subject: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Gear For Training [print this page] This martial art is a combat sport and self defense art. It was developed to focus on ground fighting or grappling. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gear is simply a Gi or a kimono, and and a belt. The premise is that any size person can defend themselves against anyone of any size by using leverage and a learned technique.
In 1914 Mitsuyo Maeda went to Brazil to spread his art, he was one of five experts that Kano Jigoro, founder of Judo, sent overseas. Maeda became friends with businessman Gastao Gracie and taught his children Japanese Jui-Jitsu as a token of his appreciation for helping him get established. Jui-jitsu has its roots in Judo and promotes physical fitness as well as martial art. The Gracie children soon all learned the art and opened a studio in the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro.
The Gracie boys went to the United States to introduce the practice calling it Brazilian Jui-Jitsu as each of them had their own technique. Three styles developed Carlson Jui-Jitsu, Gracie Barra and Gracie Humaita. Royce Grace won the Ultimate Fighting Championships in the 1990's bringing the sport to light. Brazilian Jui-Jitsu incorporates bringing your opponent to the ground and using techniques like joint-locks and choke holds.
Even though this is a martial art ground work is emphasized. In training submissions are focused on without strikes to allow for full speed and power to be developed. The primary ground positions are guard, back mount, full mount and side control. Guard involves the practitioner on their back using their legs to control the opponent allowing for a variety of choke holds and joint locks, there are open, closed and half guard positions. Back mount involves wrapping the legs and arms around the opponent, choke holds are used in this position especially if the opponent is larger. The full mount involves straddling the opponent and pressing the knees into the armpits reducing movement. Side control pins the opponent on their side and pressure is used on the hips and shoulders.
Chokes and joint locks are the submission holds used. Joint locks isolate limbs and create leverage with the body forcing joints past their range of motion and applying pressure until the opponent submits. Choke holds are used for submission but caution must be exercised as the opponent could lose consciousness if they do not submit quickly.
Joint locks involve the ankle, shoulder, elbow and wrist as these joints are more flexible. In tournaments knuckles can be driven into pressure points, body weight can be placed on the sternum driving the opponent to pain. As they do not qualify as true submission moves they are avoided in middle to upper levels of competition.
Blood chokes or strangulations should not be done without supervision as they cause unconsciousness and internal damage. Air chokes can damage the opponent's trachea and can result in death. Strangles constrict the carotid artery and chokes constrict the windpipe. These are both common forms of submission holds.
The ranking system awards the practitioner with different colored belts to show levels of technical skill and knowledge. The colors range from white for 15 year olds and younger to red which is the 9th and 10th dan black belt. The wearing of a Gi while training is required, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gear can offer you what you need for training.
