Judo Grading

The Judo grading system very stuctured with each school under the British Judo Council following a universal syllabus.  As a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu specialst I've become used to very informal gradings, Jiu Jitsu is famed for its informal structure but as a beginner its easy to get 'lost'.  As a Judo white belt I know what to do to progress and what techniques I'm expected to execute.  Not only that but each student recieves a booklet which maps out the various techniques and competencies from white belt to black belt.  In Jiu Jitsu this is unheard of. 

Tonight some of the guys were preparing for their grading so I was able to get an insight into what is expected.  I'm pleased to say that two of the throws I've been working on, Morote Seoi Nage and Tai Otoshi, are part of the grading for yellow belt, this makes it even more imperative that I get to grips with these throws.  A leg technique is included as are a variety of gound technqiues which are incredibly similar to some of the Jiu Jitsu techniques I've been using for years.  I'm not ready to be graded yet, but its really useful to know what I have to do to get to the next level so early on. 

Having seen both a formal and informal system, I really think Jiu Jitsu could do with more structure, I feel it would have helped my progression to have some form of road map to progression, in this respect Jiu Jitsu could learn a lot from Judo.