Karen Jonz

What Is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?

What is Brazilian jiu-jitsu? It's both a martial art and a combat sport that centers on grappling for you to subdue your opponent.

Many of the techniques were taken from judo and jiu-jitsu. Acquiring how to execute the actual technique permits even a tinier and weaker person to subdue someone who is larger which is why it's also used in self-defense classes.

BJJ appeared as early as in the early part of the century. It only acquired global fame after Royce Gracie was victorious at the UFC multiple times after it was founded in in the early 90's. Due to the domination, a variety of schools are now instructing this sport.

One can most likely say that its popularity as a sport is second to football.  There are tournaments held regularly like the European Championships, the Mundials and the Pan Am Games

If you desire to be successful in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, practice makes perfect and the sole method you can do that is via training and rolling. This signifies going against a live and resisting opponent under simulated conditions while at the same time being cautious not to cause any serious injuries.

During training and competition, participants are mandated to wear the kimono. It looks just like what you would wear when you practice judo. The difference is that the uniform has tighter cuffs on both the jacket and pants.

Submissions in bjj are achieved either through chokes or joint locks. Choking as you know involves constricting the windpipe so the opponent is not able to breathe. Aside from that, there is also what is known as strangling which collapses the carotid artery. A choke is less efficient than a strangle and can cause permanent damage or even death which is why the second is used more frequently during tournaments.

As for joint locks which are probably more safe, what you are doing is generating a fulcrum 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 enemy has no other action but to surrender. 

Anyone can be taught jiu-jitsu. As you grow, you are promoted to the next belt level. Beginners start with the white and move their way to the red belt. For those who are below 15 years old, you proceed your way from white to green belt.

How fast you grow depends on the amount of time the person invests and how rapidly they learn. To reach the elite class for example, it requires at least ten years or even more.

With Brazilian jiu-jitsu making its mark on the world scene, you will not have a difficult time discovering a gym that's offering classes. The only thing you have to do now is use your time wisely since this is done in a group setting and you're just one of several that are learning the ropes of this martial art. As a noob, you do not have to get a uniform so just come in wearing a shirt and board shorts.  If you are trying to find a bjj blog that doesn't take it too seriously, you should check out doyoubjj.com.