USJF Self-Defense Committee

Trainer and Teacher Certification Levels

One Trainer and two Self-Defense Teaching certification levels will be recognized:

• Self Defense Trainers are persons holding USJF rank of at least sandan (3rd Degree Black Belt) who have demonstrated the ability to train teachers, programs, and classes in USJF Self-Defense Teacher Certification Program. Persons certified as “Trainers” shall also be deemed to certified “Teachers”
• Self-Defense Teachers are persons holding USJF rank of at least shodan (1st Degree Black Belt) who are interested in and exhibit the ability to teach the USJF Self-Defense Curriculum
• Assistant Self-Defense Teachers are persons holding judo rank of at least nikyu (2nd Degree Brown Belt) who are interested in Teaching Self-Defense classes and programs, and who will only perform services under the supervision of a Certified USJF Self-Defense Teacher.

General Requirements – Certification

• The certification test program must be sanctioned and have received prior approval from the Yudanshakai Self Defense Committee Chairperson with notification to the Chair of the National Self Defense Committee
  • • Oral and/or written consensus must be achieved by all three examiners before someone is approved at their level of application
      • Consensus must be reached in the following areas:
        • Knowledge and understanding of the USJF Self-Defense Philosophy
        • Knowledge of and skill in the use of the USJF Self-Defense Techniques. [To be defined in a separate document].  All judoka who wish to be certified shall fill out a Request for Certification applications
        • Applicant must successfully complete
          • USJF Background Screening Procedures
          • First Aid Training
          • CPR training
          • Safesport
          • CDC Heads up
          • Current USJF Membership
            Note: these items do not count as CEU’s
  • • Appropriate videos must be reviewed and the knowledge assessment passed at the 100% level.

Specific Certification Requirement

Trainer

• Must hold a minimum USJF Sandan rank
• Attend a sanctioned clinic with 3 or more certified trainers at which time a candidate will be expected to demonstrate their ability to train teachers, lead programs and teach classes in the USJF Self Defense Programs.
• Certified Trainers will conduct a clinic prior to the certification testing.

Teachers

• Must hold a minimum USJF Shodan rank
• Attend a sanctioned clinic with 3 or more certified trainers at which time a candidate will be expected to demonstrate to their ability to lead programs and teach classes in the USJF Self-Defense Program
• Certified Trainers will conduct a clinic prior to the certification testing.

Assistant Teachers

• Must hold a minimum Nikyu rank
• Attend a sanctioned clinic with 3 or more certified trainers at which time a candidate will be expected to demonstrate a basic knowledge of USJF Self-Defense Program Philosophy and demonstrate techniques learned in the clinic held prior to testing.
• Certified Trainers will conduct a clinic prior to testing
• After attending, demonstrate ability to share that knowledge

New Candidate Fees

•  NOTE MAY CHANGE IN MAY AFTER THE BOARD REVIEW OF THE FINANCIAL CHANGE
  • Testing Fee [Suggestion: fees are encouraged to be folded into the registration fee]
    • Make check payable to USJF
    • Certification Registration Fee (Note: $5.00 from the Certification Registration Fee goes to the participant’s Yudanshakai)
    • Trainer $30 for the 2-year certification
    • $10.00 per candidate
      • Teacher $20 for the 2-year certification
      • Assistant Teacher $10 for the 2-year certification
    • A summary of certification test results, funds, application forms, and other required materials (i.e. score sheets, one-page essays), and a list of the clinic participants should be submitted to the Yudanshakai chairperson within 30 days. The Yudanshakai Chairperson should check all the paperwork for completeness and submit it to USJF Self-Defense Committee Chairperson within 15 days of the end of the event. National chairperson will check for completeness and submit those candidates that have met all requirements to the National office for their certification to be processed.  Certifications will be sent to the Yudanshakai Self-Defense Chairperson for distribution.

Renewal Procedures for Trainers, Teachers, and Assistant Teachers

All certified Self-Defense Trainers, Teachers, or Assistant Teachers must renew their certification as described in detail below:

• All judoka who wish to be recertified shall fill out a Request for Certification applications
  • Applicant must successfully complete the following REQUIRED courses (which are not CEU’s):
    • USJF Background Screening Procedures
    • First Aid Training
    • CPR training
    • SafeSport
    • CDC Heads up
    • Current USJF Membership
  • Earn 4 approved CEU’s over the two years of your certification or renew at a USJF Self Defense Committee or Yudanshakai Clinic as an attendee.
  • Definition of Continuing Educational Units (CEU’s)
    • A CEU is defined as additional training in physical safety strategies/interventions, situational awareness training, and/or psychological self-defense techniques
    • In the event that a Certification or Participation of Attendance is offered, it is recommended that you keep the documentation as proof of attendance
  • Self-Defense CEU’s can consist of educational programs/activities such as:
    • USJF Self-Defense Videos
    • Trainings courses
    • Books, pod casts, etc. on Self-Defense
    • Lectures, “TED talks”
    • USJF Teaching Program (initial certification and renewals)
    • USJF, USJA, or USA Judo Coaching Program (initial certification and renewals)
  • Each renewing Self-Defense Trainers, Teachers, or Assistant Teachers must achieve a minimum 4 CEU’s per renewal period
    • A single CEU is granted for each 2 hour of learning
  • Note: CEU’s will be reported to the Yudanshakai Self-Defense Chair. CEU’s are self reported and it is the responsibility of the individual to maintain a record of the CEU’s and time invested in learning. 

• Self-Defense Trainers must renew every 2 years. They must have:
  • Taught USJF Self-Defense Training/Teaching Programs or Courses of an average of 1 self defense class per year over the 2-year term of their certification. A class at a minimum would constitute direct instruction in the USJF Self-Defense philosophy, practical application of said philosophy to presented scenarios, and/or presentation of and practice in applying techniques.  Every 2 hours of instruction counts as 1 CEU. [Note: this is required for all Trainers and will count toward CEU totals].
• Teachers must renew every 2 years.
  • Taught USJF Self-Defense Training Programs an average of 1 self defense class per year over the 2-year term of their certification. A class at a minimum would constitute direct instruction in the USJF Self-Defense philosophy, practical application of said philosophy to presented scenarios, and/or presentation of and practice in applying techniques. Every 2 hours of instruction counts as 1 CEU. [Note: this is required for all Teachers and will count toward CEU totals.]
    • Earned 3 approved CEU’s within the previous 2 years
    • Renew at the current level or certify at the trainer level (if they meet the criteria).
  • Self Defense Assistant Teachers must renew every 2 years
    • They must have
      • Assisted in Helped teaching USJF Self-Defense Programs or Courses for an average of 1 or more courses per year over the 2-year term of the certification
      • Earned 3 approved CEUs within the past 2 years
      • Certify at the next level if they meet the criteria or re-certify at the current level.
    • In the event that Certified Self-Defense Trainers, Teachers, or Assistant Teachers misses their renew deadline
      • Their certification will be suspended
      • He/she has up to 1 year to complete the required checks and CEU’s.
      • If the required checks and CEU’s are not completed they will need to re-certify at the appropriate level.

Renewal Fees

• Testing Fee [Suggestion: fees are encouraged to be folded into the registration fee]
  • $10.00 per candidate
    • Make check payable to USJF
    • Note: $5.00 from the Certification Registration Fee goes to the participant’s yudanshakai
  • Registration Fee
    • Trainer $30 for the 2-year certification
    • Teacher $20 for the 2-year certification
    • Assistant Teacher: $10 for the 2-year certification
  • Materials for Submission
    • Applicant will submit to their sanctioned host if attending a clinic, or directly to their Yudanshakai Self Defense Chairperson within 30 days from the expiration of their certification or the conclusion of the training workshop the following:
      • Certification of the passed video assessment
      • Self-Defense Application Forms
      • Funds
      • USJF Background Screening
      • First Aid Training
      • CPR training
      • Safesport
      • CDC Heads up
      • Current USJF membership

If a clinic is held, a summary of certification test results funds, application forms, and other required materials and a list of the clinic participants should be submitted to the Yudanshakai chairperson within 30 days of the event. The Yudanshakai Self-Defense Chairperson will check for completeness on all submission whether it be clinic or individual and submit it to USJF Self-Defense Committee Chairperson within 30 days of the clinic or the individuals expiration date. National Chairperson will check for completeness and submit those candidates that have met all requirements to the National office for their certification to be processed. Certification certificates or letters will be sent to the Yudanshakai chairperson for distribution.