British Zen Judo Family Association

 Rule Book

Objectives

All members are deemed to have accepted the objectives of the British Zen Judo Family ,which are ;

1.      To develop the sprit and practice Zen Judo along traditional lines.

2.      To demonstrate that Zen Judo is beneficial both mentally and physically.

3.      To promote the skills and abilities of Zen Judo without the application of unnecessary force

Standards of Dress

1.    All Grades are to wear clean white Judogi.

2.    Belts will be tied correctly and the knot positioned forward centre.

3.    The Zen Judo Family badge will be the only badge worn. Dan grades may also wear the Japanese flag above the Zen Badge. Badges will be worn on the left lower portion of the jacket below the belt.

4.     No Jewellery, watches, rings bracelets or neck chains are to be worn on the mat. Where a flat wedding ring is difficult to remove, it must be covered with a plaster.

Hygiene

1.      Hands, feet, nails, hair, body and Judogi must be clean and neat.

2.      Sandals must be worn when off the mat.

3.      There will be no smoking in the DOJO, nor will food or drink be permitted.

4.        Whilst in the Dojo, and on the mat, all players will be SILENT.

Etiquette

1.      Whenever a member of the BZJFA, or any Zen 4th Dan or higher visits a club and steps onto the mat, the players will be brought to  a stop and will all Rei to the visitor (providing the visitor is of a higher grade than the highest grade currently on the mat).

2.      Visiting Senior Grades must not interfere with the running of  individual clubs.

3.      Members will always Rei on the following occasions

·        On entering or leaving the Dojo.

·        Stepping onto or leaving the mat.

·        To your partner at the start and finish of Randori or Shiai.

·        Before addressing a Senior Dan Grade

·        When adjusting Judogi members will always sink onto one knee.

1.      During Randori, movement should be relaxed, and techniques applied without strength

2.      One must not move against blocks applied during Randori

3.      During Randori, the senior grade should permit the junior grade reasonable opportunity to apply techniques and must exercise care and control when throwing. 

4.      No Half sacrifices to be applied to white belts 

5.      No full sacrifices to be applied to any grade below green belt.

6.      Green belts and above may be thrown over the body, providing this is mutually acceptable.

7.      White belts must not be lifted during Randori, they should be thrown by the application of blocks only.

8.      Armlocks and strangleholds are only taught from 2nd Kyu upwards, and may be used only if permission has been given prior to Randori/Shiai.

Syllabus

1.      Copies of the official syllabus for the British Zen Judo Family will be provided for all instructors.

2.      The Syllabus has been carefully structured to give members a gradual introduction to Judo.

3. The BZJFA syllabus will be the  Core syllabus , additional techniques will be at the discretion of the clubs chief instructor. 

Membership

1.      An annual membership fee is payable, Fees stay with each individual club. This fee is also payable on being graded to Yellow Belt. (White belts do not pay any formal fees.)

2.      Membership runs from 1st September until 31st August. Players joining in June, July or August may pay a reduced fee.

3.      Junior members are aged up to 16 years

Affiliated Clubs

  1.      The BZJFA may at their discretion, permit clubs other than Zen clubs to affiliate to the BZFA .

     Affiliated Clubs are required to fully adhere to the rules and conditions printed within this document.

Gradings

1.      Grading to Yellow and Orange belt may be conducted at any time within the members club (a senior 1st Kyu or above may conduct these gradings).

2.      Gradings for belts up to blue will be held at club level with the knowledge of the President who may send a representative 

3.      Gradings Blue - Brown and Brown - Black will depend on the individual having a satisfactory instructional record.

4.      Gradings to 1st Kyu and 1^st Dan will  be under the supervision of Shihan Gordon Lawson or any member of the BZJFA that he may appoint.

5.      Members may be invited to take part in gradings when they meet the grading criteria. This criteria may be varied by the BZJFA in exceptional cases. It should be noted that this is a guide and not a rule.

6.      Gradings to 2nd Dan will include the Nage & Gatame No Kata, and will be a formal grading.

7.      Gradings to 3rd Dan and above will be by  invitation only and include the Juno-no- Kata

8.   Part of the criteria to 4th Dan will be that they run a BZJFA club

Promotional time Scales

Note

The above grid should only act as  Guide not a rule

Dan Grades                                                                

Minimum age to 1st Dan  16 years

Minimum age to 2^nd Dan  18 years                                       

Teaching

Any member accepting the grade of Brown and above will do so on the understanding  that they are accepting an obligation to help their chief instructor in passing on their knowledge ,in particular to junior members  

  Gordon Lawson. Shihan  20-12-2002