Japanese Jiu-Jitsu vs. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

[WORKEROUTER]

I am interested in taking jiu-jitsu. There are a lot of schools in my area. One of them is a Gracie BJJ school and another is a traditional Japanese Jiu-Jitsu Club.

Both of them seem very rigorous in their training (neither is a McDojo). I would like to take BJJ, but the price is nearly twice that of the Japanese Jiu-Jitsu Club!

So what would you guys suggest?

 

[Maestro Monk]

If I'm not mistaken, the Japanese were the original masterminds of jiu jitsu..the Gracie family simply expanded upon the practical principles; most notably in the grappling, ground-based aspects.
I took traditional Japanese-style jiu jitsu classes for about a year, and loved it..unfortunately, the free school club which I was a member in was forced to close down due to administrative purposes.

 

[MindOverMatter]

Take which ever one you can afford now. They're both very efficient fighting styles, and you will learn a lot.

If you want to try another one at a later point when u have more money, u can do that too.

 

[Alpine]

Well the Gracies would have you believe BJJ is superior because they have proved it in competition and it's more geared up for street defence.

There's no doubting the first point, the second may be true compared to Judo but open to debate against other fighting strategies.

 

[Rico S]

Why not try both of them and see what you like better? If I were to pick though i'd definately go with the BJJ school.

 

[WORKEROUTER]

I went and trained the the Japanese place, and I must say, it is very intense and seems VERY applicable on the street.

In 2 hours of training, we did a huge number of repetitions of basic throws and take downs, and he showed me a number of different basic takedowns.

In the last half hour or so, he showed me three basic methods of escaping behind the neck holds, and we then did actual ground fighting (he put me in a hold, and I did my best to get out of it). Then, we switched off, where I put him in a hold, and tried to keep him down (not succeeding).

The head instructor is trained in JJJ, judo, sambo, and Mongolian wrestling. He definately knows his sh*t.

It was a lot of fun.

There's another BJJ place that I'll check out.

 

[Alpine]

It's interesting the Gracie school charges twice as much, now that could be cos they are more commercial (judo clubs tend to be more geared up to finding the next oly champ) or it could be they get so many people wanting to go it's supply and demand.

Which BJJ school is it? My instructor was on a course at one in London and he said he saw at least 4 world champs in different MA knocking around.

Also, just so you are under no illusions, when your instructor says no come at me, asking him what he would do if you had a blade.

 

[WORKEROUTER]

BJJ schools tend to be more expensive. This school is taught by one of Carlos Gracie's black belts, I think.

The instructors and the students are not under illusion in terms of applicability. Obviously, if someone pulled a gun or a knife, wrestling around probably wouldn't be a great idea.

But really, in this society, it's not like you are fighting for your life out there.

 

[Alpine]

Wow, what you just said is scary!

Do you know how many people in London carry knives these days? Something like 2/10 teenagers, and I'm being conservative.

Anways, I think that's the school my instructor went to for something other than BJJ, he said it's a centre of excellence.

If you like Judo and it fits your needs then go for it. Try out the BJJ and consider the quality of the people you will be learning from and training with.