What is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu:
The martial art and combat sport that came from the ground fighting (a.k.a. grappling) roots of Judo and traditional Japanese Jujutsu; it has become its own unique grappling style with it’s own set of techniques.
The most popular misconception about BJJ is that it’s nothing more than a bunch of “wrestlers” rolling around on the ground trying to pin each other, when in reality it’s much more complex than that – there are takedowns, chokes, strikes, joint locks, etc… One thing definitely not present in BJJ is limiting oneself to just a few basic moves as one would see in wrestling or some styles of karate. The premise of submission grappling is to go right for the kill (if you can), or immobilize your opponent until they either give up or the ref steps in.
What are the benefits of BJJ in a street fight:
As with any form of training, one’s confidence and self-assurance tend to grow as their skill level improves; this automatically makes someone more likely to use what they’ve learned if the need arises. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has been proven by various law enforcement agencies around the world as an effective means for officers and recruits alike to de-escalate and subdue suspects, especially those who are much larger than themselves. Even though it may not be something that was ever thought about prepping for, thinking about a BJJ belt being able to take down a much bigger assailant suddenly becomes feasible.
Why you should learn to defend yourself with BJJ:
If nothing else, it can be fun and a great workout if done properly – who wouldn’t want an activity that works the entire body while providing both physical and mental benefits? It’s also a sport where size really doesn’t matter too much; for example, someone weighing 120lb could potentially defeat someone twice their weight in a fight (depending on skill level).
Training tips for BJJ beginners and advanced students alike:
Don’t sacrifice technique over speed; if you’re in control and not in danger of getting hurt (i.e. tapping out), then chances are you’re doing good and should keep going at your current pace. Try not to use strength as much as possible; when training/rolling try to isolate the muscle groups instead of using larger muscles such as your legs or back (this goes for any form of exercise).
Train hard but train smart, and never train to your own detriment; if you’re in pain or can’t continue, then stop. Getting injured from training later on in life will only make it worse when the time comes for a real fight or self-defense situation.
Lastly, understand that BJJ might not be for everyone – ultimately what’s most important is to get out there and explore different options until you find something that both interests and challenges you!