How does this sound?

[orion82698]

Many of you that know me, know that I'm still searching for a style that fits me. I'm really getting into Jiu-Jitsu (Japan). I would like to know what you guys think of this.

The class is at a college. The instructor is a Nidan with the American Jiu-jitsu Association. It's two days a week, 75 minute classes. Since it's at a college, I pay per season. It would be $198 every 3 months. What do you guys think? Is this a style that is hard to practice alone, Like Aikido?

Thanks!

[shogeri]

I am not sure what the syllabus is in regards to the ASA, but I will give some pointers from both my own, and that of the USJJF.

The (united states jujitsu federation) USJJF standard syllabus (guideline for training) is thus:

Ukemi - falls

Ate waza - striking (elbows, heel palm, reverse punches, etc)

Uke waza - blocking and evading

Nage waza - throwing and sweeping

Geri waza - kicking (knees, low kicks, back kicks, front kick, etc)

Kansetsu waza - locking (arm, neck and leg locks)

Atemi waza - vital points

Osae waza - holding and submission (standing and ground)

Kumite waza - prearranged and free sparring

Tai Sabaki - movement and positioning

Goshinjutsu - self defense

Randori - dynamic application of technique and skill

As we all know, Jujutsu is a traditional art, so expect it to be some time before your skillset (in regards to defense and fighting) begins to truly blossom.

Because I integrate this into what I teach as well, I would say that jujutsu taken by itself will give you the essential skills in which to defend yourself in most situations.

You will learn how to respond to situations with your hands, feet, elbows, knees, sweeps, throws, locks, and submissions, to name a few.

With the focus being on throws, locks and submissions, in that order and increasing in difficulty as time goes on.

If you were to also learn Roman Greco wrestling, along with western boxing at some point later, then certainly this too would be beneficial. At the very least from this type of cross training, you will gain valuable insight as to the malleability (adaptability) of jujitsu/jujutsu.

At this point, you would know what the average person knows (or might attempt) when engaged in a physical confrontation, since people tend to either try to box or wrestle their way out of a conflict. True japanese jujutsu incorporates ground fighting, as seen in BJJ.

However, not every teacher instructs on such, but those that do are on average above the 3rd dan. Before that they are still working on perfecting their own Nage and Kansetsu, along with Osae techniques (waza). However their goshinjutsu should be quite efficient, along with their grasp on the basic, intermediate, and advanced jujitsu skills and principles of fighting and self-defense.

I would say that it is not as hard as aikido, and certainly does not have the same philosophy.

Good luck in your search, and perhaps other's will give you just as good if not better advice than I.

[orion82698]

Thank you very much for that information!

[combatchaz]

nice post shogeri!

[orion82698]

Does JJJ have Kata's or forms to step through? I just checked out the AJA website, and didn't see anything about it.

[shogeri]

There are the KOSHIKI-NO-KATA of KODOKAN JUDO.

I cannot vouch for this information below,

----------------------

Judo Formal Techniques: A Complete Guide to Kodokan Randori No Kata

From amazon.com

This is the closest you might come to finding out the answer to your question.

--------------------------------

However, I do know that the primary kata are:

1. NAGE-NO-KATA (Forms of Throwing)

2. GONOSEN-NO-KATA (Forms of Throws and Counter Throws)

3. KIME-NO-KATA (Forms of Self-Defense)

4. ITSUTSU-NO-KATA (Forms of 5)

5. KOSHIKI-NO-KATA (Forms of Antiquity)

The most important kata would probably be:

Nage No Kata of the Randori No Kata set.

Within it you'll find:

Technique / Attack

Ogoshi / Right & left

Ippon seoi / Club blow

Sode tsurikomi goshi / Front choke

Okuri ashi harai / Front hug (pinned)

Uchi mata / Right & left

Harai goshi / Front choke

Utsuri goshi / Right & left

Makikomi harai / Full nelson

Hane goshi / Front hug (pinned)

Uki otoshi / Rear strangle

Drop sasae tsurikomi ashi / Front choke

Tomoe nage / Front choke

Ushiro goshi / Side headlock

Lapel guruma / Right & left

Yoko guruma / Side headlock

Arm guruma / Club blow, juji uke

Kata guruma / Right blow, block

Kane sute / Straight lapel

Thought I do not know them myself, I do know that to truly know jujitsu (or judo/aikido for that matter), a student will at some point need to understand and practice these kata.

Later!

[orion82698]

Awesome! Thank you

[Kajukenbopr]

thats great- good luck with that!