ERG98 | Introduction to Jugger
Fall 2026
Welcome to ERG98 - Intro. to Jugger!
We’re extremely excited to have you! We’ve put a lot of effort into developing this course, and we hope you enjoy it!
We will be holding an informal info session about this course during the week of August 24th (first full week of classes), time currently TBD. If you’re at all interested, drop by! In the mean time, feel free to explore this site to get a feel for the curriculum.
Never heard of Jugger before? Watch the 45-second crash course.
Course Calendar
Week 1 - Game Introduction & Sparring I
Sep 7
please fill out this waiver!
Assignments
- Quiz 1 due Sep 11
Lecture
- Introductions
- Rules & history overview
- Basic sparring theory
Fieldwork
- 2/4 sparring workshops
- first games
Week 2 - Sparring II & Qwiking
Sep 18
Assignments
- Quiz 2 due Sep 14
- NJA Combined Rulebook Reading due Sep 21
Lecture
- How to qwik
- Safe qwik wrestling & alternatives
- Basic qwik strategy
Fieldwork
- Second half of sparring workshops
- 2v2 drills
- A few full games & “zombies”
Week 3 - Chain & Chainbreak
Sep 21
Assignments
- Quiz 3 due Sep 21
- Chain Video / Chainbreak Guide due Sep 25
Lecture
- Chain history & construction
- Safety & basic chain swings
- Chain theory
- Introductory chainbreaking
Fieldwork
- Chain/chainbreak workshop rotations
- Chain/chainbreak practice
- Chain charging drills
Week 4 - Pin Control
Sep 28
Assignments
- Quiz 4 due Sep 28
- Quincy's Flowchart due Oct 2
Lecture
- Pinning mechanics review & regional variations
- Insta-pinning & tracking your downs
- Pinning near skull
- Lifting & rising
- Lifting, rising, & double pinning
- Laddering
Fieldwork
- Pin control drills
- Pin release drills
- Double pin drills
- Pinning game
Week 5 - Advanced Sparring & 2v1s
Oct 5
Assignments
- Quiz 5 due Oct 5
- Azalea's Doc due Oct 9
Lecture
- 2v1 theory
- Countering rotations
- Isolating the 1:1
- Finding and coordinating 2v1s
Fieldwork
- Instructor sparring rotation with discussion
- 2v1 drills
Week 6 - High Level Strategy
Oct 12
Assignments
- Quiz 6 due Oct 12
- Footage Analysis Discussion Post due Oct 16
Lecture
- Field positions
- Lineup
- Midgame
- Endgame
Fieldwork
- Reffing drill
- Games with guided discussion & review
Week 7 - Mid-Course Tournament
Oct 19
Assignments
- Strategy Reflection 1 due Oct 19
Lecture
- Organize into teams, develop strategy, & play the game
- Culmination of the first half of the course
Fieldwork
- Tournament
Week 8 - Advanced Pompf Techniques
Oct 26
Assignments
- Quiz 7 due Oct 26
- Han's Doc due Oct 30
Lecture
- Guest instructors & introductions
Fieldwork
- Workshops with guest instructors
- Games with instructor feedback
Week 9 - Strategy & Analysis
Nov 2
Assignments
- Quiz 8 due Nov 2
- Steven's Doc due Nov 6
Lecture
- Sparring footage analysis
- High level strategy II
- Game footage analysis
Fieldwork
- 2v2 drills
- Games with sideline calling focus
Week 10 - Equipment Construction
Nov 9
Assignments
- Quiz 9 due Nov 9
- Peter's Pawns Training Manual due Nov 13
Lecture
- Introduction to mechanical design
- Construction materials
- Safety/performance design paradigm
Fieldwork
- Supervised pompfen construction
- Games with newly-created pompf
Week 11 - CA Jugger History
Nov 16
Assignments
- Footage Analysis Discussion Post due Nov 20
Lecture
- Guest speaker: Jordan Xiao
- CA Jugger timeline
- Berkeley history
- Team proliferation
Fieldwork
- Student-picked drills from Peter’s Pawns Training Manual
Week 12 - Thanksgiving Break
Nov 23
Thanksgiving break — no class this week. Enjoy the holiday!
Lecture
- No class
Fieldwork
- No class
Week 13 - Final Tournament
Nov 30
Assignments
- Strategy Reflection 2 due Nov 30
Lecture
- Split into teams
- Play & referee formal tournament-style games
- Manage team strategy
- Culmination of the course
Fieldwork
- Tournament