MEMBER RESOURCE
Zen Do Kai Syllabus - Victoria
Latest grading syllabus's for all ranks white belt to 10th degree.
Grading requirements per level
BJJ Combatives have become part of the ZDK syllabus.
These requirements became part of our gradings in 2024. Your club instructor and Grading coordinator will give you guidance on what is required as we continue to incorporate these great skills. It is very strongly suggested that you attend separate BJJ Combatives training days held through out the year.
To access the clips below you will need to have access. To do this, click the link below "ZDK - BJJ Combatives Training Videos" it will then ask you to login or register.
You will need to register with an email address and your choice of password.
Once this has been done please email Matthew Ball at matt@smac.net.au with the subject line BJMA Resource Access
In the email - list 1. your name, 2. the email address you used, 3. your current rank and 4. your club instructors name.
Matthew will reply over the following days, letting you know you have access or if required, requesting more information.
In 2025 Soke Richard and Soke Billy introduced a version of Rotating Palms. Along with the Victorian Masters Panel it was decided that new version will become a grading requirement in 2025. Clubs can decide which version of Rotating Palms to grade students on up to August 2025 when only the 2025 version should be used for all rank gradings, where Rotating Palms is a requirement. To assist in the adoption of the 2025 version the following clips can be used as training guides. The main training an development will happen at training days and in clubs. These clips MUST NOT be copied or distributed in anyway. Members can have access vis this page.
Weaponry re-enters our 1st degree grading in 2025.
Soke Richard and Soke Billy have introduced a Bo Complex Drill. Soke Richard has drawn on his extensive training with Master Tadashi Yamashita, to develop this complex drill. The drill has been broken into "parts" to assist in you development and training. Over the coming years more parts of the drill will be added for further development. As of 2025 this will be an assessed drill in preparation for 1st Degree and for 4th degree.
The following clips can be used as training guides. The main training an development will happen at training days and in clubs. These clips MUST NOT be copied or distributed in anyway. Members can have access vis this page.
Who is your co-ordinator and what do they expect?
Coloured belts
Your coordinator will change over the year. You will be instructed by 4th to 9th Degrees. Chosen for the specific skill sets to help inspire and prepare you.​
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These sessions are open to all coloured belts regardless of when or where you will be grading.
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Please bring sparring gear (gloves, shin guards, mouth guard and groin guard for men), water and a snack to all sessions.
Brown to Black Belts
Your coordinator is Andrew Johnstone.
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Andrew will placing an emphasis on strength, fitness and skills. He has a plan to work with you and your instructor on a timeline to make sure your at peak condition for your grading. Please down load and read the document - Black Belt prep document.
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This will take you through the best way to use your year and what you
will work on at each training day and in between.
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Please bring sparring gear (Open finger/MMA gloves, mouth guard, shin guard, groin guard for men), focus pads, water and a snack to all sessions.
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Contact Andrew Johnstone 0431390933
Black Belt to 1st Degree
Your coordinator is Craig Bernotti.
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The focus of my training days will be for the prospective gradee's to develop a deeper understanding of the forms up to this level. Both in a technical sense and in a utilisation sense. I will also develop their teaching skills in order to assist them in their roles of an instructor.
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Expectations – The preparation time for this grading is one year so the format of the sessions will be that of construction of solid basic structures.
You need to demonstrate a working knowledge of the grade form by the second training day of this year.
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Please bring water and a snack to all sessions.
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Contact Craig at frestylezdk@yahoo.com or on 0432 862 388
1st Degree to 2nd Degree
Your coordinator is Cam Pizzo
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A Message from your coordinator -
Hi to all preparing for your 2nd Degree Black Belt. I’m looking forward to working with you on your journey.
Our focus this year will be to have you and your pad holder ready to display your skill, technique and fitness at its highest level.
We’ll be working on:
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A great understanding of pad work for gradees and pad holders (covering pad work drills, fitness drills and pad holding technique)
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How to maximise and showcase the gradee’s skill (combination drills, sparring technique)
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Your grade form and your freeform (for those grading this year, please come prepared with a basic understanding of both for the first training session)
If you are grading this year (2025):
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Please ensure you have already selected your pad holders, so that they can be trained to help you display your skill
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I would like to see you bring your pad holder to the 2nd and 4th training days, and to the Assessment Day
If you are grading next year (2026):
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This is the time to start preparing for your journey toward completing your marathon grading
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Start thinking about who you will select as your pad holder for next year
For Training Days:
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Bring your protective gear (mouthguard, shin guards, gloves*)
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Have an open mind and be willing to learn!
*Gloves:
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Sparring gloves must now be MMA/fingerless style gloves (see examples below)
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A rounded front and thumb protection are preferred
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Gloves must not feel hard to the touch
Contact Cam Pizzo at
cam@allactivemartialarts.com.au
Ph. 0417 036 237
2nd Degree to 3rd Degree
Your coordinator is Peter Smedley.
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Contact Peter Smedley at pjsmedley1@outlook.com or 0418319064
4th Degree to 5th Degree
Your coordinator is John Rizzo. ​​
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John will be working together to not only prepare you for your 5th degree but to give you a deep understanding of the journey to becoming an upper level master.
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Please make sure you have the most current copy of the ZDK Syllabus & Requirements Logbook - use this as a guide for preparation and assessments in each of the years training between 4th and 5th degree​.
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Contact John Rizzo at jrizzo031070@gmail.com or 0408 417 047
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6th Degree to 10th Degree
Your coordinator is Billy Manne.
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Soke Billy Manne will be working with all higher ranks at each training day.
You will also work with the Zen Do Kai Masters Panel to design a grading plan, assign mentors, asses and assist in your progress in the years between grading.