What types of things do you do in brazilian jui-jitsu?

Question

I'm thinking about taking BJJ, but i'm not sure what they do or if i'm big enough. I'm 15 and i'm 5'5 and weigh around 105.

Answer 1

BJJ is an outgrowth of judo that has developed in Brazil since about 1925, with a focus on the ground. That means most of your time will be spent grappling on the floor, and as a smaller guy, you'll most likely be working off your back (I'm a small guy myself, so can sympathise).

BJJ doesn't require you to be a certain size, not to mention if you're only 15, you've still got some growing to do. There are classes available for children (which in BJJ is basically up to 16), after which you'd be training with adults. I have seen 4 year olds train BJJ, and I've also seen 86 year-olds in class: it really is a sport for everyone, in my experience.

The BJJ class I attend usually runs like this (if you don't understand some of the terms, you could check the glossary, which I'll link):

http://slideyfoot.blogspot.com/2007/03/b... (BJJ Glossary)

1. Warm-up

Normally running round the room, with variations like knees up, heels up, sprints, circling the arms etc. That will generally be followed by breakfalls and shrimping, after which there is sometimes a two-man exercise (such as fireman’s carry, throws up and down the room, running while one person holds the other’s belt etc).

2. Technique

The instructor will show between one to three techniques, which we'll then drill. Often this will begin with a throw, then a few groundwork techniques. The whole week is often geared around similar techniques: for example, in my first week, I attended three sessions, all of which focused on a standing guard pass and a sweep.

3. Specific sparring

By that, I mean the sparring is started from a particular position, such as from guard, with a predetermined purpose, such as passing the guard, after which the spar restarts. This occasionally goes from standing, so working throws, single leg takedowns etc. The beginners class will then go straight to a warm down and finish, meaning the whole beginners class lasts an hour in total. Full details of all the beginners classes I've attended here:

http://slideyfoot.blogspot.com/search/la... (Beginners Classes)

4. Free sparring

The advanced class is half an hour longer, which is made up of free sparring. You start on your knees (too many people to go from standing, as that could easily lead to people getting thrown into other groups in the midst of a spar). That is normally split into five minute rounds.

http://slideyfoot.blogspot.com/search/la... (Advanced Classes)

5. Warm down

Both classes have a warm down, which tends to just be stretching, but sometimes the instructor will make it a bit more active and do some more star-jumps, tuck-jumps etc.

I'd advise bringing along a bottle of water to avoid dehydration. There will generally be points during class at which you can go quickly have a drink, such as just before the sparring starts, or if you're sitting out a round of free sparring.

To find a class near you, I'd suggest checking one of the following sites:

http://www.trainjiujitsu.com/bjj/

http://www.bjjmap.com/

http://www.gymdb.com/

If you've got any further questions, you might find this FAQ helpful:

http://slideyfoot.blogspot.com/2006/10/b... (BJJ Beginner FAQ)

Hope that helps: good luck with your training!

Answer 2

That's the beauty of BJJ.....it require no strength. That's how it was born. Helio Gracie was not strong enough to practice Japanese Jiu Jitsu so he modified it to work for his size......and now we have BJJ!

Do it my friend! It's a ton of fun, you'll learn some awesome stuff, and you will get a pretty good workout every class!

Chokes, take downs, and various submissions are the typical things you will learn. Some schools will mix in a few striking techniques but most schools won't.

Good luck on the mat!!!!

Answer 3

It's like wrestling except more deadly. (not pro wrestling, i mean like real wrestling)

And you dont need to be big for this martial art. Big people just get tangled up easier.

Answer 4

I'm 15, 5'5'' and 171 lb. yeah, yeah I'm fat. I take BJJ and it's great! There's emphasis on ground fighting. Size does not matter in BJJ. It is very effective. Many police dept. teach their police officer BJJ techniques.

Answer 5

its ground fighting, wrestling + submission holds is the most simplistic way of explaining it, u can still take bjj even if ur small the moves can work for anyone regardless of size or strength it all comes down to technique and leverage

Answer 6

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is about the use of leverage to achieve submissions.  No one is too small to do it.  If you have the same technical ability of a heavier opponent then they might win because of the power, but if you are more technical than a larger opponent than you might be able to submit them.  If I were you I would wrestle in H.S. so you can learn some good takedowns and ground control.  For BJJ I would look into Eddie Bravo.