Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ)

The Founding Principles of Gracie Jiu Jitsu

Jiu Jitsu was originally developed in Japan. However, Grand Master Helio Gracie had to adapt what he had learned in order to accommodate his small size. Ultimately he honed his craft to focus on techniques that were 1) applicable in real life situations against striking opponents, 2) practical against opponents who are bigger or faster, and 3) reliable without requiring difficult contortions or uncomfortable body positions.

Accordingly, he began modifying the art to ensure that every technique was fully street applicable, energy efficient, and based on natural body movements. Using these principles as a guide, he spent several years developing a complete system of self-defense consisting only of techniques that he could successfully apply against larger opponents. Confident in his adaptations, he spent the next thirty years of his life proving his system's effectiveness by using it to defeat numerous challengers, including several opponents who outweighed him by as much as 100 pounds.     

Guideline #1 Street Applicability

All of the techniques we will learn develop into street applicable concepts and principles. Everything has application. Though we practice on padded mats and work slowly at first to develop confidence, the end goal is always in mind, to keep ourselves ready for a real confrontation. 

Guideline #2 Energy Efficiency

Any technique that relies on speed and power rather than leverage and timing is not energy efficient. In a real fight there is no time limit, so you must learn to save your energy. The only reliable way for you to defeat a larger, more athletic opponent is to utilize techniques that cause your opponent to exhaust energy, while simultaneously preserving your own. Before adding any technique to your arsenal, you must verify that it is more reliant on leverage and proper timing than on your athletic capabilities. Do not trust techniques based on strength or speed as they are unlikely to work against a larger, stronger attacker.

Guideline #3 Natural Body Movements

Any technique that requires you to move your body unnaturally is likely to fail in the heat of battle. Natural body movement is the best foundation on which to build the instinctive reflexes needed in a real fight.