BJJ Self Defense – How To Keep Yourself And Your Loved Ones Safe

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BJJ World
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BJJ Self Defense - How To Keep Yourself And Your Loved Ones Safe

Do you feel confident that you’re able to effectively defend yourself with BJJ? Does training Jiu-Jitsu mean that you can use it for self-defense in a violent, real-life altercation? The art certainly provides the means and methods to do so. As complex as it is BJJ can be simple enough to provide one with decent self-defense capabilities in a short time. It is the method of training and the school’s philosophy that dictate the students’ ability to successfully defend themselves, should the need arise. In that sense, is sports training enough for a BJJ self-defense scenario?

For starters, it is beyond doubt that BJJ posses the techniques to defend yourself and your loved ones in a violent scenario. Actually, the arts very roots are in self-defense. In the old days, the Gracies challenged everyone and anyone to Vale Tudo fight. The point was to prove that BJJ reigns supreme over all other martial arts. So, if Jiu-Jitsu tops every martial art than it should be easy to use it against untrained opponents. Well, things are not quite that easy.

BJJ Self Defense Training

First and foremost, let’s tackle the elephant in the room – BJJ works! BJJ self-defense is very applicable in the real world for every category of people. The only trick is to train specifically for it. The sports aspect of the art has taken over it so much, that self-defense is often put in the background. It is not that most of the techniques that are regularly practiced do not work. It is the mindset that needs to be trained. Although the techniques are the same, the BJJ sports and BJJ self-defense mindsets are very different.

BJJ has a unique opportunity to allow people to train live. By that, I mean that sparring is done in a controlled fashion that is as close to a real fight as possible, Now, technically, whether it is a BJJ or MMA fight or a real one, the technical aspect remains the same. However, in a real fight, there are no points, no tapping, and no referee to protect you. That said, the techniques you know will work – it is your mind that needs to be in sync with the situation. This is why self-defense training has to be a part of every academy’s curriculum.

On a different not, BJJ is highly reliable in a self-defense scenario thanks to the nature of the art. While striking is often an uncertain endeavor, despite experience and knowledge, joint locks and chokes are better. They offer a high percentage of success while minimizing the risk thanks to distance management. According to John Machado “The majority of the self-defense moves involving pain compliance function by crushing a muscle or extending a joint in an uncomfortable direction”. You just need to be sure you know what you want to do and to what extent.

How Efficient Is BJJ In The Modern World?

Japanese Jiu-Jitsu was designed to help the Samurai defeat armored adversaries in hand to hand combat. Manipulation of joints and grappling moves proved much more effective than striking. That aspect of the original Jiu-Jitsu successfully transferred to BJJ as well. Even today, traditional Jiu-Jitsu and Judo are mandatory for Japanese law enforcement personnel. There is no reason why such professions would take up an ineffective system.

For the everyday person that is not a law enforcement professional, BJJ offers a high degree of reliability and confidence. For one, most of the unknown are removed due to distance management. Clinching and takedowns are a big part of the art and present excellent means of staying safe and in control. They also provide a route to the ground, where even greater control awaits. This is precisely the one aspect of BJJ self-defense that gives it supremacy over other arts. The ability to control someone on the ground, where most fights end up anyway, is paramount in the outcome of an altercation.

From a legal standpoint, controlling someone until the subdue or authorities arrive is the safest manner to end a fight. Even in extreme cases, a choke is way more reliable than a one-punch-knock-out. And it won’t get you in legal trouble as well since you can completely neutralize an opponent without any visible injuries. Should you choose to inflict an injury, though, devastating joint locks are always there for the taking.

Navy SEAL veteran Willink recommends BJJ as the best self-defense alternative next to having a gun on you. Renowned black belt coach Firas Zahabi did an experiment regarding the effectiveness of Jiu-Jitsu. Here is the outcome:

Confidence For The Finer Half

A very important aspect of BJJ is its applicability for women. In terms of staying safe, there is nothing better for the finer half than BJJ. BJJ self-defense offers women the opportunity to effectively deal with bigger, stronger opponents from disadvantageous positions.

The first very important aspect is the mechanical advantage that BJJ gives the smaller person. In the case of male on female attacks, this is often the case. In such scenarios, BJJ is the best way to equalize the odds. Actually, with the correct training approach, it shifts the odds into the women’s favor most of the time. Movement and leverage are emphasized in BJJ over strength, which is exactly the advantage that women need in an emergency scenario.

Secondly, BJJ revolves around the opportunities to attack from the back. The BJJ guard is a position-specific only to BJJ. Being able to not only defend, but a counter-attack from the back is an unexpected variable for attackers. BJJ is so effective off the back, that it can help even against trained assailants. Since a lot of the attacks on women often end up with them on their backs, BJJ is by far the one best option to provide the finer half with means to successfully get out of an attack unharmed.

Last but not least, constant live training and rolling give women the sense of a real-world scenario. It is one thing to drill moves in a controlled environment and another to be able to use them under stress. Rolling in BJJ is as close to real as it gets, teaching women to be comfortable in close proximity and uncomfortable positions with men. The constant repetition of such exercises results in a calmness of mind that is essential in real-world scenarios.

Empowering Children

Speaking of those closest to us, having a child capable of defense is as important to parents as it is for the children themselves. In reality, children rarely find themselves in situations where they need to defend against full grown adults. Even so, if such an occasion arises, the advantage they have from BJJ tops any other means of self-defense available.

However, in the modern world, children are more often the target of other kids their age or slightly older. Bullying is a major occurrence in today’s society and can have devastating effects on children that are on the receiving end. BJJ self-defense offers kids both verbal and physical options to prevent bullying and diffuse difficult situations. There’s nothing more important than the safety and well being of children and BJJ can help both them and their parents sleep better at night.

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Innovative Aikido Master and His Anti-Takedown System

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BJJ World
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Innovative Aikido Master and His Anti-Takedown System

It seems like everything is easy when you’re aikidoka! And it seems like Aikido has an answer for all grappling martial arts.

There’s a lot of movies with Aikido, but are these techniques really useful?

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Background Checks for Every BJJ Student

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BJJ World
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Background Checks for Every BJJ Student

Rener and Ryron made a great video about sex predators in BJJ schools. Here is what they said about it:

There was a lot of talks lately about Jiu-Jitsu schools that are being owned and operated by individuals who have a history of sexual assault.

Rener said that they, Gracie Academy Jiu-Jitsu, conduct background check on all of their instructors to ensure that they are not certifying anyone who has a history of sexual assault! Rener also mentioned that Gracie Academy is doing it for the last 10 years.

There’s also no reason why the level of investigation should only be restricted to instructors in BJJ Schools. We decided to do a background check on every single existing and future student in our academy. We want to make sure that people with sexual misconduct in pas are not among our other students.

As much as we believe that Jiu Jitsu is the place of healing and bringing the best out of people it’s not worth it to have sexual 2, five, 10 people that had a history of sexual assault.

My Children are here, my friends, my friends’ children, their families. People come here because they trust in this place and we’re going to protect that at all cost.

We have to check and make sure that all students don’t have a history of sexual assault. And if they do have they won’t be invited to train in this school.

We strongly encourage other schools too, to do the same thing. Because, how would you feel if you bring your child to train knowing that school has sex offenders? So this is something that is very important.

Check the rest of Rener and Ryron words on this matter in a video below:

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The Difference Between Japanese (traditional) Jiu-Jitsu And BJJ

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BJJ World
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The Difference Between Japanese Jiu-Jitsu And BJJ

We all know that Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a result of Japanese grappling martial arts. In particular, it was Judo that inspired the Gracie family to create and perfect Jiu-JItsu. However, the traditional elements of Judo mean that the art behind BJJ still exists to this day. Not only that, but the original grappling art, the one behind all grappling martial art styles is still in the picture as well. We’re talking, of course, about Japanese Jiu-Jitsu.

Japanese Jiu-Jitsu is the mother of all grappling arts. It is as simple as that. Originally, it started off as a lethal system to keep the samurai alive in unarmed combat. Today, Japanese Jiu-Jitsu, in most gyms, is in a traditional form of martial arts practice. Although one different from the military version. This traditional style of Jiu-Jitsu is again in the public’s focus, thanks to the explosive spread of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. However, the two arts are quite different in some key structural points. Let’s take a look at the main differences between the two.

Japanese Jiu-Jitsu Origins

The precise origins of Japanese Jiu-Jitsu are quite unclear. Speculation points to the Buddhist monks in India, as the first to develop the art centuries ago. What’s known is that it was used as a survival tool for the Japanese Samurai and Ninja warriors. The idea was that in unarmed combat, striking would be completely ineffective because of the warriors’ armor. In such cases, grappling methods that involved throws and joint locks proved to be a superior method of combat.

Japanese Jiu-Jitsu has come a long way from its original military form. The traditional values of the art have survived as the knowledge of the art was passed from generation to generation. As time went by, the art developed into a more sport-friendly format, despite it being the art of choice for military and law-enforcement personnel to this day.

A major change in traditional Japanese Jiu-Jitsu was the introduction of Randori or free sparring. It took the creation of Judo by Dr. Jigoro Kano to introduce this change in the art. As such, Judo later pulled apart from Jiu-Jitsu as a separate grappling martial art. Judo, though, specializes mostly in the throws department, while traditional Jiu-Jitsu is still a very diverse martial art with plenty of elements.

Japanese Jiu-Jitsu

Essentials Of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a third generation offspring of Japanese Jiu-Jitsu. It came into existence thanks to the influence of Judo. Mitsuyo Maeda was the person responsible for introducing Carlos Gracie Sr. to the art of Judo. Both Carlos Gracie and his brother, Helio were, not the most impressive physical specimens. This was particularly the case of Helio Gracie, who was frail and weak, to begin with. This prompted the Brazilian to focus on the ground aspects of fighting, thus reverting back to the Japanese Jiu-Jitsu roots of Judo.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Today

Today, BJJ is by far the most prevalent grappling art in the world. It was the base for the inception and rise of MMA after Royce Gracie destroyed everyone. Since then, even BJJ itself has evolved substantially from the original version created by the Gracies. So, you could even say that MMA is the result of Japanese Jiu-Jitsu as well, thanks to the influence of Judo and BJJ.

Opposed to Judo, which went the way of throws and sweeps, BJJ’s area of specialization is the ground. Reverting to many of the most basic traditional Jiu-Jitsu principles of control, BJJ is built around a system of dominant pinning positions. The ultimate goal of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is to finish an opponent via a choke or joint-lock, which can be traced back to the original days of Japanese Jiu-Jitsu.

Another important aspect is the culture that gave birth to the art. Brazilians are less traditional and more relaxed than the Japanese. This is reflected in the art where training and communication is a lot less formal than Judo or Jiu-Jitsu.

What’s Different Between Japanese Jiu-Jitsu and BJJ?

Now that we know the history of the grappling martial arts of the Jiu-Jitsu line, let’s take a look at how they differ in modern times. Both BJJ and Japanese Jiu-Jitsu are today competitive sports, ranging across different disciplines.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

To begin with, modern BJJ is a much more sports-oriented martial art. Not to take anything from its effectiveness, but the sports aspect has taken away most of the self-defense aspects of the art. Today, BJJ’s focus is in a sports direction, with points and rules guiding the choice of techniques.

Furthermore, BJJ specializes almost exclusively in the ground fighting aspect of grappling. On the ground, it offers complete control over an untrained opponent, regardless of size. Actually, it is more geared towards giving smaller people the upper hand over bigger opponents. The fact that the fight takes place on the ground means that there is less left to chance. Whnenonn the ground, control is easier to obtain and is much more stable. On the negative side of things, BJJ takes more time to elicit complete control over someone. Many people think that in a self-defense context, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is useless against multiple opponents, especially armed ones. But, to prove that BJJ makes sense in those types of situations here is an article explaining it.

Japanese Jiu-Jitsu vs BJJ

Japanese Jiu-Jitsu

Today’s Japanese Jiu-Jitsu still has a lot of the traditional elements held in high regard. It is much stricter discipline-wise. However, it does incorporate many different disciplines from striking to practicing throws and locks that are considered dangerous. It is faster in terms of defeating an opponent and is more self-defense oriented. Nonetheless, it is not as effective against a stronger, bigger opponent in a real situation.

To wrap it up, BJJ is undisputed in the ground aspect of fighting. Japanese Jiu-Jitsu, on the other hand, offers more diverse knowledge that is not as in-depth and details as that of BJJ.

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Mahatma Gandhi’s Philosophical Relationship With Jiu Jitsu

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BJJ World
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Jiu Jitsu India

Jiu Jitsu history is one of violence and brutality. Not the history of modern Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, but that of the root Japanese art. Originally, Jiu Jitsu was developed as a means of unarmed combat on the battlefield. The ancient samurai used it for close quarters combat when weapons were not available. What’s today known as “The Gentle Art” was once a lethal system that kept warriors alive on the battlefields.

It is no wonder that  Jiu Jitsu gained popularity thanks to one particular war. In the early 20th century, the Russian and Japanese Empires engaged in a war over territory. This proved to be a great platform for the popularization of a Japanese martial art that proved very useful. As with most wars, sometimes good things come out of all the death and violence. Who knows if Jiu Jitsu would’ve spread as it did if it weren’t for the Russo-Japanese war.

Wartime Jiu Jitsu

Jiu Jitsu was already out of Japan when the Empire’s conflict with Russia began. Victorian England was no stranger to the gentle art, albeit in a modified manner. A certain Edward Barton-Wright was responsible for introducing Jiu Jitsu to English culture. The art somewhat morphed into a version dubbed ‘Bartitsu”, common among entertainers and pro wrestlers.  There’s even a reference to it in one of the Sherlock Holmes novels. If you don’t believe me, check “The Empty House” out.

The reason behind the Russo-Japanese conflict was rivalry over the territories of  Manchuria and Korea. Japan got on top of the conflict and emerged as victorious. It was this victory that brought Jiu Jitsu to attention. It got so popular that even renowned newspapers such as “The Evening Times” reported on it. One such piece comments that “the Japanese soldiers used the principles of Jiu-Jitsu to overcome the enemy.” And, after Hashimoto Yorimitsu’s paper “Soft Power of the Soft Art: Jiu-jitsu in the British Empire of the Eary 20th Century,” Jiu-Jitsu hit the peak of popularity.

Bartitsu Jiu Jitsu

The Gentle Art started appearing in the news, whether it was in serious connotation or in cartoon form. Even the British army, not particularly known for their physical feats, decided to give it try.

The British popularity meant that the system spread to India as well. There, the art was so glorified that it was even taught at universities. Most of the country’s prominent figures believed that it strengthened both the mind and the body. Even one of history’s most nonviolent celebrities had nothing but praise for the Gentle Art.

Gandhi ‘s Political Jiu Jitsu

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was an Indian activist and leader of the rebellion against the British dominance in India. His method of choice was nonviolent civil disobedience. HIs philosophy, however, was one of strict peace and no physical violence of any kind.

Despite his pacifistic tendencies, even the great Gandhi was intrigued by Jiu Jitsu and referred to it in one of his philosophical pieces. In it, he heaps praise on the Japanese warriors and explains how they influenced the Englishmen. He calls upon the fact that the British were highly impressed by the Japenese in their war efforts. Namely, Gandhi states that even the well set and tall Russians were no match for the small Japanese warriors.  What the British learned was that Europeans were far behind the Easterners in terms of physical culture. The tiny Japanese had an in-depth understanding of the way bones and joints worked. That allowed them to successfully manipulate and control the bodies of their enemies. Gandhi credits the Japanese with perfecting it to a science.

This fascination of Gandhi’s with Jiu Jitsu brought about the integration of its principles in his philosophies. His cerebral approach to things meant that he favored mental, or political Jiu Jitsu over the physical. In his battle against British colonialism, Gandhi political Jiu Jitsu exposed the violent repression of the opposition in the worst possible way.

On the other hand, his interest in the physical aspects of the art he remained ambivalent and passive. After all, he did not condone any martial art, no matter how “gentle” it was.

Bartitsu Jiu JItsu

Gandhi’s fears

What Mahatma Gandhi feared in terms of Jiu Jitsu was that its efficacy would eventually render it ineffective. As he states, the problem will be to finding something else after the whole world learns the Gentle Art. Furthermore, this would lead to an endless process of discovery and mastery all over again.

Lucky for us, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu proved him wrong, providing an ever-evolving platform that no one person can master in a lifetime.

Keep Rollin’! 

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9 Jiu-Jitsu Things Non-Grappling Folks Need To Understand About Us

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BJJ World
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Jiu-Jitsu Facts

It’s been said many times, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is not just a sport, it is a complete lifestyle. Most people that start BJJ get really addicted to it. From everyday BJJ apparel to pure joy at meeting another addicted soul at an unexpected place, BJJ simply takes over our lives. As interesting as it can be for us to lead the lifestyle, it is often annoying to people around us. In truth, strangers usually do not suffer much, since Jiu-Jitsu folks aren’t as obsessive as vegans or Crossfiter. But the people around us, whether they are spouses or friends, it can be downright irritating. Unless we make them understand us.

To begin with, we have to be the first to understand that not all people like BJJ. Sounds crazy, I know, but some like to take photos or grow flowers instead. Now, with that out of the way, let’s look at a few aspects of Jiu-Jitsu life and how to make people around us understand it better. It is not going to be easy, but then again, neither is Jiu-Jitsu!

Jiu-Jitsu Class? What, Again?

As consuming as Jiu-Jitsu is in every walk of life, the pinnacle is actually being on the mats. Every grappler’s best part of the day is when the time for class rolls up. Most people eagerly await the time to put on their Gi or Rashguard and start training. And open mat is a whole different story. If we’re eager to get to class than we get to open mat half an hour early, hoping that someone opened the doors.

In order to make people understand the importance of going to class, we have to attempt to relate it to something they look forward to on a daily basis.  For most people, it is grabbing a drink after work or catching the latest episode of a show on Netflix. As wacky as it sounds, people need to relate to the feeling of joy we get from going to class. Comparing it to something they truly enjoy is the only way to do so!

Weekend Nights Out

This one is probably the hardest one to explain. This is especially true for younger guys and girls who are crazy about the Gentle Art. The social customs of today are clear – weekends are nights out and nothing is more important than having fun! Well, non-BJJ folks, for us going to practice is fun! Do not get grapplers wrong, everyone enjoys a good night out with friends, but we probably can’t make it out both Friday and Saturday night.

So, dear friends and loved ones, how about a compromise? You leave us one night of the weekend for Jiu-Jitsu and we’ll keep partying to the morning with you on the other! Sounds like a plan, right?

Jiu-Jitsu Life

Not Another GI!

This one applies specifically to spouses and/or parents, once again depending on age. Ok, spouses first. In the case of a male grappler, it is kind of easier to help the wifey understand. We like and need Gis almost as much as you like and need shoes. So, please, let us have the latest Shoyoroll! After all it is a limited edition and you can relate.

When it is the other way around it gets a little bit trickier. However, all you girls out there already know what makes your man tick.  So, relate his favorite shopping item to your Gi collection. It doesn’t matter if it is video games, sneakers or tailor-made suits. They’ll get it.

Lastly, for all you unemployed teenage BJJ enthusiasts out there, there’s a hack for convincing your parents to splash the cash. Want that latest hemp Gi? Just point out to your parents what other kids your age demand and make them understand how “mature” you are. It’s not guaranteed to work, but it is probably your best option.

Taking A Vacation

Yeah, ok, we all need a vacation, especially if we do not live by the sea. As a rule of thumb though, let’s keep vacations down to no more than a couple per year, all right? Furthermore, please try and support us if, by chance, we run into a competition at our vacationing spot. After all, Jiu-Jitsu is a global phenomenon, so there’s a great chance to find one wherever we go.

Secondly, we understand that the Gi takes up space in our bags, but come on, when are we going to get the chance to train with so and so again? They have a great academy where we booked our hotel, so we get to go at least once, right?

It is very simple, really. A one day fix of visiting an academy, or competing is enough to get us through the vacation without withdrawal symptoms. And you can look at it this way – you get a few hours for yourself at a heavenly destination.

Come On, It’s Just One Burger!

Apart from training, we take our diet very seriously, After all, it is a weight division sport. Let’s be honest we’re not such a big pain in the ass most of the time. Everyone makes an exception for a night out with friends and family. In all honesty, significant others do require extensive patience in order to cope. On a plus side, however, they do get a chance to eat healthy and do not need to cook.

On a final note, dear friends and family, please understand that a tournament costs money. We pay an entry fee, travel expenses, and accommodation. So getting DQed because of missing weight is an enormous expense without any reward. Please have this in mind during a final couple of weeks of a tournament prep. This is the time when grapplers cut weight and a burger is actually a big deal because it can derail our whole progress.

Would You Take It Easy With Laundry?

Let’s put it this way – no one likes to have another person’s smelly garments on their face. We already sweat profusely while training so keeping a clean Gi is the least we can do. Not because anything else, but because we wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end of one.

From a different standpoint, a clean Gi means good hygiene. Bad hygiene has the potential to result in bacterial or fungal contamination, or worse, an infection. These kinds of infections are transferable, meaning they can transfer to close family or roommates. So we wash the Gi for ourselves, our loved ones and our partners. It makes more sense why every day is laundry day now, doesn’t it?

Jiu-Jitsu

Free Time

This one partly relates to the weekend nights out and class frequency that we covered before. Apart from going to class, we do enjoy spending time watching instructional and/or Jiu-Jitsu matches. The average length of an EBI event is around 3 hours. Yes, we seem anti-social and often try to skip social activities in order to watch BJJ-related material. It could be worse, though. We could be hooked on weekly sports events such as football. SO it is better to spend a couple of hours twice a month than every weekend,d right?

No, I’m Not Interested In Lifting Weights

Although we do enjoy the occasional strength and conditioning session, especially while preparing for competition, we’re not gym rats. We can be friends without spending each day dedicated to a different body part, right? Because we like to get our workouts on the Jiu-Jitsu mats instead over barbells. Strength training is like homework for most BJJ people – we do it, but only when we must. After all, you do not really enjoy sweaty people crushing you, so why would you presume we enjoy “the pump”?

Aren’t You Injured?

Yup, this one is hard to understand. You might be right on this one. We probably shouldn’t train unless an injury clears up completely, but it is hard. Minor injuries are often overlooked by BJJ athletes before they inevitably become major ones. Even then, we look for all kinds of excuses to get on the mats. For example, I’m only going to do position sparring today. Or, I’m only going to do light drills and come right back home.

Let’s do another deal here. We’re going to stop complaining about everything that hurts (which is basically everything) at home. You, on the other hand, are going to let us get over our injuries on the mats. Unless they’re really serious and we’re being stupid about it. Then, you’ll need to tie us up, or even better, lock us in the basement.

To summarize, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu really is a lifestyle for us. We would love to be able to share it with you, but if you’re not into it, we understand. So, please try and understand us, because our lives would be empty without BJJ. After all, we’re in it for the long haul, so get comfortable because you’re riding with us!

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How John Danaher’s Leg Lock System Re-shaped Jiu-Jitsu

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BJJ World
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How The John Danaher Leg Lock System Re-shaped Jiu-Jitsu

Okay, so THAT Joe Rogan Experience Podcast episode finally materialized. The black belt comedian managed to get one of the most elusive and enigmatic BJJ personalities on his MMA SHow. More specifically, the 11th episode of the JRE MMA Show. 3 weeks ago the world got exposed to the captivating brilliance of Coach John Danaher. The famed Renzo Gracie black belt did not disappoint and spent about half of the show dissecting JIu-JItsu with Rogan.

Not only did Rogan manage to get John Danaher on the show, but he got him talking. Now, three weeks and multiple replays later, the dust has kind of settled. After the original awe died down a bit, it is time to analyze Danaher’s philosophy and views. It is irrefutable that his approach has changed BJJ forever, but it was (and still is) a very tightly kept secret. For die-hard John Danaher fans like myself, who closely follow the New Zealander on Instagram, there weren’t that many new things. However, the few previously undisclosed principles are pure gold. In truth, even the stuff he’s already written was well-spoken and explained in detail.

Who Is John Danaher?

John Danaher is a Renzo Gracie black belt who is originally from New Zealand. Interestingly, he started grappling at the ripe age of 28, while working as a bouncer in New York.

His original intention when he migrated to New York was to become a professor of philosophy. Correspondingly, he enrolled in Colombia University’s Philosophy Ph.D. program where he held a teaching job. In addition to teaching, he worked as a club bouncer which is how he got exposed to BJJ.  Always looking to improve in martial arts terms, he ended up at Renzo Gracie’s Academy in NYC. After demonstrating pure obsessions with the art, he became an instructor when he was a purple belt. From then on, it’s history.

John Danaher went on to develop the most effective BJJ leg lock system, along with the athletes to prove it. Curiously, it was Dean Lister that influenced Danaher’s decision to start exploring the realm of lower body limb attacks. His Danaher Death Squad reigns through heel hook terror on the No-Gi competition scene, from EBI to ADCC, leaving no doubt about the efficacy of the system.

John Danaher

John Danaher’s opinion on Reasons Why Leg Locks Were Ignored

In traditional Jiu-Jitsu, leg locks were considered a cheap move. Even the rules of the world’s largest organization, the IBJJF, outline this school of thought. Up until the white belt, only ankle locks from a very specific position are allowed. Later on, toe holds and kneebars can be introduced, but would still be considered “lesser” moves than upper body attacks.

According to John Danaher, there are two main reasons why people avoided leg locks for so long:

  1. Leg locks are too dangerous for both training and competition
  2. Leg locks have a low percentage chance of working

During the Rogan podcast, Danaher debunked both these myths without question. In terms of the “danger”, that leg locks present, Danaher’s first evidence was statistics. It is clear that most of the career-ending injuries in BJJ actually come from techniques considered safe even for white belts. It is mostly the takedown game and jumping guard that result in horrifying knee injuries. Leg locks are no more dangerous than armbars, resulting in the expected and not serious odd injury here and there.

As far as the second point goes, there’s no need to look for proof further than the Danaher Death Squad. Holding most of the EBI titles as well as ADCC titles and medals, the squad has proven that leg locks are just as, if not more, effective as the highest percentage submissions in BJJ.

To sum it up, as Danaher puts it, the two points contradict each other completely. It took Danaher to point out that if leg locks were as low a percentage as advertised, then how could they be so dangerous? Makes you smile, doesn’t it?

Main Principles Of John Danaher’s Leg Lock System

Let’s take a look at the main principles behind the system that John Danaher developed to perfection. To begin with, he doesn’t see leg locks as one-off moves, but rather as a complete system of controllable positions that end in submission. As such, he has developed his system as a hierarchy, with clear transitional paths from lower towards higher control positions.

His leg lock system (along with his other successful systems) revolves around four main principles:

  1. LEVER AND FULCRUM
  2. The principle of WEDGE (inclined plane)
  3. DIRECTIONALITY OF FORCE
  4. The principle of kuzushi (off-balancing)

In the words of John Danaher, they are force multipliers that can make the weakest man strong. As such, they lead to the one thing Danaher seems to value above anything else – control.

Control over position

In the Rogan interview, Dahaner pointed out that he prefers control over the position. That said, positional mechanics are essential for a high degree of control. In terms of utilizing the aforementioned principles, he mentioned two aspects that involve most of the four. For one, Danaher stated that for a successful leg locking game, one must aim to have both feet on the inside of the opponent’s legs. Considering that this mostly takes place during entries into leg locking positions, this is where the Kuzushi principle comes in.

In terms of controlling the position, dubbed Ashi Garami by Danaher, on the podcast he focused on control of the opposite leg. What he meant is that control over the free leg takes away the opponent’s possibility to base. All three remaining principles apply here – Lever and fulcrum to control the leg, Wedging to restrict movement, and Directionality of force to apply to break mechanics for the submission. As I said, brilliant!

Fitting Leg Locks In The Overall BJJ Philosophy

One more captivating philosophy of Danaher is his definition of Jiu-Jitsu. After grilling Rogan on his 10th Planet roots, Danaher put him in the hot seat in true professor fashion. He interrogated Rogan leading him to the answers to the main principles behind the whole art of BJJ.

Namely, what Danaher made Joe realize is that BJJ is essentially made up of four distinct steps. The first one is the standup portion of BJJ, revolving around throws and takedowns. After the fight hits the ground, getting past the opponent’s legs becomes imperative. Once the legs are out of the way, it’s time for the hierarchy approach. Namely, Danaher preaches working through pins and positions that gradually increase the control you have over someone, while at the same time, taking away their defense options. The last step of the process is applying a finishing move in the form of a submission.

When the system fails

What made most of the BJJ world facepalm is the place of leg locks in this foundational Jiu-Jitsu pattern. Danaher fits leglocks in the scenario where this traditional system fails. In accordance with the four-step method of BJJ, the top position is emphasized throughout the pattern. As such, the bottom position is seen as inferior and that is where most of the leg lock attacks start from. Originally, leg locks were seen as a way to cheat the system for those who couldn’t get through it.

Danaher, however, realized that leg locks are subject to systematization as everything else. Instead of insisting on the top position, he gave a structured dimension to the bottom position. From there, one can attack going through the leg lock hierarchy or attain the top position, in which case, the four-point system is back on.

The rashguard-loving coach definitely left the BJJ community with much to ponder!

10 Best Leg Locks DVDs and Digital Instructionals

Craig Jones – Down Under Leg Attacks

https://bjj-world.com/danaher-philosophy-jiu-jitsu/

Why Does John Danaher Always Wear a Rashguard? Mystery Solved!

 

Mario Yamasaki Breaks Silence on Controversy in Shevchenko-Cachoeira Fight

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BJJ World
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Mario Yamasaki Breaks Silence on Controversy in Shevchenko-Cachoeira Fight

Last few days Mario Yamasaki received a lot of critics on his performance on UFC Fight Night 125’s Co-main event in Belem, Brazil. He was first criticized by Dana white who called Yamasaki’s performance disgusting. And Dana’s critics was followed by many other UFC and MMA fighters.

What exactly happened is that Mario Yamasaki did not stop the fight on time. Priscila Cachoeira was getting beat by Shevchenko and, according to many, Mario Yamasaki did a very late stoppage.

Mario Yamasaki, defended his decision by saying, “MMA is a contact sport and no fighter likes his fight to be stopped with no chance to revert the result. “

If you’re interested in what happened in that fight and you want to bring your own judge whether it was a late stoppage or not check the video of Shevchenko vs Cachoeira HERE.

Today, Mario Yamasaki decided to breaks silence on this controversy and he gave a statement to MMA fighting:

“During the second round, I signaled to ‘Pedrita’ that if she didn’t move I’d stop the fight, and every time I’d stop, I told her and she moved to try to escape from the punches. Unfortunately, I also can’t control the number of blows thrown — again, when a fighter is trying to come back she’s game.

Fighters go through times of hard effort and dedication to be there. MMA is a contact sport and no fighter likes his fight to be stopped with no chance to revert the result. In my opinion, I allowed Pedrita to be a warrior and keep fighting. I could have stopped the fight in the second crucifix or in the mount, but she moved the whole time.

I also recognize that I should have stopped when she tapped the first time to the rear-naked choke. I only stopped a few seconds later.

About other people’s opinions, it’s their right to say.”

After the fight, UFC made a statement that they will work with Brazil’s athletic commission to avoid another controversial stoppage like this one in the future.

UFC executive David Shaw told reporters the promotion is upset with referee Mario Yamasaki’s performance that night indicating changing referees for future events. He said:

“We’ll be working with the commission to make sure a situation like that doesn’t happen again,” Shaw said after the FS1-televised event at Mangueirinho Gymnasium in Belem, Para, Brazil. “First and foremost, Priscila’s health is the No. 1 priority. We’ve got a team with her at the hospital, and we’ll be taking very good care of her to make sure she recovers quickly.”

How to Choose The Best BJJ Rashguards

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BJJ World
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BJJ Rashguards Guide

BJJ rashguards come in all shapes and sizes. They are an as unique part of the sport as the berimbolo is. Despite the Gi’s prevalence in the sport, modern times have seen the rise of the rashguards. In no small part, this is due to the rise of the No-Gi BJJ scene. Lately, thanks to events like EBI, Submission Underground, and others, No-Gi practitioners got a platform for professional competition. Aside from that, they got a platform for displaying all kinds of BJJ rashguards. From all black, through sponsor and club markings to as wacky full body designs as you can imagine – they’re all out there. Don’t forget to check our list of the best BJJ Rashguards available today.

However, BJJ rashguards are far more than just coll attire. Let’s be honest, BJJ is an art where innovation and experimentation are encouraged. Today, you have thousands of Gi designs to choose from, so why would rashguards be any different? In truth, rashguards have been a part of BJJ for a long time, often worn under the Gi or during rare No-Gi classes. Exceptions were certain exclusive No-Gi schools, like 10th Planet, for example, that never went the Gi way. So, it is no wonder that with the rise of No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu, BJJ rashguards with all sorts of designs came to the forefront.

BJJ Rashguards 101

The rise of MMA in the ’90s is the main culprit behind the subsequent development of No-Gi Jiu-JItsu. Namely, the always increasing popularity of MMA and the need to be legit on the ground brought about the rashguard industry. So much so, that even the IBJJF organizes No-Gi events that culminate in the No-Gi European and World championships. Not only that, but they have a strict dress-code when it comes to rash guards.

In the beginning, the person that most people associate with rashguards was undoubtedly Georges St. Pierre. He was rarely seen training without one, which prompted most aspiring MMA athletes to copy him. In terms of MMA training, rashguards turned out to be very popular during BJJ practice. Was it a question of style, an aversion to naked sweaty men or simplicity, we’ll never know. What we know for sure is that you’ll rarely see someone in No-GI class or competition without at least an upper body rashguard.

In training environments, BJJ rashguards often represent the academies where a student trains. For example. Gracie Barra students have a rashguard line to choose from, as do 10th Planet members. More often than not, competitors have a bunch of sponsors all over their rashguard and spats, not giving much thought to brand or design.

The IBJJF has, since the introduction of No-Gi, defined strict rashguard rules for competitors. First, the rashguards have to be ranked and they have to be  IBJJF approved, which does not include every brand. Ranking displays the student’s belt rank somewhere along the rashguard, often on the sleeve.

BJJ Rashguards

Types Of BJJ Rashguards

To begin with, BJJ rashguards are not the same as compression shirts. Compression shirts are usually made of 4 layers and do not support constant contact. They restrict movements due to their thickness and do not fit the body as tight as rashguards do.

A proper rashguard, on the other hand, is made up of at least 6 layers. The sleeves are quite resistant to pulling and the stitching is tough and durable. Rashguards are typically made of spandex and nylon or polyester.

Rashguards are designed for a tight fit on the body, allowing unrestricted movement. This is crucial for BJJ or MMA training. Most BJJ Gi brands also make rashguards, with Tatami, TapOut, Bad Boy, OTM and Volcan among the most popular ones. Other, more generic sports brands like Nike, Under Armour and Reebok, also have rashguard designs, although these are not BJJ-specific.

In terms of basic design, they come in long and short sleeves for both rashguards and spats (leggings). Personal preference or training/competition requirements determine the type of rashguard an athlete uses.

What To Look For In A BJJ Rashguard

When it comes to choosing a BJJ rashguard, there are a few things to take into consideration. Of course, personal preferences are crucial, but there’s more to it than just a cool animal design.

In general, rashguards are designed to remove moisture from the body. This allows an athlete to stay cool and as dry as possible. The material should be tough enough to endure constant contact and friction. In that sense, BJJ or MMA specialized brands should be your first choice. Also, it is important to look at the stitching pattern. Flatlock stitching is by far superior to others for grappling training. Make sure the rashguard has at least 6 layers, as previously mentioned. This is going to allow for maximum mobility while staying tight. So quality should be your first priority.

Secondly, it is important to gar a rashguard that fits correctly. If it is too small or too big, it won’t fit your body the way it is supposed to. This will decrease the rashguard’s efficiency in friction prevention and will likely cause performance issues. Most manufacturers have size pretty precise size charts.

Furthermore, make sure you are within the bounds of your academy’s requirements. Some academies are pretty laid back while others insist that students wear matching attire. The same goes for the competition. It would be dumb to get disqualified because you showed up in a non-regulation rashguard.

Finally, you can think about style. If you are a competitor make sure you do your research to see if the tournament(s) have rules regarding fight attire. If so, your choices might be limited, because not all brands and designs are approved for certain competitions. Given there are no such requirements, though, you’re free to get the design you like the most.

BJJ Rashguards

Benefits Of Wearing A Rashguard

So, now that composition, types, style, and things to look for are out of the way, let’s see why you actually need a rashguard. Because it is not all style and flair when it comes to BJJ rashguards.

One major benefit of wearing a rashguard during training is preventing “mat burn”, or rashes. This holds especially true for competitions. BJJ mats are sturdy surfaces that are built to last. They’re made up of foam covered in very durable vinyl that provides certain traction. Exposed areas of the skin are often subject to burn because of the texture of the mats. What better case for wearing a long-sleeved rashguard and spats?

Similarly, they protect the body against possible skin infections. In BJJ the danger of skin diseases like ringworm is never far given the availability of sources. It is not only the gym or mats that have the potential to spread diseases. It takes just one person that’s not big on hygiene to put a gym in a precarious position.

From a more BJJ-specific perspective, rashguards provide more traction allowing for better grips. The more we roll, the more sweat accumulates, making gripping extremely difficult. People start to slip out with ease after the first few minutes. A rashguard allows you to connect way better and even hold on, making escapes harder for your opponent.

Lastly, BJJ rashguards provide good compression of the muscles. There have been several studies that show that rashguards help speed up injuries thanks to compression. Think about rashguards as compression braces for the whole body. They can not only help heal an injury but prevent one from happening in the first place.

Which BJJ rashguards are your go-to when it’s time to pick yourself a new one?

Best BJJ Rash Guards In 2023 – Reviews And Guide

Why Wearing A BJJ Rashguard Under The Gi in BJJ Is Important

Why Does John Danaher Always Wear a Rashguard? Mystery Solved!

Helio Vs. Carlos Gracie – Gracie Jiu-Jitsu History And Politics

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BJJ World
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Helio Vs. Carlos Gracie - Tradition vs Sport - BJJ History And Politics

The Gracie Jiu-Jitsu history is as complicated as the founding family itself, if not more. Brothers Helio and Carlos Gracie did a lot to create and promote the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. However, the also had personal differences which slowly formed two distinctive currents in Jiu-Jitsu.

Believe it or not, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu started off as a family affair. Originally it was a couple of brothers from Brazil that got things going. As everyone who has siblings knows, competitiveness is never far away. Helio and Carlos Gracie were no different. Granted, they were only two and got along great in the beginning. But when you add in offspring that starts to act in the name of their lineage, things get messy. So, as all family affairs, Jiu-Jitsu got messy. To understand what really happened we need to turn to the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu history for some facts and some hear-say.

As a matter of fact, both brothers contributed massively to what we know today as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. So, before we dig into this complicated Gracie Jiu-Jitsu history, let’s give them the recognition they deserve. Whether you find yourself supporting one school of thought or the other, be sure to show respect for both of them. Because, without one or the other, there would be no Jiu-Jitsu as we know it.

A Family Affair: Gracie Jiu-Jitsu History

When BJJ came to be, the two main culprits behind it were Carlos Gracie Sr. and his brother, Helio. Before it got really complicated it was actually quite simple. Carlos Gracie was the one that founded BJJ. He successfully modified the Judo techniques he learned from Maeda and came up with a style of his own. His brother, Helio learned Jiu-Jitsu from Carlos himself. Back then they worked together towards the development of the art. So far, Gracie BJJ history is simple.

Gracie Bjj History and PoliticsAfter a while, Carlos took up a different role to that of a teacher. His mindset was different from Helio’s which was reflected in his work. Carlos went on to become a business-oriented visionary. He ran everything, from telling Helio what to teach to promoting the art and organizing fights. Carlos at that time was more focused on spreading Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, creating the Gracie diet etc, than teaching. Helio was the embodiment of everything Carlos did, he followed the diet, taught classes and fought. As such, Carlos was prone to change in order to spread the art as far as possible. Helio, on the other hand, was fiercely loyal to the original teachings that they had developed and continued to teach as he originally did under the tutelage of his brother. This is where the first differences appear to have begun, albeit everything was kept friendly competitive.

The 12 Commandments Of Carlos Gracie

Carlos Gracie was arguably the most important person in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu History. The firstborn son of Gestao Gracie, Carlos was a small but lively kid. His relentless energy resulted in Gestao introducing young Carlos Gracie to Mitsuo Maeda. the rest, as they say, is history.

Maeda quickly grew fond of the young Carlos Gracie and dedicated a lot of time to his student. Carlos spent three years under the tutelage of Maeda, before moving to another town. Later in life, Carlos Gracie met up with an old friend from the Maeda school and slowly started working towards the creation of Jiu-Jitsu. Before handing teaching duties off to his younger brother Helio Gracie, Carlos came up with the 12 commandments of Jiu-Jitsu that still hold true to this day:

1. To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
2. Speak to every one of happiness, health, and prosperity.
3. Give all your friends the feeling that they are valuable.
4. Always look at events from a positive point of view, and turn positivity into a reality in life.
5. Think always in the best, work solely for the best and expect always the best.
6. Always be as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.
7. Forget about past mistakes and concentrate your energies on the victories ahead.
8. Always keep your fellow men joyful and have a pleasant attitude to all that address you.
9. Spend all the time you need in perfecting yourself but leave no time to criticise the others.
10. Become too big to feel unrest, too noble to feel anger, too strong to feel fear and too happy to tumble in adversity.
11. Always have a positive opinion about yourself and tell it to the world, not through words of vanity but through benevolence.
12. Have the strong belief that the world is beside you if you keep true to what is best within you.

Helio Gracie Vs. Carlos Gracie

To sum Gracie Jiu-Jitsu history, Carlos Gracie represents the sports side of Jiu-Jitsu, while Helio represents the self-defense side. The latter is the traditional side of the art. Now, in the beginning, it all worked quite well, despite these differences.

It must be noted that the Gracies are a huge family. Both Carlos and Helio had many children, which is where things actually got complicated. It was the offspring of the original brothers that took the views of their respective predecessors to extreme lengths. While Carlos was still alive, the family worked in unison, as he managed to keep everyone together. After his death, the family’s split opinions can into the spotlight. From there, Jiu-Jitsu went in two separate ways – one geared towards sport (today’s BJJ) and the second towards self-defense (GJJ).

Helio’s side of the family, represented by his sons, stayed true to the traditional self-defense spirit of the art. Rorion, Relson, Rickson, Royce, Rolker, and Royce Gracie were all representatives of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu (GJJ). To this day, they remain fierce believers in this philosophy and teach their Jiu-Jitsu accordingly. They didn’t compete in sports Jiu-Jitsu and placed heavy emphasis on practical techniques. Even those that did, like Rickson’s son Kron, are famous for disregarding the point system and going for the finish when they did compete. Kron has an astonishing record of almost a hundred wins by submission, most of which while he was behind on points.

Read everything about the history of BJJ and the Expansion from Brazil to the world.

True Fathers’ Sons

As mentioned, both brother’s offspring took their fathers’ views out of proportion in the name of loyalty. In one such example, most of Carlos Gracie’s sons, Carlson, Robson, Reylson, Carley etc. claimed to have been trained by their father, rather than by their uncle, Helio. In contrast, one of Carlos’ eldest sons, Reyson claimed that Helio taught everyone.

Helio Gracie was known as a hard man to deal with. He was stubborn and strict and was not beyond demonstrating clear favoritism. He always claimed that his sons were invincible, which obviously didn’t go down well with his nephews. This is just one more complicated reason why the family is divided by such a huge rift today.

A curious and fascinating story coming out of the family is the one of Rolls Gracie. Rolls is biologically the son of Carlos Gracie. However, he was an illegitimate son that Carlos gave to Helio for adoption. Helio didn’t have any children at the time, so Rolls is technically his eldest son. However, not soon after, Helio go his first biological son, Rorion. Not shy about displaying favoritism Helio gave more attention to his biological son than his adopted nephew. This led to Rolls fighting for his attention, which molded him into the formidable fighter he later became.

Carlos and Helio didn’t help the matter by often betting on which of their heirs is better and matching them up. This was a very serious matter for each of the brothers’ descendants, deepening the modern rift. For example, Helio organized a match between Jean Jacques Machado (Carlos’ nephew) and his son Royler, which Machado won.

Gracie Barra And The IBJJF

Perhaps the most famous modern-day descendent of Carlos Gracie is his son Carlos Gracie Jr. He is the biggest promoter of the sport and the business side of Jiu-Jitsu. He founded Gracie Barra, the biggest organization in BJJ today. It is a network of academies all over the world, often more than one in a city. They all work in accordance with the same curriculum and the principles that Carlos Gracie Sr. established. They operate as a corporation and are the people behind another huge organization in BJJ – the IBJJF.

The IBJJF is the largest competitive organization in Jiu-Jitsu. It is a federation that reigns supreme on the tournament scene. it is also the premier governing body of BJJ, determining a lot of essential aspects of the sport. One such example is the belt system, and in particular, the kids’ belt rankings. Originally, kids had to go through white, yellow, orange and green before adopting the adult rankings. Today there are not only more belts, but also combinations of colors that make little sense. It is the modern business side of BJJ.

Gracie Bjj History Another example is the rules of competition. A much-debated subject, IBJJF’s rules are a clear representation of the sports side of BJJ. As in Judo, an IBJJF match has to have a winner. In Judo, the best way to win is by Ippon or a complete point. In BJJ, the Ippon’s counterpart is the submission. If there’s no clear ippon, Judo has a system of half and quarter points. In BJJ there is also a point system, as well as the notorious advantages. Ultimately, even a referee might decide who wins, with all things square. Furthermore, there are lots of “illegal” techniques such as slams or neck cranks. It is a long way from the traditional Jiu-Jitsu.

Modern Day Evolution

If anyone is really into going deep in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu history, there is a great source to read from. Roger Gracie’s mother, Reila Gracie has a book on the family’s history. It took her an upward of ten years to put “Carlos Gracie: Creator of a Fighting Dynasty” together. There, you will find everything that might interest you regarding the history of Jiu-Jitsu’s most complicated family.

Once again, I’m going to highlight the fact that both streams of thought were essential to the creation of modern-day BJJ. You might be more inclined towards one of them because of lineage or personal opinion. However, both Carlos and Helio deserve recognition and respect. Furthermore, all their hard work should result in a unified community instead of a divided one.

Rickson’s federation, JJGF represents an attempt to merge Helio’s traditional approach with modern sports elements. This is a great example of how Gracie Jiu-Jitsu history can be respected while it is modified to fit the modern age.

Helio Gracie: Making Love is an Unnecessary Expenditure of Energy

https://bjj-world.com/carlson-gracie-interview-helio-gracie-just-telling-lies/

Rickson Gracie: 9 out of 10 Black Belts Are Practicing Anti Jiu Jitsu

 

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