What's BJJ?

What is Brazilian jiu-jitsu? It is both art and a combat sport that focuses on grappling for you to submit your foe.

Several of the moves were modified from judo and jiu-jitsu. Learning how to perform the actual technique permits even a tinier and more frail person to subdue someone who is larger which is why it is also used in self-defense classes.

Brazilian jiu-jitsu developed as recently as in the 20's. It only attained global fame after Royce Gracie was victorious at the UFC tournament four times after it was founded in the 90's. As a result, thousands of gyms are now instructing this art.

One can probably say that its significance as a sport is second to football. There are tournaments held often such as the European Championships, the Mundials and the Pan Am Games

If you want to be successful in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, practice makes perfect and the only way you are able to 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 careful not to cause any serious injuries.

During sparring and matches, wrestlers are mandated to wear the gi. It looks just like what you would have on when you practice judo. The only difference is that the gi has tighter cuffs on both the jacket and pants.

Submissions in Brazilian jiu-jitsu are performed either through chokes or joint locks. Choking as you well know involves constricting the windpipe so the enemy is not able to breathe. Apart from that, there's also what is known as a strangle which cuts off the carotid. Choking is less efficient than a strangle 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 more likely more safe, what you're doing is making a lever with the body position which forces the joint to move past its normal range of motion. This is better known as hyperextension and since there's no way out of it, the enemy has no other recourse but to lose.

Anyone can be taught bjj. As you improve, you get promoted to the next belt level. Beginners start with the white and move their way towards the red belt. For those who are under 15 years of age, you progress your way from white to green belt.

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

With BJJ making its mark on the world scene, you won’t have a difficult time finding a gym that is offering classes. The one thing you have to do now is manage your time wisely since this is done in a group setting and you are just one of several 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 shirt and shorts. If you are trying to find a bjj blog that doesn't take it too seriously, you should check out doyoubjj.com.