What is Jiu-Jitsu?
Millions of people throughout the world have already enriched their lives through jiu-jitsu. Despite that, many remain unaware of what jiu-jitsu is and why it’s worth practicing in the first place.
If you’re unfamiliar with jiu-jitsu and curious about why so many people love it, you’ve come to the right place.
Jiu-jitsu is an incredible martial art that can benefit your life in multiple ways. However, before seeking those benefits, it helps to understand how jiu-jitsu came to be, what jiu-jitsu training involves, and the practical applications of jiu-jitsu concepts and techniques.
This article will teach you those key lessons and more. By the time you’re finished reading, we hope you’ll not only know what jiu-jitsu is but also feel eager to begin your own jiu-jitsu journey.
What Are the Origins of Jiu-Jitsu?
By practicing jiu-jitsu, you’ll take part in the latest chapter of a long and rich history.
Over thousands of years, various cultures and individuals have influenced jiu-jitsu’s development, eventually leading to the martial art we enjoy today.
It’s possible to train jiu-jitsu without understanding its history. However, we believe that knowing how jiu-jitsu developed leads to greater appreciation and a more fulfilling experience.
Jiu-jitsu’s history includes countless details, only some of which are accurately recorded. Our telling of that history will be brief and only aims to help you understand the basics of jiu-jitsu’s origins.
Jiu-Jitsu’s Earliest Developments Began in Asia
Jiu-jitsu’s exact starting point will likely remain a mystery.
Often, people are quick to assume that jiu-jitsu started in Japan or Brazil, and it’s true that both those countries have impacted jiu-jitsu’s development. However, many sources indicate that the earliest form of jiu-jitsu appeared in what’s now modern-day India over 2,000 years ago.
At some point, techniques from that early form of jiu-jitsu spread across Asia and eventually reached Japan.
Jiu-Jitsu Transformed Significantly in Japan
While the earliest jiu-jitsu origins remain mysterious, the Japanese influence on jiu-jitsu is much clearer. In fact, that impact was so substantial that we continue to refer to our martial art as “jiu-jitsu,” a Japanese term meaning “gentle art.”
Unarmed Samurai Combat
The first major jiu-jitsu developments in Japan likely came from samurai warriors. Those familiar with military history may know of the highly refined weapons and armor these warriors used.
However, the samurai also required a useful fighting style they could use after dropping their weapons in battle. Jiu-jitsu’s throws, chokeholds, and joint locks proved to be an excellent option, likely because the highly protective samurai armor made punching and kicking ineffective.
Kano’s Development of Judo
In the late 1800s, a Japanese man named Jigoro Kano made another significant jiu-jitsu development. Kano systematized the techniques of traditional jiu-jitsu into a distinct martial art that we now call judo, often translated as “gentle way.”
The judo Kano developed is the direct parent art of the jiu-jitsu we practice today. Judo includes both throws and ground techniques. However, compared to modern jiu-jitsu, judo places much greater emphasis on throwing techniques.
Beyond judo-specific contributions, Kano’s work also influenced martial arts culture as a whole.
For example, Kano introduced the belt and kimono, also known as the gi or judogi. Many martial arts continue to use variations of this uniform.
Kano’s approach also included a standardized curriculum and hierarchies based on experience, both of which remain prevalent in martial arts today.
Jiu-Jitsu Continued to Evolve in Brazil
Eventually, judo practitioners, known as judokas, began sharing their martial art globally. Perhaps the most noteworthy traveling judoka was a man named Mitsuyo Maeda, who arrived in Brazil in the early 1900s.
Upon his arrival, Maeda hosted demonstrations and taught local Brazilians the martial art he practiced. While there were many Brazilians who learned from Maeda, members of the now-famous Gracie family made the greatest contributions to jiu-jitsu’s continued development.
Most notably, Carlos and Helio Gracie learned and altered Maeda’s teachings. Their alterations placed more focus on ground-based techniques, emphasized leverage over strength, and became a distinct martial art that we now call Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
While still in Brazil, Carlos, Helio, and their descendants sought to prove the effectiveness of their fighting style by accepting challenge matches.
The Gracie Family Promoted Jiu-Jitsu in the United States
Eventually, members of the Gracie family continued to spread jiu-jitsu by moving to the United States. These efforts culminated in the creation of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in 1993.
Helio’s grandson Royce Gracie achieved an 11-0-1 record during the first five UFC events. His success dramatically expanded jiu-jitsu’s popularity throughout the country and the world.
Along with those we’ve already mentioned, numerous other Gracie family members have helped develop and promote jiu-jitsu. Simply put, if you practice jiu-jitsu today, you owe thanks to the Gracie family.
What Makes Jiu-Jitsu a Grappling-Based Martial Art?
Now that you know some jiu-jitsu history, let’s begin to define what makes jiu-jitsu distinct from other martial arts.
What you should know first is that jiu-jitsu is primarily a grappling-based system. However, if you’re unfamiliar with martial arts in general, you likely don’t know what that means. Let’s explain.
Striking Techniques Vs. Grappling Techniques
Most martial arts primarily focus on grappling techniques or striking techniques. The examples below will help you identify the difference between these two technique types.
Examples of striking techniques:
Punches
Kicks
Elbows
Knees
Examples of grappling techniques:
Throws
Takedowns
Joint locks
Chokeholds
Control positions
Striking-Based Martial Arts Vs. Grappling Based Martial Arts
Despite having a primary focus, many martial arts include both striking and grappling moves. To emphasize that nuance, we prefer to use the terms “grappling-based” and “striking-based” to classify martial arts systems.
Below are a few examples of striking-based and grappling-based martial arts that you may have heard of before:
Examples of striking-based martial arts:
Boxing
Karate
Taekwondo
Examples of grappling-based martial arts:
Judo
Wrestling
Jiu-jitsu
Jiu-Jitsu Focuses on Grappling Techniques
During a typical jiu-jitsu class, you’ll spend most, if not all, your time practicing grappling techniques and concepts. We’ll introduce you to some of those moves in the next section.
At this point, we’ll note that if learning how to strike is your main goal, jiu-jitsu is not the right martial art for you.
Make no mistake. We are not implying that jiu-jitsu is not worth learning. Instead, we’re aiming to set clear expectations before you enroll in a jiu-jitsu class for the first time.
Every martial art has different focuses, applications, shortcomings, and benefits. Understanding those factors makes it easier for you to find the martial art that’s best for you.
With that said, we firmly believe that jiu-jitsu’s grappling-based focus is one of its greatest advantages. That grappling focus is part of the reason “jiu-jitsu” translates to “gentle art.”
To a beginner, it’s difficult to imagine that any martial art is truly gentle. However, compared to damaging an opponent with strikes to the head and body, it’s possible to use jiu-jitsu in a relatively gentle way.
With enough practice, jiu-jitsu techniques allow you to control an opponent without necessarily harming them.
What Are the Fundamental Moves in Jiu-Jitsu?
As is true regarding the entirety of this article, this section is nothing more than an overview. It’s no exaggeration to say that jiu-jitsu moves and their variations are essentially countless. Additionally, each of those moves and variations can involve many specific details.
We’ve already published a more in-depth Beginner's Guide to Basic Jiu-Jitsu Moves. However, if you’d like to start with a quick overview of jiu-jitsu fundamentals, the sections below will suffice.
Positions Are the Foundation of Jiu-Jitsu
Jiu-jitsu involves several recurring positions. Comprehensive positional knowledge is the foundation of a complete jiu-jitsu skillset. These positions grant you varying degrees of control over your opponent and present opportunities for submissions, transitional moves, and other techniques:
Standing position
Guard
Side control
Knee-on-belly
North-south
Mount
Back control
Submissions Are the Most Potent Jiu-Jitsu Techniques
Submission techniques are a powerful aspect of jiu-jitsu. These moves include chokeholds and joint locks. When opponents fail to submit to these techniques, they risk loss of consciousness or serious injury:
Rear naked choke
Armbar
Triangle choke
Guillotine choke
Kimura
Americana
Leg locks
Takedowns Force Opponents to a Grounded Position
Most jiu-jitsu techniques take place in grounded positions. However, takedowns are what allow you to force your opponent to those grounded positions. Many takedowns in jiu-jitsu come from judo or wrestling, such as the ones below:
Judo-based takedowns examples:
Seoi nage (shoulder throw)
Uchi mata (inner-thigh throw)
Harai goshi (sweeping hip throw)
Sasae tsurikomi ashi (foot sweep)
Tomoe nage (circle throw)
Sumi gaeshi (corner throw)
Osotogari (large outer reap)
Wrestling-based takedown examples
Double leg
Single leg
High-Crotch
Ankle pick
Knee tap
Snapdown
Inside trip
Sweeps Are Fundamental Jiu-Jitsu Reversal Technique
Sweeps occur in the guard position. A successful sweep technique allows the practitioner in the bottom position to transition directly to a top position. Here are a few examples of sweeps in jiu-jitsu:
Butterfly/hook sweep
Scissor sweep
Hip bump/Kimura sweep
Tripod sweep
Double ankle sweep
What Happens During a Typical Jiu-Jitsu Class?
If you want to try jiu-jitsu for the first time, you’re likely wondering what you can expect to happen in a typical class. Class structure can vary greatly depending on what gym you choose to attend. However, there are a few common components that appear in most jiu-jitsu classes.
Many Jiu-Jitsu Classes Start with Warmups
Warmups are a popular way to begin a jiu-jitsu class. Some gyms allow their students to warm up on their own. Meanwhile, other gyms have structured warmups that involve everyone warming up as a group.
Structured jiu-jitsu warmups usually include specific jiu-jitsu drills. However, some warmup routines will feature movements that are not jiu-jitsu-specific, such as jumping jacks.
Coaches Demonstrate Techniques
Demonstration is a core aspect of jiu-jitsu training. During this portion of the class, the coach/instructor will show students how to perform a particular technique.
A quality demonstrator will not only show you how to do the move but also explain the details. The goal of the demonstration is to present the move clearly enough that students can then begin practicing it themselves.
Drilling Allows Time to Practice Techniques
After observing a technique demonstration, students typically have the opportunity to practice the move with a partner. Repeatedly working through a jiu-jitsu technique with a training partner is called “drilling.”
Drilling helps you learn techniques for the first time and allows you to perfect them through repetition. More often than not, the best jiu-jitsu practitioners spend ample time improving their techniques through drilling.
Most Jiu-Jitsu Classes End with Rolling
“Rolling” is the term practitioners use to refer to jiu-jitsu sparring. During a “roll,” training partners will attempt to employ grappling techniques while actively resisting each other. In most cases, rolling does not involve any form of striking.
Rolling can be incredibly strenuous, but it’s one of the best ways to practice applying techniques in a realistic way. Since rolling is so rigorous, many beginners won’t start rolling until they’ve spent plenty of time drilling. Still, most classes end with rolling since it’s so beneficial to a practitioner’s development.
Is Jiu-Jitsu Effective for Self-Defense?
One of the most valuable benefits of jiu-jitsu is that it can be an excellent tool for self-defense. Knowing how to defend yourself helps you avoid physical harm and increases your overall confidence in every aspect of your life.
However, if you want to learn jiu-jitsu for self-defense, you must keep that specific goal in mind while you train.
Although jiu-jitsu focuses on grappling techniques, using jiu-jitsu for self-defense requires you to develop an understanding of striking. At a minimum, you’ll need to know how to defend yourself against strikes while employing your grappling techniques.
Still, comprehensive self-defense training also goes far beyond technical expertise. Developing situational awareness and psychological preparation will help you overcome the unpredictability and fear that are present in most self-defense scenarios.
Fortunately, with the right approach to training, jiu-jitsu can make you better prepared to protect yourself when necessary.
The best way to ensure your jiu-jitsu training enhances your ability to defend yourself is to communicate that goal to your instructor from the start. The right coach will frame your jiu-jitsu lessons within the context of self-defense and focus on empowering you through your training.
What is Sport Jiu-Jitsu?
Although self-defense is a priority for many practitioners, jiu-jitsu can also be an incredibly enjoyable sport. One primary difference between sport jiu-jitsu and using jiu-jitsu for self-defense is that sport jiu-jitsu does not involve any striking whatsoever.
Banning striking techniques allows jiu-jitsu practitioners to grapple while using many more techniques and positions that would not be viable in contexts where striking is permitted. The rolling portion of a typical jiu-jitsu class that we mentioned earlier is a perfect example of what sport jiu-jitsu looks like.
The popularity of jiu-jitsu has led to the creation of many organizations that host sport jiu-jitsu competitions. Some of the most prevalent of these organizations include the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) and the Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC).
Most practitioners find sport jiu-jitsu to be incredibly fun. However, if self-defense is your goal, you should not train in jiu-jitsu exclusively. Similarly, if you want to excel at sport jiu-jitsu, engaging primarily in self-defense training is not the ideal approach either.
Ultimately, the best way to achieve your personal goals in jiu-jitsu is to clearly understand what your goals are. Whether you want to achieve competitive sports success or preparedness for street self-defense, you need to alter your training accordingly.
What Are the Main Benefits of Jiu-Jitsu?
Why should you bother training jiu-jitsu at all?
If you’ve read through the previous sections, you may have already found a profound answer to that question. However, before we conclude this article, we want to present the top benefits you can expect from this martial art.
Jiu-Jitsu Leads to Improved Physical Fitness
Jiu-jitsu is a fantastic form of exercise. Training jiu-jitsu will simultaneously improve your balance, coordination, mobility, strength, and endurance. In many cases, jiu-jitsu also helps people reach their weight loss goals. If you want to improve your physical fitness, taking up jiu-jitsu is one of the best ways to do just that.
Jiu-Jitsu is an Enjoyable Hobby
Regardless of your specific goals, jiu-jitsu is an incredibly engaging hobby. Many beginners quickly develop a healthy obsession with jiu-jitsu and look forward to training as much as possible.
Jiu-Jitsu Allows You to Build Community
Joining a jiu-jitsu gym is a reliable way to build connections with like-minded individuals. Many people feel drawn to jiu-jitsu for similar reasons, which leads them to develop lifelong friendships. In some cases, the strong sense of community at a jiu-jitsu gym becomes one of the most alluring aspects of this martial art.
Jiu-Jitsu Prepares You to Defend Yourself and Others
There are few skills more valuable than self-defense. We’re hopeful that no one reading this ever finds themselves in a situation that threatens their physical safety. However, if that unfortunate occasion arises, jiu-jitsu can help keep yourself and your loved ones safe from harm.
Jiu-Jitsu is an Effective Tool for Personal Development
Simply put, becoming proficient at jiu-jitsu is hard. However, overcoming difficulties in training boosts your confidence and problem-solving skills. Many practitioners are pleasantly surprised to find that jiu-jitsu helps them face challenges in other aspects of their lives.
Is Jiu-Jitsu Right for You?
Before you dedicate time to jiu-jitsu training, you need to know what this martial art is and how it works. Hopefully, this article has supplied you with the knowledge you need to decide whether jiu-jitsu is right for you. If the answer to that decision is yes, we strongly encourage you to find a jiu-jitsu gym near you and start training.