What is Brazilian Jiujitsu?

Brazilian Jiujitsu (BJJ) is a martial art and combat sport based on standup grappling, ground fighting and submission holds. It’s primary focus is on the skill of taking an opponent to the ground, controlling them, gaining a dominant position and using a number of techniques to submit them via joint locks or chokeholds.

Brazilian Jiujitsu was first developed in the 1920s after Carlos Gracie was taught traditional Kodokan Judo by a travelling Japanese judoka, Mitsuyo Maeda, in 1917. BJJ revolves around the concept that a smaller, weaker person can successfully defend themselves against a bigger, stronger, heavier opponent by using leverage and weight distribution, taking the fight to the ground and using a number of holds and submissions to defeat them.

BJJ training can be used for sport grappling and in self-defense situations. Sparring, commonly referred to as “rolling” within the BJJ community, and live drilling plays a major role in training and the practitioner’s development.