Bicep Slicer Submission – Legal And Dangerous!

The BJJ Biceps Slicer Submission Explained

Slicers, whether they’re on the bicep or calf, are very nasty submission holds that are not completely legal in BJJ. Still, after achieving a certain level they become available and offer great variability in the attack. As such, people tend to use the calf slicer more nowadays, but the bicep slicer is still somewhat of an afterthought at best. Those that know it understands its potential, but for some reason, it doesn’t find its way into the arsenal of many top-level grapplers. The bicep slicer is one of those submissions that got forgotten for a bit, making it a prime candidate for a huge comeback! With today’s setups and mechanical details, you’ll be able to slap it on lighting fast and surprise everyone! Let’s start at slicing.

Submissions involving trauma to the muscles are not something we see often in Jiu-Jitsu. Granted, chokes are undisputed as the top submission option to have, regardless of which kind you like. Joint locks, follow suit, with twisting locks having the upper hand over straight locks. Finally, there are cranks and muscle compressions. The legality factor usually removes cranks from the equation, leaving us with compression locks, AKA slicers. The calf and bicep slicer are mighty weapons, particularly the latter. A bicep slicer is something that nobody expects and, if you put some training in, something that will work on just about anyone. Simple and painful, just how we like our submissions!

“Legal Disclaimer”

The bicep slicer submission, as a compression lock is subject to some specific competition rules. As such, it is legal under IBJJF/UAEJJF rules only after the rank of brown belt. Attacking with one intentionally before that is going to get you disqualified. Since IBJJF/UAEJJF rules are considered as the standard, it is widely accepted that you can’t do the bicep slicer until you’re a brown belt. This includes both Gi and No-Gi competition.

However, it is worth noting that under different rulesets, bicep slicers are usually legal. Under ADCC, EBI and a bunch of other modern format rules, all submissions are legal at all levels. As such, make a note of always checking the status of the bicep slicer before you enter a competition in which you intend to use it.

The Bicep Slicer Essentials

The bicep slicer, as a submission, is extremely versatile, you can catch it from pretty much anywhere, and you can use either your arm or your legs to get the tap. In certain cases, you can actually use both your arms and your legs for an ultra-tight slicer.

The bicep slicer works in a really simple manner. You take a bony part of your limbs, usually the shinbone or the forearm bone and you wedge it as deep as you can in the elbow crease of your opponent. As far as setting it up, if you achieve this you’re halfway there. What’s left is the compression part. To finish a bicep slicer, you need to find a way to push the opponent’s forearm towards their bicep. As you have your shin or forearm in the elbow crease, this puts the bottom bicep tendon under extreme pressure. Your goal is to basically try and touch the opponent’s hand to their own shoulder. To do that, you have several different leg and/or arm configurations available.

One perfect example of a bicep slicer is an armbar. The slicer is the perfect follow up to any failed armbar attempt. whenever you end up in the familiar battle of the grips after a mounted armbar, you always have the slicer to drop back to. If you can’t break your opponent’s grips when you’re trying to get an armbar, all you need to do is take the leg that’s on their chest and place it over their forearm. Lock a triangle with your legs and you’ll most likely get the tap there. If not, you can squeeze to ensure you do. Another likely outcome is the opponent let go of everything and allowing you to finish the armbar.

Guard Setups

Let’s look a few slick bicep slicer setups that are not as common as the armbar one. One great position to look for slicers is the guard. Whether it is a closed or an open guard, you always have the option of bicep slicers. One closed guard setup works great when an opponent has both arms on your belly and is highly defensive. All you need to do is thread an arm inside one of their elbows, with your palm ending up towards your head. A simple side bend will take you there with ease. Hold on to their wrist with the other arm and open your guard. Finish by going in an Omoplata-like direction with your nearside leg and ranging your legs, just like in the armbar setup.

Another guard option includes any open guard, in which you have a lasso hook. You might be in a simple lasso guard or some complex variation like the spider lasso. The goal here is to reach under the armpit and trap the opponent’s shoulder and pull. Unlike the previous two examples, here your shin is going to be the source of pressure.

Last but not least, you can also hit a bicep slicer off a triangle choke. whenever an opponent postures up with all their power, they always leave an arm dangling. While you might not get a triangle, slicers are more than available. The setup here is identical to the closed guard setup, with the only different variable being that you have to pull towards you before you triangle your legs.

Side Control Entries

Switching to top positions, let’s explore a few bicep slicers from side control. Topside control is actually a position in which your opponents often get into slicers by themselves, not even realizing it. A great option is hunting it off other submissions, just like with the armbar. In this case, it is going to be a Kimura. Getting a far arm Kimura grip from side control is not a hard thing to do. Finishing a Kimura might prove to be challenging, though. In such a case, go for a slicer! Your arm is already in place, all you need to do is let go of their wrist and go as deep as possible in a figure four arm configuration. A simple twist of the forearm and a squeeze will do the trick.

Another option is hunting for the near sidearm, but using your legs instead of your arms. The top crucifix position is one where you control the far side arm with your arms, and the near side arm is pinned by one of your legs. Well, make sure that it is the inside leg doing the pinning and you’ll open up a bicep slicer. Control the wrist with your arm and make sure you slide your other leg as far back as possible. This gets your hip into position for the submission. Once again, you can triangle your legs, or simply place your knee to your feet. Push with the hip and you’ll get a tap.

What to Do With This Information?

The bicep slicer is very powerful and not at all limited to the positions we covered earlier. Feel free to experiment with different setups and finishes. Just remember to have a bony part of your limbs inside the crease and turn that limb towards the crease when you finish. Nobody will be able to withstand it if you get all the mechanics correctly.

On the subject of efficient training, make sure you start with slicers at the blue, or purple belt at the latest. Do not wait to get your brown belt and then begin learning them because you’ll be behind. Instead, find willing training partners, consult your instructor and drill the move. If it is alright in your academy, go for it while you roll as well. Happy hunting!

Omoplata Explained – How to Make It Really Work

Calf Slicer & How to Make it Your Best Leg Lock

Double Leg Takedown – How to Do It & The Most Common Mistakes

BJJ Gi Guide For Beginners: Answering Common Questions

BJJ World

Congratulations! You’re about to change your whole life by signing up for BJJ! Pyjama wrestling is a lot of fun, so much so that, after a month or so, you’ll get fully addicted. However, the first few weeks of training are going to raise more questions than answers. The most important one that you won’t find a good answer to is “why am I returning to a place where people are choking, crushing, and torturing me”? The answer to that one comes down the road, just grind your teeth and keep showing up. After you decide that you’re all in, no bluffing, the questions that take over are all about training. And the very first one is about Gi. Having answered the same questions time and time again, I put together this comprehensive BJJ Gi Guide to cover all the usual inquiries by beginners.

If you come to BJJ without any prior martial arts experience, the Gi is probably going to seem strange to you. First and foremost,t you’ll have no idea where to find one. It’s not like there are BJJ Gi shops on every corner. Your academy might have some on sale, but you’re best bet is to go online. It is hard to figure out what the best BJJ Gis for you are, particularly when you’ve never worn one. Even then, buying a Gi raises more questions than answers. What color? What size? How many Gis do I need? Can I compete in My Gi? Why is BJJ Gi so expensive? Let’s tackle some of these burning beginner questions once and for all with our BJJ Gi Guide.

The Ultimate BJJ Gi Guide

The reason I put together this guide is to offer beginners a condensed source of information. Well that, and have a reference every time I hear one or all of all the questions we’ll cover today. It is not that I’m tired of answering them. It is just simpler to have it all down in the BJJ Gi Guide, along with all the links that lead to respective categories. Basically, this is something I wish I had when I was starting out. BJJ Gis are different to any other Gi I’ve worn before (and I’ve had them all on) and there’s a lot more thinking going into it.

To be fair, one look at common price tags, and you’ll understand why people fuss over everything. Getting a BJJ Gi is a big step forward, and one that’ll set you back a couple of hundreds of dollars. Well, not necessarily, as our BJJ GI guide is going to show you.

Before we get down to answer some questions, let’s just clear up one thing. You CAN train JIu-JItsu without ever owning, or even putting on a Gi. On the other hand, if you really want to experience The Gentle Art, then you absolutely SHOULD train both with the Gi and without it. That said, a good rashguard is a smart thing to own in both cases. However, make sure you balance Gi and No-Gi training, and if you really have to choose one, as a beginner, my advice is to lean towards training in the Gi.

What Is a BJJ Gi?

A BJJ Gi is a uniform that is used for training and competition. The BJJ Gi usually consists of three main parts – the jacket, the pants, and the belt. Unlike other martial arts’ Gis, BJJ kimonos often arrive without a belt, so make sure you get one additionally.

That said, a BJJ Gi is a very specific piece of training equipment. All BJJ Gis are built to last since there’s a lot of tugging and gripping involved. They’re much sturdier than Judo or Aikido Gis and have a tighter cut. This is because very wide sleeves, like those of Judo Gis, are extremely easy to control during training and rolling in Jiu-Jitsu.

Most Jiu-Jitsu Gis are made of cotton and are highly breathable and resistant to odor retention and microbes. They come reinforced and in a variety of weaves, each offering different levels of sturdiness and weight of the Gi.

Why Do We Wear A GI?

This question is too large to answer in detail in our BJJ Gi GUide for beginners. What you need to know, though is that the reason we wear a Gi in Jiu-Jitsu today is plenty. From hygienic to technical reasons the Gi pretty much defines BJJ. However, the main reason the Gi is a part of BJJ is a historical one.

Gi’s, albeit much different than today, were worn beneath armor by Japanese Samurai. After the era of the Samurai, and the discarding of the armor, Gis became the official uniform for training Japnese Jiu-Jitsu. When Judo came to be, Jigro Kano modified the Gis to fit the needs of the sport, coming up with the Gis we know today. Later on, during the emergence of BJ Jin Brazil, BJJ Gis underwent another transformation to fit the needs of Brazilian Jiu-JItsu in particular.

Today, Gis not only reflects a uniform to train in and a powerful weapon to use but also reflects equality among the students. When everyone is wearing the same type of clothes, everyone is regarded as equal on the mats.

What Color Should Your Gi Be?

Colors are not that complicated to figure out. Basically, you can wear any color or combination of colors when you’re training. Some large associations do have their own Gis and might want to insist on you having to wear a certain type of a Gi. However, color is mainly down to you.

Still, there’s one main rule to follow. If you do not know what color Gi you should take, always go for white. If you don’t particularly like it, you’re other two safe options are black or blue. While training in any color is okay, the aforementioned three colors are the only ones allowed in most competitions. Given that most people tend to at least give tournaments a try, getting a Gi that’ll fit both needs is always smart.

How Many Gis Should You Own?

This one is a tricky one. The more the better is the best answer that fits all. However, this might be financially demanding. Of course, you can opt for BJJ Gis that comes cheaper and offer quality. However, in terms of the number of Gi’s, the bare minimum would be two.

Comprehensive BJJ Gi Guide For Beginners — The Best BJJ GI

Regardless of how many times per week you train, if it is more than one, you need two Gis. The reason for this is that you need to have a fresh Gi each time you come into training. Washing one Gi over and over again is next to impossible. Plus, it is going to shorten the lifespan of your Gi significantly. Plus, when you have two, you can be creative with one of them and have a competition legal second one. So get two, or more Gis, the sooner, the better.

Competition And Training Gis

These are usually not different unless you went for a custom version of a GI. Refer the following part of our BJJ Gi guide for more information on that. Basically, your training Gi can double as a competition Gi, as long as it fulfills requirements. That means that when you’re getting a training Gi, always try and find one that fits tournament criteria.

When choosing separate competition Gi’s I’d recommend you to consider lightweight BJJ Gis. They cost less, weigh less, and are much more comfortable than heavier Gis. As far as I’m concerned, they’re also great for training as well. Almost all my Gis are lightweight and I tend to keep it that way.

Custom Gis

Custom Gi’s are where things get fun. I won’t be able to point out how you can customize your own Gi In this BJJ Gi Guide. You can go for patches, colors, or even have someone put together a Gi especially for you. I could, however, point you towards some of the coolest looking Gis on the market today!

It would be smart to inquire with your instructor if this is acceptable for your academy. Certain places have stricter Gi rules than others, and you should make sure you abide by them. Also, remember that custom Gis are great for training but do not try and wear one at an IBJJF/UAEJJF event. Well, not if you want to compete, anyway.

What’s With The Price Tag On This Gi?

Do not let the price tags on most Gis deter you. As previously mentioned in this BJJ Gi Guide, Gi’s are made of cotton and often weaved in a very particular pattern. That makes them reliable, sturdy, and long-lasting. It also means they cost way more than a Karate Gi. This is one reason why you better invest in two or more Gi’s like that way, you’ll extend their life span much longer. Just as a reference, I still have my first Gi, 8 years after getting it. Moreover, its’ still in acceptable condition to train in. And I own a total of four Gis, including that one. So, shop smart and you’ll get the most out of it.

Another perfect option is to go for cheaper Gis. Get yourself a few Gis’ while they’re on sale or at a discount and you get the best of both worlds. A high-quality study Gi to train and compete in, and a pocket-friendly price. Buying second-hand is also a great option, particularly as a beginner.

Are Crossover Gis Alright?

By crossover Gi’s I mean using an Aikido, Judo, or Sambo Gi to train in. They’re all useful, but all of them fall short of the real thing. With a Sambo Gi, in particular, you still face the issue of obtaining Gi pants. So, this one quickly bites the dust. Oh, and don’t even think about Karate or Taekwondo Gis. You’ll have to throw them in the garbage after the first roll.

Aikido and Judo Gi’s work good, although they’ll land you in a lot of trouble. Their cuts are generally wider, especially at the sleeves and pants. That means a lot more gripping material for your opponents. Furthermore, these Gis are softer, and much easier to manipulate, particularly around the collar. While they can do the trick for a short while, they should be no more than an introductory or transitionary Gi option for Jiu-Jitsu.

What Do All These Gi Sizes Mean?

Finally a word or two on Gi sizes. The moment you go online to buy a Gi, you’ll run into a few different options. First, you get to choose the type of Gi you want. We’re clear on that. then, there’s color. We also cover that in our BJJ Gi Guide. Finally, before you order, you’ll also have to choose a size. What you get there is a letter, usually A (standing for an adult) and a number. The usual numbers range from A0 to A6. Very often, however, there are also additional numbers and/or letters.

Basically, you need to know two things about sizes. The same size can be very different for two different Gi brands. So, make sure you always consult the size charts that accompany the purchase option. Next, consider the shrinkage rate. Most Gi’s will shrink anywhere from 3-10%. Talk to people that already own a certain Gi brand, or check out our complete BJJ Gi reviews and guide where the shrinkage rate is covered for every Gi.

Conclusion

Apart from getting one the moment you step on the mats, you’re going to hate the Gi at first. The first time you put it on, you’ll feel strange. Then comes the belt, and figuring out how to tie it like everyone else. And we’re still not down to the worst part. The first roll in the Gi is going to confuse you more than anything. Why do people keep choking me with my own Gi? How come they can hold me down so tightly? The answers to these questions are going to reveal themselves on the mats. In terms of Gi fundamentals, though, we offer you our ultimate BJJ Gi Guide! Hopefully, you found it helpful!

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Vagner Rocha DVD Review: The Float Passing System

BJJ World

detaield review of the Flaot Passing system Vagner Rocha DVD

Are you ready for a Vagner Rocha DVD? One of the most aggressive and entertaining grapplers of today finally has a BJJ instructional to offer, and it’s going to rival the best of them! The subject matter is one that’s highly popular nowadays – guard passing. It is not just any guard passing DVD, however. Instead of a generic passing DVD, filled with unrelated moves, her you get a highly specialized system of passing. Vagner shares with us this float passing system which is the secret behind his top game success. Expect to pass anyone’s guard with this information, regardless if they’re just starting or run your class!

ON SALE HERE:
Vagner Rocha The Float Passing System (DIGITAL, ONDEMAND)

Review of a Vagner Rocha DVD : The float passing System — Techniques List

There’s no doubt that Vagner Rocha is one of the top grapplers of today. His invitation to the 2019 ADCC that’s about to take place in September outright confirms that. He is fun to watch, he is extremely technical and he can go toe to toe with the best grapplers of today. he is also a multiple time. multiple grappling discipline world champion. In short, whatever he has to teach, we’ll listen. The “Float Passing System” Vagner Rocha DVD is a masterclass on passing anyone’s guard in No-Gi. Spoiler alert- it’ll work just as good with the Gi!

Vagner “Ceará” Rocha – The Passing Machine

Vagner is a Brazilan Jiu-Jitsu black belt that was born in Nova Friburgo, near Rio De Janeiro in Brazil. He started training Taekwondo as early as 7 and didn’t get interested in grappling until he was 18. That’s when BJJ caught his attention. As many great grapplers of today, playful ground fighting with relatives and friends got him interested in grappling. His first coach was Jorge Popovitch (Pablo Popovitch’s brother), where he started training in 2001.

Vagner worked his way through the ranks, getting a coaching position in 2008, a year after awarding him his black belt. This paved the way for him to start doing BJJ professionally. Eventually, he even transitioned into MMA and fought in the UFC. Vagner eventually parted ways with the Popovitch brothers in 2011, when Rocha started his own VRMA academy. Rocah was also part of the “Avengers” which was an association that included Cyborg Abreu, Buchecha, Pablo Popovitch, Rodrigo Cavaca and a bunch of others. The team destroyed everyone in 2008 but soon fell apart. However, Rocha and Cyborg remain affiliated to this day.

Rocha holds titles as an EBI combat champion, ADCC US Trials champion, IBJJF Pans Champion, Grappling Quest champion and a whole lot of other accolades. he has an amazing 47 wins, with a 50% submission rate. OOne of his greatest strengths is the top game, which makes float passing the perfect subject for this Vagner Rocha DVD.

Vagner Rocha DVD Review: The Float Passing System

Passing the guard, particularly against skilled opponents not wearing a gi is truly a skill of BJJ masters. Without the Gi to use as a handle, getting around the legs of top-level guard players is an impossible task. UNless you’re Vagner Rocha. Basically, we all used to think that passing the legs went in a few predetermined directions. We could go over, under, around or through the legs. Well, now you can choose to go in a different passing direction – floating.

While floating is not a direction like the others, it is definitely a passing “position zero” type of thing. Essentially, it is a concept you can apply to any direction of passing without having to rely on specific techniques or sequences. Floating goes against one of BJJ’s old rules of always keeping weight behind your hips and keeping your posture upright at all times. In fact, when you decide to float you’re looking to do the very opposite.

As you’ll see in this Vagner Rocha DVD, floating is the best way of beating the guards of the most skilled guard players. It involves you going with your opponent. rather than trying to block and force them. As such, you have the option of switching between passes and even passing directions while your opponent is attempting to sweep or attack. As long as you understand how to position yourself, you’ll have immense success with this passing system. And a 3 part Vagner Rocha DVD on the subject is the best place to start!

#DVD 1

The first volume of this Vagner Rocha DVD starts with a position we all love to use for guard passing – the knee cut. After a detailed introduction on what float passing is, and how his Float Passing System works, Vagner heads to explain basic technical nuances. The knee cut is the primary starting position. As such, Vagner explains his complete knee cut philosophy on how to get and stay in the position and stop early counters.

After the basics, it’s time for some Vagner Rocha guard passing magic. There are about a dozen chapters, going over different ways to pass with the knee cut pass. The neck hug knee cut is one version that really resonates with me, as you can do it even with knee injuries. I also like the back step series, as it deals with a very wide array of guards by using just one passing system. The deep half guard killer is one to look out for.

Finally, you get some really nice submission options that are right there for the taking off the knee cut. Vagner’s signature rolling Kimura is a real masterpiece!

#DVD 2

The second volume follows the same rhythm as the first. However, it changes the subject, from the knee cut to the float pass. The initial chapter is all about the basics, where Vagner discusses the fundamental float pass philosophy and offers entries into the position.

From there on, it is all about floating around and choosing how you’re going to destroy your opponent’s guard. Depending on the guard, and your opponent’s reactions, or your preferences, there are plenty of options. In fact, there are about 10 just in this portion of the Vagner Rocha DVD. The initial few are smash passing, reverse knee slice, and the hook killer pass. This last one is going to change your approach to passing any hook based guard, like the butterfly guard.

Following suit, Rare Rocha’s takes on floating to pass common guards, including the lockdown. There’s also a nice take on the “Canuto” back pass straight into the mount, as well as hip switch passes and passing straight into a guillotine choke.

#DVD 3

The final volume of the Float Passing System Vagner Rocha DVD is divided into two main portions. First, Vagner covers a dozen passes from a standing position. Then, he includes 8 bonus chapters, addressing the problems of the butterfly guard and the half guard. The perfect way to wrap up an amazing BJJ instructional.

When it comes to standing passing, Rocha goes over the most important thing – how to step into the opponent’s guard in a safe way. From there on he has a bunch of options to pass. These include knee slicing, floating, pinning the ankles, and dealing with the annoying X-guard. He wraps up this section with a few “Vagner Over Under” passing options that cover passing against ultra strong and flexible guard players.

The bonus moves are nothing short of astonishing. In modern grappling the butterfly guard is one of the most common positions, mainly due to the threat of leg locks. Well, Vagner’s way of passing makes sure your legs are safe, and you get an easy route past one of the most difficult guards to pass. AS for the half guard, it has caused trouble to passes since it’s inception. Vagner’s take is simply, brutally effective and guaranteed to get you out of that annoying half guard trap.

Final Thoughts

After going through this 3p art Vagner Rocha DVD with a fine tooth comb, we can deliver a verdict. This is one of the best passing instructionals available out there! It doesn’t just cover modern guard positions, but also staple guards that people tend to use. Moreover, Vagner’s floating will work against opponents of all levels and sizes. And finally, everything is just as good for use in Gi Jiu-Jitsu as it is for No-Gi. All in all, it is a great way of passing the guard that’ll take most people completely by surprise!

ON SALE HERE:
Vagner Rocha The Float Passing System (DIGITAL, ONDEMAND)

Tennis Elbow Injury in Jiu-Jitsu and How To Fix it

BJJ World

Dealing with the tennis elbow Jiu-Jitsu injury

Of all the possible injuries you can sustain training BJJ, the most dangerous ones are those that you don’t take for serious. Hearing something pop or tear usually frightens people enough so they stop training. Some might even see a doctor. However, it is those things that come on from seemingly nowhere that can turn into something potentially debilitating. A great example of this is a very common Jiu-Jitsu injury that often goes undiagnosed: the tennis elbow. This sneaky injury starts off easy but can turn into one of the worst injuries you can get. Here’s how you stop it!

How do you know that an injury you get is a serious one? Well, if that injury has a name that’s not in Latin and you can understand it, it means you need to take care of it. A tennis elbow is an extremely common injury among tennis players (duh). It is also a high-percentage Jiu-Jitsu injury. However, where tennis players usually panic and go straight to doctors and physios, grapplers tend to shrug it off. or so they think. This injury is an inflammatory one and has the potential to turn chronic and extremely serious, Today, we’ll explain it as best we can, along with some simple steps to get rid of it for good.

A Nagging Jiu-Jitsu Injury

The hierarchy of BJJ injuries usually goes something like this: fingers are right at the top, followed closely by knee injuries, with neck and elbow injuries tying for third place. That basically means is that you’re very likely to hurt an elbow when grappling. Normally, there’s a whole host of injuries that can affect the elbow, but some are more common than others.

The first thing to know is that it is not only submissions that might affect your elbow. In fact, apart from armbars, your elbows do not get attacked directly much in BJJ. However, the indirect pressure they get is crazy! The thing with elbows is that we use them exceedingly more than most other joints on the ground. Every post, every grab, every twist involves the elbows. That means they get battering both when you attack and when you defend. Basically, it means you can get your elbow injured at any given moment.

Moreover, elbow injuries in Jiu-Jitsu do not have to be strictly from trauma. Trauma affects pretty much the same things as knee injuries – ligaments, the joint bursa, cartilage, and tendons. However, with the elbow, inflammatory injuries are much more common. As such, they’re less painful, at least initially than all-out trauma. However, they have the tendency to transform into boring, very painful, and extremely hard to resolve, chronic injuries. The tennis elbow is the perfect example of this.

What Is A Tennis Elbow?

A tennis elbow is an inflammation of the soft tissue structure on the outside of the elbow. Skipping all the doctor talk and the Latin, we’ll just say that it affects mainly tendons, but is also known to engulf the bursa, ligaments and neighboring muscles. This happens due to the constant aggravation of the elbow, which is almost a given if you train Jiu-Jitsu. It is also something that’s more common, but not limited to beginners and /or older grapplers. The result of it – pain.

The way this common Jiu-Jitsu injury manifests is with pain located to the outside of the elbow. there’s no one spot specific for tennis elbow. It may occur at a lot of spots on the outside as a result of inflammation to different, or multiple soft tissue structures. The pain is usually dull, or might even disappear, bar certain moves. However, the moment you do something like, cross collar choke, for example, you’ll get a sharp and painful reminder of your tennis elbow.

The main problem with the tennis elbow in Jiu-Jitsu is that people try to brush it off. That usually leads to worsening, and, eventually turning into a chronic, or worse, a degenerative problem. In essence, the longer you leave it be, the worse it gets, and the harder it is to resolve it. it can even reach a level that stops you from training completely. Diagnosis is not complicated but does require a visit to the doctor.

Easy Way to Fix It

Luckily, when you get your diagnosis for tennis elbow, you can use an easy fix to resolve it. Common ways of treatment include the usual rest and painkillers over time. This is one way of resolving it, but the one variable that annoys grapplers here is time. How much time can you spend not training BJJ? There are certain elbow pads and compression sleeves that can help, but they won’t resolve the issue on their own.

Certain cases of this Jiu-Jitsu injury might even merit cortisone/prednisone shots to relieve the pain. In these cases, follow up physical therapy is also common, after a long, long lay off. In extremely rear cases, there’s even an option for operative treatment.

However, there’s another option to get rid of tennis elbow out there that’s perfect for grapplers. First, get diagnosed. Next, give it a little rest, and maybe even pop a painkiller or two. After a week or so, start working on your problem. The method of choice is called “the rubber technique”. It involves just one exercise, using just one simple piece of equipment.

All that you need is a thick rubber band, that’s shaped like a cylinder. You simply hold it upright with your healthy hand. Use your tennis elbow arm to catch the rubber band on top, grabbing it with the thumb down and knuckles towards your chest. Then just turn with your top hand as much as possible, then extend both arms in front of you, and finish by turning with the other ars as well. Repeat for a few times and your tennis elbow is going to disappear in a matter of days!

Conclusion

Nobody likes having a Jiu-Jitsu injury. When that injury is painful and has the potential of getting worse, it becomes even more of an issue. The tennis elbow is something a lot of grapplers struggle with. There is, however, an easy and practical method of dealing with it. The rubber technique, along with some rest is all but guaranteed to help you resolve tennis elbow once and for all. Try it out, and let us know about your experience!

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Credited Jiu-Jitsu Class In College? Yes, Please!

BJJ World

A Credited Jiu-Jitsu Class Now Available in Florida College

Would you take a Jiu-Jitsu Class in college? If you already train BJJ, the answer is an obvious “Yes”. Well, what if I told that future could hold not only Jiu-Jitsu classes that are available in college, but also credited? It’s a brand new world, and grappling is wiggling its way into every aspect of it! About time, right? Now, if you’re lucky enough to be a student at a certain Florida university, you’ll be able to choose a Jiu-Jitsu class and get credit for it! Not only that, but the class is about to be held by a world champion who intends to get other world champions to hold seminars. And you won’t have to pay a penny for it!

Integrating Brazilian Jiu-jitsu into the educational system is something people have been trying for years. At certain spots around the world, there are already programs that have been working for years. The result, as you’ll see later, is more than impressive. The next big step would be to integrate BJJ into the main curriculum of high schools and universities across America. As of now, they are a part of after-school programs in certain places. Now, it seems, the first college credited Jiu-Jitsu class is about to become a part of the day-to-day curriculum.

Jiu-Jitsu In The Educational System

You’d expect the country to pioneer integrating Jiu-Jitsu into a school program to be Brazil. Well, you’d end up wrong, very wrong. Instead, it is the UAE, who has Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as a national sport, that also has it as part of their school program. In fact, BJJ has been part of public school programs since 2008. Schools in the UAE that feature Jiu-Jitsu classes number well over 150 now, and have around 100.00 enrolled students! The program targets kids in grades ranging from 6 to 12. The teachers of these classes are Jiu-Jitsu experts and high-grade instructors.

In the US, as of now, there are a few examples of BJJ in the curriculum of high schools. LA’s Baton Rouge BASIS Charter School opened up it’s doors to a Jiu-Jitsu class as part of the curriculum since the Fall of last year. Other schools across the states have after-school programs that include Jiu-Jitsu classes. They are, however, recreational.

The goals of integrating Jiu-Jitsu into school curriculums are multifold. First up, they are intended to inspire self- development and enhance fitness, health, and discipline. of course, there’s also the self-defense aspect to it. Goals also include raising the awareness of Jiu-Jitsu and turning students onto a sport that they could choose to represent at a national or even world level. Goals also include the development of crucial motor and coordination skills, that seem to be on the decline with children nowadays.

The Liborio Project: A Credited College Jiu-Jitsu Class

Currently, a common practice across the US, excluding certain isolated examples, is that schools are open to Jiu-Jitsu, but only as an after-school activity. In essence, this means that it is completely recreational and there’s no motivation for students to enroll, apart from individual reasons. The after-school Jiu-Jitsu program in Orlando, for example, is one that includes 8 high schools as of October 2018. The man behind this initiative and its realization is World Champion Ricardo Liborio.

Liberio also initiated the inclusion of a Jiu-Jitsu class in the main curriculum of the University of Central Florida. The class is going to be credited with 2 credits and will be an elective course, at least in the beginning. Since it is credited, the class will in fact count towards graduation, for students that choose to take it.

Liborio’s latest efforts come in the form of the Resenha Series. What this is, is an activity to raise awareness about Jiu-Jitsu throughout Florida. It intends to do so by way of a series of seminars and open mats. The series will feature a bunch of world champion grapplers, the likes of Rodolfo Vieira, Gezary Matuda and Jacare Souza.

Expectations are high from this inaugural college Jiu-Jitsu class that now brings credits. So far, BJJ in schools, regardless of the level, has proven as a successful idea. Only time will tell, but we could be on the verge of something huge for both BJJ and the educational system here.

What Can Jiu-JIisu Teach Students?

The lessons students of all ages can elan from Jiu-Jitsu are numerous. Physical and intellectual development of people is the major obvious benefit. BJJ is an art that contains a deep philosophy, and not just a fitness course. That means the emotional development of a kid, high school and college students along with essential life skills are also a big part of the subject matter.

What BJJ also brings to the table are interpersonal relations from a much different aspect than the classroom. You learn how to engage with people in situations where you are in different situations and with different outcomes. A hugely important lesson is also the lesson of persistence and progress. the more you stick with BJJ, the less you suck and the better you get. Life is much the same. There’s dealing with pressure and comfort too, which is immense, particularly if you get to learn it from an early age and in a safe environment.

There are a host of other lessons that Jiu-Jitsu can tech people that are a part of the educational system. Examples include confidence, discipline, determination, commitment, respect, sportsmanship and plenty of others. It remains to be seen not if, but rather how fast this Liborio initiative is going to catch on!

In Conclusion

As grapplers, we’re all highly biased on the subject of integrating a Jiu-Jitsu class in the regular curriculum. But, what we’re also certain of, is that the Liborio initiative will pay off. People will see how much BJJ can change their lives. The best thing about it is that they’re all be able to access it right through the school system and reap all the positive benefits! Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, welcome to the educational system!

Suffragette Jiu-Jitsu: Grappling For Women’s Rights!

BJJ World

Suffragette Jiu-Jitsu For Women's Right to Vote

It is March the 8th everyone, and that means International Women’s Day! Here at BJJ world, we’d like to wish all the ladies of the world a happy Women’s day and to always keep fighting! The fighting spirit of the finer half is beyond question, as everyone who trains grappling knows. In honor of all the ladies who fought tooth and nail for their rights, today we’ll focus on a part of Jiu-Jitsu history that’s not overly famous. Do you know who the suffragettes were? How about what Suffragette Jiu-Jitsu is? Time to honor the ladies of the past and present and see how Jiu-Jitsu helped them achieve a major goal!

We live in a society today that preaches equality at every turn. While there are certain aspects of modern-day political correctness that go beyond the realm of the reasons, one thing is beyond a doubt, women and men are absolutely equal. As such, they should have equal rights and opportunities in both life and sports. Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu is a sport that welcomes ladies wholeheartedly with some of the sport’s main ambassadors and world champions being members of the finer half. Back in the days when women had a necessity to know self-defense, suffragette Jiu-Jitsu was the answer, at least when it comes to 1900’s Scotland.

The Suffragettes

Who exactly were the suffragettes? Put simply they were a militant women’s organization in the early 20th Century, based in Britain. Their main goal was to deliver to women nationwide, and subsequently, worldwide the right to vote in public elections. This was known as women’s suffrage.

The leader was Emmeline Pankhurst, a woman who founded the Women’s Social And Political Union (WSPU) in 1903. Pankhurst battled for women’s rights to work and vote, with the motto of the WAPU being “deeds, not words”. The term suffragette came courtesy of a Daily Mail reporter. Namely, the reporter coined the term from suffragist trying to belittle women. Little could he know how it would backfire.

By then, women had the right to vote in certain parts of the world, like New Zealand, for example. Pankhurst led women to protests, heckling opposition, breaking windows, setting fires, and even a few clashes with the police. The WSPU was not always publically behind such direct action, though, as several groups within the organization formed over time.

The militant tactics did manage to attract a lot of attention to the fact women had no right to vote. So much attention, in fact, that they fast became the focus of hecklers, police, and even politicians. This, in turn, led to an increase in violence over them, and the need for self-defense was born. The solution to it was suffragette Jiu-Jitsu.

Suffragette Jiu-Jitsu

Suffragette Jiu-Jitsu came about thanks to the efforts of one woman in particular. Edith Garrud was the woman who introduced the suffragettes to Jiu-Jitsu, and ultimately got them literally ready for the fight. Back in the days of direct suffragette action, it was common for the women to be thrown around, beaten and two suffragettes even died. There were also instances of force-feeding them with rubber tubes during a hunger strike. All of this, and more led to the ladies looking into ways to defend themselves and take the fight to the men.

Born in 1872, Edith Garrud learned how to fight from her husband, who was an instructor in wrestling, boxing, and gymnastics. They ran a martial arts dojo together in London and were approached by the WSPU. Edith soon started running the WSUP’s classes on her own and joined into the cause. She even asked men to wear police hats, while she demonstrated techniques in class, much to the approval of her students. The fact that Edit was tiny at 4’11” but as fierce as they get. She was highly skilled and technical, which allowed her to apply her knowledge in real situations. The rest fo the suffragettes followed and suffragette Jiu-Jitsu was born.

As a petite woman, Edith’s martial art of choice was Japanese Jiu-Jitsu. Since it was all about leverage and skill rather than strength, it was perfect. Initially, it was about self-defense, mostly from hackers that tormented the women during rallies. But it soon turned to much more than that, after clashes with the police became more frequent. The suffragettes got so good at it, that the press soon noticed and published a series of articles on suffragette Jiu-Jitsu” or “suffrajitsu”.

“The Bodyguard”

Somewhere around 1913, things took a turn for the worst. Suffragettes, including leader Pnkahurst, often ended up under arrest and in prison. When they went on hunger strikes they were released, only to be re-arrested once they recovered their health. As a leader and orator, Emmeline Pankhurst had a vital role to play in the suffragette movement. She was much more value out of prison, so Edith and some of the other suffragettes got together to form a protective group. “The Bodyguard” as it was known, was a group of highly trained suffragettes, armed with clubs that protected Pankhurst.

Of course, much of their fighting experience was based on suffragette Jiu-Jitsu. “The Bodyguard” had around 30 women that acted as Pankhurst’s personal guard. During several instances, they protected Pankhurst by a combination of fighting skills and cunning. There’s one example where the police thought they had Emmeline, after a huge speech, just to find out they got a decoy instead.

In 1914, in Glasgow, Scotland, the infamous “Battle Of Glasgow” took place at St. Andrew’s Hall. Pankhurst held a speech and “The Bodyguard” kept watch. Not long after Emmeline emerged on stage, the police went after her. Suffragettes jumped into action, and a several minute clash happened on stage. The fight involved 30 suffragettes and double the number of policemen. Despite their training and the clubs they carried, the suffragettes lost the brawl.

Despite the loss, Garrud and her suffragettes kept grappling and fighting for the cause, until a global problem in the shape of World War 1 turned everyone’s attention.

Conclusion

Suffragette Jiu-JItsu is just another great example of the effectiveness of Jiu-Jitsu throughout history. As we all know, the right to vote is now undisputed for members of both sexes. Still, every era brings about new challenges, both for men and women. Self-defense is as much a necessity now, as it was during Edwardian Scotland. Today, Brazilan Jiu-JItsu offers both self-defense, and self-confidence, for all modern-day suffragettes and ladies in general that like to be as strong as Pankhurst and Garrud!

Jiu-Jitsu For Women – Dealing With Common Training Issues

The Soul Crusher: A Brutal BJJ Move by Kurt Osiander

BJJ World

The Soul Crusher BJJ Move From Side Control By Kurt Osiander

Kurt Osiander is back, everyone, and he is more brutal than ever! Keeping it up might even land him in front of his former teacher Ralph Gracie in terms of brutal moves used. While Ralph’s off the mat behavior seems to be what people recognize him by these days, Kurt keeps on discovering new ways to torture people on the mats. Not that we’d expect anything different from him. This time, Jiu-Jitsu’s favorite rebel provides us with a unique BJJ move that’ll have opponents begging for mercy! Ladies and grapple men, in true Kurt Oisander fashion, we f$&*#@g present the Soul Crusher!

As we all know, Kurt is not one to sugar coat things. This is particularly the reason why he is one of the most entertaining personalities in the sport of Jiu-Jitsu. So much so, in fact, that people usually reference him whenever they come across a particularly brutal BJJ move. Do not get me wrong, Kurt is as legitimate a black belt as they come! He is highly technical and has vast grappling experience. He is, however, one that thrives on cooking people in torturous positions, something that’s no doubt been instilled in him during his years of training under Ralph Gracie. The soul crusher is one such move that will have people screaming underneath you. It has it all – pressure, pin, submission options, transitions, as well as both Gi and No-Gi applications.

BJJ Brutality Embodied – Kurt Osiander

Kurt Osiander is an American grappler who holds the rank of second grad black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He has been training grappling for the past 15 years and is a black belt under Carlos Gracie Jr. Up until recently, Kurt was the main coach at Ralph’s academy, but their amicable relationship ended with Kurt getting fired after decades of faithful service. Currently, he has his own academy in San Francisco, along with a huge online presence.

Kurt is known to the grappling community as one of the most brutal people to roll and train with. He has a no-nonsense approach to Jiu-Jitsu, that’s all about tortuous effectiveness. In fact, seeing Kurt training without profanity and loud heavy metal blasting is probably unheard of in all his years as a black belt. And we wouldn’t have it any other way!

Kurt is known as a fierce competitor, having competed at all belt levels. He kept fighting well up until his 40es, which is not strange as he got his balk belt at 37. That was about 16 years ago. He is a 6 time Pan American Champion, and Us Open and Grappling Quest winner, among other accomplishments. He is also the evil mastermind behind some of the most painful BJJ moves ever invented! In fact, one of those moves is exactly what we’ll be looking into today.

Check out Kurt’s “Fundamentals Of A Jiu-Jitsu Renegade” DVD set. It is one of a kind BJJ instructional that’ll teach you the essential basics of BJJ in a Kurt Osiander way! Across four packed volumes you can expect to learn brutal guard passes, slick escapes, great sweeps and much much more!

The Soul Crusher BJJ Move

The soul crusher is a BJJ move that you se up from side control. It is something in between a pin, a pressure position, and a submission. Actually, it is all three at once and can lead to each of them separately with only slight adjustments. A true Kurt Osiander classic.

Now, before we get into it, you need to know that this move requires some previous grappling knowledge. You need to be comfortable at switching side control sides and transitioning into and out of North-South. That said, this BJJ move will all but guarantee nobody ever escapes your sie control again.

The Soul Crusher, which is basically a side control straight jacket, starts with one arm over the opponent’s head, and the other on their hips near you. From there, you need to be comfortable applying pressure and moving to either side. In this instance, you’ll head to North-South. The goal here is to trap both arms with your elbows in the opponent’s armpits. You then proceed to isolate one arm by pulling it towards your body and eventually go into side control on the opposite side than the one you started from. The whole way you use your ribs to keep your opponent under pressure.

Once you settle into side control again, you end up with the opponent’s far side arm across their chest and under your control. Use a triceps grip to keep their other arm in place. Now, the opponent can’t move in either direction. Make sure you introduce forward pressure and start “cooking” your opponent. Welcome to the Soul Crusher!

How To Use The Soul Crusher

Now that you’re all set up in the Soul Crusher BJJ move, what’s your next step? Well, you have several. Let’s assume that you want to keep being brutal and want to submit your opponent in the most Kurt Osiander way possible. Then, you head to the paper cutter choke. All it takes is to release the triceps grip and grab the back of the collar instead. Now, you do the ultimate BJJ mind trick-let your opponent get their trapped arm out. As they sigh in relief, grab the lapel with your top arm and sink in one of the deepest lapel chokes in existence!

Another option to be particularly brutal is to take the paper cutter choke to the very next level. Instead of using your forearm to apply pressure, this time you’ll use your knee to press on the opponent’s carotid artery on one side. The first part is the same, release the triceps and grab the back of the collar. As you release their arm, this time use your top arm to wrap their head around. Grab the back of the collar with it as well, pick your butt up and place one knee directly on their carotid. Straighten your arms and press down with all your weight!

The final option is a catch-wrestling move that’ll have people genuinely afraid of you. Namely, you’ll stay in the Soul Crusher and look to get the arm under the head as deep as possible, For this, you might want to switch your legs to Kesa Gatame for a bit. In order to sink in a choke, get your hips close to the opponent’s and establish a figure four grip with your arms. To finish, simply hug and sprawl!

Conclusion

Well, there you have it, a BJJ move straight out of Kurt’s brutality bag! The Soul Crusher will improve your side control, will make your pressure game much more precise and it’ll open up different avenues of attack! Remember that you’re not limited to the submission options above, and you should experiment with neck cranks, armbars, leglocks and everything else you can think of! Now, as Kurt Osiander would put it, “shut up and train”!

The Paper Cutter Choke in BJJ For Gi And No-Gi

A Few Very Nasty Submissions From Side Control

5 Alternative Submissions From The BJJ Triangle Position

How Learning Jiu-Jitsu Prepared An Astronaut For Space

BJJ World

UAE Astronauts Learning Jiu-Jitsu To Prepare For Space travel

Learning Jiu-Jitsu is no longer just something that people do purely as a sport. As BJJ becomes a global phenomenon, more and more people turn towards it for different reasons. Some require exercise, others need to learn how to defend themselves. Some even look to Jiu-Jitsu as a means of mental health improvement. There are, of course, the professional MMA fighters who train to get a different dimension of attacks. Furthermore, a lot of celebrities, be it singers or Holywood actors, turn to the Gentle Art for professional or personal goals. A clear indictment that BJJ transcends all borders is the latest information about astronauts using grappling to get ready for space! Talk about versatility!

In the latest couple of years, it’s becoming more and more usual to see famous people involved in BJJ. From stand up comedians like Russel Brand, through Holywood legends like Keanu Reeves to pop superstars like Demi Lovato, nobody is immune to the draw of Jiu-Jitsu. However, apart from doing it for fun, you could also do it for a purpose. It seems that learning Jiu-Jitsu is a great way to get you ready for anything, including a trip to space. Yeah, it seems astronauts are taking up BJJ to get into shape for the huge physical demands of space travel. Sultan Al Neyadi is a pioneer in both space travel for his country, and in choosing BJJ as his method of preparation. Here’s his story.

Who Is Sultan Al Neyadi?

Sultan Al Neyadi is one of the two UAE astronauts that are about to embark on the life-changing journey to the International Space Station. Along with his countryman Hazza Al Mansoori, they’re the UAE’s first two astronauts. AS such, they’re true idols for many younger generations of potential astronauts in the UAE. And both of them are not afraid to pursue what they believe in.

Al Neyadi holds a bachelor, a master, and a Ph.D. in information technology is “over the moon” about the opportunity. He always dreamt about going to space but didn’t get a chance to really think it possible until 2017. A visit to the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre opened up a real opportunity. Al Neyadi (37) applied for the space programme and emerged as one of the two very first UAE astronauts. Now, he is looking forward to going in space aboard a Russian Soyuz rocket. As Neyadi says “space is a tricky” business, but he is more than ready to cope with what’s in front of him.

Both astronauts are in line for a trip to the International Space Station, although only one will get the chance to visit as soon as September of this year. Can learning Jiu-Jitsu be the one defining moment that decides who gets to go to the stars?

Learning Jiu-Jitsu

Preparing for space doesn’t just mean getting used to a diet of beef tongue and jelly. It means preparing physically to the very maximum of their abilities. As such, astronauts have to go through rigorous physical training. Some aspects of it are mandatory, while others are left to astronauts themselves. In that regard, Al Neyadi decided that learning Jiu-Jitsu is the best route to take. We couldn’t agree more.

In preparation for flight, astronauts have to undergo training to learn how to cope with the pressure of gravity they’ll experience. The closest astronauts can get to the G’s they’ll experience is via a centrifuge. This is a machine that spins astronauts so they get to experience a weight up to 8-9 times their body weight. Kind of sounds like being caught in knee on belly, right?

The choice of Jiu-Jitsu as a method to prepare for the ISS is a really great one by Al Neyadi. First of all, he gets a lot of physical work done. Next, he gets to deal with pressure and learns how to breathe even in the most uncomfortable of positions. Then, there’s problem-solving under extreme stress, which, as we know, is key in BJJ. All in all, it seems that BJJ fits the bill perfectly for yet another non-grappling related activity. Let’s hope Al Neyadi gets the nod sooner rather than later!

BJJ In The UAE

UAE is seriously giving Brazil a run for the “BJJ is our national sport” mantle. Seriously, people in the Emirates, with Sheiks in the lead are all crazy about Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. That’s doesn’t seem that strange, as the Olympics of BJJ are named ADCC which means Abu Dhabi Combat Clube. That notwithstanding, the UAE also has one of the top organizations for BJJ tournaments ever, aking the IBJJF in their UAEJJF. When compared, as similar as they are, there’s definitely an advantage to competing under the UAEJJF banner for both amateur and pro grapplers alike.

BJJ is such a huge part of the Emirates that it is an official government project! Abu Dhabi is one of the capitals of Jiu-Jitsu in the world, hosting some of the biggest events. In fact, they have Jiu-Jitsu as part of the curriculum in over 100 schools and there are even billboards advertising BJJ. As we can see, learning Jiu-Jitsu is now also a part of their space program, thanks to the innovative approach of pioneer astronaut Al Neyadi.

As such,m the only “flaw” BJJ in the UAE has so far, is that there are no mixed gender classes, due to the national policies. However, women and men do have the same options to train, albeit in gender-specific groups.

Summary

That Brazilian Jiu-JItsu is versatile and applicable to all aspects of daily life, we knew. However, the fact that someone can use it successfully to get ready for the demands of going into space is a new concept altogether. It is a fascinating application of Jiu-JItsu and one that’ll have the whole worldwide community behind Al Neyadi. We certainly hope his grappling efforts contribute to him getting the title of first ever UAE astronaut into space! Godspeed!

Jiu-Jitsu Therapy: Grappling Our Way Towards Better Mental Health

BJJ World

Jiu-Jitsu Therapy To Fight Mental Health Issues

You can call it jiu-jitsu therapy, a grappling escape, mat therapy, submission snuggling or whatever you want. The fact is, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training is going to make you feel better about yourself. And it is not just a short term fix. Namely, in a world where mental health issues are a real problem, having a way to emerge victorious by doing something you truly enjoy is somewhat of an unbelievable task. Well, you can believe in BJJ, and in the power, it holds to help you overcome everything, but most importantly, your own self.

Mental health awareness is becoming more and more of a big thing nowadays. It is not that mental health issues have never been around. It is, however, the fact that the percentage of people suffering from them is at a staggering high. Luckily, we are getting more and more aware that the modern lifestyle is impacting our minds in a very unforgiving manner. In that sense, going to therapy is no longer (or shouldn’t be, at least) a stigma. Apart from regular therapy, you now have options to do meditation, dancing or art as therapy, psychodrama and a bunch of other therapeutic activities. Or, you could opt for Jiu-Jitsu therapy. And when I say Jiu-Jitsu therapy I do not refer only to the short-term endorphin fix you’re getting after every training.

Modern LIfestyle And Mental Health

Modern lifestyle is hard, even for the best of us. The levels of stress that people have to endure on a daily basis, for example, are unreal. In most cases, people are not even comprehensive about how much stress they’re actually enduring. The effects of it, however, are more than apparent. In some, they tend to be as obvious as physical manifestations that merit a doctor’s visit. However, they can be much more subtle, and potentially, much more devastating when they affect our mental health. And the effects of stress on our minds are much more common than those on our bodies.

But that’s not even scratching the surface. Ailments like depression, anxiety, panic attacks, PTSD, ADHD (particularly in kids) etc are pretty much running rampant throughout society. Although we can’t claim that they’re all due to stress, there’s certainly a correlation. All of the above are just the tip of the iceberg.

The pressure we feel nowadays, whether it is personal, professional or both is another major contributor to mental problems. We often end up amassing such an emotional build up that it has to come out somehow. And mental issues like those above are very often the only outlets. As I am not a mental health professional, I will not dare dwell deeper into the mental illnesses that plague our society. I’d much rather look more into Jiu-Jitsu therapy as a viable solution.

It’s worth noting that our physical state also plays a huge role in our mental health status. How we perceive ourselves is crucial to staying positive and content. Being overweight, tired, eating badly etc all have consequences on our minds.

The Psychology Of Jiu-Jitsu

As a martial art, BJJ has a very deep psychological side on top of the vast physical one. We all know how addictive BJJ can be, and it turns out, it can have a profoundly positive effect. For example, the way we spar in Jiu-Jitsu is often referred to as rolling. In essence, it is playfighting on the ground, something that we’re hardwired for. Most mammals engage in playful fighting, which allows us to have meaningful physical contact with others while staying active and engaged.

Speaking of engagement, BJJ offers a huge benefit in the form of neural activation. Let’s use a practical example. When you’re going home from work or school, do you always drive/walk./bike along the same route? Well, if you do, then you’re not engaging your mind. Choosing a different route every time means you’re building new pathways in your brain and engaging neurons. However, there are only so many paths you can take as per our example before you run out. In BJJ, you never run out of different pathways, even if it is the same move or sequence every time.

Another huge thing Jiu-Jitsu therapy offers is the perception of comfort. Being uncomfortable in life is hard and prolonged exposure can lead to panic attacks, anxiety and a host of mental health issues. Well, you won’t find another way to learn how to become comfortable in utter discomfort, while staying completely safe, as you do in BJJ.

There are many other aspects to the psychological side of Brazilian JIu-Jitsu. Important ones include the ability to focus on one present task and clear your mind of the everyday clutter. There’s also the massive confidence boost training martial arts bring, as well as the opportunity to express your individuality in an unhindered manner.

Jiu-Jitsu Therapy For The Win

Let’s look into therapeutical aspects of training Jiu-Jitsu. We’ll start it off with a real-life example. In Hamilton, Canada firefighters decided to swap the usual “going to a bar” routine with Jiu-Jitsu therapy. They enrolled in a Judo And BJJ class to help them cope with stress and give them an emotional outlet. This came after a period of prolonged exposure to extreme stress at the workplace. Suffice to say, it worked.

With Jiu-Jitsu, one main thing that people get is routine. Going back to something over and over again to experience positive benefits in return is highly rewarding. When that something gives you the chance to blow your aggression, become a part of a community, be as much psychologically active as you are physically, then you can rest assured that your mind will be as healthy as your body.

Speaking of which, it is precisely this unique mind-body connection that is behind the secret of Jiu-Jitsu as a therapeutic modality. First of all, you take part in the primal practice of playfighting for dominance. Our bodies get to work in ways in which modern humans have completely forgotten. On top of it all, we’re in a safe environment, where nobody is looking to strike, hit or injure you in any way. Moreover, at all times, your mind needs to be engaged and active. You need to focus on every little detail and use your powers of deduction to try and be one step ahead of your partner. It is the perfect way to reintroduce your body to your mind.

No two BJJ rolls are ever the same, which keeps things flowing and removes. This leads to constant self-improvement which is not only addictive but helps you resolve a lot of mental health issues you might be facing.

Conclusion

Be certain to always talk to a professional whenever you feel your mental health deteriorating. Whenever you’re not unsure whether you’re’ in trouble you should make it a point to go and talk to a mental health professional. However, “conventional” psychotherapy methods and even stuff like dancing and psychodrama are not your only option. Instead, consider combining them with Jiu-Jitsu therapy for a profound positive effect.

Remember that training Jiu-Jitsu doesn’t have to be a scary experience. IF you’re not into large crowds or working with a bunch of people at first, you can always go for privates. Also, remember that competition is also not a requirement for training BJJ, so do not use it as an excuse. All in all, you need a positive habit in your life and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu ticks all the boxes!

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