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TYPES OF JIU JITSU

By Benjamin Strusnik, July 06, 2022

Jiu Jitsu is a Japanese Martial Art which is known for its close quarters combat. Most forms of Jiu Jitsu are unarmed, but some still use weapon based attacks. The art of Jiu Jitsu can be used as a defensive tactic or in an attacking manner used to subdue, control or kill an assailant. The form of Japanese Jiu Jitsu uses few weapons, incorporates throws and holds, and uses paralysing attacks against opponents. Jiu Jitsu was developed around the 17th century in Japan, as warriors would use unarmed combat jiu jitsu techniques to counter swordsmanship during conflict situations. This form of Martial Arts was used to develop other forms of Jiu Jitsu, such as Judo, Aikido Sambo, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Luta Livre and even Mixed Martial Arts.

What This Article Covers:

There are many different forms of Jiu Jitsu in the world. Every style of Jiu Jitsu has its own unique identity, from pure grappling, to a combination of grappling and striking, all the way to the use of various weapon attacks. Jiu Jitsu is a formidable grappling art that involves a high calibre of wrestling style movements, that are utilised to subdue and control an opponent. Fast paced transitional movements are used to set up submission attacks like leverage based joint looks, chokeholds and other various sorts of crushes and weapon attacks.

3X Olympian in Judo and BJJ black belt Travis Stevens is here to bring you the best of both arts!

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JAPANESE JIU JITSU

The art of Japanese Jiu Jitsu was picked up by Kano Jigoro, who was a Japanese educator and Martial Artist. Kano would combine elements of Tenjin Shinyo ryu and Kito Ryu, to form a more educated version of Jiu Jitsu. The components of Kano Jigoro's combat system was the early form of Judo, as it incorporated different throws and takedowns. There were elements of randori which were momentary submission attacks that only lasted a short period of time. Kano decided to explore this more precisely, as he discovered many different submission techniques. Through the use of atemi, which was the inclusion of strikes to the grappling art, Kano would develop a highly functioning and formidable self defense system. It was this form of Martial Art that became the father of many other forms that followed. Arts like Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Hapkido, Judo, Aikido and kenpo jiujitsu, were all inspired by Kano Jigoro and his extensive Japanese Martial Art.

BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has become the most popular form of Jiu Jitsu in the world today. The heritage was inspired by Kano Jigoro and his extensive form of Japanese Jiu Jitsu. One of Kano's prized students Mitsuyo Maeda took the art to Brazil, where he passed on his knowledge to Carlos Gracie. The development of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu came about after Carlos' younger brother Helio was unable to utilise many of the throws involved. Helio decided to design a system that helped a smaller and weaker person defeat a larger and stronger opponent. His new system of what was called Gracie Jiu Jitsu, was heavily inspired by the randori section of Kodokan Judo. Helio's system of leverage based joint locks and chokeholds, would become the premier combat fighting system throughout all of Brazil.

As Gracie Jiu Jitsu began developing, it was the next generation of Gracie's who cultivated a new era of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. After the art was introduced to America through the famous platform of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu began to surge in popularity. Over the years the art has developed considerably through the innovations that many up and coming grapplers have added. BJJ competition and MMA competition are both responsible for the rise in popularity, and the increase in the sports development. With the significant popularity in the United States, this has paved the way for american jiu jitsu fighters to raise the bar in many prestigious BJJ tournaments.

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LUTA LIVRE ESPORTIVA AND VALE TUDO

Luta Livre was formed in the late 1920's, after Euclydes Hatem combined elements from catch wrestling, and Jiu Jitsu to create two different versions of Luta Livre. The first version was just pure grappling, this was called esportiva which is very similar to No Gi grappling in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. The second version was called Vale Tudo, which was No Gi grappling combined with striking with the hands, feet, knees and elbows. This form of Luta Livre was basically like bjj in a street fight, as its brutality was well known throughout Brazil. The rise of Luta Livre in Brazil was in fierce competition with Gracie Jiu Jitsu, as there has always been a battle for supremacy between both of these Brazilian arts. Heated rivalries existed between both camps throughout the whole 20th century, as fierce brawls broke out on a regular basis. There were many famous battles between members of the Gracie clan, and Luta Livre Fighters, as animosity between the groups grew fiercely out of control.

Famous battles were fought between Euclydes Hatem vs George Gracie and Rickson Gracie vs Hugo Duarte. As each of the camps would threaten each other, they would both claim that their Martial Art was the best. Certain individuals made really poor choices, which led to incidents that included; dojo storms, car park and beach brawls, and even competition storms. Many of these heated battles involved weapons like knives and firearms, as there were many injuries between luta livre and bjj for law enforcement were forced to intervene. After riots broke out, and many people injured at a match between Renzo Gracie vs Eugenio Tadeu, the Brazilian government were forced to ban Vale Tudo nationwide, in which the sport never really recovered.

AIKIDO

The art of Aikido was primarily developed by Morihei Ueshiba during the late 1920's. The core of Aikido was first attributed to the teachings of Daito ryu Aiki jujutsu, which Ueshiba studied directly with Takeda Sokaku. Ueshiba was also known to have studied Tenjin Shinyo ryu with Tozawa Tokusaburo, in Tokyo in 1901. As much of Ueshiba's learning came from different sources of Japanese Jiu Jitsu. Aikido is the practise of throwing techniques and leverage based joint locks. The art was also known to incorporate weapons like the spear, the short staff, swords and the bayonet. Aikido's principles believe that practitioners should create an avenue to defend themselves, while also protecting their attackers from injury too. The primary goal in the practice of Aikido is to overcome oneself, instead of cultivating violence or aggressiveness. Aikido has four main fundamental principles which include: irimi which means entering, kokyu ho which means breathing control, sankaku ho which translates into the triangular principle, and tenkan which means turning. All of these principles are designed to counter movements and redirect the opponent's attack momentum.

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SAMBO

Sambo is a Russian Martial Art that is practised on an international level, and is recognised as a style of amateur wrestling. There are two main forms of Sambo, the first is Sports Sambo, which is extremely similar to the art of Judo. Sambo was also heavily influenced by Judo principles, the only real differences are in the rule sets and the uniform. Sambo utilises a vast array of different grips to setup throws, once the fight is on the ground the art of Sambo uses a series of comprehensive leg locks and other various joint locks. The second form is combat Sambo, which was designed for the military to use in war conflicts. Combat Sambo does resemble MMA as it includes grappling and striking. In this form of the art, strikes like punches, kicks, elbows, knees, soccer kicks, headbutts, and groin strikes are all legal. It is also legal to use throws, holds, chokes and joint locks which makes this art extremely similar to the old style of Jiu Jitsu. Sambo competitors wear jackets called a Sambovka, along with shorts, boots, headgear and hand protection.

JUDO

The art of Judo derived from Kano Jigoro's style of Japanese Jiu Jitsu. Prior to the art becoming Judo, practitioners would use a multitude of different attacks, including striking, throwing, joint locks and weapon attacks. As the art developed throughout the early 1900's and into the mid 1900's, Judo became more focused on the Nage Waza portion, meaning to throw an opponent. Judo seemed to move away from the striking aspects, as it harnessed its focus more intently on throwing techniques, and some submissions. As Judo has developed throughout the twentieth and the twenty first century, the art has become an extremely popular sport worldwide. In 1960 the IOC included Judo into the Olympic Games programing, as the art was now being practised worldwide by a host of different countries. Judo has remained as one of the big influences on Martial Arts like; Sambo, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and Mixed Martial Arts, as all of these styles of fighting incorporate various forms of Judo throws.

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KENPO JIU JITSU

The art of Kenpo Jiu Jitsu is predominantly a striking Martial Art which uses 70% hand strikes and 30% feet strikes. They also use elements of grappling and throwing techniques, to make their style even more formidable. Kenpo uses principles of circular movement to avoid incoming attacks, this includes stepping sideways and circling their arms to initiate counterattacks. Kenpo relies on fast linear attacks that land straight down the line of an opponent, as one of the laws of kenpo is to strike first. Even though kenpo uses grappling and throwing techniques, they are deemed a last resort, as they have discovered it takes a lot more energy to use these techniques than it does to strike. Kenpo also uses the concept of rapid execution, meaning to strike multiple times in quick succession, this usually means the first two punches are designed to stun the opponent, with the next few strikes that are primarily designed as power punches. Kenpo uses principles of low kicks as they are more high percentage strikes then high kicks. They also use a concept of no block, meaning instead of defending strikes they simply use a method of moving out of the way, enabling them to counter strike in rapid succession.

MIXED MARTIAL ARTS

The arrival of Mixed Martial Arts in the modern era bears a similar resemblance to many of the old forms of fighting like; Japanese Jiu Jitsu Jitsu, Vale Tudo, and Pankration. In a sense MMA was formed a long time ago, but as the centuries rolled on, so did the evolution of all Martial Arts. In the early 1990's the world watched as the inaugural Ultimate Fighting Championship contest was born. This contest was formed to see which Martial Art was the best, as many different styles battled it out inside the octagon. Martial Arts like boxing, kickboxing, sumo, savate, brazilian jiu jitsu, judo, and shootfighting all fought to see which style was superior. After Royce Gracie starred in the Octagon, and put BJJ on the map, the rest of the world began to incorporate bjj and mma principles into their own style of fighting. As the UFC continued, and its evolution began to spawn fighters from all different calibers, the more all rounded fighter began to prevail. Nowadays Mixed Martial Artists practise wrestling, judo, brazilian jiu jitsu, boxing, kickboxing, and karate, which is giving athletes a competitive edge over any one direct style of Martial Arts. The international success of MMA across the world is spurring on many different forms of MMA athletes, as these days everyone is looking for the next innovation.

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WHICH FORM OF JIU JITSU IS THE BEST

It's hard to pinpoint which Martial Art is the best, as each of these styles have their own strengths and weaknesses. Each style will say they have the best form, but realistically it comes down to the individual who practises the form. It is extremely hard to rank the Martial Arts, as each athlete has a different competitive level of knowledge, skills, and athleticism. Looking back to ancient styles of Japanese Jiu Jitsu that were used by the Samurai in Feudal Japan, you would imagine that ninja jiu-jitsu could have been the best style of Martial Arts. This couldn't be further from the truth because to be completely honest all styles are better after years and years of development. This can be seen in the art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, as it started with Helio Gracie, and now as many other athletes have developed BJJ beyond what Helio could have imagined.

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This leaves an opening for what would have to be the most comprehensive form of Martial Art in this day and age. Mixed Martial Arts is like having the best of all worlds combined. To have the power of an athlete, and the slick movements of a karate or kickboxing fighter, combined with power punching from the art of boxing. MMA fighters also have exceptional wrestling skills combined with submission ferocity, which is a tool learnt from BJJ. This would surely put Mixed Martial Arts at the top of the list, and is why the UFC has become the number one combat organisation in the world. Even though Mixed Martial Artists do not specialise in one particular field of Martial Arts, they do however showcase an all round game style that includes many aspects of fighting. Nowadays with the calibre of coaches and training partners, MMA fighters have a unique conditioning ability which makes them quite formidable.

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