Reasons to train BJJ

BJJ can do much for all ages, for example teach self-defence techniques or breakfalls, but also principles as correct technique can beat power and weight, discipline and respect for fellow humans.

Below we will discuss the most obvious reasons to practice BJJ:

What is BJJ?

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) is an evolution of Judo. It is a martial arts where the competitors try to a obtain a dominant position too control the opponent. From this dominant position the competitor may use different holds to force an opponent to tap out

Gregor Gracie versus Lucas Lepri
The man in blue obtained a dominant position and threatens with an armbar

What does BJJ teach?

BJJ specialises in ground fighting. You will learn how to throw your opponent with different throws, but after a throw it is not over yet! You will learn how to control an opponent on the ground and how to apply holds to make him tap out (to give up). Besides attacks, BJJ will also teach you defences and counters to throws and holds.

At the end of class there is time to test your skills against the others in practice matches. It will give insight into what techniques already work for you and what you need to improve!

Over the years you will develop your own vocabulary of attacks and defensives techniques that fit your physique, power, age and mindset.

You will learn:

  • Holds
  • Throws
  • Submissions
  • Breakfalls
  • Body control
  • Discipline
  • Self-defence

History

Maeda
Maeda (1910)

In 1916 a strong judoka named Maeda travelled to Brazil. When a Brazilian man named Carlos Gracie saw the techniques of Meada, he decided to become a student of Maeda. Carlos Gracie and his brother Helio Gracie used the judo techniques to develop their own system. As Helio Gracie was not a big and strong man, their techniques had to work to in the case an opponent would be physically stronger. Their system is now known as Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Helio Gracie
Helio Gracie (1952)

Why BJJ? (benefits)

Self-defence

BJJ is one of the best sports for self-defence, because in BJJ the focus is on obtaining a position that is so strong, that a physically stronger opponent can be controlled.

Back mount
The man in blue obtained a dominant position.

Breakfalls

Even though it good to know how to defend yourself, for most people these skills won’t be used outside the gym. Everyone will benefit of knowing how to breakfall, because sooner or later you might trip and fall. Breakfalls are practiced during BJJ class, because this will help you practice throws without sustaining any damage.

Throw
breakfalls are important with a hip toss

Game

Although BJJ is a martial art it certainly is a game. It often is compared to chess. If a chess player moves a piece to attack, the other player can answer this move with a defensive or a counter. This is similar for BJJ. The player who practiced more attacks and defences the more games the player will win.

One of the best aspects of BJJ is that during sparring a person can give 100% to try and win, but no one gets hurt. (This is not the case for many martial arts: Think of two kickboxers that would give it all to win during sparring. That would result in some black eyes and bloody noses!).

Game

Conditioning

BJJ trains the whole body, both players are busy to improve their position. So a player must think about the next attack, defence or even a trap and then execute this plan correctly. This makes BJJ mentally and physically challenging sport. After training for a while you will notice that you will get more in shape and your conditioning will improve

Throw
A picture of a tough training in Japan

BJJ is voor everyone!

It does not matter what body type you have. Heavier persons are able to use their weight to try control an opponent. On the other hand lighter persons are able to use their speed and endurance to win. Every person will find out what his or hers strengths are and use them during BJJ.

I once met a man that was a good player, even though he missed his lower leg. He even invented techniques with the stump of his leg that people with two healthy legs would never be able to do!

Throw
Big or small BJJ is for everyone

Judo or BJJ?

At Team Michi we offer both Judo and BJJ. These two sports are very similar in terms of techniques. The competition format, however, is different. In Judo, someone can win with one beautiful throw, while in BJJ that same throw only scores points. In Judo, a referee will also penalise participants for inactivity. This makes it a spectacular sport to watch with a focus on throws.

In BJJ, the match continues after the throw and the participant who was thrown gets the chance to still win the match in the ground fight. The ground fight is an extremely technical, but slower game. This is less spectacular to watch, but it gives participants the chance to test who is the better martial artist.

You could compare it to chess, where Judo is speed chess with a match lasting minutes and BJJ is a chess game without a clock, where a match can easily last hours. Speed chess is more spectacular to watch, but in the longer format participants get the chance to showcase their best skills.

Ideally you want to practice and master both sports, but if you absolutely have to choose, I would suggest the following:

For children: Start with Judo, and only switch to BJJ after earning a brown/black belt. That way they learn all the throws while they are young and resilient. When they are older, they can then learn BJJ to sharpen their ground fighting skills.

If you are an adult, I would recommend BJJ, because many adults are apprehensive about the throws and falling in Judo.