NEWSLETTER

2026 October

NEWS & UPDATES

Camp/Seminar Updates

This past quarter was filled with great Small Circle Jujitsu events, starting with Arnaud Esclangon teaching a seminar in London in July and later hosting and instructing the first Small Circle Jujitsu Summer Camp in Montpellier, France in August. That same month, Professor David Rhodes led a camp in Houston hosted by Earl Tullis. Wayne Sniffen taught a seminar in New Plymouth, Idaho, and Kevin Balmer instructed at a seminar in Paducah, Kentucky, hosted by Clint Chapman.

See the upcoming events section at the bottom of this newsletter.

Growing the SCJ Organization

Social media is great for sharing content and attracting new members, but nothing compares to the impact of real networking and a personal connection. Arnaud Esclangon, our Representative for Europe, was doing exactly that at an event in Montpellier, France.     

New Members

Year to date, we have increased our membership worldwide by 63 new members. A warm welcome to our newest members who joined in the third quarter of 2026:

• Margaret Capehart
• Caleb Schmelz
• Jiri Thomas Kjeldgaard
• Harjit Singh
• Roland Malone
• Travis Williams
• Matthew Covell
• Jason Brake
• Bob Pitera
• Logan McKenzie
• Magnus Hvillum
• Jakob Mortensen
• Mark Blackburn
• Matthew Dew
• Yasser Mostafa Kamel

Engagement Tips When Recruiting

Practical guidance when talking to potential students:

• Lead With What Makes SCJ Different
  • Emphasize efficiency over strength
  • Highlight how it works for all ages
  • Mention that students get usable skills quickly
  • It is principles based
• Keep the Conversation Practical
  • You learn how to control someone without relying on strength
  • The techniques are designed for real world situations
  • It is extremely effective
• Share Your Personal Wins
  • How SCJ improved your confidence
  • How it helped in another martial arts
  • A positive experience with the SCJ community
• Demonstrate – It goes further than a long explanation
  • A simple wrist lock
  • Breaking balance
  • A gentle control technique
• Invite, Don’t Pressure
  • Come watch a class!
  • Try one sesssion – no pressure
  • We’ll pair you with someone who can help you ease into it
• Highlight the Community or Ohana
  • Respectful culture
  • Supportive training partners
  • We are all family
• Keep It Simple – Avoid overwhelming them with:
  • Termonology
  • Lineage/history details
  • Mechanics
  • Complicated concepts

Practical guidance when talking to potential new dojos:

• Reassurance
  • “Just so you know, I’m not trying to pull students away from your school. Your students are your students. SCJ is meant to support what you’re already teaching, not compete with it.”
• Collaboration
  • “Think of Small Circle Jujitsu as a supplement. When we work with other dojos, students stay loyal to their home school — they just gain skills that make them even better in your classes.”
• Respect
  • “I respect what you’ve built here. If we ever do anything together, you stay in full control. My goal is to add value to your program, not take anything from it.”
• Low-Pressure
  • “There’s no commitment or expectation. If you ever feel it’s not benefiting your dojo, we stop. I only want this to be a win for you and your students.”
• Guest Instructor
  • “Think of SCJ like bringing in a guest instructor for a specialty topic. Your students get something new, and your school gets the credit for offering it.”
• Community Building
  • “I’m here to build relationships, not competition. Strong martial arts communities help all of us grow.”

4TH QUARTER EVENTS

• Professor Leon Jay – SCJ East Coast Camp in Philly
• Professor Leon Jay – Montpellier, France
• Professor Leon Jay – Southeast Texas SCJ Camp in Houston
• Professor David Rhodes – Fort Wayne, Indiana

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