Self-Defense Techniques of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Brazilian jiu-jitsu is a different style of the Japanese martial art. Whereas the original style focused on throws and takedowns, Brazilian jiu-jitsu focuses on chokes and submission techniques. While it is popular as a competitive mixed martial art, it also has its classic use a method of self-defense.

  1. History

    • According to the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Association, "The Gentle Art" can trace its origins back to India, where Buddhist monks developed techniques of defending themselves by leveraging weight and balance against assailants. The fighting style traveled with the spread of Buddhism, where it became popular in Japan. Masters from Japan began traveling around the world, staging exhibitions and taking students. One such master took a student named Carlos Gracie, who adapted the techniques to the style currently known as Brazilian jiu-jijtsu.

    Chokes

    • No matter how large an assailant is, if he is having trouble breathing, he'll have trouble hurting you. Consequently, chokes, constricting your opponent's airway by applying constant pressure around the neck, are a major defensive technique of Brazilian jiu-jitsu. In the process of grappling with your assailant, Brazilian jiu-jitsu has different ways of putting him in a choke hold with your arms or legs either from on your feet or on the ground if your assailant drags you there.

    Leg Locks

    • The human body bends some ways, but not others. If you immobilize one of your assailant's limbs, then he will not be able to move around (without seriously breaking a joint). If your assailant cannot turn to reach you (or has a seriously broken joint), he will not be able to assault you. Because it does not require a great deal of strength to hold a limb in place, from the correct angles, Brazilian jiu-jistsu has a number of arm and leg locks that you can employ in self-defense.

    Escapes

    • Jiu-jitsu has a number of ways to immobilize your assailants. However, in an assault, your assailant might try to pin you down for a variety of reasons. Because jiu-jitsu involves a number of grappling maneuvers, it includes a number of ways to escape being restrained, called "escapes." These methods are useful in both competitive jiu-jitsu and in the case when a real-life assailant manages to pin you to the ground or otherwise restrain you.