1. What is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

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Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is the primary ground fighting cornerstone of the Mixed Martial Arts skill set. Standing alone it is the undisputed most dominant martial art in the world. It is practiced primarily on the ground in a grappling style of training. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu utilizes sophisticated submissions, i.e. choke holds and joint locks to defeat an opponent or cause him to “tapout”. In order to achieve submissions,       Brazilian Jiu Jitsu teaches a fighter to use superior body position, proper grips, leverage, angles, body pressure, center of gravity, weight distribution and balance adjustment. Practical self-defense techniques are also taught to deal with the most common attacks in a street fight and other real world scenarios. This fighting style is so effective it allows a smaller person to prevail over larger and stronger opponents.

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Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gained world wide recognition in martial arts in the early 1990s when the Gracie family, inventors of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, showcased its dominance in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Using its innovative offensive attacks and nearly impenetrable defensive schemes, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu quickly exposed the weakness of all pure striking martial arts by soundly defeating them in the early Ultimate Fighting Championship tournaments. Today Brazilian Jiu Jitsu continues to evolve and adapt to remain the world’s most singular effective martial art.

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Although Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has proven its combat effectiveness in Mixed Martial Arts, it should be noted that its daily practice is strongly removed from full contact Mixed Martial Arts. Our Brazilian Jiu Jitsu classes do not involve full contact striking or kicking. Instead, the teaching focuses on safe and proper techniques that can be practiced on a daily basis with no more risk of injury than any other safe contact sport. This makes its practice unique in that it is the only martial art that allows students to safely spar at 100% intensity and thereby providing countless hours of realistic combat training.

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2. Why You Must Know Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

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All fights take place either 1) standing, 2) on the ground and/or 3) in transitions between standing and on the ground. Therefore you must know the fighting skills for all 3 scenarios. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is the ground fighting cornerstone of the Mixed Martial Arts skill set. It is the most famous ground fighting style in the world and has proven its effectiveness via hundreds of thousands of victories in Mixed Martial Arts over the past 25+ years.

 

3. Typical Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Practice

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Our Brazilian Jiu Jitsu classes are taught in a variety of formats. Here is an example of what to expect in a typical class:

 

Warmups and Drills – specific to the practice of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu are performed and are intended to loosen and strengthen the specific muscle groups that will be used in the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training session. They also develop essential muscle coordination and memory necessary for proper execution of skills that will be taught and practiced.

 

Techniques and Practice – the instructor will teach select techniques and afterwards allow the students to practice them in a controlled setting.

 

Live Sparring – allows students, if they so desire to participate, to apply the techniques learned in live phased practice intervals.

Conditioning Session – is designed to improve primary muscle group development, overall flexibility and cardiovascular conditioning of all students.

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4. Q & A

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Question: What is the belt ranking system used in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu?
Answer:

 

Teens/Kids:

White + 4 stripesGray + 4 stripes

Yellow + 4 stripes

Orange+ 4 stripes

Green + 4 stripes        

Adults:

White + 4 stripes

Blue + 4 stripes

Purple + 4 stripes

Brown + 4 stripes

Black + 9 stripes

 

Question: What are belt promotions bases upon?

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Answer: Promotions are always merit based and take into consideration a variety of factors, including but not limited to: improvement in skill level, competition performance, length of training, class attendance, technical knowledge and display of important martial arts values.

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Question: How long does it take to obtain a Black Belt?

Answer: Black Belts are very difficult to obtain in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Less than 1% of all students will ever be awarded one. If it is awarded, it usually takes at least 10-15 years to obtain one. However, as in everything, there have been exceptions to this general rule.

 

Question: I don’t have any martial arts experience. May I still join?

Answer: Yes, and in fact, we prefer it. It is easier to teach proper fundamentals to someone without any experience, than it is to correct improper techniques.

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Question: Are special clothing and/or gear required for a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu class?

Answer: Yes. You will need:

1) Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Gi and belt (Karate/Tae Kwon Do Gis are usually made with a much weaker Gi material/stitching that will typically last only a couple months before they fall apart.)

2) rash guard

3) water bottle and water

4) head gear

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Question: Are shoes worn during a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practice?

Answer: No. Students do not wear shoes because the minimal advantage they provide in traction is offset by the significant disadvantage they create by making you more susceptible to ankle/foot/leg lock submissions.

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Question: Are there any age limits to participate in the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu class?

Answer: No. In fact, Helio Gracie the inventor of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, was known to practice into his 80s!

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Question: What level of fitness is required to do Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Answer: If you are in good health and capable of participating in general recreational sports, e.g. jogging, basketball, swimming, etc., you should be able to participate at the beginner level. Of course, we recommend you do only that which you are capable of and comfortable doing. In every class you are always free to chose to participate, or not, in every portion of the class.

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Question: Is there any striking and/or kicking in the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu class?

Answer: No.  The classes are focused entirely upon learning and practicing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu techniques. If you are interested in striking and/or kicking training, we suggest you try our Muay Thai/Kickboxing or Boxing classes.

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