Do you run a martial arts studio? If so, you know that the competition out there is fierce, and your competitors are always looking at ways to improve their programs and increase revenues. Have you been doing the same? Chances are that you already have a variety of add-on programs and are always considering others; that is, if space permits and you are still looking for ways to grow your business.
If you are like most school owners, you are looking for programs that:
1) have synergy with your overall focus and values,
2) will excite your current students and keep them training with you for longer, and
3) will help differentiate your school from your competitors', thus helping with recruiting and enrolling new students to your school.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) meets these criteria for many martial arts schools today, and is an intriguing option as an add-on program. Having evolved from Japanese Jiu-Jitsu and then Judo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu consists of takedowns and ground grappling techniques which can be combined with most specialty martial art forms to give you and your school a competitive edge in attracting and retaining students. Under the direction of a BJJ black belt, an add-on BJJ program can be customized to fit into Karate, Tae Kwon Do and Kung Fu schools, among others, and can be taught to children as well as to men and women of all ages.
There are a number of add-on Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and grappling programs available today. All you need to do is a simple Google search and you will find them. These programs are typically offered through an Association, which in turn is led by a BJJ Black Belt. Before moving forward with a BJJ program at your school, it is important to verify that the Association and Black Belt you choose to work with has the authority to promote your students, and to have these promotions recognized by the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation. Furthermore, you should insure that the Association is willing to work with you to develop a syllabus that is consistent with the programs you already offer, and that it meets your scheduling constraints.
The key for implementing a successful BJJ program at your school and having it work over time is to have the complete support of a Jiu-Jitsu Association, which provides instructor training and certification, as well as providing a structured curriculum, an instructor manual, lesson plans and other support tools. With this relationship and these tools, you are not dependent on the whims of the individual instructor de jour. While books and DVDs are excellent support materials, most martial arts practitioners are not comfortable teaching a BJJ program after learning techniques this way. Regardless, a truly successful BJJ program cannot be dependent on the instructor (even the school owner / operator); instead, it requires a systematic approach to teaching, along with the guidance and support that is best provided by a partner BJJ Association led by a qualified BJJ Black Belt.
You as the school operator will always have the responsibility to hire your instructors, and to insure that they have the credentials required and the ability to teach. At the same time, it is important that your BJJ Association is involved with the direction and support of your BJJ instructor(s); in fact, they may be able to recommend or even provide one or more instructors for your school. Regardless of where your instructors come from, all should be trained and certified by the Association, and agree to abide by the Association's teaching methodology, syllabus and rules and regulations. This way, you can insure consistency of your program over time, independent of the specific instructor.