Who should try jiu-jitsu - a martial art to train the body and mind

What is Jiu-Jitsu

Jiu-Jitsu is an ancient Japanese martial art that arose back in the 16th century and was used to protect against opponents in armor.

From Japan, jujitsu has spread throughout the world and has evolved into many different branches, including aikido, judo, and other well-known martial arts.

In all styles of jiu-jitsu, wrestling is emphasized. In duels, throws, grabs, suffocating and painful techniques are used, thanks to which a person can disable a much stronger and heavier opponent.

Unlike other types of martial arts, strikes are prohibited here during the fight in the stance and in the stalls - on the floor. But you can use pain on different joints and suffocating techniques, including with the help of a gi - a special kimono.

As in many other martial arts, the jiu-jitsu mastery system includes belts. To get the next color, you need to pass the exam, demonstrating your technique, physical fitness and ability to apply skills in sparring.

It is not an Olympic sport, but there are plenty of opportunities for those who want to compete - jiu-jitsu championships are held all over the world.

What types of jiu-jitsu exist

There are two main areas of Jiu-Jitsu in which competitions are held.

Japanese Jiu-Jitsu

This is an officially registered sport in which present three disciplines:

1. Fights. The fight lasts 3 minutes and includes punches and kicks. In this case, opponents tend to capture, and then make a throw to knock the opponent to the floor. After that, suffocating as well as painful techniques are used to force the opponent to surrender.

2. Kata-pair (Duo systems classic). This is a sports discipline in which two people from the same team show self-defense techniques from 12 attacks, which the referee randomly names. The demonstration includes techniques to defend against a grab or choke hold, punching or kicking, sticking or knife.

3. Lying wrestling (not vase). There are no punches and kicks here, and the fight lasts 6 minutes. You can earn points for throws, position control and certain actions that give advantages during the fight.

Jiu-Jitsu competitions must be held in a gi - a special kimono.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

This style was developed Brazilian brothers Carlos and Helio Gracie. They studied with the Japanese jujutsu master Mitsue Maeda, and then supplemented the martial art with their own techniques, introduced new rules and brought this direction world fame.

Unlike the Japanese style, there are no punches or kicks in the Brazilian style. Here, the fighters start the fight in a standing position, and then seek to transfer the opponent to the ground, apply various grips, painful and suffocating techniques to force him to surrender.

Depending on the type of competition, the duel can last from 5 to 20 minutes. Victory is awarded either after the surrender of one of the opponents as a result of the use of a painful or suffocating technique, or by the number of points. The latter can be earned for throws, position control and certain actions that give advantages during the duel.

As in the Japanese style, training and competitions are held in a kimono gi, which can be used for grappling and choking techniques.

Why You Should Try Jiu-Jitsu

There are several reasons to try this martial art.

Improvement in fitness

According to research, jiu-jitsu athletes have a low percentage of body fat and good overall endurance.

Practicing moves and wrestling in pairs for 3-6 minutes raises your heart rate well and spends a lot of calories, so if you want to lose a few pounds, classes will help you do it.

In addition, by performing various grips and holds, you will strengthen strength muscles of the arms, legs and body, develop the mobility of the joints and stop suffocating while performing household tasks.

Learning to control your body

Unlike martial arts with an emphasis on punching technique, in jiu-jitsu, especially in the Brazilian direction, success largely depends on how well you understand the biomechanics of the body.

In order to break out of the grips and prevent strangulation or painful holds, one has to constantly monitor his position, create favorable conditions for himself and set traps for the enemy.

During training, you learn how to position your body as successfully as possible so that, for example, you turn your opponent over or make a hold from which he cannot escape.

The more you learn, the more the fights feel like a dynamic game in which every action must be thought out in advance, and any movement of your opponent can become a trap for him or a good opportunity for you.

Gaining skills that will be useful in other types of martial arts

Jiu-jitsu is often practiced by people who can benefit from ground fighting skills. The use of grips, pain and suffocation can bring victory to MMA fighters, come in handy in sambo, freestyle wrestling, judo.

Sergey Osipov says that the list of tricks and techniques in jiu-jitsu is constantly expanding. Some fighter comes up with a new grappling technique and starts winning competitions. Others pick up the "fashion trend" - learn how to carry out this technique and defend against it.

Thus, the technical base is constantly growing, and the martial art continues to develop.

Getting pleasure

Almost the entire lesson, not counting the warm-up, takes place in close contact with a partner. Perhaps that is why jiu-jitsu training different low level of aggression and friendly atmosphere.

Contact with people combined with good physical activity is excellent relieves stress, enhances feelings of well-being and helps expand social connections.

Who Shouldn't Try Jiu-Jitsu

You are better off looking for another sport if you:

1. Don't like close contact. If the thought of spending half a class in it scares you, jiu-jitsu is not for you. This is especially true of the Brazilian direction, in which there is no practice of strikes at all.
2. Wanna learn how to fight. For those looking for an aggressive martial art, try something else like Muay Thai or Taekwondo. Jiu-Jitsu techniques are not suitable for street fights in which you can be attacked by several opponents using improvised items.
3. Have health problems. If you have diseases of the cardiovascular system, joint and spinal problems, and other conditions in which intense loads and contact sports are prohibited, jiu-jitsu training can harm health. If you still want to try it, check with your doctor before starting.

How traumatic is Jiu-Jitsu?

Despite the fact that jiu-jitsu is considered a rather “peaceful” direction, you can still get injured in training and even more so in competitions. Most often suffer neck And knees. Other joints can also be injured - shoulder, elbow and ankle.

In most cases, this is due to the fact that a person cannot adequately assess his capabilities.

In order not to suffer in the first training session, remember that you yourself choose the strength with which you will fight. It is difficult for beginners to keep track and understand when it is still possible to push and try to break free, and when it does not make any sense.

Therefore, at the first pain sensations, it is better to slap the mat or the opponent several times. This is a sign of surrender, after which the fight stops.

What do you need to practice Jiu-Jitsu?

First of all, you need to find a jiu-jitsu section in your city. Find out what style is taught there, and find out who leads the classes, how long the coach has, whether he participated in competitions and whether he trains with performing fighters.

Jiu-jitsu has a belt system, but black does not mean that a person is a master of his craft. The fact is that in different schools the rules can vary greatly.

Also ask if you need a gi. In some clubs, individual training sessions are held without a kimono, in others it is mandatory to come in specialized clothes. Shoes are not required.

For Japanese jiu-jitsu, which includes punches and kicks, you will also need fingerless protective gloves. However, you can come to the first lesson without them - most likely, in the hall you will be provided with equipment until you buy your own.

What to Expect at Your First Jiu-Jitsu Training

It all depends on the chosen style. If it's Japanese jiu-jitsu, you'll be practicing punches, throws, and grappling techniques. If Brazilian - work mainly on the floor.

Any lesson begins with an intensive warm-up, then comes the study of techniques and the development of techniques, after - sparring. Children's workouts may also include exercises for general physical fitness.

At the very first lesson, you will come across a sea of ​​unfamiliar terms. But since any explanation comes with a demonstration, learn the basics quickly.

As for the intensity of the workout, it all depends on you. Sergey Osipov explains: “If you feel that you need to rest, you can do it at least during the warm-up, even during the practice of techniques. Beginners do not have to go through all the fights. At the first training session, you can fight only once, and then gradually add the number of fights.

The main thing - do not try to show how strong and dexterous you are. Especially if you don’t understand anything in the fight and are paired with a much more experienced opponent. Remember that stubbornness and pride can end in injury.