The other day, I took my first jiu-jitsu class. I didn’t know what to expect and just went with an open mind. My barber, whom I’ve know for more than 10 years, recommended I join his dojo and so finally I did after giving lip-service for months.
The dojo is rather discreet and run by a Brazilian Japanese Sensei who can speak Japanese, English and Portugese fluently. The classes are 90 minutes long, the first hour practicing and refining the basic moves and the last 30 minutes sparring. I was the only white belt and probably the smallest guy among the 20 or so members and as expected I got totally destroyed. I had no idea what I was supposed to do and just tried not to get injured. This is apparently how everyone begins, just experiencing being in a fight, what your survival instincts are, what your limit is etc. On TV, judo and jiu jitsu don’t look that tiring but after 5-10 minutes of sparring I was completely out of gas. Blood-sugar totally sucked dry. I definitely need to be more prepared and juiced up next time. I don’t sweat alot but my “gi” was drenched by the end. It acts like a mop wiping up all the sweat from everyone. Those matts get pretty slippery from the sweat, spit, hair etc that falls off everyone as they grapple each other. If the idea of rolling around on a matt with a big sweaty guy with his legs wrapped around your head turns you off, jiu jitsu is probably not for you. It only took me a few minutes to get used to this, though. You forget quickly as you desperately try to keep him from twisting your arm off. Most of the guys were pretty easy on me (my first time and all) but they said they wouldn’t next time. Oh boy..
Afterwards, the sensei gave me his “talk” which he gives to all new members. He explained the rules of the dojo and history of jiu jitsu and also some of the basic philosphies of the art. “The purpose of jiu jitsu is not winning. The purpose is not to lose. Winning means defeating the opponent into submission while not losing means not letting the opponent defeat you” It may only be a matter of semantics, but I could really relate to this pacifistic approach.
Another thing he said which left an impression was, “Imagine if you did not come here to study jiu jitsu and you had one fight a year? How would you do in that fight? Maybe you would get beat-up and injured, who knows? But now, imagine if you came to learn jiu-jitsu 3 times a week and each time you practiced fighting with 3 or 4 different guys. In one year, you would have experienced fighting with 200 different guys of all sizes and skill levels. Now imagine yourself in that same fight. If you come here, you will leave stronger and better, no doubt about it” It sounds rather obvious when you think about it, but those simple words got me really motivated.
I really like the way this sensei taught as well. He showed us the moves and as we did them he would say only a word or two which made a big difference. “Put more weight here”, “Face this way”, “Keep your elbows in” etc. No lengthy complex explanations or theory, just enough so that it remained with you. I will report more about my progress soon.
Jiu-jutsu. Lots and lots of grappling, spending time rolling around. But just to play devils advocate…
Ever been in a street fight or just seen one? How often is it one on one? Personally, I’d say maybe only 15% of the time it’s one on one. Usually fights start in crowds, all hell breaks loose and you start swinging for the fences just like they do in hockey fights. In the midst of the action you don’t know who’s against you or not, and you just start backing up just in case someone tries to sneak in a roundhouse on you. And then if do get into some ground fighting and thanks to your jiu-jutsu training your’e winning or even start to win, your opponents friends will jump in and you butt is a goner.
No real such thing as “fair” in a street fight right? Imagine giving a guy an arm bar, and then some dude from nowhere giving you a swift kick to the head. How good would your training be after someone puntkicks you in the temple? Sure, logic says every fight ends up on the ground if it lasts long enough. But if your in a street fight and how often does it? I think the basics like the good old “bob & weave, get some good blows in, and get the hell outta there” would be the best move besides having lots of friends that’ll back you up.
Check out bumfights.com. Download some using bit torrent or something. Check out the “Scraps” videos. See some really ugly street brawls and try to put yourself in the action. Damn… I’d wish I had a gun.
Never been in a street fight but seen plenty and I know what you mean. I have no illusions about it.
My goal for learning jiu jitsu is not necessarily to go and get in a street fight anyway. It’s more just to get in shape and learn a new craft/sport, and as a side benefit perhaps give me a little edge in case I do get into a dangerous situation.
I don’t think there is any downside to it.
I never have been in a street fight. Weight 155 lbs. I am enrolled in a gracie jiu jitsu school and got injured after 4 months. I now have 2 cervical bulging discs. My neurologic symptoms have improved mostly, but I fear going back to class?
Any thoughts……
Brian, sorry to hear about your injury. I was a bit concerned about getting injured at the dojo. Do you think it is really that easy to get hurt?
Most everyone at my school had some kind of injury, some more serious than others. It seems easy to get injured.
Roy: What is the name and address of the shop in Shinjuku where I can buy a JiuJitsu gi? Thanks.
Mike: Here’s the URL. It’s called Isami and along Meiji-dori near Takashimaya.
http://www.isami.co.jp/
I started private classes again last night, couldn’t stay away!
Roy,
Always remember: the only fight you win is the fight that didn’t take place… (the one you knew to avoid!!)
Gracie Jiu Jitsu or Brazilian Jiu Jitsu IMHO often resembles depending upon the dojo more or less streetfighting. In the European dojos I have trained in that kind of sparring is only allowed for judansha’s (black belts) to avoid serious injuries.
Furthermore Jiu Jitsu doesnot merely train your body, it also makes you more aware of your environment (potential threats) and in that way prepares you for a possible fight and gives you possibly time to run (avoid confrontation).
Also in our jiu jitsu judansha-training we also have up to 4 (armed) opponents to compete with. Those fights will last between 1 to 5 minutes (really wearing you down even with a lot of training).
All in all, it really is fantastic sport. With (limited) practical use, I for one don’t have any illusions against multiple armed opponents even though I have showed defenses in several demonstrations. Real life situations are far more unpredictable. But it will give a lot of experience. How many people freeze up when someone grabs them by the throat?? After something like 2 months of training in jiu jitsu this won’t bother you at all… giving you just the edge you might need to get out of the confrontation.
Have fun training,
Hanzie
Brian, glad you can get back to the dojo again!
Hanzie, thank you for your comments. So in europe you don’t do any sparring in the dojo until blackbelt? Or are you saying that I should be careful about doing sparring in the dojo to avoid injury? To me, the sparring part seems like the most valuable way to apply theory into practice. Most of the sparring is controlled anyway and the other guys are generally careful not to let their egos get carried away.
I started private classes. Unfortunatley, I have pain again in my neck. I think I need to strenthen my neck, and stretch more, any ideas out there?
Hi Roy,
Listen to the advice of Hanzie….
I’m in security and as such am in potential fights every day, I also train in Ju-Jitsu.
What Rick said is seriously mis-guided. Your Ju-Jitsu training will help you to avoid being taken to the ground in a mass brawl but to control the fight in a one on one situation.
Only ever go to the ground if it is a one on one and you have someone else there to make sure it stays that way.
But the best advice is not to fight if you can avoid it!
I am taking Gracie Jiu Jitsu after 6 years of Karate. I believe that Jiu Jitsu is superior in a street fight. In a real fight you will most certainly try to avoid grappling, but throws, takedowns, and understanding positioning if you do happen to get on the ground will be invaluable. Many people don’t know how to fall, and very few understand positioning.
No doubt about it, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is effective and as far as martial arts go it is relatively easy to obtain a reasonable level of proficiency.
However to be effective in a real fight you also need to have stand up fighting skills. In a streetfight, the ground is not a good place to be.
Experience also counts for a lot. I agree with the post that said 3 or 4 fights an night, 3 times a week over a year, you definately have an advantage over someone acting out of pure aggression.
We also practice running when we train. Forwards, backwards, sideways. Running would always have to be an option in a dangerous situation requiring self preservation. A prerequisite to learning Jiu Jitsu is to be able to let go of your ego and ‘tap out’.