Sessions always start with a warm-up and some basic stretching, not only to prepare for doing jiujitsu but also to improve your general fitness and flexibility. We will usually then practise falling both from a kneeling and standing position. Throwing is a large part of what we do and therefore considerable time is spent teaching students how to fall safely. Falling also teaches you a great deal about moving and controlling your body. We start with kneeling-falling, working your way gradually up to standing-falling. Like everything else in jiu jitsu, instruction is gradual, and students are not asked to move on until it is safe for them to do so.

In the main part of the session, the instructor will take you through a range of techniques and you will have plenty of opportunity to practise them, usually in pairs. We try to make your jujitsu training
as realistic as possible with simulated attacks a constant feature. Again, training is gradual. You will probably start by learning to defend yourself from a wrist-grab. As you improve you will work your way up to defending yourself against more difficult attacks, like punches and kicks, then weapons, then multiple attackers.

The session continues with demonstrations and practice, possibly culminating in the opportunity to see whether or not the technique or techniques you have learned can be applied under pressure.