When a fight lands on the ground…
Why Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?
Easy. When it comes to ground fighting there are two martial arts that are perfectly suited for self-defense: catch wrestling, and BJJ. Both are highly effective at not only controlling the opponent once they are on the ground, but escaping bad positions, and submitting our adversary.
Brazilian jiu-jitsu adds another component that is unique to all martial arts — fighting off the back. In most wrestling, grappling, fighting styles, being on the back is considered inferior and can even cost you a match in a competition environment. BJJ however, has the ‘guard’. The guard position not only creates shields and controls on our opponent, but sets up attacks such as sweeps and submissions such as: chokes, joint locks, and strikes.
Fight FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions
Can I used BJJ on larger opponents?
Definitely. This is one of the best ways to ensure that you can succeed when a larger and stronger opponent has you pinned on the ground.
Do I have to be in shape first?
Absolutely not! This is a horrible strategy. If you love something, start doing it. If you wait until you are in shape to do it, it will never happen. In 20+ years of running my gym, no one who ever said they would going to “get in shape then start”, ever came to a class. I even wrote this post on my blog to help people tackle such challenges. If you feel nervous or unsure if you are up to the challenge, try approaching your training with one on one versus a team environment to give you the boost you need.
Are there strikes in BJJ?
In my BJJ classes — yes. We incorporate striking into our training to keep ourselves honest. In sport BJJ there are no strikes allowed. In the real world, striking is a major threat, so we train for it. Given that a majority of you who undertake BJJ do so for the purposes of self-defense, not competition, I want to ensure you achieve your goals. For those who wish to compete, we train you for the competition rules in preparation for your fight.
“Will I Get Hurt?”
Like many combat martial arts, BJJ is a contact sport. While there is always a possibility of getting injured, like any sport, I have spent years developing training regimens that help each grappler to reach a high level of success in the safest way possible without reducing efficacy. We are also blessed with an amazing community of really good people, who are invested not only in themselves, but in one another’s success.
“Sounds Amazing, How do I try this out?”
See below for a variety of ways you can train with us. I look forward to the opportunity to train with you.
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Since it burst onto the public scene in the early 1990s, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has garnered immense respect worldwide for its efficacy. BJJ later gave rise to the entertainment industry known as MMA. However, adult practitioners of BJJ and other combat sports have an exceptionally high attrition rate.
Why does BJJ succeed at producing high levels of skill, but only for the select few who survive the gauntlet? Why is the retention rate so low, and what causes students of this esteemed art to fall by the wayside without achieving empowerment, fulfillment, and skill?