Some martial artists embark on a lifelong journey through a variety of styles. For many, in the United States in particular, that journey begins with Tae Kwon Do. Parents used to enroll their children primarily for purposes of self-defense, but over the years, more and more value has been attached to the character-building aspect of […]
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Veterans of war have never had it easy when it comes to reacclimating to civilian life. There are many organizations and services that exist to assist them with this, but martial arts are rarely mentioned in that conversation. Brazilian jiu-jitsu, in particular, seems to have numerous benefits for our returning heroes. The transition from the arena […]
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The secret to finishing an armbar is applying constant pressure on the arm you are attacking, rather than bursts of pushing. Your partner will feel the mounting tension, which often has a psychological effect in that it can break his or her will to defend. Before you practice this technique on your less dominant side, […]
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Most martial artists tend to come across as intense, but did you know they also have fun? All too often, fun is a key element missing from many forms of fitness, not just martial arts. Few styles are as fun as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and that is a fact. Anything that resembles wrestling is a throwback to […]
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The most important lesson for a white belt to learn is know when to relax and when to resist. On one hand, too much resistance will prevent your partner from completing the move. On the other, too little resistance cannot lead to improvement, because it simply is not realistic. The key is to be observant […]
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Despite sharing the word ‘jiu-jitsu’, the Japanese and Brazilian versions of the martial art are dissimilar from one another. There are key distinctions between the two styles, in origin and application. Practitioners of both would most certainly appreciate the distinction being made, so let us get started. Japanese jujitsu, like other martial arts, is believed to […]
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Boxers wrap their hands with tape primarily for protection, but practitioners of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu rely on them for another reason: gripping. To sweep or escape/attempt submissions, BJJ grapplers need to grab their opponent’s gi. When their opponent aggressively attempts to pry their fingers from said grip, their finger ligaments can end up damaged or sprained. Often, […]
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A dominant grip allows a fighter to control distance, secure a position, or finish the match. The fundamentals of grip control stem from the oldest grappling sport, which is wrestling. There are four or five grips that apply whether your opponent is wearing a gi or not.Ball & SocketThis is a go-to grip due to […]
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A little over 25 years after Royce Gracie won the first Ultimate Fighting Championship, and 75 years since the art was first developed in Rio De Janeiro, the public safety sector has also jumped on the BJJ bandwagon. The techniques of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu are now included in the curriculum of agencies such as the FBI, […]
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Mixed martial arts is the only sport with the word ‘arts’ in it. That may not matter to the Saturday night crowd at Buffalo Wild Wings, but for BJJ practitioners, it is an important distinction. On one hand, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has played a huge role in the UFC’s world dominance, but on the other, it […]
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