The importance of the first stripe in jiu-jitsu cannot be overstated. For many, it will be the
first stripe that leads them on a path to a black belt, a way forward to success. For others, it may be a good effort that falls short as the student quits. In either case, the result must be the same to teach the most important lesson possible as it pertains to the purpose of jiu-jitsu.

As a modern-day martial art, the perspective of most new students is that jiu-jitsu is for
winning street fights, a way for a smaller person to win an encounter against a larger attacker, or that fighting thing from mixed martial arts shows. In all cases, the uneducated potential student sees jiu-jitsu as a fighting art. This is why we must always ensure that the new student is steeped in the knowledge of the most fundamental self-defence techniques in both classic and modern jiu-jitsu. If they choose to continue training or not, they will have great instruction in potentially life-saving techniques and also gain incredible insight into leverage and the future breadth of jiu-jitsu positions and techniques.

In these first lessons, the student will focus solely on standing self-defence-styled techniques. These moves are perfect for displaying leverage, positioning, and defensive strategies against would-be aggressors. From the standing positions, the new students will learn how jiu-jitsu uses submission holds to end encounters, how jiu-jitsu students transition to the ground for incredible control, and how to counter common scenarios like standing punches, kicks, locks, and varying grips.

At the end of this first stripe, the students are ready to apply this newfound knowledge to
fundamental ground attacks; many of which will feel much more familiar after completing the first stripe.

Week 1 
Jiu-Jitsu Stance & Base
In this video, you will understand more about your balance, posture, base, alignment, and stance. The proper way to have a very good fight stance is to know how to move and react when the opponent pushes & pulls you.

***Pay attention to all details. This is how the fight begins. It’s a must to know it!

Basic Jiu-Jitsu Warm-Ups

In this video, you will understand the importance of warming up your body before doing any of the physical training in jiu-jitsu. Use the following warm-ups to prepare your body for the techniques you’ll be practising with repetition. These warm-ups are also fundamental movements for jiu-jitsu as a whole, so practice them with care and add speed as your accuracy improves.

Week 2

Self Defence Day 1

In this video, you will understand more about:

1- HIP THROW “O-GOSH”: The O-Goshi hip throw is the first takedown you’ll learn in this program. In this technique, the fulcrum is your hips shooting across their hipline, creating a perfect obstacle to hurdle your opponent over. Focus on a deep entry of the hip combined with a strong action of the sleeve pull and under-hook belt grip.

2- HEAD LOCK TAKEDOWN “KOSHI GURUMA”: The Koshi-Guruma Headlock takedown is an excellent fundamental forward throwing takedown with a similar throwing mechanism as the previous O-Goshi. It is known for you to control the head to pull the opponent into a bent-over position, making your opponent susceptible to a basic hip throw.

PAY ATTENTION TO ALL DETAILS!

Week 3 

Self-defence DAY 2

In this video, you will understand more about:

1- “OSOTO GARI” TAKEDOWN: The Osoto Gari takedown or Outside Major Leg Sweep is your first fundamental foot sweep, though your focal point is off balancing your opponent and hip forward driving contact as you enter the takedown. Keep your partner’s arm once he falls to help break his fall and later, set up an armbar.

2- HIP THROW AND SWEEPING THE LEG “HARAI-GOSHI”: The Harai-Goshi hip throw is special in that this version allows you to build on your successes from the O-Goshi while eliminating their option to circle to your front in defence. In addition to this, your leg sweep creates more lifting momentum to rapidly send your opponent skyward.

Week 4 

Self-defence DAY 3

In this video, you will understand more about:

1- FRONT CHOKE DEFENSE WITH HIP THROW: With your knowledge of the Koshi-Guruma headlock takedown it's time to apply this to a real-world self-defence situation. In this case, you focus on regaining the inside control, a fundamental jiu-jitsu concept to create separation from the choke and set up the follow-up takedown.

2- KNEE-ON-BELLY TO ARMBAR: The knee-on-belly to armbar technique combines a bullfighter pass to clear the legs, a knee-on-belly control over the upper body, and a step over armbar against the defending position. Key to this position is your ability to smoothly transition and establish a ‘heaviness’ that forces the opponent to push you, inevitably setting up the armbar finish.

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER: This technique combines the choke defence with the Koshi-Guruma takedown with the knee-on-belly to an armbar finish. As long as you maintain strong sleeve control during the throw, you should be able to practice or attack with the knee-on-belly armbar as a quick 1-2 combination finish.