade further.

The technical grading syllabus for juniors can be obtained by clicking here and the senior grading syllabus can be obtained by clicking here.

There are now only 6 levels of senior (kyu) grades and before 1st kyu players can enter a Dan Grading there must be evidence in their licence that they have attended 2 competitions within the previous 24 months.

It is now possible for players over the age of 20 Years Old (reduced from 35 Years Old) to grade for their Black Belt under the Technical Grading Syllabus.

Transfer of grades from the old scheme to the new scheme will be as directed in the syllabus, but each grade will be expected to know all the techniques below them in the new syllabus.

This means a candidate transferring from a Blue belt to a new scheme Blue belt will also need to know the new Orange and Green belt techniques.

There will be one more final chance to grade via a contest grading in the Western Area.

This is on July 20th at Taunton.

The October Grading in Wiltshire has been CANCELLED to operate as a Contest Grading from the old scheme.

Hope this helps, please remember this is still new to everybody and there will be a review in 12 months time by the BJA.

Frequently asked Questions click here

Shin Kokusai Shiaiwaza for Technical Dan Grade click here

Mark Ilott

29/04/2008