The BJA Novice to 6th mon scheme has been developed to encourage membership of BJA Clubs and the national governing body and to ease Novices into the BJA grading scheme by allowing candidates to grade under the supervision of their own Coach in the familiar surroundings of their home club or appropriate local venue.  The aim of this part of the scheme is to build confidence and an understanding of the spirit as well as the basic techniques of the sport of judo.

Application

Only a valid BJA licence holder may grade under the British Judo Association Grading Scheme.  Application for a Junior BJA licence should be made to BJA head office on a standard BJA licence application form.  A new junior licence holder will be registered as a Novice and will receive: their red belt, record book, licence, information about the BJA, judogi sew-on judo badge, stickers and their first test sheet.

Grading Tests

A Junior Grading Scheme Novice to 6th mon candidate may be test by a valid BJA Club Coach or Senior Club Coach or by a BJA Area Examiner, Provisional Senior Examiner or Senior Examiner in a BJA Club or appropriate venue.

Age Requirement

The minimum age to commence grading tests on the Novice to 6th mon scheme is 5 years of age.  Please note you must hold a valid BJA Junior Licence to grade.  The maximum grade you can hold until you reach 8 years of age is 6th mon.   Gradings of 7th mon and above have a competitive element and the BJA does not allow competitive judo below the age of 8.

Frequency

It is expected to be the norm that a candidate will not be graded more than one mon at a time at three monthly intervals. However in exceptional cases a candidate may be promoted by more than one grade.

In extreme circumstances where the Coach/Examiner feel a candidate should move more than 3 grades in one examination approval must be gained from Area Director of Examiners or the National Promotions Commission . When a candidate has achieved the grade of 6 th Mon, it is recommended that they may enter a Promotion Examination for their 7th Mon and above 28 days after promotion to 6th Mon.

Candidates aged 5-11 years - minimum three months between tests.

Candidates aged 12-15 years - minimum one month between tests.

Demonstrations

Candidates must demonstrate techniques on the move.

Grading Registration

Grading test success will be registered at Head Office. An appropriate grade certificate, belt tabs and grade badge will be despatched to the licence holder with the next Test help sheet.