WHAT IS BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU?

Traditional Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu- Gi 

Most real self-defense situations will end up on the ground. Why? Because in real scenarios there is one factor that is almost always guaranteed - the clinch (when one person grabs another). Once the inevitable clinch happens it is a matter of time before someone loses their footing and falls. At that moment, the scenario becomes a ground fight. The problem as adults or as kids is not knowing what to do when pinned beneath a larger opponent. If you’ve been looking into Jiu-Jitsu near you, we can help!

The solution is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu because it is the martial arts that most effectively addresses the question, “What do you do when you’re on the ground with someone bigger and stronger on top of you?” 

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a form of self-defense that is based on takedowns, chokes, and joint locks to overcome a larger opponent. During Gi Jiu-Jitsu classes, you will learn from our coaches how and where to grab your opponent's clothing to gain maximum control over their movement. Often mistaken with karate or tae kwon do due to the uniform, it is actually more similar to wrestling or judo because the techniques are practiced and applied by the students on the ground. The chokes and joint locks are used to make your opponent submit or “tap out”. For that reason, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is commonly known as ground fighting.

No-Gi (Submission Wrestling)

No-Gi is a variation of traditional Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu except that students wear shorts and a shirt. The main differences between Gi and No-Gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu are the grip strategy and techniques. In the Gi, you will have extra material to grab onto making it a little easier to control your opponent. In No-Gi, there is no excess material to grab onto so the control factor is diminished. For that reason, No-Gi requires a little more athleticism, strength, and speed in transitioning from one position to the next which our instructors will teach you.

Another major difference between Gi and No-Gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes is the availability of techniques. In the Gi, there are many more submissions that can be applied to make your opponent tap out. On the other hand, No-Gi has fewer available submissions because there is no material with which to make your opponent submit, I.E. lapel and collar chokes. 

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)

After Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu burst onto the world scene in UFC 1 November 12th, 1993, the martial arts culture changed forever. Once Royce Gracie demonstrated the superiority of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as a fighting art, fighters began to realize that grappling was one of the most important aspects of martial arts training. To be well-rounded, they began incorporating BJJ into their daily practice. This gave rise to modern-day MMA. Although today's MMA fighters are much more well-rounded than in the early ‘90's, it is still widely accepted that Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is the bedrock of MMA training. Indeed, extensive training in ground fighting, I.E. submissions, and submission defense, is a fundamental requirement for a successful MMA career. 

If you’ve been searching for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu near you or MMA classes, you’ve come to the right place! Our coaches and instructors will help you and your kids build strength, confidence, and learn self-defense. Give us a call today to schedule a free class or learn more about our martial arts training.