BRITISH JUDO ASSOCIATION
Grading Scheme
for 5 – 7 Year olds
About Judo Kids
The Under 8 Development Scheme is a new nine-step process comprising
of nine award levels designed to help coaches reward young players while
they develop their fundamental physical, technical, social and
psychological skills before moving on to the Mon (junior) Grading Scheme
at 8 years of age.
Coaches working with young players in the 5 – 7 age group who are already
using the Mon Grading Scheme, can either continue with them on this
scheme or move them to the relevant award depending on their
experience and ability.
Judo Kids focuses on fun packed activities to develop the child’s
fundamental skills, judo specific techniques, breakfalls and social skills.
Based on Professor Jigaro Kano, the Japanese’ founder of judo’s
philosophy, the coach should work with the child to develop the following
life values:

Fair Play

Respect

Friendship

Responsibility

Knowledge

Discipline
Junior Sessions For Under 8’s
Judo for Under 8’s mainly focuses on fun packed activities to develop the
child’s fundamental skills, judo specific technique, breakfalls and social
skills. Sessions will vary club to club, however, they are generally 45 – 60
minutes (for this age group) and include warm-up, skill development and
cool-down activities/team games.
Competition
In this age group competitive judo is not done at a formal level, however,
there is opportunities for children to challenge themselves through the
club and at locally organised children’s events. These are governed by
guidelines that encourage coaches to match children fairly to protect
them physically and psychologically, ensuring they have a positive
experience. Judo is a combat sport where occasionally minor injuries may
occur, however British Judo Association coaches enable the classes to be
run safely.
Once children reach 8 years of age they can enter the first stages of our
competitive pathway that is mainly grade, weight and experience led.
Competition will normally be run by a voluntary workforce of competition
controllers (organisers), table officials and referees. At National level
events, a voluntary workforce will also be supported by British Judo staff
and occasionally International representatives.
Grading Examination For 5 – 7 Year Olds
The BJA have devised the ‘Judo Kids’ Reward Scheme for children from 5
to 7 years of age. As previously explained at the start of this booklet, it
is a 9 step process, with children gaining awards for their progression
throughout the 9 stages. For each award, the child will receive a
certificate and a sticker for their membership card which shows them
which level they are at. Also at Crewe Judo Club your child will also
receive a new belt for each award specifically for those under the age of
8. Students under this scheme only pay the reduced cost of £5 for each
grading compared to £12.50 for the Mon grade system.
On reaching the age of 8 years of age, the child will then transfer onto
the Mon (Junior) Grading Scheme (18 level scheme).
Licence
The cost of a licence for 5 – 7 year olds on the Judo Kids Development
Scheme is £20 per year. This provides the child with membership of the
British Judo Association, the National Governing Body for Judo in the UK;
Insurance to train in the sport of Judo; a membership card/book that will
be used to record the nine awards; a small booklet showing them what
they need to learn for each award and access to the new Under 8’s belt
system.
The Awards and Belt system For Under 8’s
LEVEL
Belt Colour
Sho 1
RED BELT
Syllabus Content
Standing Bow
Rear Breakfall
Kneeling Bow
Double Footed Jumps
Matte - STOP
Bunny Jumps
Hajime - BEGIN
Forward Roll
Hygiene and Safety
How to tie the judo belt
LEVEL
Sho 2
Belt Colour
Syllabus Content
WHITE BELT + Ippon – Win by 1 Point
Judogi – Judo Suit
YELLOW
STRIPE
Zoris – Judo Shoes
Assisted Side Breakfall
Balancing
Bear Crawl
Respect
Balance breaking
How to grip in judo
LEVEL
Sho 3
Belt Colour
Syllabus Content
WHITE/ORANGE Fair Play in Judo
STRIPE
Ichi - ONE
O Soto Otoshi (Throw)
Kesa Gatame (Hold)
Ni - TWO
Side Footed Jumps (Exercise)
San - THREE
Row The Boat (Exercise)
LEVEL
Sho 4
Belt Colour
Syllabus Content
WHITE/GREEN Waz-ari (half a point)
STRIPE
Side Breakfall
Shi - FOUR
Arm Roll
Go - FIVE
Rear Breakfall with roll
Roku -SIX
Shido - PENALTY
Monkey Crawl
Bunny Hops
LEVEL
Belt Colour
Sho 5
WHITE/BLUE
STRIPE
Syllabus Content
Yuko – Low Judo Score
De Ashi Barai Foot Taps
Osae-Komi – HOLDING
Bridge and Turn (Exercise)
Toketa – HOLD BROKEN
Cross Hops (Exercise)
Shichi - SEVEN
Frog Hop (Exercise)
Hachi - EIGHT
LEVEL
Sho 6
Belt Colour
WHITE/BROWN Kyu - NINE
STRIPE
Ju - TEN
Syllabus Content
De Ashi Barai Throw
Mune Gatame Hold
Bridge and Turn to Escape
Forward Shrimp (Exercise)
Backward Shrimp (Exercise)
Wheelbarrows (Exercise)
LEVEL
Sho 7
Belt Colour
Syllabus Content
BROWN WITH Dojo – JUDO HALL
RED STRIPE
Sensei – JUDO COACH
Forward Rolling Breakfall
Double Lapel Roll
Body Movement
Rolling over Partner
Partner Spin Arounds
Yoko Shio Gatame
Link Throws into groundwork
LEVEL
Belt Colour
Sho 8
BROWN AND
2 RED
STRIPES
Syllabus Content
Combination Throws
Movement in Judo
Introduction to
Refereeing
Partner Push & Pull
Press Ups (Exercise)
Belt Pull (Exercise)
Abdominal Exercise
Roll & Sit (Exercise)
Kami Shio Gatame holddown
LEVEL
Sho 9
Belt Colour
Syllabus Content
BROWN/BLACK Randori
STRIPE BELT
Uki Goshi Throw
Counter Throws
Uki Goshi Avoidance
Using the Judo
Scoreboard
Kuzure Kesa Gatame (Hold)
Kuzure Kesa Gatame Escape
Squats (Exercise)
Plank (Exercise)
Seated Spin (Exercise)
SOME EXERCISES YOU WILL DO
JUDO SKILLS