first impression on first class and question about sport BJJ

[TJS]

I prefer Striking at a distance also...but not every situation is the same..If Im fighting someone who has a huge reach advantage and could knock me out witha single blow then that where the things I mentioned come into play.

also remember it's easier to close distance and clinch than it is to keep it in strike. Just watch a boxing match.

[SubGrappler]

If you're close enough to strike, then you're close enough to grapple.

There really arent long, medium, or short range fighters.

Boxers will use jabs and crosses at a long distance, hooks and uppercuts at a close distance

A muay thai fighter may decide to use roundhouse kicks at a distance, and knees at close range.

A wrestler will use a shot from a distance, and use clinchwork from in close.

[Kajukenbopr]

TJS

I'm not saying it doesnt work. I'm saying, if you can finish the fight by getting close and then get some distance is better than just staying too close until the person gives up or is defeated. I can and will use grappling any chance I get, as long as it is comfortable, but not my move of choice in most cases.

Also, if it was an attack on the street, and the attacker has help, you cant really get too close to the attacker and forget about his friend/s .

[Treebranch]

I think its more useful for competition, unless you are in a one-person fight. I would not train BJJ because I dont see the point in getting too close to an opponent, if you can control him from afar or just strike him down with some hits.

you train in whatever style you wish to train in. dont let anyone tell u what you should train in.if you like it, be true to it.

You may not have a choice.

[busling]

The only problem I have with sport BJJ, vs 'street' BJJ is that sport BJJ will teach you to put your hands in positions that often leave you open to punches to the head.

The sport BJJ will teach you heaps of techniques that can be used. You just need to think about where to put your arms to protect your head when you get into a fight.

[TJS]

yep, The core techniques are the same but you should spar with strikes every now and again if you want to keep you self defense techniques sharp.

[Kajukenbopr]

I still prefer traditional Jujitsu - I've heard some schools that have gone soft though.....

However, if trained the right way, it is a great MA for self defense