Blue belt
Mat Assistant
Assists in Kids, Youth and Adults classes. Does not run a class by themselves.
Gentle Way Jiu-Jitsu
Our coaching standards
What every coach at Gentle Way Jiu-Jitsu completes before teaching, and how it is kept current.
Levels and what each may teach
Purple belt
Assistant Coach
Leads a Kids or Youth class, always paired with a certified Mat Assistant or higher. Assists a Junior Coach or Coach in Adults classes, including as uke (demonstration partner).
Brown belt
Junior Coach
Leads Kids and Youth classes (always paired with a certified Mat Assistant or higher), Adults beginner classes and No Gi classes, depending on endorsements. Assists a Coach in advanced Adults classes.
Black belt
Coach
Leads every class, including advanced Adults classes, except black belt classes and coach instruction. Kids and Youth classes always have a second certified coach on the mat. Two Coaches may co-lead very large or advanced classes. Supervises and signs off coaches below black belt.
Black belt, 1st stripe+
Professor
Everything a Coach does, plus teaches black belts and advanced BJJ and leads the coaching team: supervises and signs off every level, including Coaches, and runs coach orientation and observed evaluations. Eligible to apply to open a GWJJ academy with the support of Gentle Way Jiu-Jitsu.
| Level | Kids | Youth | Adults · Beginners | Adults · No Gi | Adults · All levels | Black belts · Coach instruction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mat AssistantBlue belt | Assists | Assists | Assists | Assists | Assists | — |
| Assistant CoachPurple belt | Leads | Leads | Assists | Assists | Assists | — |
| Junior CoachBrown belt | Leads | Leads | Leads | Leads | Assists | — |
| CoachBlack belt | Leads | Leads | Leads | Leads | Leads | — |
| ProfessorBlack belt, 1st stripe+ | Leads | Leads | Leads | Leads | Leads | Leads |
- Assisting is always under a higher belt. Two black belts may co-lead very large or advanced classes.
- Our policy calls for a second adult, usually a Mat Assistant, in Kids and Youth classes.
- Professor is for black belts with at least their first stripe (1st degree).
Before a coach may teach
Background screening, every 2 years
- ✓Massachusetts criminal record check (CORI)
- ✓Massachusetts sex offender registry check (SORI)
Safety training
- ✓SafeSport Trained (U.S. Center for SafeSport), every year
- ✓Safe and inclusive environments for athletes with disabilities (SafeSport)
- ✓CPR/First Aid with in-person skills, every 2 years
- ✓Massachusetts mandated reporter training, every 2 years
- ✓Kids and Youth coaches: SafeSport for Kids or Teens, and Understanding Mandatory Reporting
Teaching readiness
- ✓Belt rank confirmed with the issuing black belt
- ✓GWJJ coach orientation
- ✓Knowledge check, longer at each level from Mat Assistant to Coach (80% to pass)
- ✓At least 20 supervised teaching hours per level, 10 in each class type, signed off by a higher-ranked coach
- ✓Observed teaching evaluation
Signed commitments
- ✓Code of Conduct
- ✓Athlete Protection Policy
- ✓Coach Role & Scope Agreement
- ✓Confidentiality Agreement
- ✓Incident Reporting SOP and Emergency Action Plan received
Athlete protection
Every coach signs Gentle Way Jiu-Jitsu's Athlete Protection Policy, based on U.S. Center for SafeSport guidelines. It covers keeping interactions with minors observable, communicating with minors through parents or academy channels, appropriate physical contact, and photos only with consent. Concerns go to the program director and, when required, to the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families or the U.S. Center for SafeSport.
Staying current
Coaching certificates last 18 months, or less if a background check or certification expires sooner. SafeSport is renewed every year, and CORI, SORI, CPR/First Aid and mandated reporter training every 2 years. To renew a certificate, a coach logs 40 teaching hours in the last 18 months (at least 20% supervised) and re-signs all agreements.
Check any coach at Verify a coach. A certificate is valid only at Gentle Way Jiu-Jitsu while its requirements remain current. It is not a professional license or a guarantee of any coach's conduct.