Curriculum - White belt

Goal

To introduce the student to the fundamentals of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, focusing on basic techniques, movement, defense and safety, building a solid foundation for progression to the blue belt.

Graduation criteria

It is not the scope of this page define the graduation criteria, but this curriculum describes almost everything what is expected technically from a student that is going to move to blue belt. 

Expected level of each topics

It is not expected the student be an expert of each of these topics, but knowing how to apply them and feel comfortable when using any of these positions/techniques. 

It is expected the student not only the ability to execute them individually but also to connect these techniques with a sense of direction and purpose. 

1. FUNDAMENTALS

  • Maze/IBJJF rules, etiquette (check the link in our page)

  • The tap, knowing when to tap

  • Training safely

  • Emotional control during training

  • Proper posture (standing and ground)

  • Base, balance, and pressure

  • Use of leverage instead of strength

  • Basic concepts of control and weight distribution

2. MOVEMENT (ESSENTIAL SKILLS)

  • Hip escape (shrimp)

  • Bridge (upa)

  • Forward and backward rolls

  • Technical stand-up

3. FUNDAMENTAL POSITIONS

  • Closed guard

  • Mount

  • Side control

  • Back control

  • Knee on belly

4. DEFENSES AND ESCAPES (PRIORITY FOR WHITE BELTS)

  • Mount escapes (upa and elbow-knee escape)

  • Side control escapes

  • Back control escapes

  • Rear naked choke defense

  • Basic armbar defense

  • Basic triangle defense

5. BASIC SUBMISSIONS

  • Rear naked choke

  • Armbar (from guard and mount)

  • Triangle choke

  • Americana

  • Kimura

  • Straight foot lock

6. BASIC GUARD PASSES

  • Standing closed guard break

  • Knee pass

  • Basic over-under concepts

  • Simple guard opening strategies

7. BASIC ATTACKS BY POSITION

From mount:

  • Armbar

  • Americana

From back control:

  • Rear naked choke

  • Maintaining back control

From guard:

  • Armbar

  • Triangle

  • Scissor sweep

8. TAKEDOWNS AND STANDING JIU-JITSU (INTRODUCTION)

  • Basic grips (gi)

  • Single-leg takedown (basic)

  • Safe guard pull

9. RULES AND THEORY

  • Basic scoring system (IBJJF):

    • Mount, back control, sweeps, guard passes

  • Match time by category

  • Legal and illegal techniques for white belts

  • Hygiene, safety, and injury prevention