The Jitsu Foundation is a well organised and professionally run martial art. There are gradings every three months at a regional level which for us is the London Region. To be eligible for a grading, you must be nominated by your instructor. This means that he must be confident that you should be able to satisfy the grading panel that you have learned what is required, although your performance on the day is ultimately down to you. You are not put forward because of time served or just to have a go and see if you pass. Your instructor puts a lot into your preparation, and you have to trust him to be right about whether or not you are ready to grade.

Before any grading you must attend and pass the “pre-grading” which is run by senior regional instructors. Once a decision has been made to put you in for a grading, you have to perform very well on the day in front of a Sandan grading panel in order to pass. The decision to nominate you will probably be taken between the last session and the day of the grading depending on your performance up to that point. It is wise to train as if you will be nominated regardless of whether you think you are ready or not.