BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) is a martial art that is mostly focust on the ground based fights. The goal is to attain the dominant position and to make your opponent “tap out”. It is based on a modified version of the traditional Japanese Jiu Jitsu.

The idea behind Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is that soft trumps over hard. Which means that a weaker or smaller person can easily defend themselves against a bigger and stronger attacker, by using the right techniques and movements.

Within the BJJ there are 2 forms of competitions; with a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu suit or without the suit. A lot of people use a rashguard underneath their suit to prevent abrasions from the mat. Competitions without suit are currently immensely popular, known as the MMA tournaments. In these tournaments the fighters will wear a fightshort and the fingerless MMA gloves.

GRACIE JIU JITSU

Sometimes BJJ will also be called GJJ (Gracie Jiu Jitsu). This name has been patented by the Gracie family, who have developed this particular style. Hélio is unofficially known as the man who helped evolve Brazilian Jiu Jitsu into the style as we know it today, but every member of the Gracie family has worked to develop an own style.

BELTS FOR BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU

With Brazilian Jiu Jitsu the belt signifies the current level of mastery. For adults most schools use the following ranking, from low to high:

• White belt
• Blue belt
• Purple belt
• Brown belt
• Black belt
• Black/red belt
• Red belt