A discussion on SAMA student’s notebooks
By Johnny Moore
Maintaining a notebook in the martial arts is required for advancement and to remember, through review, what you have been taught. I keep notes in three forms; the first as a full record drawn from memory and research and kept in a safe place. The second is a “memory jogger” “cheat sheet” consisting of the name of the art, the English translation and a condensed version of “how to do it.” The third form is a binder where revised notes are kept under general headings, such as “Yawara” or “Nage.”
I would recommend that you organize your main notebook something like this:
1. The name of the list that you are describing, such as YAWARA, the name of the instructor and the date you received the instruction.
2. A discussion about how to execute the arts; such as:
a. More effective when accompanied by a Kiai which immobilizes your opponent for a moment.
b. The arts are described right-handed.
3. The name of the art, such as KATATE HAZUSHI ICHI and its English translation; single hand escape one.
a. A memory jogger such as, “escape from an outside wrist grip.”
b. A complete description of what is considered “Kata”- how the art is executed which, like a story, will have a beginning, middle and an end.
c. Variations to the art.
Other items that need to be included and brought to class each include:
1. The information covering what you are expected to learn for your next rank.
2. Test sheets (Personal Kata Performance Forms) which cover the arts in your area of study.
3. Jujitsu cheat-sheets which provide an English translation for each art on the lists and a brief memory-jogger text condensed from your main notebook.
*These items can be downloaded from this website. Look under "Jujitsu Cheat Sheets" on the bottom of the Introduction Page.
*When you make revisions to an art, keep the old version in a separate binder.
*Write down your notes as soon as possible while the memory is fresh.