Grappling for MA Newbie?

[MasterTiny]

Hi everyone. For a while I have been thinking of choosing a martial art to lose weight and toughen myself up. Generally, I was looking for a martial art that involves restraining an opponent as opposed to attacking them with kicks and punches. I've made up my mind to try a martial art before I get to old (I'm 23 and feel like I would be training with much younger and fitter MA students).

The martial arts I have become interested in are BJJ and Judo. Particularly BJJ. From watching videos and visiting youtube, most BJJ practitioners I've seen would be quite large compared to me (I'm only 5'4", short and stocky, i.e. slightly chubby but I'm counting on MA to lose weight). Because I am short and lack the reach of a taller person, BJJ or judo would require me to get close to my opponent, another reason for my two choices. From watching instructional videos online, BJJ seems extremely interesting but watching some UFC and Pride however, the fights seems unnecessarily brutal, putting me off a bit.

My concern with BJJ is that it doesn't seem effective against multiple attackers (maybe cross training in judo can help a bit?). I've done much research online but have been quite complacent in actually visiting a dojo and made up my mind to visit a dojo when my uni semester is over. How viable is BJJ for someone thats very new to MA? Judo seems to be the more beginner-friendly MA but I am leaning towards BJJ.

[bushido_man96]

Hello, and welcome to the Forums, and to the Martial Arts! I think that BJJ or Judo would be a good choice for you. You said that you are leaning toward BJJ, and I don't see any reason why you shouldn't go with it.

From watching instructional videos online, BJJ seems extremely interesting but watching some UFC and Pride however, the fights seems unnecessarily brutal, putting me off a bit.

This is the MMA rendition that you are seeing, I am guessing. BJJ in itself will not involve any striking, really. BJJ itself is all grappling, so it will be like Wrestling, but just with different rules and goals. I don't expect you to do much striking.

My concern with BJJ is that it doesn't seem effective against multiple attackers (maybe cross training in judo can help a bit?).

The reality here is that NO Martial Art is effective against multiple opponents. When you are outnumbered, it is always bad. I wouldn't lean away from BJJ or Judo because of this. I think you would learn lots and enjoy it.

Best of luck to you!

[Zanshin]

Just a personal choice but I would look at Judo as my first option.

Perhaps it’s the “Nipponophile” in me but I have a tendency to think that if your going to learn something from the ground up, do it in a "classical school" first then when you have learned the basics this will open a lot more doors to you, be it BJJ or whatever.

But its your choice, I hope you enjoy whatever you choose and welcome to the forum.

[MasterTiny]

Question: Should I decide to cross train (BJJ and Judo, though I'm probably thinking too far ahead), am I obligated to the get the teacher/sensei's permission to cross train? I was under the impression that joining a martial arts club is like joining a gym. You can come and go as you please, you can choose to pay by visit or pay up front.

[bushido_man96]

Question: Should I decide to cross train (BJJ and Judo, though I'm probably thinking too far ahead), am I obligated to the get the teacher/sensei's permission to cross train? I was under the impression that joining a martial arts club is like joining a gym. You can come and go as you please, you can choose to pay by visit or pay up front.

Cross training can be iffy in the Martial Arts community. Some instructors think it is great, and some detest it. Here is a thread you can read to get some different opinions on that subject: http://www.karateforums.com/do-we-need-to-ask-permission-vt29499.html

With that said, I have heard that training in both Judo and BJJ can be beneficial, because with Judo, you start from a standing position, and in BJJ you work from the ground more. Both are good ranges to be familiar with. Therefore, if you can swing it, I would recommend cross-training in the two.

[MasterTiny]

The BJJ place also teaches Muay Thai and wrestling, so I suppose the BJJ teacher isn't against cross training.

[NightOwl]

Most BJJ places aren't, and they tend to be very casual (however don't let that fool you- they train hard!). I would agree with your two choices as the primary grappling styles to go with, however wrestling has some great clinch work and if anything will probably get you into the most shape. Judo and BJJ are derived from the same art- and as such some techniques overlap. The difference as I'm sure you've found is the focus: Judo has a high emphasis on throws and standup grappling with some groundwork called 'newaza', while BJJ on the other hand, is all about the ground and thus due to specialization really has the most efficiency at that range. As far as multiple opponents, as said no matter what style you are in, multiple guys are going to give you a hard time. I'd have to give a slight edge to judo due to the throws and standup work in that situation (you wouldn't want to be pulling somebody into your guard), but that really shouldn't count against BJJ. Really, the best option if possible is to train in both, as they will compliment each other very well.

[bushido_man96]

The BJJ place also teaches Muay Thai and wrestling, so I suppose the BJJ teacher isn't against cross training.

That sounds great, then. If I had a place around here like that, I would call it....home!!!

[cross]

My concern with BJJ is that it doesn't seem effective against multiple attackers (maybe cross training in judo can help a bit?).

If you are serious about learning how to deal with multiple attackers(not just physically), your best bet is to seek out a school that focuses specifically on self protection, not a martial arts club.

[MMA_Jim]

Hi everyone. For a while I have been thinking of choosing a martial art to lose weight and toughen myself up. Generally, I was looking for a martial art that involves restraining an opponent as opposed to attacking them with kicks and punches. I've made up my mind to try a martial art before I get to old (I'm 23 and feel like I would be training with much younger and fitter MA students).

The martial arts I have become interested in are BJJ and Judo. Particularly BJJ. From watching videos and visiting youtube, most BJJ practitioners I've seen would be quite large compared to me (I'm only 5'4", short and stocky, i.e. slightly chubby but I'm counting on MA to lose weight). Because I am short and lack the reach of a taller person, BJJ or judo would require me to get close to my opponent, another reason for my two choices. From watching instructional videos online, BJJ seems extremely interesting but watching some UFC and Pride however, the fights seems unnecessarily brutal, putting me off a bit.

My concern with BJJ is that it doesn't seem effective against multiple attackers (maybe cross training in judo can help a bit?). I've done much research online but have been quite complacent in actually visiting a dojo and made up my mind to visit a dojo when my uni semester is over. How viable is BJJ for someone thats very new to MA? Judo seems to be the more beginner-friendly MA but I am leaning towards BJJ.

Hi Master Tiny, glad to see you're picking up an interest in grappling styles!

For one, I would suggest that you dont cross train just yet. If you try to do 2 styles at once, instead of becoming bad at 1 style, you become bad at 2. Do either the BJJ or the Judo for at least 2 years, 2-3x a week before you start crosstraining in the other.

As far as BJJ seeming brutal compared to UFC, bear in mind that UFC has two well trained, well conditioned, and very tough athletes squaring off on each other. Against someone who's not versed in wrestling or jiu jitsu, the fight becomes easy to the point of being entertaining. Watch the very first UFC's and you'll see just how humane BJJ can be, even when you're the smaller guy in the fight.

Your size and stature are of no consequence. Every body type has its advantages and disadvantages. For example, your short stature may make it difficult to play and effective guard game fit with triangles and armbars, but because of your short height the takedown game will be much friendlier to you. Your smaller limbs means its harder to armlock you than it is someone who's 5'10.

As far as BJJ not seeming effective against multiple attackers, no style is, and I urge you to use caution if you meet with anyone who claims to be able to teach you that. Let anyone who claims they can defeat multiple attackers do it publicly and prove it. The combat styles such as BJJ have no problem proving that they can do what they claim to do.