USJF Self-Defense Committee

Self-defense, as defined by the United States Judo Federation is

The ability to recognize a threatening environment
The ability to resolve or avoid the situation
The ability to use techniques derived from Judo training to survive and escape using the least amount of force, in the event that a threat cannot be resolved or avoided

Many martial arts programs offer some sort of Self-Defense course. Judo studies contain a wide variety of techniques that can readily be adapted for use in Self-Defense training and application. These techniques and principles are detailed in the Katas as well as day-to-day training in Sport Judo. The spectrum of these techniques and their variations ranges from escapes, to compliance, to non-lethal, and to potentially lethal techniques. USJF Self-Defense Trainers, Teachers, and Assistant Teachers must understand the ramifications of teaching these techniques and be capable of making their students understand the definition of the appropriate amount of force for a given situation.

Self-Defense is more than a one-time learning event; one aspect of teaching Self-Defense is the introduction of Judo to the public. Self-Defense courses may be a participant’s first exposure to the concepts and practices of Self-Defense using Judo. This can inspire students to explore Judo programs so that they continue their training and acquire more skill and knowledge.

Steps toward Trainer, Teacher or Assistant Teacher

Close Accordions

Aims

The Aims of the USJF Self Defense Program

Goals	Objectives	Outcomes
Train Trainers and Teachers in judo related self defense techniques	Create trainers and teachers who have a base competency in teaching self defense	Trainers and teachers who competently teach self defense based upon the USJF philosophy
	Create teaching materials that the trainers and teachers can use for their own learning and for teaching their students	Provide training and teaching materials that support the Self Defense course
	Create an ongoing Continuing Education Program	Continually improve on the knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviors of self defense trainers and teachers.
Help increase the population’s knowledge of judo as a martial way	Expose the population to the USJF self defense philosophy	Expand judo exposure to the general populations
Provide a certification process for Trainers and Teachers certified by the USJF	Create a nationally recognized program for teaching Self-Defense based upon judo techniques	Standardized USJF self defense teaching

USJF Self-Defense Philosophy

Philosophy for Self-defense

The Basic USJF philosophy for self-defense

USJF philosophy for Self Defense works on a progressive tier system that builds from

Developing skills in recognizing potential adverse situations
Escape via avoidance of the potential adverse situation
Verbal and psychological methods to allow for de-escalation and escape
Self defense using reasonable levels of force for self defense

Each Self-Defense component has separate strategies to first avoid the situation or if that is not possible escape from the situation. The last resort is to use reasonable force against the attacker.

Participants, through appropriate exposure to training, learn to access situations, develop appropriate strategies to avoid an adverse situation and/or deter a potential attacker. In the event that the 1st three steps are ineffective or no time is available to employ those strategies, the participant is introduced to physical skills of self defense.

Steps toward Trainer, Teacher or Assistant Teacher

Reasons for becoming certified

When you become certified in USJF Self-Defense, you will

Learn well-founded educational concepts for teaching
Acquire the resources you need to teach a USJF Self-Defense course
Qualify for USJF Self-Defense insurance coverage if you are a USJF member in good standing
Learn the legal issues common to self-defense courses and how to avoid unnecessary legal exposure
Learn approved techniques of Self-Defense
Become current on Self-Defense issues and practices
Be able to help participants build a greater sense of safety and security
Be able to access additional training and learning so you can provide additional material to your students

Trainer and Teacher Certification Levels

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

Self-Defense Trainers are judoka holding USJF rank of at least sandan (3rd Degree Black Belt) who have enrolled in programs and classes in the USJF Self-Defense Teacher Certification Program. Judoka certified as “Trainers” shall also be deemed to be able to certify “Teachers” and “Assistant Teachers.” within the USJF Self-Defense Committee Protocols.
Self-Defense Teachers are judoka 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 judoka holding USJF rank of at least nikyu (2nd Degree Brown Belt) who are interested in assistant teaching Self-Defense classes and programs, and who will only perform services under the supervision of a Certified USJF Self-Defense Teacher or Trainer.

Certification Requirements

Application Process

Applicant will register and pay fee at the USJF Education Portal for Self-Defense at learn.usjf.com

The Committee is charged with review of the following required certifications before issuance of applicant’s level of certification:

Successful completion of the on-line USJF Basic Self-Defense Program
Successful completion of the Live or Video Evaluation
CPR/First Aid
SafeSport
Heads Up (acceptable to USJF)
USJF Rank
USJF current membership

After submitting all required certifications, successfully completing on-line and in-person Self-Defense classes, the 2-year certification will be issued by the USJF Self-Defense Committee.

The USJF Self-Defense Committee will also verify with the National Office the candidate’s Background Screening status before certification is sent out.

If any of the requirements are not met, the Committee will inform the applicant regarding what is missing, and they will have up to 3 months to remedy the situation. In the interim certification will be withheld until corrections are made.

General Requirements – Certification

Judoka who wish to be certified shall fill out a Request for Certification Application, attend a sanctioned clinic, and present the current information listed below. The certification program must be sanctioned and have received prior approval from the USJF Self-Defense Committee.

Applicant must be current in the following (which are not CEUs):

USJF Membership
USJF Background Check
First Aid
CPR
SafeSport
Heads Up (acceptable to USJF)
USJF rank

Specific Certification Requirement

Self-Defense Trainer

Must hold USJF Sandan rank or higher
Must successfully complete the USJF Basic Self-Defense Course
Must successfully demonstrate to 3 or more certified Trainers the ability to train Teachers, lead programs and teach classes in the USJF Self-Defense

Self-Defense Teachers

Must hold USJF Shodan rank or higher
Must successfully complete the USJF Basic Self-Defense Course
Must successfully demonstrate to 3 or more certified Trainers the ability to teach classes in the USJF Self-Defense Program.

Self-Defense Assistant Teachers

Must hold USJF Nikyu rank (Second Degree Brown Belt) or higher
Must successfully complete the USJF Basic Self-Defense Course
Must successfully demonstrate to 3 or more certified Trainers the ability to assist Teachers in teaching classes in the USJF Self-Defense Program.

Fees

National Registration Fee $100.00

Re-certification Requirements

Re-application Process

Applicant will register and pay fee at the USJF Education Portal for Self-Defense at: usjf.com
Applicant must be current in the following (which are not CEUs):
- Current USJF Membership
- USJF Background Screening Procedures
- First Aid Training
- CPR training
- SafeSport
- Heads Up (acceptable to USJF)
- USJF Rank

Earn 4 approved CEUs over the two years of your certification
Definition of Continuing Educational Units (CEUs)

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 Certificate of Participation or a Certificate of Attendance is offered for a course, it is recommended that you keep the documentation as proof of attendance/participation toward your CEU hours.

Self-Defense CEUs can consist of educational programs/activities such as:
- USJF Self-Defense CEU Videos
- Outside of USJF Self-Defense training courses (i.e., lectures, concepts, and materials from the course which can be integrated within the USJF guidelines for teaching Self-Defense)
- Books, podcasts, on Self-Defense
- Lectures, “TED talks”
- USJF Teacher Institute Program
- USJF, USJA, or USA Judo Coaching Program

Each renewing Self-Defense Trainer, Teacher, or Assistant Teacher must complete a minimum 4 CEUs per renewal period
- A single CEU is granted for each 2 hours of learning or teaching
- Note: It is the candidate’s responsibility to maintain a record of their CEUs and the time invested in learning.

Self-Defense Trainers must renew every 2 years. They must have:
- Taught USJF Self-Defense Training/Teaching Programs or Courses with an average of 1 Self-Defense class per year over the 2-year term of their certification. A class at a minimum would offer direct instruction in the USJF Self-Defense philosophy, practical application of this 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. They must have:
- 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 offer direct instruction in the USJF Self-Defense philosophy, practical application of this 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 4 approved CEUs 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 helping teach 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 4 approved CEUs within the past 2 years
- Renewed at the current level or certify at the Teacher level (if they meet the criteria)

In the event that a Certified Self-Defense Trainer, Teacher, or Assistant Teacher misses their renewal deadline
- Their certification will be suspended
- He/she has up to 1 year to complete and submit the required documentation and CEUs.
- If the required documentation and CEUs are not completed and submitted in a timely fashion they will need to re-certify at the appropriate level.

REGISTER/ACCESS: USJF SELF-DEFENSE RE-CERTIFICATION/LINK ACCESS

Existing Trainers, Teachers, and Assistant Teachers, one once initially set up, are already in the LMS. The applicant needs to take the USJF e-learning CEU and/or submit their additional CEUs to SDS@usjf.com for review by the Committee. After Committee review and endorsement a USJF Basic Self-Defense Certificate of Completion will be issued and sent electronically to the applicant.

Fee

National re-certification fee is $75.00

Changing Status

If you have achieved one of the transitional ranks (Shodan or Sandan) and want to change your certification level, contact the USJF Self-Defense designated representative, who, upon verification of your new rank, will change your status once your documentation has been submitted and validated. Please send an email to SDS@usjf.com to inform the Committee of your rank change.

Courses

USJF Basic Self Defense Course

Segment 1 – Orientation and Introduction

Segment 2 – Teaching Self-Defense to Adults

Segment 3 – Basic Teaching Model

Segment 4 – Avoidance

Segment 5 – De-escalation/Deterrence

Segment 6 – Survival Skills – Knowledge

Segment 7 – Survival Skills – Techniques

Segment 8 – Fundamental Understanding of the Law

Segment 9 – Lesson Plans

Segment 10- Summary

USJF Trainer, Teacher, and Assistant Teacher Evaluation

New Trainers need to successfully complete the On-line Basic Self-Defense Course. After successful completion of the course they must successfully participate in a USJF sanctioned Live or Video Self-Defense Evaluation. A minimum of THREE (3) Self-Defense Trainers, who hold current USJF Certification for Self-Defense Trainer, can conduct a live or video assessment with consent from the USJF Self-Defense Committee. At the completion of the evaluation oral and written consensus must be achieved by all three examiners before a candidate is approved as a USJF Self-Defense Trainer. The candidate must successfully comply with the USJF Background Screening Procedures and have First Aid and CPR Training, SafeSport, Concussion Certification, and be current with their USJF membership.

Continuing Education Units

Existing CEUs

Introduction to USJF Self-Defense Philosophy
Legal Aspects of Self-Defense
Developing a USJF Self-Defense Curriculum
Creating a USJF Self-Defense Class
Levels of USJF Self-Defense Certification
Marketing
Market Share
Strategic Market Thinking
Pricing for a USJF Self-Defense Program

Course registration process

Certification

Self Defense Front Page

Course Registration Process

Register for the USJF Basic Self Defense Course and USJF Basic Self Defense Evaluation Clinic (separate registrations and payments) through SmoothComp
Take the e-learning online course
After successful completion an On-line Basic Self-Defense Course Certificate of Completion will be generated. Important – the On-line Basic Self-Defense Course Certificate of Completion only shows completion of the e-learning material and does not equal the certificate issued upon completion of the USJF Self-Defense Evaluation Clinic.
After signing up for the e-learning on SmoothComp the applicant is required to register for a USJF Self-Defense Evaluation Clinic to become a Trainer, Teacher, or an Assistant Teacher
After completion of the Evaluation Clinic Self-Defense Trainer, Teacher, or Assistant Teacher a Basic Self-Defense Certificate of Completion will be issued.

Register/Access: USJF Self-Defense Certification

Go to SmoothComp to register for the Self-Defense e-learning course.
Price
- Course price $100 to be completed within 90 days after the start of the online e-learning course

Self-Defense Re-Certification

If your re-certification is due, or you have allowed your re-certification to lapse no longer than 1 year, you are able to apply for your Self-Defense Re-certification if you meet the following criteria:

Submit four approved Continuing Education Units (approved Units can be found on the link to the SD site located at

Applicants must ensure that their current certifications are uploaded in the USJF online portal including: Current USJF Membership; Current USJF Background Check; Current SafeSport Certificate from the US Center for SafeSport; current CDC Heads Up Certificate; and a First Aid and CPR certificate (from a USJF-approved vendor) which can be found at the following link

NOTE: The USJF Self-Defense Committee continues to work on the development of Self-Defense Teaching Videos that participants can use to help improve their teaching and performance skills. As the Self-Defense program grows, the Committee to plans to create a library of Continuing Education Units training materials. Please check the appropriate link on this site for existing and new announcements of additional CEU training and videos.

Register/Access: USJF Self-Defense Re-Certification/Pricing

Re-certification fee is $75

Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

A CEU is defined as additional and supplemental training in physical safety strategies and interventions, situational awareness training, and/or psychological Self-Defense techniques that help expand the knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors of Certified USJF Trainers, Teachers, and Assistant Teachers. A single CEU is granted for each 2 hours of additional training. The study materials including books, videos, lectures, etc., can be scanned and submitted to the designated Self Defense Committee individual who process renewal applications.

If you have questions about the fees, submission packet, and/or process please contact the USJF Self-Defense Committee Coordinator at SDS@usjf.com.