STRATEGY BJJ
GF TEAM MANCHESTER
What is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or BJJ for short is a martial art and full contact sport that focuses on grappling and ground fighting. Utilising a comprehensive system of various techniques comprising of devastating takedowns, pins, chokes and submissions BJJ has proven to be one of the most efficient martial arts in history.
Helio Gracie
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu’s roots began in the early 1900s. Mitsuyo Maeda the chief of a Japanese immigration colony who was assigned to Brazil, befriended Gastao Gracie a Brazilian businessman. Maeda, an accomplished Ju-Jutsu champion in Japan, taught the art to Gracie’s son Carlos. In 1925 Carlos and his four brothers opened the first Ju-Jutsu school in Brazil.
Carlos’ younger brother Helio Gracie adjusted, adapted and modified the techniques to suit his small frame and in doing so created an entirely new martial art - Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. In the early ’80s, Helio’s son, Rorion, brought BJJ to the United States where it became famous overnight thanks to the success of Rorions brother Royce Gracie in the UFC winning countless fights against all other martial artists of various styles.
The Gentle Art
BJJ promotes the concept that a smaller, weaker person can successfully defend themselves against a bigger, stronger attacker by using leverage and technique, taking the fight to the ground. Once on the ground the practitioner will apply joint locks or choke holds to defeat the other person.
Students of BJJ typically wear a “gi” but will also train “no gi” as the techniques differ. A “gi” is an outfit similar to that of Judo or Karate. It is typically composed of tough heavy cotton and reinforced trousers to prevent tearing or rips when grabbed or pulled by the opponent. If in “gi” the student will wear a coloured belt to reflect their rank and experience.
When training “no gi” this relates to training in a rash guard and shorts. Rash guards are close fitting base layers. The emphasis is on a quicker pace with less techniques employed.
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)
Full contact sporting events such as the UFC, Pride etc relate to professional fighters trained in a mixture of martial arts styles taking part in full contact fighting bouts where the key to victory is either from submission, knockout or points.
Since the explosion of BJJ and the success of Royce Graice in the UFC, all professional MMA fighters now train in some form of grappling art as it is a vital key to winning a fight should it be taken to the ground. The majority of professional fighters in MMA train in or are accomplished BJJ practitioners regularly taking part in grappling only competitions such as the Abu Dahbi Combat Club (ADCC), Pan American Championship (Pan Ams) and Metamoris.
BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU, SELF DEFENCE, CONFIDENCE, WEIGHT LOSS, FITNESS, FRIENDSHIP.