Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 

For high-school age and above.

Rockaway Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (RBJJ) is an affiliate of Fabiano Sherner Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (FSBJJ). RBJJ’s primary BJJ instructor, Professor Udelhoven, is an IBJJF-registered Black Belt under Master Fabiano Scherner. Master Scherner and Professor Udelhoven’s BJJ lineage begins with Mitsuyo Maeda and Carlos Gracie (see: https://www.rockawaybjj.net/affiliation/ ). Due to our lineage, the RBJJ BJJ curriculum below focuses on sport jiu jitsu, as opposed to self-defense jiu jitsu which is more commonly known as Gracie Jiu Jitsu (GJJ). For a brief description of the differences and divergence of BJJ and GJJ, see: https://bjj-world.com/gracie-bjj-history-and-politics/.

Because RBJJ’s BJJ curriculum focuses on sport jiu jitsu, students must recognize its limitations in a self-defense context. Generally speaking, there are no headbutts, striking (punching, slapping, elbows, kicking, or knees), small joint manipulations, hair pulling, eye gouging, groin or throat strikes in sport jiu jitsu.  As such, students are not training to employ or defend against such techniques which may be necessary in a self-defense situation. In addition, some sport BJJ techniques are not desirable in self-defense situations as it focuses almost solely on grappling and large joint and choke submissions. Differences between sport and self-defense application of techniques and positions will often be pointed out during classes.

Given the above, RBJJ GI, No-GI, and open mat classes, will follow the IBJJF rule set (see: https://ibjjf.com/books-videos). Digression from this rule set must be pre-approved by Professor Udelhoven. 

Adherence to the IBJJF rules accomplishes several things: 

1. Creates a common understanding among students about what is allowed;
2. Standardizes our training with other FSBJJ affiliates and most other sport focused BJJ academies; and, most importantly,
3. Protects students, allowing them to train/roll very hard while reducing (not eliminating) the risk of injury, and thus giving them a greater likelihood of having a long and enjoyable BJJ journey throughout their life.

We ask all students and instructors to familiarize themselves with the IBJJF rule set. If there is ever any doubt, seek guidance from Professor Udelhoven.

Of special note for all Gi and No-Gi BJJ:

• There is no striking or striking feints. 
• Wrist locks, applied carefully, are allowed by all belt levels when rolling with known teammates. When rolling with new students or students from another gym, only blue belts and above may apply wrist locks. 

Of special note for all Gi BJJ:

• Heel hooks are not allowed at any level.
• Knee bars and toe holds are allowed by brown and black belts and allowed by blue and purple belts rolling against brown or black belts. However, blue and purple belts have the right to choose not to apply or have applied to them knee bars or toe holds while rolling. 
• Knee bars and toe holds are not allowed by white belts or by other belts when rolling with white belts.
• All other legal submissions cannot be avoided unless the opponent is injured and notifies the opponent as such beforehand. 

Of special note for all No-Gi BJJ:

• All legal submissions are allowed at blue, purple, brown, and black belt.
• White belts and teens cannot use or be submitted by heel hooks, knee bars or toe holds.