Extra Credit

Jiu-Jitsu promotions can be tricky to finish in the minimum 8-month period. Often people come up short on their attendance requirements.

The problem lies in the Master Cycle class requirements, and there are only limited methods to make them up.

On rare occasions, our instructor holds extra classes to work on the most recently released curriculum. These count, but they happen very rarely.

It is also possible to arrange for private lessons. These are by far the best way to learn Jiu-Jitsu, and this is reflected in how they are counted attendance-wise. They count as two classes each. The only downside is the cost involved.

Sometimes, a Gracie seminar happens somewhere within drivable distance. In a typical seminar day, there will be 4 sessions, and each count as a class for attendance purpose. Seminars, however, are incredibly rare.

Sometimes students work incredibly hard on their own time preparing for optional curriculum exams. Completing all the training, and the actual taping, can easily consume ten hours of very intense effort. It would be nice if that work counted for something on the tally, but it doesn't.

Take my next belt-stripe promotion as an example. Instead of taking 8 months it will take 12. This is due to a number of missed classes due to planned holidays for my wife and I. If there are any opportunities to catch up, I will take them. Seminar? I'll be there. Extra, new-curriculum classes? I'll be there. Might just shave those long 12 months down to 11.