BJJ styles

[spetnatz]

There seems to exist several BJJ styles, Gracie BJJ Machado BJJ and others. Does anyone know if there are any real differences between them?

[kid_chocolate]

Of course not, there is only so much you can do on the floor in a gi.

[spetnatz]

There is also only so much you can do standing up in a gi, and yet there are an almost unlimited number of Karate styles, with some real diferences between them.

[jules]

the main difference between Helio's son's styles and Carlos's sons styles is that Carlos's son's styles use much more strength than Helio's son's styles. IIRC. Helio's style is more IMHO effective without a time limit and Carlos's style is more effective in modern MMA.

[gaittec]

There are small details and strategies that will differ. Most Machado armbars will end with the ankles crossed. Most Gracie armbars will have the ankles uncrossed. This effects what you do with the knees to get the armbar tight on the frontend and what you do to re-establish position if they partially escape.

The basic guard pass is different in what you do with the off side hand. A Gracie fighter might pull down on the skirt or belt and hook the elbow against the thigh with his offside/trailing hand. A Machado might use the off hand to control the off leg. Both ways control the guys hips.

Beyond that, some fighters play the aggressive game and some play the slow game. I guess the elite fighters from both end up developing what suits them.

Either school might do the techs either way of course. But, there are often different details in basics as first taught.

[jules]

The Machados are basically "Gracie Barra".

[Sean Dempsey]

Jules summed it up pretty well actually.