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What is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a grappling-based martial art and combat sport built around clinching, takedowns, positional control, escapes, and submissions. It is commonly practiced in a gi or no-gi.

Sport and self-protection overlap, but are not identical

Sport BJJ and real-world self-protection share mechanics, but they are not the same thing. In self-defense, awareness, de-escalation, disengagement, and escape come first. Skill is the last resort, not the first move.

What a beginner actually learns first

  • How to fall safely (ukemi) and how to stand up safely (technical stand-up).
  • A map of positions: guard, side control, mount, back control, turtle.
  • How to survive and escape before learning how to attack.
  • How to tap early and release immediately.

Gi or no-gi

The gi is a heavy cotton jacket, pants, and belt; grips on the fabric shape the game. No-gi uses a rashguard and shorts and relies on body-to-body connection. Our monthly gathering is a gi session — a clean gi is required, and loaners are subject to advance request and availability.

Instructional videos are educational and are not a substitute for supervised training. Do not practice submissions or takedowns without qualified coaching and a consenting partner.

References and further reading

Primary sources are linked so you can verify anything on this page. Rules, ages, and promotion standards change — always read the current source.

Download references (PDF)
  1. Kodokan Judo Institute — history of Jigoro Kano and the KodokanKodokan Judo Institute

    Primary source for the 1882 founding of the Kodokan and the judo lineage Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu grew from.

  2. USA Judo and judo terminology (uke, tori, ukemi)USA Judo

    Terminology and falling (ukemi) fundamentals carried into BJJ vocabulary.

  3. HEADS UP: concussion signs, symptoms, and return-to-playU.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

    What to watch for after a head impact, and why any suspected concussion ends the session.

  4. Ephesians 6:10-18Scripture

    The guardrail for how we train: our struggle is not against flesh and blood.

External links are provided for education only and do not imply endorsement of, or affiliation with, this Connect Group.

Suggest a resource or report a citation

Rules, ages, and promotion standards change. If a source here is out of date, a link is broken, or a better primary source exists, tell us and we will correct it.

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