Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Overview

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a martial art that focuses on ground grappling and submissions. It teaches practitioners how to use leverage, body weight, and position to control and defeat opponents who may be stronger. BJJ is based on the idea that a smaller, weaker person can defend themselves against a larger opponent by taking the fight to the ground. 

Characteristics of BJJ Include:

Ground-based

BJJ is primarily a ground-based martial art that emphasizes ground control and submissions. 

Minimal force

BJJ teaches practitioners to use minimal force to achieve maximum efficiency. 

Non-violent

BJJ uses principles of leverage, angles, pressure, and timing to achieve a non-violent submission of an opponent. 

Self-defense

BJJ teaches practical self-defense skills, including how to fight off an assailant. 

Curriculum

At Phoenix BJJ we teach fundamental movements, body positioning, transitions, submissions, and strategy for sports competition.

The modern form of BJJ originated in South America in the early 1900s with the help of Japanese diplomat Mitsyuo Maeda. Maeda was trained in Judo, also known as Kano Jiu Jitsu, which is where the Brazilians got the name for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. 

History of BJJ and the Helio Gracie

Helio Gracie is the founder the art of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu (GJJ), also known internationally as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). Until his death, Hélio was the only living 10th degree master of the discipline and is widely considered as one of the first sports heroes in Brazilian history; he was named Black Belt Magazine’s Man of the Year in 1997. Helio was the father of the world-renowned fighters Rickson Gracie, Royler Gracie, Royce Gracie, Relson Gracie and Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) founder Rorion Gracie.

In 1914, jiu-jitsu master Esai Maeda, also known as Count Coma, began teaching Helio’s older brother, Carlos Gracie. After practicing for a few years, Carlos passed his knowledge to his brothers.

Helio soon realized that due to his frail physique, most of the techniques he had learned from watching Carlos teach were particularly difficult for him to execute. Eager to make the techniques work for him, he began modifying them to accommodate his weak body. Emphasizing the use of leverage and timing over strength and speed, Helio modified virtually all of the techniques and, through trial and error, created Gracie/Brazilian Jiu-jitsu.

In order to prove the effectiveness of his new system, Helio openly challenged all the reputable martial artists in Brazil. He fought 18 times, including matches against onetime world heavyweight wrestling champion, Wladek Zbyszko and the #2-ranked Judoka in the world at the time, Kato, whom Helio choked unconscious in six minutes. His victory against Kato qualified him to enter the ring with the world champion, Masahiko Kimura, who outweighed Helio by almost 80 pounds.

A modern-day legend, Helio Gracie gained international acclaim for his dedication to the dissemination of the art and philosophy of Gracie Jiu-jitsu. A dedicated family man who exemplified a healthy life-style, he was the epitome of courage, discipline, determination, and an inspiration to all those who knew him.

Grand Master Helio Gracie founder of modern Gracie Jiu Jitsu the basis for modern BJJ