October 12, 2026
No-Gi Grappling: level classes, open mats and tournament divisions
No-Gi grappling, ground fighting without the kimono, is trained in two formats: coach-led classes and free open-mat sessions. Each has its purpose and is tracked differently. Here is how to organize both, along with tournaments and seminars.
How do level classes differ from open mats?
A level class has a plan: the technique of the day, partner drills and a sparring round led by the coach. It is split into groups, for example beginners and advanced, so everyone gets what they need.
An open mat is free time on the mat, where athletes practise what they have learned at their own pace. Because it is a more relaxed format, it deserves its own place in the schedule, with the hours and conditions for taking part stated clearly so nobody mistakes it for a class.
How do you know who comes to which session?
Once you run both classes and open mats, a single attendance list is no longer enough. You want to see who attends classes, who comes only to the free sessions and who has been absent for a long time.
Recording attendance per group and per session shows the real patterns: which hours fill up, who needs a conversation and how often each person trains. That data helps you adjust the schedule instead of guessing.
How do you prepare tournament divisions and guest seminars?
At tournaments, athletes are usually split by weight and by experience level, and the exact rules depend on the organizer. Check them well ahead and prepare a list with each athlete's division so the entry is correct.
The same goes for seminars with guest coaches: an event with sign-up and a fee shows you from the start how many participants you have. Tournament results are then kept in a history you can easily look back on.
Dojo Master helps you split athletes into groups with schedules and coaches, record attendance at classes and open mats, organize tournaments and seminars with sign-up and fees, and keep results in the trophy room of your Grappling club.
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