What IS Brazilian JiuJitsu?

Many people don’t know what Brazilian JiuJitsu is or why it is useful, so I’ll do my best to explain here.

Brazilian JiuJitsu  (BJJ) is a grappling-based martial art whose central theme is the skill of controlling a resisting opponent in ways that force them to submit and de-escalate. Most of the techniques in BJJ are centered around the skill of taking an opponent down to the ground and wrestling for dominant control positions where said opponent can be rendered harmless. BJJ is a non-striking art, so we don’t make a point to punch and kick each other (although this is still a consideration when training for self-defense). In fact, an opponent that punches or kicks provides a prime advantage for JiuJitsu, as it exposes an arm and/or leg to use in gaining the upper hand. 

The main priority (and key advantage) of BJJ is to overcome greater size, strength, and aggression with lesser size and strength. This is done by utilizing superior leverage, grips, and positioning on the opponent. Students of the sport not only learn self-defense but they gain a deep understanding of the workings and limits of the human body.

This knowledge can be used to subdue and control and opponent with whatever level of severity the student chooses. The path to this knowledge is physically and mentally demanding. Students benefit from greatly increased physical fitness, problem-solving ability, self-knowledge of their own body and mind, and the many social benefits of working within a group of like-minded students who are learning and having fun together.