Frequently Asked Questions
What is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?
The Gracie family developed Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the mid 1900's. BJJ, put simply, is traditional Jiu-Jitsu/Judo modified to meet the demands of real, no rules fighting that was prevalent on the streets and beaches of Brazil.
What is the difference between Japanese Jiu-Jitsu and BJJ?
BJJ's concentration on ground fighting and constant live practice differentiates it from most Japanese Jiu-Jitsu systems. BJJ was not created in a vacuum and you will find many of the positions and techniques in other traditional systems, but BJJ's specialization on ground fighting is unique.
If my opponent is bigger and stronger, won't he always beat me?
Especially when you first begin training and your arsenal of techniques is limited (as well as your understanding and "feel" for positioning) the stronger, faster opponent will dominate. This is natural. However, the emphasis on BJJ is not on superior athleticism but on using leverage, balance, and pressure to control and ultimately submit a larger, stronger opponnent. This is the ideal goal of Jiu-Jitsu. If you do not make a commitment from early on to develop your skills but rather relying on yor natural abilities, your development will quickly hit a plateau and you will never gain an understanding of Jiu-Jitsu and your own potential.
Is BJJ just about fighting on the ground?
This is one of the biggest misconceptions about BJJ. With the advent of Mixed Martial Arts events such as the UFC, most only see this one side of the art. BJJ is broken down into 3 specific categories of training:
1) Self-Defense: This first section of BJJ is designed to defend against some of the most common situations you may find yourself in when confronted by an attacker. It is a well known fact that almost all streetfights end up in a clinch or on the ground. This portion is extremely beneficial for its real world defensive measures. It also provides a beginning students with the basics of the art.
2) Sport Jiu-Jitsu: The name may be misleading but this section is meant to enhance your abilities in the Jiu-Jitsu game. It's concept is simple; instead of facing off against an opponent that has no skills on the ground, you are facing off against an experienced opponent. This section allows for perfection of the basics as well as a myriad of combinations and counters against experienced grapplers.
3) Vale Tudo/MMA: In essence, this is the combination of the first two sections. This is where it is all "put together." This section allows for you to use your defensive game and combine it with the sport style to defeat an opponent in a limited rules setting.
How long does it take to get rank in BJJ?
This varies greatly from club to club, team to team, instructor to instructor, and most importantly, person to person. Skill in Jiu-Jitsu is gained from experience and proper technical application, not by how many moves you know. Every person will progess according to his own abilities, goals, and dedication. Though there are many exceptions the average time is approximately 1 to 1.5 years to blue belt, another 3 years to purple belt, 3 years from purple to brown belt, and then another 3-5 years to gain your black belt. The average committed student can expect a journey of 10-12 years to gain a black belt. As you can see it can take considerably longer to gain rank than in most other styles of martial arts. Additionally one has to be able to perform on the mat to the level of each belt. Belts are not given out for time in.
Can I get injured training in BJJ?
While Jiu-Jitsu does not focus on punching and kicking where the chance of injury is greatest, it does however have its risks. Common injuries can include muscle strains to the neck, back, and shoulders. As with any art that includes takedowns, throws and grappling, strain to the joints may occur. To a lesser extent, injuries resulting from grappling such as mat burn, Gi abrasions, and swelling of the ears can occur. We take every precaution to ensure that training is done safely. However, in the end it is up to you to ensure your own safety. A good warm-up and stretching routine will help prevent muscle and joint injuries. When you are caught in a submission hold, tap out quickly and clearly. If you have a submission hold on your partner, release it immediatley when your partner taps or is in any danger. If you are prone to cauliflower ear, a wrestling headgear can help prevent permanent swelling of the ears.