Judo Black Belt Association
    THE JUDO BLACK BELT ASSOCIATION
    The Judo Black Belt Association is a national organization of Judo coaches, educators, athletes, referees and supporters founded to advance and promote a total approach to Kodokan Judo through; 1-judo education, 2-networking using special events such as our JudoCon, local, regional and national clinics, seminars and training camps and 3-video and print resources. The JBBA is truly a Yudanshakai, that is an organization of black belts and other interested Judoka wishing to preserve and promote the totality of Kodokan Judo. We are a network of professionals. You don't have to be a professional judo coach to be a member, just have a professional attitude.  We welcome all coaches, students and athletes from Judo, BJJ, Sambo, Jujitsu or any grappling sport to join our organization. 

The Judo Black Belt Association is a professional organization dedicated to judo education and provides services, educational programs, technical & training publications and other services to its members.
The JBBA is dedicated to being a positive addition to the Judo community.

     YOU CAN BE A MEMBER OF THE JBBA IN ADDITION TO YOUR CURRENT JUDO OR MARTIAL ARTS ORGANIZATION
    Many JBBA members are also active members of other Judo or martial arts organizations. The JBBA has members from the United States and other countries and regions that are members of their national Judo organizations. The JBBA is an educational organization and  network of interested judo enthusiasts and not a political organization.

OUR DEDICATION
   The Judo Black Belt Association (JBBA) is dedicated to the promotion and preservation of Kodokan Judo as founded by Prof. Jigoro Kano in 1882. Professor Kano formed his "three-culture principle" of Rentai-ho (the development of Judo as a method of physical education), Shushin-ho (the development of a sound moral character and mental acuity) and Shobu-ho (the development of functional and effective skill in contests or self-defense).




     Founded in 2004 as an ancillary Judo organization for the Shingitai Jujitsu Association, the Judo Black Belt Association by John Saylor and Steve Scott, it has has grown since that time and has expanded its focus on judo education and being a network of Judo professionals that is open to anyone in the Martial Arts.
JOIN THE JBBA HERE
To join the JBBA, click on the pdf logo, download and print the Membership Application. This is for membership only and not for rank application.
To view or download our JBBA Handbook, click on the pdf.
JUDO IS FOR EVERYONE
The JBBA's Innovative Approach to Judo Education

The JBBA is at the forefront in using the Internet and social medial in bringing Judo education to its members (as well as the judo community at large). No other group has produced and presented as many videos as the JBBA, and makes available to the public. The Facebook groups and YouTube channels listed to your left are our connection to JBBA members and the overall Judo community. Our videos cover a variety of topics, from technical skills, training information, Judo history and other subjects. 


"Create Opportunities, Raise Expectations, Help Improve Lives Through Judo."
This video gives you a glimpse of what we did at JudoCon 2019 and what we are about in the Judo Black Belt Association. This video was produced and created by Kathy Hubble. Many thanks to Kathy for this great video.
"Judo has a tradition of innovation."                                                                                   Steve Scott
Facebook Groups

International Freestyle Judo Alliance

Judo Black Belt Association

Freestyle Judo

AAU Judo

Steve Scott Training Group

JBBA Members 
(Exclusively for members of the Judo Black Belt Association.)
JUDO BLACK BELT ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP FEES
Charter Membership costs $50.00. This is a one-time fee. No annual fees or hidden charges. When joining, each new JBBA member receives a membership packet that includes the JBBA Handbook, an embroidered patch, a membership certificate and a JBBA window sticker.
Members are also entitled to join the JBBA Members Facebook group. The JBBA is totally funded by our members. Every cent is spent on Judo educational programs. 
"About a month ago, I completed the Renjuku Academy. In the strongest possible terms, I recommend this course."
Jon Semetko, Yondan
Providence, Utah
THE JBBA STAYS IN TOUCH 
WITH ITS MEMBERS
The Judo Black Belt Association uses social media to stay in contact with our many members. We have Facebook groups, YouTube channels and use email to bring our online education and training programs to our members. We have a Facebook group dedicated exclusively to JBBA Members where they have access to more videos, pdf files and other information. The JBBA is the most innovative judo organization in the United States in using social media to provide services to its members.
JBBA Judo Education YouTube Channel
Use the link listed below to go to our JBBA Judo Education YouTube Channel. The JBBA has an active and ongoing judo education program using social media to reach more of our members and the judo public. These videos are examples of the content that our program provides. 
RECOMMENDED READING FROM JBBA MEMBERS

As an organization promoting judo education, the JBBA encourages all members to read and develop a judo and martial arts library. Here are some books written by JBBA members that we recommend. These books are available on Amazon, directly from the publisher or other vendors.
The JBBA logo represents two judoka practicing. It was developed by JBBA member Jorge Aldovar Garcia, a professional artist and Shodan in judo.
"The purpose of Kodokan Judo is physical education."
                              Jigoro Kano
"TRADITIONAL" OR "MODERN" JUDO
By Steve Scott

Recently, someone contacted me asking if we are a "traditional" judo group or a "modern" judo group.

The answer is simple. We are neither. We promote judo, all of judo. We respect both the traditions of the past and the innovations that have taken place (and continue to take place) in Kodokan Judo's history.

Segregating ourselves into "traditional" and "modern" groups is counter-productive to the promotion and development of judo. Judo is an ideal form of physical education, method of positive character development and an exciting and technically innovative and diverse method of sport. From a "traditional" point of view, this directly reflects Professor Jigoro Kano's Three-Culture Principle of Rentai-ho, Shushin-ho and Shobu-ho. From a "modern" point of view, this Three-Culture Principle embodies a clearly-defined and practical approach to the teaching, practice, technical growth and promotion of judo.

This guiding principle also clearly opens the door to the development and addition of new technical innovations. One of judo's most enduring strengths is its ability to absorb different things from a variety of different sources. The technical innovation that was started by Professor Kano himself in 1882 continues to this day.

So, with this in mind, it's appropriate to say: "Judo has a tradition of innovation."

As the debate (often heated) continues between the "traditional" judo people and the "modern" judo people, the best approach from my perspective is to respect the traditions of the past, build on them, and continue to be innovative. As stated earlier in this message, this is the direction Jigoro Kano took in the founding and development of Kodokan Judo in 1882. This is the direction we are taking as well.

RENJUKU ACADEMY  
A Unique Experience in Judo Education
Renjuku Academy is an intensive online judo and leadership education course focusing on five areas of judo education:
1-Biomechanics of Judo. 2-Judo as Physical Education. 3-Kata. 4-Judo History & Philosophy. 5-Judo Terminology.
Renjuku Academy is comparable to a 5-hour university course and there are no other education or training programs like it anywhere in the world of judo.  It is an online, home-study course. For more information on how to enroll, scroll down to the bottom of the page.

JBBA IN-HOUSE TECHNICAL PUBLICATIONS

Download the following JBBA technical publications for free.


JBBA JUDO EDUCATION CHANNEL
Click the link to go to the channel.
JUDOCON 2023 WAS A HUGE SUCCESS!
Jefferson City, Missouri August 12-13, 2023
IF YOU ARE SEEKING RANK RECOGNITION OR RANK PROMOTION BY THE JBBA, PLEASE READ

Rank promotion is one of the services provided to JBBA members. 

Membership in the JBBA for a minimum of one (1) year is required for everyone prior to seeking belt rank recognition or belt rank promotion by the JBBA.  

No rank recognition or promotion applications will be accepted from anyone who has not been a member of the JBBA for at least one (1) year and have actively participated in JBBA programs such as JudoCon, Renjuku Academy, Kihon Academy, attending or hosting JBBA seminars and events and actively engaged in promoting and teaching judo.

PLEASE DO NOT REQUEST A RANK PROMOTION OR APPLY TO JOIN THE JUDO BLACK BELT ASSOCIATION SIMPLY TO GAIN RANK PROMOTION OR RECOGNITION. 

If you have questions about the JBBA rank program, please call Steve Scott at (816) 210-4484.


KIHON ACADEMY
     Kihon Academy is an introductory online judo and leadership education course designed to prepare the student for the more advanced Renjuku Academy. Kihon Academy is comparable to a 3-hour university course. It is an online, home-study course. 
JBBA JUDO JOURNAL
 The JBBA Judo Journal is our technical journal and newsletter. Click here to see it.