Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
An Excerpt from Ju Jitsu- The Strenghts & Weaknesses of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Self-Defense–
Self-Defense in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has not evolved much since 1925. The style of jiu-jitsu has developed in competition and in the academies through open sparring/ randori for both standing techniques and ground fighting strategies. There will be a time in the jiu-jitsu journey for everyone that trains past the ages of 40 years old that self-defense techniques will play an important role in the continue study of this art. After 18 years of randori, I know I have spent too much time neglecting the important self-defense techniques on this system. I have not made the same effort to revise and strengthen this aspect of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. At this point I can apply and teach all the personal defense techniques that I learned from the Gracie Family and its affiliates. However, the self-defense techniques need to evolve much like other aspects of the system has done and at the same time keep to the important jiu-jitsu grappling principles of simplicity, leverage and technique.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The Good:
Strengths of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Self-Defense- Each technique can be completed without the use of strikes. Techniques are based on base/balance, leverage and strategies that are simple to apply for all types of people and ages. All moves can be used to escape an attack. Each technique gives that option to strike the attacker, and many moves give the option to control the situation on the ground or continue the ground fight. In the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu self-defense curriculum, there are techniques to defend against a gun, knife or club/stick.
To Improve:
Weakness of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Self-Defense- In academies, self-defense practice this mostly neglected to focus on ground fighting strategies and techniques for completion and instructors have developed over the years that do not even know the self-defense technique or are teaching these techniques incorrectly as a result. The defenses against the knife attacks are very basic and need to evolve. There needs to be strategies in place for ALL techniques to have the option of escape AND control; not one or the other. There needs to develop a basic curriculum and theory for multiple attackers to escape and evade such a situation
My best,
Prof. Tony PacenskI
2nd Degree Black Belt
BJJ Revolution Team
Elite Training Center
1628 South Pacific Coast Highway,
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
(310) 543-1600
www.elitetrainingcenter.net
