How to Train in Jiu-Jitsu

Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art that became popular upon the arrival of the Gracie family into the mixed martial arts fighting scene. The Gracie family employed a family method of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu that was effective in these competitions. (See References 1) The rise in popularity of MMA fighting events and the importance of strong grappling skills in a fighter's arsenal has led to Jiu-Jitsu becoming among the most commonly studied martial arts in America. Standard Jiu-Jitsu schools and MMA schools that incorporate Jiu-Jitsu into a more comprehensive program can be found in cities throughout the country.

Instructions

    • 1

      Find a school that teaches Jiu-Jitsu in your area. Use the phone book or the Internet to find potential schools. Never attempt to learn Jiu-Jitsu from books, movies or the Internet. Many of the techniques involved are extremely dangerous and have the potential to cause serious injury or death if performed improperly or without proper coaching.

    • 2

      Start a regular fitness routine. Success in Jiu-Jitsu is about conditioning and strength as well as technique. Create a program with the help of your instructor if that service is offered, or embark on a generalized strength, stamina and flexibility increasing program. (See References 2)

    • 3

      Learn and perfect the basic techniques. For success in Jiu-Jitsu, you must be masterful at your techniques. Avoid learning many moves without perfecting any. The techniques you learn first will depend on your instructor, but should include basic locks, chokes, positioning and movements. The mount and basic mount escapes also will be learned early in the process.

    • 4

      Start sparring in a controlled environment. Your instructor will set up sparring practice and ask you to stick to the moves that you have learned up to that point. The only way that technique becomes practical and useful is when practiced in a live sparring environment.

    • 5

      Practice patience. Rushing in Jiu-Jitsu is a good way to hurt yourself or others. As a martial art that includes mostly chokes, locks and holds, if you try to move too fast or execute a technique improperly, you easily can injure yourself or your partner. Instead, concentrate on executing your desired move with proper technique smoothly and strongly. (See References 4)