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Is BJJ Good For Self Defense – Why Jiu Jitsu Is Made For Self Defense

Is bjj good for self defense?

Today, self-defense is the most common reason Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is learned. But is it initially made for it? And is a BJJ a good martial art to learn?

The martial art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has become an important and one of the most popular components of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) competition. 

However, before that, it was initially created for self-defense. Judo is the origin of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Carlos Gracie, one of the Brazilian brothers who established it, started modifying the judo techniques he had learned so all could more easily practice them. 

In addition to the the takedowns, throws and sweeps found in judo (as well as the minimal ground grappling) the Gracie family added more effective ground grappling techniques to emphasize more control and submissions.

Jiu Jitsu For Self-Defense

Jiu jitsu for self defense – why it ranks as one of the best martial arts for self defnse.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is among the most excellent self-defense martial arts to master. It empahsizes controlling your opponent by using leverage, pins, and submissions.

Even in an MMA context, having knowledge of brazilian jiu jitsu is a requirement.

In mma you may not win via bjj submission, but you’ll definitely lose via submission if you dont know bjj

firas zahabi

The right to protect oneself against an aggressive attack using a corresponding amount of force equal to or greater than that used against one is known as self-defense

The following are some reasons why Jiu Jitsu is fit for self-defense:

  • In BJJ, you will learn the fundamental skills to properly position your body, gestures, wrist movement, control, locks, takedowns and counter-attacks, submissions, and more as you train.
  • The style understands that it is not about striking and hurting the opponent. It helps practitioners protect themselves against assaults without resorting to much physical force, no matter how big or strong the other person is. 
  • In terms of training, it is practical and safer than any other martial art. 
  • You will learn grappling and ground fighting, one of the most effective ways to defend oneself and gain control of an attacker. It is an essential skill for self-defense as it is one of the fundamental concepts.

But then, it is more important to be reminded to use it for your safety and not to apply BJJ in the streets for the wrong reason. And as much as possible, avoid real-life physical fights. 

What Is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

A photograph of two people grappling and using Brazilian jiu-jitsu technique. 

What is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu?

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, or BJJ, may trace its roots back to the Japanese martial art of Judo and (Japanese) Jiu Jitsu. Over time, it has developed into its distinct style of combat. 

This martial art style focuses on grappling and submission techniques, taking the fight on the ground to dominate and later beat an opponent.

Focusing on the ground game and gaining control, you can apply various techniques of joint locks, guards, and chokes.

It is a combat sport open to all. The techniques can be used by anyone regardless of size or age. When you start Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, you don’t have to be physically fit or have a certain level of athleticism.

Because of this and its practicality, it is used for self-defense.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a martial art that advocates that a smaller, less powerful person can defend themselves against a larger, stronger attacker.

Benefits of Jiu Jitsu

What exactly are the benefits of jiu jitsu?

Now that we know more about BJJ let’s discuss its benefits. 

Jiu-Jitsu is so much more than just a combat sport; it can improve the your life in significant ways. 

Here are some benefits in different aspects which we can get from Jiu Jitsu:

An infographic of the benefits of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ)
  1. Self Defense

BJJ prepares for dangerous situations with fighting skills and techniques. This gentle art (because of its minimal impact) allows you to deal with any circumstance calmly.  

It is the ideal type of self-defense because it allows you to safely overpower an attacker with little chance of hurting yourself or opponent.

  1. Mental Benefits

Jiu Jitsu has quite a lot of mental benefits. 

You will likely be able to anticipate your opponent’s next move if you master more methods through constant training.

It sharpens our minds, resulting in the development of critical thinking skills, and helps us focus. It will be easier to establish solutions to the problems that your opponent might bring without getting distracted. 

The sport is a great way to release tension and anxiety.

Practicing BJJ takes you away from the stresses and can be a time to sort through your thoughts, making you feel refreshed and relaxed afterward.

  1. Boosts Confidence

Confidence comes from being able to handle oneself calmly and effectively in challenging circumstances. 

As you gain skills in BJJ, you’ll feel more at ease. Your confidence will increase as your learning does. And this confidence can lead a person to success and wins.

  1. Happiness and Enjoyment

BJJ makes people happy and enjoys it, relieving them of their troubles and stress.

It is especially true for people who are passionate learning bjj.

Meeting and engaging with other people with the same interest as you also makes you have fun in what you do. 

  1. Fitness

Is BJJ good for Fitness?

Jiu-Jitsu training is suitable for fitness. It is an excellent way to exercise.

Moving and using our body in training, especially our core and larger muscle groups, is a great way to keep one’s body in good physical shape. 

When you train Jiu-Jitsu regularly, you’ll see an improvement in your strength from grappling because it uses every muscle in your body.

BJJ training is often like doing interval sprints since there are times when you are using all out effort and times where you can move with less intensity and effort.

The training can also help you burn calories, lower blood pressure, and achieve cardiovascular fitness, promoting overall well-being.

Best Martial Art For Self Defense

Wondering what the best martial art for self defense is?

Martial arts were developed mainly as self-defense, which is still one of their primary purposes. 

How can one choose the most effective kind of self-defense that will best suit them?

We have four of the many martial arts styles to discuss with you here.

BJJ

In Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, you don’t have to be physically strong to beat your enemy. Even if they are twice your size, you can still defeat them by using methods of control, leverage, and a variety of other techniques.

Jiu-Jitsu emphasizes dominance as one of its fundamental principles.

BJJ practitioners can take control of an unwanted circumstance and submit an opponent by learning takedowns, locks, chokes,  and other superior grappling techniques.

Muay Thai

Many individuals think that learning Muay Thai is the most beneficial style of martial art to study if your prime objective is to protect oneself.

In contrast to other types of martial arts, the fundamental abilities it instills in its trainees are more likely to be useful in self-defense.

In Muay Thai, punches, elbows, kicks, and knees are used to cause injury to the opponent. 

It transforms every part of your body into a dangerous weapon, making it effective in self-defense.

Wrestling

Because it needs attack and response, Wrestling is an excellent form of self-defense.

You will acquire abilities such as knowing how to regulate your physical movements and how much force to apply upon an opponent. At the same time, you battle for control in order to work towards a takedown and eventually pinning your opponent on the ground.

Wrestling is also about being aggressive toward your opponent. You need to adopt an aggressive stance when dealing with violence directed against you.

Kickboxing

Kickboxing is a sport that trains participants how to strike with a punch and kick appropriately.

Even though it does not include grappling or ground fighting, kickboxing is an excellent method of self-defense.

You can even employ some kickboxing movements to block an attacker and respond to knock them out.

In a competition setting, when a kickboxer falls to the ground, the fight or sparring match is stopped, and both fighters get back up on their feet to start over.

Since kickboxing is purely a striking martial art there is no grappling involved.

Learning Self Defense

Everyone should take the time to educate themselves on learning self-defense. It can give you the courage and the ability to fight for yourself more effectively.

The first step in learning is to know what type of style you are interested in or the best that suits you.

If possible, attending a class is, by far and away, the best approach to gaining skills in self-defense. 

Or if you know somebody with self-defense training, they can be a beneficial help for you.

And lastly, never forget to practice.

Is Jiu Jutsu Good for Self Defense – Conclusion

Although any martial art can be used for self-defense, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has been specifically designed with that purpose in mind. 

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is the perfect martial art and is one of the most complete and effective martial arts for self-defense.

The techniques are based on leverage and technique rather than strength and size, so they can be used by people of all sizes to defend themselves against bigger and stronger opponents. 

Thanks for reading and see you in the next one!

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