BJJ Questions

[Username]

I have some questions about BJJ programs, as a prospecting student. I know things will vary from dojo to dojo, so those rhetorical replies are uneeded. Just tell me what you know

 

-Are strikes taught, or just grappling?

 

-Are Judo style throws used/taught, if only on request?

 

-How are chokes and locks practiced safely (relatively )

 

-What kind of equipment do I need, other than a Gi?

 

-How do youth rankings (white, yellow...) transalate to adult rankings (white, blue...)

 

I sincerely thank you for your time.

[Gumbi]

-Are strikes taught, or just grappling?

 

Most BJJ schools do not teach strikes at all, however, if a school has an instructor who has learned the self defense, minor strikes are taught (elbows, knees, and slaps). BJJ doesnt like to trade strikes, but rather put your opponent in a position you can hit him and he cant hit you. Since striking on the ground is fairly easy when you have your opponent pinned and controlled, it really isnt taught.

 

-Are Judo style throws used/taught, if only on request?

 

This one REALLY depends on the school you go to and the background of the teacher. In a strict BJJ class, we might practice a takedown when tournament time comes around (figure like, once a month, once every two months do we see a takedown) and since most of the time sparring is started from the knees, more often than not you wont see a whole lot of takedowns emphasized.

 

-How are chokes and locks practiced safely (relatively )

 

Its pretty simple- you're shown a technique (choke/armlock) and you practice it on a non resisting opponent- when he feels the choke, or the pain from the joint lock, he taps out. Later on when training, you can apply the same moves, and injuries can happen ( injuries arent rare, but arent frequent either). Chokes arent very dangerous if you try to test your limits and not tap- you simply fall asleep and wake up in a few minutes. Screaming is considered tapping, and since I dont know of many people who wont scream when their arm gets hyperextended, major injuries like broken arms are pretty rare.

 

 

 

-What kind of equipment do I need, other than a Gi?

 

Some people prefer to wear a cup- I wear compression shorts to keep "things" nice and tight. Mouthpieces are sometimes worn, but again thats preference.

 

-How do youth rankings (white, yellow...) transalate to adult rankings (white, blue...)

 

Under 16 years old, the rankings in belts go white, orange, green. If a kid is a green belt at 16 and is pretty good, generally they're promoted to blue belt, which is the second adult belt. Adult rankings go white, blue, purple, brown, black.

[Username]

Thanks very much. If anyone has more to add PLEASE! do.

[Vito]

at my particluar bjj place, we do striking some. (not like a mt class, but we do learn it. we also have the atmosphere where lots of guys do striking and whatnot, so you can get together with them and learn stuff. its nice and informal, no bowing, no artificial ancient oriental crap... but the respect is there, more than in the other places i think.)

 

we also do takedowns, not as often as ground work because thats what bjj focuses on, but theyre taught.

 

you tap out before you get hurt, and you udnerstand not to go wild nutty * crazy on one another.

 

get a cup. you might eventually want knee pads or a mouth piece... athletic tape is always nice to have on hand. i actually often dont use a gi, just under armour or something like that. (rash guard).

 

rankings go white, blue, purple, brown, black. they are very far apart, and we dont have youth rankings, theres a kids class once a week, however that works... and the regular classes are for adults 16+.