The Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Style of Fighting

It has been said that 90% of fights end up on the ground. Though it is hard to find a reliable source for this statistic, it can hardly be argued that most street fights will indeed end up in ground combat. Knowing that, wouldn’t it be beneficial to train in a Martial Arts style that emphasizes ground fighting?

What is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu?

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, (translated as “the gentle art”) is a relatively young style of Martial Arts that stems from the older style of Judo (which came from Japanese Ju Jutso) and is primarily focused on takedowns and fighting from the ground. Unlike other forms of Martial Arts where strength and physical size can be advantageous due to the power of striking techniques, size does not matter in Jiu Jitsu. The arm bars and joint locks are just as effective on a larger person as a smaller one, thus making this a valuable skill for people of all shapes and sizes. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is looked at as both a sport and a Martial Art, therefore, you get the character building and the integration of life skills afforded by Martial Arts, with the physical fitness and competitive challenges of a sport.

A Brief History of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Jiu Jitsu dates back to the the age of Japanese samurais, who would utilize ground fighting techniques on the battlefield when they were without weapons.

In 1904, Kano Jigoro, the founder of Judo, sent one of his most talented students, Mistuyo Maeda overseas to spread the art and philosophy of Judo with people in different continents. He traveled the world fighting people of all different styles and giving Judo demonstrations.

In 1916, Maeda performed with the Italian Argentine circus called Queirolo Brothers at the American Circus where a man by the name of Gastão Gracie was a business partner. Upon seeing a demonstration by Maeda, Carlos Gracie, the oldest son of Gastão, decided to learn Jiu Jitsu. He trained with Maeda for a few years, passing his knowledge on to his siblings, and in 1925, they opened the first Brazilian Jiu Jistu school in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It eventually made its way to American, gaining popularity in the 1990s when Royce Gracie won the 1st, 2nd, and 4th championships in the UFC.

Is there a ranking system?

Like many Martial Arts styles, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu utilizes a belt system to indicate the student’s level of training. Though it varies depending on the branch in which you train, it can often take upwards of 8-10 years to reach the black belt ranks.

Is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu right for my child?

As mentioned before, Jiu Jitsu is a great style of Martial Arts for people of all shapes and sizes, as it utilizes joint locks, leverage, and techniques to bring the fight to the ground where striking and size are not necessarily advantageous, and where your child will be well trained. Therefore, it is a fantastic style for children, as it teaches them how to defend themselves, even if the assailant is older and/or larger than them.

Don’t worry—Brazilian Jiu Jitsu instruction for children is not only focused on the Martial Arts techniques and defense, but also life skills that are such a major part of most Martial Arts. Your child will learn values such as courtesy, manners, and respect while gaining confidence and the ability to defend themselves.

Is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu right for me?

Instruction for adults definitely has a different emphasis than for children. First of all, it tends to be much more combat oriented. Though there will be sparring in both child and adult classes, oftentimes, the adult classes are full-contact. Keep in mind though, you will be allowed to work at your own pace, and will not be forced to spar harder or more than you are ready.

Additionally, because of the energy exertion required in a ground fight, there will likely be an emphasis on conditioning and physical fitness.

If you are looking for an effective way to defend yourself in case of an attack, a great workout, or just a great activity where your child can learn and grow, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu would a fantastic option for you and your family. Click here to find a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu class near you today!

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a Full Contact Sport

Brazilian Jiu-jitsu is a full contact combat sport and system of self-defense that operates under the philosophy that, with the right technique, a smaller and seemingly weaker opponent can easily take on and defeat a larger, stronger opponent. When fighting upright, greater height, weight and general size immediately constitute an advantage, but this advantage can be leveled if the fight is taken to the ground. This is the overarching concept behind Brazilian Jiu Jitsu moves and techniques, which bring the fight to the ground ergo eliminating any advantage a larger opponent might have.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Techniques

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is an offshoot of Kodokan judo and was developed by Japanese master, Mitsuyo Maeda, who then passed it on to Brazilian students, Carlos Gracie and taught to Luiz França. This form of martial art was further developed, diversified and adapted by the Gracie family, landing it where it is today. The techniques taught in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, as it was explained above, are mostly based near or on the ground and involve a variety of chokeholds, joint-locks, wrestling techniques and ground-holds. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu constitutes the base of many other popular forms of martial arts, such as MMA (Mixed Martial Arts.)

The Popularity of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is, today, a vastly popular combat sport and fitness workout across the United States. There are an abundance of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu schools and academies to be found across the country, as well as individual gym classes and studios. While this exciting martial art form can be practiced in little more than loose pants and a T-shirt, the more avid enthusiasts will want to invest in a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu uniform or gear. The use of colored belts, similar to Judo, reflects the level of skill, rank and achievement.

Links of Interest

To learn more about Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, check out the links soon to come below:

• History of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
• Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Styles
• Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Training
• Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Techniques
• Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for Kids
• Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Tournaments
• Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Fighters
• Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy