Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a derivative of Judo and Japanese Ju Jutsu. It incorporates principles of leverage and proper technique to allow a smaller, weaker person to defend themselves against a bigger, stronger opponent.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu focuses on the systematic defeat of an opponent. The art is centered around the ground portion of a physical altercation, where it will inevitable end up, but has many techniques geared towards putting the fight on the ground to to keep it standing if you so choose.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is often referred to as the “Gentle Art” because of its practitioner’s ability to render an opponent helpless while not requiring damage be done to the opponent via strikes. A Jiu-Jitsu student is expected to learn how to gauge the force of an opponent’s attack and use it against him, evade attacks, use leverage against an opponent and subdue his opponent.

One of the main factors differentiating Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu from many other traditional martial arts is the focus placed on free sparring or “randori.” By eliminating many of the potentially fatal attacks used by other arts, Jiu-Jitsu can be practiced against an opponent at as close to full speed as possible in training. Performing the techniques against opponents who are resisting is what makes Jiu-Jitsu so effective and is also responsible for the adaptation of the art to each individual. No two people’s Jiu-Jitsu style will be the same.

The Origins of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has its origins in two Japanese martial arts, Judo and Ju Jutsu. The Story begins in 1904 as Mitsuyo Maeda traveled to the United States as an ambassador of Judo. Maeda spent several years in the New York area where he taught his blend of Judo and Japanese Ju Jutsu.

After leaving America, Maeda traveled throughout South America and in 1915 landed in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Once in Brazil, Count Koma (Maeda gained this nickname from his various fighting exploits throughout the world) began teaching Sao Paulo policeman, army cadets and the local population.

It is through this meeting that Carlos Gracie would begin to change the face of the martial arts world. Carlos would be a Maeda student for one year.

Carlos would combine all of the techniques taught to him by Koma and his assistants to form what is now known as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He would teach all of his brothers the skills he had learned, but one of those would brothers would become the defacto father of modern mixed martial arts.

Helio Gracie was born in 1913 and would learn the techniques of the great Kount Koma from his brother Carlos Gracie. Helio was sick for some part of his childhood and as a result was unable to perform most of the techniques used in traditional Japanese Ju Jutsu due to his lack of strength. This weakness was actually a great strength and forced Helio to change certain aspects of Ju Jutsu. These changes resulted in the creation of the most effective martial art known to man.

The Gracie Challenge

Carlos, Helio and their brothers had created the most effective martial art known to man, but they took it one step further. The family issued a standing challenge to all comers in an attempt to prove the superiority of their art. Carlos would spend his time establishing Gracie Jiu-Jitsu while he let his brothers answer the challenge they had posed.

At the age of 17, Helio first stepped in to the ring to defend the Gracie Challenge and test the effectiveness of their art. His challenger, a boxer named Antonio Portugal, would be defeated in 30 seconds. This would begin Helio’s impressive fighting career, where he would only lose two matches, one to a great judo player and one to a former student.

The Judo player who would defeat Helio was Masahiko Kimura. Kimura was a professional wrestler and possibly one of Japan’s greatest judokas. The match would occur in a Sao Paulo gym and the rules would involve gi’s with no striking. Helio would be submitted by the Judoka after 15 minutes of brutal combat by the shoulder lock which bears his name, the Kimura. Even today, Helio speaks admirably of the great judoka.

The next loss on Helio’s record came from Valdemar Santana, a former student. It is said that Santana had betrayed his teacher and slandered him in the newspaper. The fight lasted over two hours and in the end Santana was declared victor over the 47 year old Gracie.

After Santana defeated Helio, Carlson Gracie, son of Carlos Gracie, stepped in the ring to defend the family challenge and defeated Santana. He would go on to compete many more times in honor of the family challenge and would amass an impressive list of wins.

The Gracie challenge was instrumental in forming the art we know as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. By testing their formula against all comers in the hopes of competing against the world’s best martial artist, the Gracies were able to develop an effective martial art.

An answer was finally available for the martial art question; “How does a smaller man defend himself against a larger stronger opponent?” The answer-Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

BJJ Belt System

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a unique martial art with regard to its belt system and the expected time to attain each level. In most traditional martial arts, a person can expect to attain the level of black belt in 3 to 4 years if they train regularly. In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, it may take a person 8 to 10 years to attain the level of black belt.

Belts and Time

White Belt – First level in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. When you first begin studying the art you are a white belt.

Blue Belt – Second level of progress in BJJ. You can expect 12-24 months of training to achieve this rank.

Purple Belt – Intermediate level. At this point you are beginning to develop your own style. You will begin to make the art your own, developing preferred techniques. Expect 2-4years to obtain this level.

Brown Belt – An advanced level. You will have all the techniques required to acheive your black belt at this time. Timing and experience are what it takes from this point to achieve black belt rank. You can expect 4-7 years to reach this rank.

Black Belt – A feat accomplished by a small number of people. At this level you will have an in-depth understanding of the art, both physically and mentally. Although you have achieved the highest rank, you have years of learning and training ahead of you. Expect 7-10 years to obtain this rank.

Stripes

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu requires time to learn. It is said that “A black belt is a white belt who did not quit.” Because of the time required to achieve the next level in BJJ, stripes are given to denote a persons level within that belt. Typically a person will recieve four stripes before being eligible to test for the next highest belt. It is  often difficult to continue to work toward a goal for years and not recieve some sort of recognition. The stripe system is BJJ’s way of keeping students motivated.

Kid’s Belt System

The kid’s belt system is different from the adults. Children will be given stripes based on their knowledge, abilities and the number of classes they attend. Children must be constantly motivated so the method of awarding stripes and belts will reflect this.

Belt Levels

• White
• Yellow
• Orange
• Green

After they reach the level of Green belt and are the age of 16 they will begin on the adult belt system, beginning with blue belt.