THE FOUR VERSIONS OF BJJ
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu can be broken down into four separate versions. Each one has a specific application and each one requires a totally different training regimen and mindset. The four versions are:
1. SPORT JIU JITSU
2. NO-GI (aka Submission Wrestling)
3. MMA (aka mixed martial arts)
4. SELF-DEFENSE
Some people will train in several or even all four versions, while others prefer to study only one. It all depends on what you are looking for in a martial art. Below is a brief description of each version.
1. SPORT JIU JITSU
Practitioners of Sport Jiu Jitsu wear a traditional Jiu Jitsu uniform and a belt. Sport Jiu Jitsu attracts all types of people including self-defense seekers, hobbyists and the serious athlete. Advanced students of this version of BJJ have a very keen understanding of leverage, base and position and are able to defeat much larger opponents with relative ease. It is an excellent martial art for men and women of all ages and body types. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is considered to be the most important component in any fighting style (sport or street).
2. NO-GI (aka submission wrestling)
This is almost the same as Sport Jiu Jitsu except without the traditional gi. No-Gi practitioners typically wear board shorts and rash guards. No-Gi Jiu Jitsu doesn’t require as much technical knowledge as Jiu Jitsu with the gi and subsequently takedowns and conditioning play a much bigger role here than with Sport Jiu Jitsu. This particular version of Jiu Jitsu attracts the younger, more physically fit athlete, especially wrestlers.
3. MMA (aka mixed martial arts)
Mixed Martial Arts is just that – it’s a mixture of various martial arts styles. Practitioners of MMA usually have extensive backgrounds in several different styles of martial arts. An ideal mixture would be Muay Thai for the striking, Wrestling for the takedowns, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for the submissions. Nowadays skilled MMA fighters are able to actually earn a living fighting professionally, something that was virtually unheard of just a few years ago. MMA is not for the physically weak or the timid at heart. Practitioners of MMA resemble modern day gladiators and are considered to be the most physically fit athletes in the world, in any sport, not just combat arts.
4. SELF-DEFENSE
The Self-Defense version of BJJ is similar to, yet altogether different from the Sport version of BJJ. Although there are some strikes in the self-defense system, striking is not actually necessary, and is considered by many practitioners to be risky and a waste of energy. In many cases the risk of injuring your hand exceeds the reward of landing the punch. An injured hand would make it very difficult to grapple, which is the essence of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. The Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Self-Defense system covers all aspects of self-defense including weapon attacks, rape defense, and unarmed combat, both on the ground and from standing. People that only train in the self-defense version of BJJ will not get the physical conditioning that the other versions of BJJ provide, but will certainly benefit from the confidence gained by knowing that they can effectively defend themselves and their loved ones should an altercation occur.
SPORT OR SELF-DEFENSE? Brazilian Jiu Jitsu can be broken down into two basic disciplines, Sport and Self-Defense. Some people will train in both disciplines, and others will prefer to study only one. It all depends on what you are looking for in a martial art.
SPORT The Sport version of BJJ attracts those of a competitive nature. It gives combatants the opportunity to test their skills against other BJJ practitioners in a controlled tournament environment, with rules for safety and a point system that is structured very similar to American wrestling. A submission (making your opponent tap) is an automatic win. In the event that you cannot submit your opponent before the time runs out, the winner will be decided by whoever has the most points. Points are awarded for takedowns, sweeps, and various superior positions obtained during the course of the match. Athletes from other grappling sports like wrestling, judo, and sambo are attracted to Sport Jiu Jitsu because it allows them to test their skills against other styles without risking serious injury. The advent of Sport Jiu Jitsu has allowed grapplers of all disciplines to get together and compete in the same forum, each learning a little something from the other, thereby improving each individual discipline and increasing everyone's overall knowledge and skill in the grappling arts in general.
SELF-DEFENSE The Self-Defense version of BJJ is similar to, yet altogether different from, the Sport version of BJJ. Although there are some strikes in the self-defense system, striking is not actually necessary, and is considered by many practitioners to be risky and a waste of energy. In many cases the risk of injuring your hand exceeds the reward of landing the punch. An injured hand would make it very difficult to grapple, which is the essence of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. The Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Self-Defense system covers all aspects of self-defense including weapon attacks, rape defense, and unarmed combat.
ANATOMY OF A STREET FIGHT INVOLING A JIU JITSU PRACTITIONER
IT SHOULD GO SOMETHING LIKE THIS:
1. From standing, the Jiu Jitsu practitioner will close the gap, get to a clinch and take his opponent to the ground.
2. Once on the ground, the Jiu Jitsu practitioner will work towards obtaining a superior position and eventually gain control his opponent with one of Jiu Jitsu's many "control" positions.
3. Only after the Jiu Jitsu practitioner has out positioned his opponent and has total control of him will he then proceed for a submission, all the while taking extreme care not to lose his position of control.
