why bjj?

[cfr]

Ive recently posted a few questions related to kenpo and what else to take in addition to bjj. I have trained very minimally in bjj before my instructor moved. Im just looking for good self defense. The questions that I have about bjj have probably already be discussed long before my day at this site. What does bjj do about certain things like eye poking, biting, small joint manipulation, groin shots, weapons, and multiple attackers. Having watched a few UFC's, it seems as though the outcome would have obviously been lots different if these things were allowed. Im not knocking bjj, I see its perfection in what it does. But in a street fight, these rules dont apply. And lets face it, it wouldnt be that hard to do some of them if you were tangled on the ground with someone. Again Im not knocking it. Just trying to get a bjj guys perspective on these things.

[SweepEm]

If you specifically want a martial art to learn for street self defense, I would recommend Krav Maga.

BJJ will teach you skills to defend yourself in a street situation but is not specifically geared to street scenarios.
It's more up to each individual instructor to teach you this type of training.

[Szczepankiewicz]

The art I study is for self-defense purposes first and foremost. The philosophy, strategy, tactics and techniques are ALL about self preservation.

eye poking, biting, small joint manipulation, groin shots, weapons, and multiple attackers

All of these items are available to anyone ruthless enough to use them (and if your life depends on it, you will use them). Eye poking, biting, groin shots, weapons and gang warfare are very instinctual. Anyone can, and will use them.

But the key is 'when' to use them. If someone pushes past me in line or grabs my arm, I'm not going to use these techniques unless stuff get's really ugly.

As for defending against them, if you are aware of them, you can usually find a way to defend against them.

As far as BJJ is concerned, I (in my uniformed opinion) feel that it is a highly developed and very efficient grappling system. The transitions from move to move are smooth. And it is a fun sport to practice (minus any striking) for a good workout.

As it applies to self defense, the concepts and techniques that have been refined by the Gracies et al, can be applied to street situations, or they cannot. That all depends on the situation etc. etc...

The reasons I will be taking BJJ:
1) Highly efficient grappling system
2) Excellent cardio workout
3) Develop new tools for my toolbox (i.e. groundfighting techniques)
4) Opportunity to train with top talent
5) Opportunity to train with Roy 'The Boy' Gaefluer in his basement.
6) If I train in BJJ, then if I ever encounter a rogue BJJ stylist who wants to beat me up, I have an idea of what I can expect.

All schools of martial art teach you techniques. Some teach you philosophies and a few teach you proper mindset. As with everything else in life, you must make the decisions....

[MrPoopy]

Groind shots and eye gouging would probly work in a street fight, but whether any particular martial art teaches it or not, it can't be practiced very well. BJJ can be practiced with full resistance from your opponent and full force from you.
In a street fight I'll only worry about getting poked in the eye if they guy is still on his feet or he's on top of me. As for groin shots, I got half way castrated when I was 8 years old and don't feel much pain down there anymore.

[Shrimp]

I've been doing bjj for two yrs. Here is my take on the issues you mentioned:

eye poking : to eye-gouge effectively, you must control your opponent. Bjj is all about controlling your opponent and escaping you're opponent's control.

biting : ditto

small joint manipulation : can be used to break some holds, but again it comes down to overall control of your opponent. If someone is completely dominating you on the ground, your attempted small-joint manipulation is not going to have much effect.

groin shots : to use them you have to be in a position to do so. Bjj is all about keeping you out of the positions you want to be in. If you are not a grappler, a decent bjj guy will mount you quickly and you will have no opportunity for groin shots. You may have the chance to use them in his guard if he doesn't heel-kick you in the face first.

weapons: sport bjj doesn't really address them, and it is an area I feel deficient in.

multiple attackers : since they are extremely likely to drag you to the ground, you need bjj (or some grappling) more than ever, in order to have a chance of surviving down there. Neverthless bjj doesn't address multiple attackers at all, and it is an area (especially from standing) that I feel deficient in. I'm looking around for another art that has good standup approaches to multiple attackers. Suggestions appreciated!

[MrPoopy]

Here's the formula for figuring out how many ppl you can defend yourself against using BJJ:

# of rounds your gun holds + 1 = ?

[Fighter]

If I was you take up JKD. And then difintely cross train with BJJ, Muay Thai, or some thing like that. But definatley a good ground art, mixed with a striking art will make you a fighting machine.

[Mr. Miyagi]

I don't know of any art that effectively deals with multiple attackers unless you are carrying a weopon.
I know of many arts that claim to be able to deal with multiple attackers.
After all, even with good standup arts like JKD and muy thai, you can't really beat multiple attackers.
To beat two guys you have to get really lucky or they have to be really stupid. Even Vanderlei Silva would be in trouble against two big strong Tank Abbott style brawlers.
You can't beat three or more guys unless they are small children. Although in this day and age, a multiple attacker scenario would probably involve a group of inner city 12 year olds so maybe there is something to learning to defend yourself against this kind of attack.

Shrimp makes some very good points about all those dirty tactics being about control. Art Jimmerson would not have had any chance even if he tried to break Royce Gracie's finger or gouge his eye, and Gerard Gordeau still couldn't beat him even though he used his teeth.

[Fighter]

Id say MT or JKD mixed with a few dirty tricks from experience would be OK for defence against mulitple attackers... but theres still more advantage to your opponents.

[Ice Phoenix]

"Choy Lay Fut is the most effective system that I have seen for fighting more than one person & is the most difficult style to attack & defend against." - Bruce Lee

[Mr. Miyagi]

Chow Yun Fat is pretty good at defending himself against multiple attackers too.

[Fighter]

Chow Yun Fat in real life or movies? What styles has he practiced?