The effectiveness of pure BJJ

[Aussie_Grappler]

I am interested in hearing from everyone about whether they train 100% pure BJJ, or whether they have other styles blended in. What are the benefits of pure BJJ? On the other hand, what are the benefits of adding techniques to form a more freestyle art?

I train more or less pure BJJ, but I find that many of the techniques are geared towards BJJ style tournaments, and that many of the techniques leave vital areas such as the eyes and groin open for attack in a situation like a street fight. What is everyones thoughts on that?

[Shimora]

I agree. BJJ is good as a sport or against untrained opponents on the street. If you want an effective street fighting style you need to cross train with your BJJ.

[Badger]

Use Wrestling to improve your takedowns
Muay Thai&Boxing for your stand-up skills
Basically learn to kick,punch,inside fight&grapple-it will only improve your BJJ.

Absorb what is useful,reject what is useless.

Oh don't forget to pull your opponents pants down when in a clinch to really confuse him!







-Badger

[War Pig]

Go away Shimoron.

You are universally hated and a festering boil upon this forum.

[sccr06]

I train mostly with BJJ but I have started mixing it up with stand-up, no-gi work, and strikes on the ground.

I like it a lot as it is a totally different ballgame than straight BJJ. Our instructor is actually a Hapkido teacher but my friend and I supplement the instruction by going to BJJ seminars and tourneys when we can.

[Underdog]

I never trained with a Gi on; we did crosstrain, and we do use strikes on the ground; I've seen BJJ in Rome, and it seemed to me only Judo with more emphasis on groundwork and submission. It must be said that the level of BJJ guys here sucked alot; what I've seen in tapes was far more fluid and pratical.

[Ryu (non-working password]

The coolest thing is that even if you are a below average BJJ grappler, you can still claim to be above par on judo newaza! I can't lose with BJJ!

LOL, Just kidding to JG, and other judoka on the board

Ryu

[Maxximus]

I think pure Bjj is a great sport type of martial arts and it definitely develops very high levels of ground sensitivity and is great for learning submission and ground defense. It trains an extremely important aspect of fighting, but by itself it is too limited in its scope to be considered a very practical approach to streetfighting. Although it is a great workout and fun thing to do in competition, who the hell is really going to spend all day laying in the guard and looking for submission in a real fight? When you are actual fighting someone on the ground, they will be punching and thrashing at you and trying to poke your eyes out for all they're worth. They won't simply be trying to out do your submission game or calmly look to reverse position. It's easy to fool yourself into believing that a good Bjj rules ground game means you'll handle any dumb street thug just by putting him on the ground. But in reality, you really have to make adjustments to your grappling training in order to be able to deal with an opponent who is actually trying to hurt you. All the Gracie fighters grew up fighting NHB with all sorts of opponents, which is why they know how to apply their Bjj to a totally resistant opponent. However, most Bjj guys nowadays are only used to playing the submission game under Bjj rules, on soft mats, with only one opponent to worry about, etc. I know we're all tired of hearing a number of know nothing traditionalists who can't fight their way out of a paper bag talking about how pure Bjj is not practical against multiple opponents, armed attackers, etc. But it's the truth.

For practical purposes in streetfighting, I think the usefulness of Bjj comes in the form of good ground defense and the possiblity of having to restrain someone whom you do not want to seriously injure. But by itself it is not a well rounded enough strategy for practical self defense. If you can't strike or don't know how to deal with strikes, you really can't fight, IMO. The best thing for streetfighting would be a scientific, direct and well rounded approach such as JKD.

[Twisted up]

IMHO, "Pure" BJJ was ORIGINALLY designed to be "street effective". Later, tournament BJJ came into vogue as a way to test technique against other BJJ brethren.

Unfortunately many schools came to focus on the sportive aspects.

There really isn't that much difference between "sport" BJJ and that which you'd use for self-defense. What I'm saying is an arm bar is an arm bar. It then comes down to a matter of awareness of what can happen. This should be addressed in training.

As for Pure BJJ being effective for self defense, I believe that it is that, especially against any other PURE style or system.

Check out the philosophies of the straight blast gym regarding this issue.

http://www.straightblastgym.com


John

[paradigm]

Shimora's demise,
comprised of all lies,
becometh what destiny calls;
If he were to grow,
and be silent and know,
that his voice is not found in these walls;
desperate may he be,
recklessness we doth see,
from thy troll we all know to be him;
If our friend were to go,
from thy forum we know,
what a wonderful life that would be!


Shimora- doth thou not know that though are a pseudo, and the father of it?

[guardman]

Originally posted by Aussie_Grappler
I am interested in hearing from everyone about whether they train 100% pure BJJ, or whether they have other styles blended in. What are the benefits of pure BJJ? On the other hand, what are the benefits of adding techniques to form a more freestyle art?

I train more or less pure BJJ, but I find that many of the techniques are geared towards BJJ style tournaments, and that many of the techniques leave vital areas such as the eyes and groin open for attack in a situation like a street fight. What is everyones thoughts on that?

i think pure bjj is suitable for sport however when combined with standup makes you a well rounded fighter. your groin, eyes etc will be vulnerable no matter how many or whatever other style you know. when you commit yourself to a move, position,or attack you always leave yourself open to a counter.

[guardman]

good point twisted up. bjj is street effective and could be used just as that. i think bjj is highly effective and i'm hooked

[guardman]

Originally posted by Maxximus
I think pure Bjj is a great sport type of martial arts and it definitely develops very high levels of ground sensitivity and is great for learning submission and ground defense. It trains an extremely important aspect of fighting, but by itself it is too limited in its scope to be considered a very practical approach to streetfighting. Although it is a great workout and fun thing to do in competition, who the hell is really going to spend all day laying in the guard and looking for submission in a real fight? When you are actual fighting someone on the ground, they will be punching and thrashing at you and trying to poke your eyes out for all they're worth. They won't simply be trying to out do your submission game or calmly look to reverse position. It's easy to fool yourself into believing that a good Bjj rules ground game means you'll handle any dumb street thug just by putting him on the ground. But in reality, you really have to make adjustments to your grappling training in order to be able to deal with an opponent who is actually trying to hurt you. All the Gracie fighters grew up fighting NHB with all sorts of opponents, which is why they know how to apply their Bjj to a totally resistant opponent. However, most Bjj guys nowadays are only used to playing the submission game under Bjj rules, on soft mats, with only one opponent to worry about, etc. I know we're all tired of hearing a number of know nothing traditionalists who can't fight their way out of a paper bag talking about how pure Bjj is not practical against multiple opponents, armed attackers, etc. But it's the truth.

For practical purposes in streetfighting, I think the usefulness of Bjj comes in the form of good ground defense and the possiblity of having to restrain someone whom you do not want to seriously injure. But by itself it is not a well rounded enough strategy for practical self defense. If you can't strike or don't know how to deal with strikes, you really can't fight, IMO. The best thing for streetfighting would be a scientific, direct and well rounded approach such as JKD.

what do you think jkd is. nothing but a conglomerate of styles.you can effectively defend yourself in the guard in a street situation. any person striking will give up some postion which gives you the oppurtunity to attck bjj style.

[Twisted up]

I am a firm believer in JKD. For this reason, my CORE of training revolves around Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Of course we ALL know you have to be cross trained.

I think it's helpfull to understand the philosophy of the Straight Blast Gym. It mirrors my own and will naturally mirror ANYONE's who has or is training wrestling, BJJ, muay Thai, boxing or any other "ALIVE" art.

That's REALLY what has made BJJ so effective. As such, that art will ALWAYS have a place in any "Alive" fighter's arsenal.

I'm sure many of you already understand what is meant by the term "alive". IF not, find out about it NOW! It will change the way you train forever-more!

Good training to all!
John

[guardman]

Originally posted by Twisted up
I am a firm believer in JKD. For this reason, my CORE of training revolves around Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Of course we ALL know you have to be cross trained.

I think it's helpfull to understand the philosophy of the Straight Blast Gym. It mirrors my own and will naturally mirror ANYONE's who has or is training wrestling, BJJ, muay Thai, boxing or any other "ALIVE" art.

That's REALLY what has made BJJ so effective. As such, that art will ALWAYS have a place in any "Alive" fighter's arsenal.

I'm sure many of you already understand what is meant by the term "alive". IF not, find out about it NOW! It will change the way you train forever-more!

Good training to all!
John

i found when i put on the gloves and combines no rules with bjj. i remember taking a few shots while just concentrating strictly on bjj. i definitly need to work on my stand up but bjj and my groundwork was far more superior than my oppenents. his stand up game was far mor superior. i remember as i continued on my bjj ways, i left myself open to shots. however, as he continued his striking, he left himself open and vulnerable to bjj attacks. hence, i was able to sweep and armlock. i love bjj and think it is the best martial arts around. i have respect for all martial arts but this what i prefer, this is what i know, this is what i love.