Programs

Adult Jiu-Jitsu

Our Adult Jiu-Jitsu program (ages 14+) provides a structured roadmap from White Belt to Black Belt that covers a wide range of topics and techniques with a self-protection focus.

Students of the adult program need to supply their own training uniform (Gi) and groin protection. Foothills Jiu-Jitsu does have a limited stock of uniforms for a cost of $50.

One-time start-up costs for the adult program are $15 for club patches and $25 for the Hiscoe Jiu Jitsu Adult Training Manual.

Junior Jiu-Jitsu

Our Junior Jiu-Jitsu program (ages 8-13) is a subset of the adult curriculum, containing techniques and structure appropriate to a preteen audience.

Students of the junior program need to supply their own training uniform (Gi) and groin protection. Foothills Jiu-Jitsu does have a limited stock of uniforms for a cost of $50.

One-time start-up costs for the junior program are $15 for club patches. The Junior Syllabus is provided free of charge and can be downloaded here.

Students of Foothills Jiu-Jitsu receive instruction in the following areas of study:

Stances, Movement & Footwork: The ability to apply martial arts techniques relies, like many other things, on a solid foundation. Proper body positioning and weight distribution are central to a good stance that provides a basis for further actions.

Breakfalls: Learning how to fall correctly is critical to managing one’s risk of injury both inside and outside of the Dojo. We have a comprehensive set of techniques that are specifically geared to minimize this risk during your martial arts journey.

Strikes, Blocks, Kicks: Every martial art has some concept of striking/punching, blocking and/or kicking; some emphasize these techniques more than others. Can-Ryu Jiu-Jitsu uses these concepts and techniques in a self-protection context, using strikes, blocks and kicks as tools that increase the chances of resolving a physical confrontation safely.

Takedowns & Throws: Can-Ryu Jiu-Jitsu incorporates a variety of Judo throws and takedown techniques that assist in addressing a physical threat. The goal of a throw or of a takedown is to place an opposing threat into a position where they are on the ground and you’re not. After the throw or takedown is executed, options are now available to continue to engage for further control of the situation (termed “after throw control”) or to remove ones self from the situation entirely.

Hold Escapes: Can-Ryu Jiu-Jitsu provides a structured and repeatable way out of common holds; for example, bear-hugs, wrist grabs and headlocks. When escaping a hold, the techniques must be simple, effective and repeatable under stress.

Ground Defense: Self-protection scenarios can become fluid situations where you find yourself on the ground with an assailant. Can-Ryu Jiu-Jitsu addresses a number of common ground defense scenarios in a manner similar to Hold Escapes above. From a self-protection standpoint, the goal is to safely and efficiently escape a ground position, not engage the opponent in grappling. Can-Ryu Jiu-Jitsu also touches on various techniques that can be applied on the ground to obtain a better position for one’s self, but does so with the intention of escaping the situation rather than trying to tap somebody out.

Neck Restraints: With the increase in popularity of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, the chances of encountering the need to escape or to apply a strangle hold (colloquially known as a Choke) increases too. When used for self-protection, Neck Restraints can have the effect of rendering an assailant unconscious thus facilitating escape or better control of the situation. The application of a Neck Restraint should not be considered casually, as there is an increased risk of life-altering or life-ending consequences if done incorrectly or haphazardly. Can-Ryu Jiu-Jitsu covers the topic of Neck Restraints through a lens of safety – both for yourself and for your opponent.

Comealongs/Escorts (Adult Program Only): A comealong or escort describes situation whereby another person is controlled physically while they are escorted elsewhere. This category of technique allows the student to learn simple and effective ways of getting and maintaining somebody’s attention when the goal is to remove said person from a situation. Comealongs/Escorts are most often used by people in the security field, but they do have application in self-protection and are covered within our curriculum.

Weapon Defenses (Adult Program Only): Can-Ryu Jiu-Jitsu focuses more on unarmed attacks, as they are most likely what one would encounter. Introducing a weapon such as a stick, a bat, a knife or a gun completely changes the equation both from a self-protection standpoint and from a Canadian Criminal Code standpoint. A weapon of any description is an aggravating factor in any assault that can lead to one’s life being threatened. Can-Ryu Jiu-Jitsu provides guidance on how to address the introduction of a weapon into a self-protection scenario.