Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art and combat sport that focuses on grappling and ground fighting, with the goal of gaining a dominant position and using joint-locks and chokeholds to force an opponent to submit. It promotes the principle that a smaller, weaker person, using leverage and proper technique, can successfully defend themselves against a bigger, stronger assailant. The art began with Mitsuyo Maeda, a Japanese expert judoka and member of the Kodokan. Maeda emigrated to Brazil in the 1910s where an influential businessman named Gastão Gracie helped him get established. In return for his aid, Maeda taught the fighting art to Gastão's son Carlos Gracie, who then taught the art to his sons, including Carlson Gracie. When Maeda taught the art to the Gracies he called it Jiu-jitsu.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu emphasizes ground fighting techniques and submission holds involving joint-locks and chokeholds. BJJ includes many techniques to throw or tackle opponents to the ground which revolve around using the primary bases of the body, the hips and shoulders. These takedowns are difficult to counter without training. Once the opponent is on the ground, a number of maneuvers (and counter-maneuvers) are available to manipulate the opponent into suitable position for the application of a submission hold. Achieving a dominant position on the ground is one of the hallmarks of the BJJ style, and includes effective use of the guard position to defend oneself from bottom, and passing the guard to dominate from a top position. This system of maneuvering and manipulation can be likened to a form of kinetic chess when utilized by two experienced practitioners. A submission hold is the equivalent of checkmate.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu's focus on submissions without the addition of strikes while training allows practitioners to practice at full speed and full power, resembling the effort used in a real competition. Training methods include technique drills in which techniques are practiced against a partner and full sparring in which each opponent tries to submit their opponent using any legal technique. Physical conditioning also plays a part in BJJ training.