Judo is the hardest program in Murfreesboro to find and one of the most complete martial arts you can train. It is built on throwing, and on the grip fighting and off balancing that make a throw possible. Once the fight hits the ground it continues with pins, chokes and joint locks, which is where judo and jiu jitsu overlap and why so many of our members train both.

The part that separates this program is rank. Promotions earned here are recognized by the United States Judo Association and the International Judo Federation. That means a belt you earn on our mats is a belt anywhere. It registers, it travels to tournaments, and it carries into any club you walk into in any state or country. Judo and jiu jitsu carry different ranks, though, and it is worth being clear about that. We follow the IJF and USJA for judo and IBJJF standards for jiu jitsu, because they are two different sports with two separate belt systems.

Training is traditional in structure and modern in method. You learn to fall before you learn to throw, because falling well is what lets you train for decades instead of months. From there it is ukemi, grip work, entries, combinations and randori, with the same technical detail whether you are eight years old or forty five.

Judo is also the best cross training a grappler can do. Jiu jitsu players who add judo stop losing the standing exchange and start finishing takedowns. Wrestlers pick up an entirely new set of entries. And for anyone coming in with no background at all, judo teaches you how to control another human being from the moment you touch hands.

Kyu grades earned at Ground Level are registered through the United States Judo Association, which places them under the International Judo Federation framework. Adult and junior belt orders differ slightly, and your coach will walk you through the requirements for your next grade.