Why Should You Learn Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

You might think that Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is not that different from other martial arts but this is not true. While other styles teach you to fight well while you are standing, this one will help you learn how to subdue an opponent when you are on the ground.

If you are overpowered by your opponent, fall to the ground because this will make him think that he owns you. This is the best position for one Brazilian Jiu Jitsu technique known as the guard.

What you are trying to do here is keep your opponent down using your legs so you prevent him from hitting, pinning or mounting you.

To be in the dominant position, try the arm drag to arm bar maneuver by pulling their sleeves in one hand towards you.

Hook one hand under the opponent’s leg and control his head with the other hand. Move your hips out to create space and circle your hand to the front of your opponent’s face then swing your leg over your opponent’s face. Arch a little to apply the arm bar as this is the only way to trap your opponent’s arm by keeping this tight to your body using your tricep.

When this is achieved, you can do whatever you want with them like punch them in the chest. This can only be done if you have strong legs and hips.

Another technique you can do is mount your opponent using the shoulder wrench to arm lock combination.

While sitting on one side of your opponent, you pin one arm to the ground and then execute the upward shoulder wrench. It is normal for your opponent to resist so secure the other arm by grabbing his trap. Make sure that your rear knee is high close to his head and that your body weight is over his pinned hand. Lastly, swing over to one side and sit back to execute the straight arm bar.

Should he get away, you may us the scarf fold to knee lock.

First, you reach over your opponent’s head and lock this in between your armpit with both hands clasped together. Since his legs are free, stop it by placing your foot against the inside of your opponent’s thigh.

Bring the leg that is closest to the ground closer to you to maintain close hip to hip contact. Now cross your ankles, squeeze his knees together and take control of their heel. Don’t forget to arch to exert pressure against your opponent’s knee joint.

There are other ground to ground techniques you can learn in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. You will find each one to be very useful in close quarter combat so practice it regularly until you get it right. Knowing it might just make you win your next tournament or even save your life if your life is in danger.

The ground fighting techniques mentioned should only be done under the direct supervision of a trained expert. If you fool around with it at home, you could hurt someone or maybe even hurt yourself.

If you want to learn Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, visit your local gym and see if they are offering classes. It is open to people who have or don’t have any martial arts background but are willing to learn what this is all about.

Why Joint Locks Are Sometimes Ineffective in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

There are different ways to make a person submit in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Joint locks are an option but there are some who say that this is not effective when dealing with an opponent. Is this true? Some beg to differ and say that the one who is trying to do it does not know how to do this properly. Here is why.

It is possible that poor mechanics were the cause which is why it did not happen properly. Maybe you don’t practice it often which is why you are unable to put your body weight or strength specifically to the joint that you intended.

If you are fighting a more experienced opponent, it is possible that they have a high tolerance for pain. This can also happen if you are attacked by someone who is under the influence of drugs or alcohol. When faced with this situation, you better have something else in your arsenal to deal with this individual.

Here are two things you can do.

First, do the Rear Carotid Restraint by first reaching deep in front of the attacker toward his stomach and then molding your biceps against the side of the neck. You then bend your arm so that your elbow is pointed straight down and the crook of your elbow is directly below his trachea.

Now reach up high and grab your own shoulder or simply grasp a handful of his shirt at the same time letting your biceps and the inside of your forearm should press on the sides of the neck.

With your free hand behind his head, use it to push the back of his head forward while pushing with the elbow that encircles his neck into his chest as though you are squeezing it towards his spine. Push and pull with all your strength and shrug his shoulders up as though he is being hanged until his body goes limp.

The other option is the guillotine choke. You first to first pull his head down by placing your hand on his neck or by pulling down on his shirt so he is facing the ground. Put your arm around his neck into a position similar to a headlock then slide your forearm down under his chin and around his neck making sure that the blade of your forearm is against his neck.

Grasp the wrist of your choking arm with your free hand while keeping this grip on his neck tightly so that his head is wedged under your arm. Put one of your legs slightly forward, stand up straight and twist your hips in the direction of your forward leg whichever you are using to execute this choke and get the same result as the first.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is not the only martial art that uses joint locks to make an opponent submit. This is also used in other martial arts style such as Aikido, Catch Wrestling and Judo so it’s quite old and has been proven time and again to be effective.

If you are unable to do this correctly, the problem lies with you so talk to your instructor and let him see how you do it. Remember, observation and practice is essential in order for you to perform joint locks in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

What to Expect in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Most people want to learn a martial art not so that they can kick ass but to protect them or participate in competition. One of the best styles to learn these days is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu because you are able to use your opponent’s size, weight and strength to your advantage. If you want to learn it, here are a few things you should expect about Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu consists of a system of blocks, strikes, sweeps and throws. When you visit a gym, this will be explained to you by the teacher and he or she will be able to answer any other questions you might have about this martial art.

Just like other martial arts, you have to wear proper attire every time you come to class. The uniform is known as a Gi. For your first class, you don’t have to get one yet but you will have to when you decide to continue training.

If you come to class wearing shorts and pants, make sure that it does not have belt loops, baggy fabric or extra pockets because this could be dangerous fingers and toes could accidentally get caught in them and result in injury.

Should you feel like it, you can wear ear guards, knee braces, mouth guards, cup and athletic tape during class.

There are a lot of health benefits you can expect from learning Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. These include improvements in your physical strength, endurance, flexibility and speed.

But for this to happen, you have to anticipate that you will be experiencing a certain amount of pain. You will get thrown, taken down or held in a position that is very uncomfortable.

No pain, no gain is the best way to describe it but you will learn how to hold, escape and make counter moves so you can fight back even against an attacker that is holding a knife or gun.

If you enjoy Brazilian Jiu Jitsu so much, you can stay and move to another belt class. There are certain requirements that you have to meet to receive the next color. If you fail to pass them, learn where you went wrong and then take the test again.

You should also be expected to follow certain rules in the gym. You have to learn how to properly address the instructor as well as students who are more senior than you.

This won’t be a problem of course if you have had previous martial arts training in another discipline and just want to add this to your belt. Will you have to start over as a white belt? It depends and the instructor will make that decision after reviewing your skills.

For instance, if you are knowledgeable in Aikido or Judo then you will not have to start as a white belt. If you are knowledgeable in Karate or Tae Kwon Do, then you have to start from the bottom.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a lot of fun and you will feel refreshed once you come out of each class. Aside from knowing how to defend yourself, you will also gain self-confidence, self-discipline, self-control and respect for others. So what are you waiting for? Visit your local gym and see if they are offering a class to beginners like yourself.

What Is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

What Is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu? It is both a martial art and a combat sport that focuses on grappling in order for you to defeat your opponent submit.

Much of the technique was adapted from kodokan Judo and Jiu Jitsu. Learning how to execute the proper technique enables even a smaller and weaker person to defeat someone who is bigger which is why it is also used in self-defense classes.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu developed early in the 1920’s. But it only gained world recognition when Royce Gracie won the Ultimate Fighting Championship four times after it was established in 1993. As a result, various schools are now teaching this martial art.

In Brazil, there are about 4 of them and each can trace their roots either to either Carlos Gracie or Mitsuyo Maeda.

You can probably say that its popularity as a sport is only second to football as there are competitions held regularly such as the European Championships, Mundials and Pan American that is under the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF).

If you want to excel in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, practice makes perfect and the only way you can do that is through free sparring. This means fighting against a live and resisting opponent under realistic conditions at the same time being careful not to cause any serious injury.

During training and competition, wrestlers are required to wear the Gi. It looks very similar to what you would wear when you practice judo. The only difference is that the outfit has tighter cuffs on both the jacket and pants.

Submission in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is achieved either through chokes or joint locks. Choking as you well know involves constricting the windpipe so the person is not able to breathe. Apart from that, there is also what is known as strangle which constricts the carotid artery. Choking is less efficient than strangles and may cause permanent damage or even death which is why the second is used more often during competition.

As for joint locks which are probably safer, what you are doing is creating a lever with the body position which will force the joint to move past its normal range of motion. This is better known as hyperextension and since there is no way out of it, the opponent has no other recourse but to surrender.

Anyone can learn Jiu Jitsu. As you get better, you are promoted to the next belt class. Beginners start with the white belt and move their way to the red belt. For those who are below 15 years of age, you work your way from white to green belt.

How fast you elevate depends on the amount of time the person puts in and how quickly they learn. To reach the elite class for instance, it takes 10 years or even more.

With Brazilian Jiu Jitsu making its mark in the world scene, you won’t have a hard time finding a gym that is offering classes. The only thing you have to do now is manage your time properly since this is done in a group and you are just one of many that are learning the ropes of this martial art. As a newbie, you don’t have to get a uniform so just come in wearing a lose shirt and pants.

Three Moves in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to Help You Escape From an Attacker

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is one of the most effective martial arts techniques around. In fact, you will find this to be very useful during close quarter combat. When faced with an opponent, you can use one of these three moves to subdue your attacker and escape to safety.

If you are walking and someone suddenly grabs you from behind, the first thing you have to do is squat down, widen your base and try to make yourself heavy as possible so he will have a hard time lifting you. If you fail to do this, simply hook your foot around the outside of your opponent’s leg then squat, pick a side and step out so you can see one of his legs between yours.

Now step around behind your opponent and then fall to the ground. The leg placed behind him will make him fall down and it works even if he is heavier than you. If you are scared to land on your butt, don’t worry because you will land on your opponent so he acts as your cushion. Since this is going to hurt him more than you, get up and run.

Should your attacker be coming straight at you, cover your face and get your head against his chest while simultaneously, doing a leg check or a strong kick to his leg. This won’t stop his punches and the only way to do that is to sweep your hands out to block his biceps, hook your hands over his triceps and use your forearms to control his arms. With your forehead still on his chest, push forward so you are able to create isometric tension.

The next thing to do is go around his back with one arm and move to that side. Your other arm should remain in the same position with your thigh close to his leg so he won’t be able to turn around or even knee you in the groin. After holding that person for some time, push him out and make run for it.

If you are pushed to the ground and he is still coming straight at you, thrust your knees into his chest. If he is too heavy to push away, be ready to take those punches and protect your face. If he tries to get away, put your back to the floor and put your legs around his hips. Since he can’t get away, he will probably lunge forward and try to choke you. Since your feet are still wrapped around his legs, try to pick him up, flip him over and run.

These three Brazilian Jiu Jitsu moves are easy to learn. Although it does not cause any damage against your attacker, it gives you enough time to run and get help.

There are other Brazilian Jiu Jitsu moves you can learn aside from those mentioned and you are sure to find text and video clips in the web. But since reading or watching it is not enough to prepare when you it actually happens, it is advisable to learn these in a self-defense class that is often being taught in the gym. Once you understand the concept, practice it until you get it right with your sparring partner.

Scoring in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is quite popular in the US. Adapted from Japanese Jujitsu, various competitions are held across the country every year. To give you an example, fighters can join the Hoosier Open, Michigan Open or South Bay.

In each of these matches, fighters are classified depending on their age group, weight and skill. Various techniques have corresponding points while victory can be achieved through certain means.

Let’s talk about scoring in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

A fighter is awarded 2 points if he or she successfully sweeps the opponent, put their knee on their opponent’s stomach or performs a technical side mount reversal. Three points are given if the fighter performs passing the full guard. You get four points if you execute a mount or back mount with hooks.

You will only be credited a point if you are able to hold this for at least 3 seconds. Additional credit is given when you are able to hold this position much longer.

Getting the most points is just one way to achieve victory but making your opponent surrender is much better. This is done by executing a hold or choke until your opponent taps on the mat. You could also be declared the victor if your opponent is disqualified but this rarely happens so you have to do your best to defeat them.

Your points can also be deducted if you are caught doing something that is not allowed during the match. For instance, you cannot bite, hair pull, punch or kick your opponent. You can’t stall a fight, swear or do obscene gestures. There are corresponding penalties for each of these infractions. The worse is being disqualified.

Matches for the BJJ depend on the age group and belt. White belt fights for the kids last 4 minutes while for grownups this is 5 minutes. One minute is added to each of the other belts except for those competing in the senior division which is between 5 to 6 minutes.

Aside from individual awards to be given out to the top three fighters per age group and weight class, there is also an award for the team. So if many in your team topped their events, you will most likely win the overall event.

The rules and the points for scoring in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu are quite different than other martial arts events. Everyone has to understand that beforehand so there will not be any problems during the match.

So you can get the most points during your event, you have to practice regularly by sparring often with your team mates and studying how your opponent moves. You can also learn some new moves given that they are many ways to execute sweeps, mounts, throws and takedowns as this will make you more confident in dealing with your opponent.

Scoring in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is the same even if the players are required to wear Gi or any other outfit. If you have to wear the official uniform, don’t forget to put on your belt so people will know your rank. In competitions that do not require this, make sure you are wearing clean board shorts and a rash guard or shirt. The use of athletics supports like the cup or mouth guards are optional.

Finding a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Gym

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is very popular and this is why a lot of gyms across the United States offer it. Mixed martial arts competitions had something to do with it but people have realized that this is also a very effective self-defense technique. To learn all about it, you have to find a gym.

You should know that one Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gym is different from the other. In Brazil for instance, there are 4 fighting schools of this martial art and this could be traced either from Carlos Gracie or Mitsuyo Maeda.

So visit a club and don’t be afraid to ask questions. They should be able to answer everything like tell you how long they have been in operation and what organizations are they affiliated with. You should also ask who the instructor is and what the student to teacher ratio is.

If you want to give it a try, go ahead since your first session is usually free. Come on time and wear a T-shirt and pants first. If you want to continue training with them, you will have to buy the official uniform worn by the students known as the Gi.

The Gi usually costs less than $100. Make sure it is clean at all times and if there is a tear, you have to go out and buy a new one.

Enrolling in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is not free so it will cost you. When you are there, don’t forget to ask how much do classes cost. Some instructors will not beat around the bush and say it straight. Others will try to avoid that question by telling you to avail of the free trial so don’t be fooled by it because it is very important to get the information now.

You should also ask if there is a contract. If there is none, it will be easy for you to cancel it at anytime if you are not satisfied with their program.

Aside from talking to the instructor, find some time to talk to the students because their input is also important.

The gym you may be enrolling in has a lot of students and in different age groups. If you are an adult, see to it that you are not placed in a class that has kids but rather with those close to your age group.

After going around the neighborhood looking for your Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gym, finalize the list to at least three and then decide which one you want to go to. If you haven’t made up your mind yet, try the introductory class then make up your mind.

Not everyone learns Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to compete. Some do it simply as a form of exercise, others learn it for self-defense and there are those who use this as their first step to participate in competition. Whatever you reason, beginners will start out as white belts and then move up alter on once they pass the requirements.

If you are martial arts experience in the past, the instructor will first examine your skills in your previous discipline before deciding whether you can skip the beginner’s belt. The odds of this happening are higher if you know judo or aikido rather than karate or tae kwon do.

Equipment for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Everyone who decides to get into Brazilian Jiu Jitsu must follow the rules and have the proper equipment. This is for the safety of the fighter and of those he or she will be competing against during practice and competition.

But what do you need for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu? For starters, you will need to get yourself a Gi which is the official uniform that is worn by everyone.

The correct uniform has sleeves that are not more than a fist distance up the arm from the waist so that your opponent will be able to grab you which is one way for the opponent to score a point.

Since it is prone to wear and tear, you have to buy a new one every so often. This should also be kept clean at all times and among the different colors around, try getting blue or something darker which for obvious reasons is better than white.

The only way to improve in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is to spar against your opponent. So you don’t inflict any major damage, you should wear gloves and feet protectors.

You can find these online and in your neighborhood sporting goods store. These are available in both open and closed palm designs. This has to be checked by the instructor and if used in competition by the official to make sure it follows the standard of at least half inch of medium to soft foam.

A general rule for any equipment worn for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu especially the gloves is that it must never contain anything metal or plastic. You might think these are harmless but when it hits someone, it could cause a cut, scratch or something more serious.

No one wants a broke jaw so get yourself a mouth guard. Accidents do happen in the ring and one other part to protect especially for the men is the groin so wear a cap.

For the women, don’t forget to put on a sports bra so if the Gi, gets loose, you don’t show your breasts to everyone there.

Although this is optional except for fighters under 16 years of age, you can wear a helmet to protect your ears, eyes and forehead in the event of a frontal strike.

If you are not sparring, go and hit the heavy and throw some punches. This should weight at least a hundred pounds and measure 6 feet in height.

Aside from what you should wear during practice, a few other things you can buy to help improve your skill are a notebook and some videos. By taking down some notes and watching how other people do it, you can try and execute them during your next sparring.

All your Brazilian Jiu Jitsu equipment must be kept clean and in good condition at all times. It may cost a hundred dollars but this should last a good year or two before you have to replace it with another one.

Becoming a good Brazilian Jiu Jitsu fighter will take a lot of hard work and having the right equipment around is not enough to do that. You have to devote your time and effort to developing your skill because your opponent will be doing the same thing. Who wants it more will determine who wins or losing during competition.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Rules to Follow In the Dojo

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has been around for more than 50 years. Since it gained popularity in the early 1990’s, more people want to learn it and the best place to that is in a gym. Before you sign up for class, here are a few rules you must know when you enter the Dojo.

1. You have to be in proper attire before you step on the mat. This usually consists of the Gi. If you haven’t bought one yet, you can enter wearing a T-shirt and sweat pants or shorts. Just get one as soon as possible.

2. Even if the dojo is air conditioned, it is going to get hot during class so bring a towel to wipe yourself and have with you a water bottle to avoid dehydration.

3. The instructor must always be addressed as “Sensei.” In English, it means “the one who has gone before.” Outside the dojo, you can take out labels and call each other on a first name basis. As for other students who are senior, it is safe to call them Sir or Ma’am.

4. Aside from properly addressing those higher than you, bowing must be done once you enter the dojo, before a fight and when you leave the dojo after class. The correct way of doing it is to bend forward with your feet together and with both hands on the front of the thighs. When this is done in front of someone, always maintain eye contact.

5. Everyone will have their chance to spar and when it is not your turn, pay close attention to what the rest are doing. You can take notes if you like so you can review them when you get home. This should also be over to your Sensei as this is one of the components that are graded in order for you to get the next belt.

6. There are is a seating plan in the Dojo. Those who wear the brown belts sit on the left of the instructor while those wearing blue and green on the right. If you are new, you have a white belt and you will be seated in front of the instructor. When signaled, everyone bows to the instructor and he too will do the same.

7. The proper way of sitting during Brazilian Jiu Jitsu class is on your knees with your butt resting on your feet or cross legged. Other positions are considered to be impolite so never make the mistake of doing that.

8. If you have to go to the bathroom or leave the class early, inform the instructor first so he or she knows where you are.

9. During a match, the only way to win a match is to make your opponent tap the mat. When this happens, you have to let them go in the same manner that they will also show the same courtesy to you.

10. Classes start on time so you should be ready by the time it begins. If you are going to be late, call in advance.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu rules are practiced so no one gets seriously hurt. If you don’t know what to do, follow what the rest are doing or ask questions.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and the Guillotine Choke

The guillotine choke is one of many submission holds in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Chances are, you have seen this countless times during MMA events.

But why do you see it often? The answer is very simple. The opponent gets into the right position that the more skills fighter sees and then executes it properly. This happens every time when that person puts their head outside of the opponents’ body so don’t you think this is worth learning?

There are two types of guillotine choke. There is the blood choke and the air choke. If you apply pressure using your forearm against your opponent’s windpipe, then you achieve an air choke. If this is placed on the arteries of the neck, then you have a blood choke.

In addition to the two types of chokes, you should also know that this can be done while you are standing or on the ground. Most fighters do it while they are standing because of better leverage in this position. If you are on the ground, you have to get your opponent first into a full guard position.

Now it is time to learn how to choke.

Let’s make it simple by starting in a standing position and perform the regular guillotine choke. You have to first pull your opponent’s head down by placing your hand on his neck or by pulling down on his GI so he is facing the ground.

Now put your arm around his neck into a position similar to a headlock. Slide your forearm down under his chin and around his neck making sure that the blade of your forearm is against his neck.

Then grasp the wrist of your choking arm with your free hand. Keep this grip on his neck tightly so that his head is wedged under your arm.

Place one leg slightly forward, stand up straight and twist your hips in the direction of your forward leg whichever you are using to execute this choke.

A more complicated version is the spine locking guillotine choke. Here, you start by bringing your opponent’s head down and wrap your arms around his head which is similar to the regular guillotine choke.

Using your forearm, turn your opponent’s head towards the hand of your choking arm so can put pressure on his spine.

Put your free hand on your opponent’s back on the same side of his head as your free hand. Then grasp the wrist of your planted hand with the hand of your choking arm and lean back.

If executed properly, your opponent has no choice but to surrender. If they don’t, they will become unconscious in the next few seconds. This move is not only used in competition but also in the street so you just have to practice how to do it.

Aside from the guillotine choke, there are other moves in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu you can learn and apply in and outside the ring.

After all, this can only be used when you are in front of the opponent. There are ways to subdue them when you are able to go behind them or on their side. You just have to listen to your instructor and watch how these are done so you can spar with someone in order to do it correctly.