What Is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu? A Complete Guide for Beginners

Hello, my name is Carlos Machado and I'm a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) master and instructor. I've been practicing and teaching BJJ for over 40 years, and I'm passionate about sharing this amazing martial art with you.

In this article, I'll explain what is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, how it originated, what are its main principles and techniques, what are its benefits for your body and mind, and how you can start your BJJ journey today.

Whether you're looking for a new hobby, a way to improve your fitness, a self-defense system, or a competitive sport, BJJ has something for everyone.

Let's get started!

What Is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu?

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a martial art and combat sport that focuses on grappling and ground fighting. It is based on the principle that a smaller and weaker person can defeat a larger and stronger opponent by using leverage, technique, and strategy. BJJ teaches you how to control and submit your opponent using various holds, locks, chokes, and joint manipulations. BJJ also teaches you how to defend yourself from attacks, escape from bad positions, and transition from one position to another. BJJ is a dynamic and versatile martial art that can be practiced with or without a uniform (called a gi), with or without striking (called vale tudo or MMA), and with or without weapons (called weapon defense).

The History of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has a long and rich history that dates back to the early 20th century. It is derived from Japanese Jujutsu and Judo, which were brought to Brazil by Mitsuyo Maeda, a Japanese immigrant and judo champion. Maeda taught his art to Carlos Gracie, a young Brazilian who became his first student and disciple. Carlos then taught his brothers, especially Helio Gracie, who adapted the techniques to suit his smaller frame and physical limitations. Helio became the founder of Gracie Jiu Jitsu, which later evolved into Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

The Gracie family popularized BJJ by challenging other martial artists in no-holds-barred fights, known as the Gracie Challenge. They also created the first BJJ tournaments, such as the Gracie Nationals and the World Jiu Jitsu Championship. BJJ gained worldwide recognition in the 1990s, when Royce Gracie, Helio's son, dominated the first Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) events, defeating opponents from various martial arts backgrounds with his BJJ skills.

Since then, BJJ has grown exponentially in popularity and influence, becoming one of the most practiced and respected martial arts in the world. BJJ has also influenced other martial arts and combat sports, such as MMA, submission wrestling, sambo, catch wrestling, and self-defense systems. Today, there are thousands of BJJ schools and associations around the world, with millions of practitioners of all ages, genders, backgrounds, and goals.

The Basics of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a complex and challenging martial art that requires a lot of dedication, patience, and practice. However, it is also very rewarding and fun to learn. Here are some of the basics of BJJ that you should know before you start:

• The Belt System: BJJ has a belt system that indicates your rank and level of skill. There are five main belts: white, blue, purple, brown, and black. Each belt has four stripes that indicate your progress within each belt. It takes an average of 10 years to achieve a black belt in BJJ.

• The Positions: BJJ has many positions that are used to control and attack your opponent on the ground. Some of the most common positions are: guard (where you have your legs around your opponent's waist), mount (where you sit on your opponent's chest), side control (where you pin your opponent's shoulders to the ground), back control (where you have your arms around your opponent's neck), half guard (where you have one of your opponent's legs trapped between yours), knee on belly (where you put your knee on your opponent's stomach), north-south (where you face your opponent's feet), turtle (where you curl up into a ball), etc.

• The Submissions: BJJ has many submissions that are used to make your opponent tap out or give up. Some of the most common submissions are: armbar (where you hyperextend your opponent's elbow), triangle choke (where you choke your opponent with your legs), rear naked choke (where you choke your opponent from behind), kimura (where you twist your opponent's shoulder), guillotine choke (where you choke your opponent with your arm), omoplata (where you lock your opponent's shoulder with your legs), etc.

• The Rules: BJJ has rules that vary depending on the type and level of competition. Some of the general rules are: no biting, eye gouging, hair pulling, groin attacks, or striking; no slamming, spiking, or neck cranking; no grabbing the fingers, toes, or clothing; no heel hooks or knee reaping; points are awarded for achieving and maintaining dominant positions; advantages are awarded for attempting submissions or sweeps; penalties are given for stalling, fleeing, or illegal actions; matches are won by submission, points, advantages, or referee decision.

The Benefits of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu offers many benefits for your physical and mental health, as well as your personal and professional life. Here are some of the benefits of BJJ that you can enjoy:

• Physical Benefits: BJJ improves your strength, flexibility, endurance, coordination, balance, agility, and reflexes. It also helps you burn calories, lose weight, tone your muscles, and prevent injuries. BJJ is a great way to stay fit and healthy.

• Mental Benefits: BJJ enhances your problem-solving, creativity, adaptability, resilience, and concentration skills. It also helps you reduce stress, anxiety, depression, and anger. BJJ is a great way to boost your confidence and happiness.

• Personal Benefits: BJJ teaches you values such as humility, respect, discipline, and self-improvement. It also helps you develop friendships and camaraderie with your training partners and instructors. BJJ is a great way to enrich your life and grow as a person.

• Professional Benefits: BJJ helps you improve your communication, teamwork, leadership, and decision-making skills. It also helps you cope with pressure, challenges, and failures. BJJ is a great way to enhance your career and performance.

How to Get Started with Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

If you're interested in learning BJJ, the best way to get started is to find a reputable and qualified instructor near you. You can search online for BJJ schools or associations in your area, or ask for recommendations from friends or family who practice BJJ. You can also check out online reviews or testimonials from other students to get an idea of the quality and reputation of the school or instructor.

Once you find a school or instructor that suits your needs and goals, you can contact them to schedule a free trial class or a consultation. This will give you an opportunity to meet the instructor and the students, see the facilities and equipment, learn about the curriculum and schedule, and try out a class or a private lesson. You can also ask any questions or concerns that you may have about BJJ.

Before you attend your first class or lesson, make sure you have the proper attire and equipment. You will need a gi (a uniform consisting of a jacket, pants, and belt) or a rash guard and shorts (for no-gi classes), as well as a mouth guard and a groin protector (optional but recommended). You can buy these items online or at the school. You should also bring a water bottle, a towel, and a change of clothes.

During your first class or lesson, make sure you follow the etiquette and rules of the school or instructor. You should arrive early to warm up and stretch, introduce yourself to the instructor and the students, bow before entering and leaving the mat area, listen attentively to the instructions and explanations, ask for permission before leaving the mat area or using the bathroom, tap out when you feel pain or discomfort during a submission attempt, respect your training partners and their limits, thank your training partners after each round or drill, line up according to rank at the end of the class or lesson, bow again before leaving the mat area.

After your first class or lesson, make sure you cool down and hydrate yourself. You should also review what you learned and practice it in your mind or with a partner. You should also ask for feedback from the instructor or the students on how you did and what you can improve on. You should also set realistic goals for yourself and track your progress.

Ready to Change Your Life?

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is an amazing martial art that can change your life for the better. It is not only a sport or a self-defense system; it is also a lifestyle and a philosophy that can help you grow physically, mentally, personally, and professionally. I hope this article has answered your question of what is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and has inspired you to give it a try.

If you're ready to join me on this incredible BJJ adventure, don't hesitate to leave a comment below 👇👇👇 or contact my team at Carlos Machado Jiu-Jitsu in Carrollton, Texas by clicking here.

We'll be more than happy to welcome you to our family and teach you everything there is to know about BJJ. I can't wait to see you on the mats!