Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, although obviously similar in many respects to Judo
and other traditional systems of Japanese Jiu Jitsu, differs in some
fundamental ways from all other related systems. Judo was originally
designed as a powerful system of self-defense that also included a
sportive component and the idea of self-cultivation and the mutual
benefit of members of society. Presently, although the techniques of
Judo may certainly be applied in real fighting situations (and many
practitioners of "sport" Judo have applied their skills very
effectively in non-sportive confrontations), the emphasis in most
schools is on sport competition. During the course of the last century
the rules of Judo began to emphasize means of achieving victory in
competition that did not necessarily reflect the conditions of all in
fighting. For example, a Judo match may be won by a throw or a pin hold
without a submission. These rules and limited groundwork that forbids
many of the original submission holds found in early Judo somewhat
limit direct applicability to street fights. Other styles of classical
Jiu Jitsu are still plagued by the original problem Kano addressed with
his emphasis on randori, namely, technical training is limited to kata
practice.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has followed a different course in the last 80
years. The Gracie challenge and participation in countless free
fighting events has led to a different emphasis in fighting strategy
and the development of unique rules for BJJ sport competition.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is divided into three broad categories, each
mutually supportive of the others; self-defense (including striking
techniques and unarmed techniques against armed opponents), free
fighting competition (commonly referred to as "vale tudo" or "anything
goes" events, now popularly called MMA), and sport grappling with and
without the gi (matches that include a wide range of submission holds,
but no striking). Even the rules of sport grappling matches are
designed to ingrain the proper strategy to be applied in the street.
For example in a sport BJJ match, points are awarded based on achieving
superior positions, positions from which not only grappling techniques
can be more readily applied, but also from which strikes may be applied
or defended. Students naturally seek the positions that will garner
them the most points, thereby constantly reinforcing the most efficient
strategy for real life confrontations. This "position-submission"
strategy has proven to be the most effective for real life
confrontations.
The overall fighting strategy of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is designed to
equip a physically smaller or weaker individual with an effective
method of defending against a larger and stronger attacker. When
applying BJJ techniques, leverage is paramount, as leverage is the
secret to the amplification and most efficient use of force. BJJ also
has the most developed methods of fighting while on one's back, a
position weaker fighters will often find themselves when attacked. The
innovations of the Gracie family, most notably by grandmasters Carlos
and Helio Gracie, and continuing with BJJ fighters today, through
constant testing and refinement in the crucible of actual fights, has
resulted in this unique style of Jiu Jitsu.
