Jiu Jitsu is a martial art that focuses on ground fighting, submissions, and grappling techniques. It’s centred around the concept that a smaller or weaker person can defend themselves against a larger opponent by using leverage, technique, and timing. The core techniques of Jiu Jitsu include joint locks, chokeholds, sweeps, and escapes, all of which are designed to control or submit an opponent. What sets Jiu Jitsu apart from other martial arts is its focus on ground combat and submission-based techniques. Unlike arts like boxing or Muay Thai, which focus on striking, or judo, which includes throws and takedowns, Jiu Jitsu excels in situations where a fight goes to the ground. It’s a highly technical martial art, with an emphasis on strategy and fluid movement, allowing practitioners to utilise their skill to overcome strength and size disadvantages.

Jiu Jitsu, the precursor to modern Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, has its origins in ancient Japan, developed by the samurai as a system of close combat. It was designed to help warriors defend themselves against armed opponents, particularly when they were disarmed or in close quarters. The techniques of Jiu Jitsu focused on joint locks, throws, strikes, and grappling, allowing the samurai to neutralise their enemies with minimal force. Over the centuries, the art evolved, with various schools and styles emerging, each with their own approach to these techniques. During the Edo period (17th to 19th century), Jiu Jitsu was taught to warriors and became a significant part of Japan’s martial traditions. As Japan transitioned into the modern era, the practice of Jiu Jitsu declined with the advent of firearms and the decline of the samurai class. However, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Jiu Jitsu influenced the development of other martial arts, particularly Judo, which was created by Jigoro Kano.

Jiu Jitsu competitions are typically focused on grappling, submissions, and positional control. The most common types of Jiu Jitsu competitions include Gi, No-Gi, and Submission-Only. In Gi events, practitioners wear the traditional gi (uniform), and competitors earn points for dominant positions, sweeps, submissions, and control. In no-gi Jiu Jitsu, competitors wear rash guards and shorts instead of the gi, and the lack of grips makes the matches faster and more dynamic. The techniques and strategies are similar to Gi competitions, but there is a greater emphasis on speed and fluidity due to the absence of clothing grips. For submission-only competitions, the match continues until one competitor forces their opponent to submit, usually through a joint lock or chokehold. This format encourages aggressive submission attempts and rewards fighters for their ability to finish the match.