With its roots in the Japanese martial art of Kodokan judo, Brazilian Jui Jitsu is both a self defense art and combat sport.
Developed for ground fighting, the practitioner wears Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gear which consists of a kimono or Gi and a belt in the color of their ranking.
This sport teaches that with the techniques learned and by using leverage anyone can protect themselves against any sized opponent.
The art of Jui-Jitsu promotes physical fitness, builds character and is more than just a fighting sport.
Mitsuyo Maeda was an expert in Japanese judoka and one of five experts in Kodokan sent to Brazil to spread the word on the art.
In 1914 he arrived in Brazil and met Gastao Gracie who helped him get settled.
In appreciation of his friendship, Maeda taught Gracie's son the art.
When the Gracies went to the United States they referred to the art as Brazilian Jui-Jitsu.
Each instructor had his own technique, there are now three major styles Gracie Humaita, Gracie Barra and Carlson Jui-Jitsu.
The art became prominent in the 1990's when Royce Gracie won the Ultimate Fighting Championships.
Even though this is a martial art ground work is emphasized.
In training submissions are focused on without strikes to allow for full speed and power to be developed.
The primary ground positions are guard, back mount, full mount and side control.
Guard involves the practitioner on their back using their legs to control the opponent allowing for a variety of choke holds and joint locks, there are open, closed and half guard positions.
Back mount involves wrapping the legs and arms around the opponent, choke holds are used in this position especially if the opponent is larger.
The full mount involves straddling the opponent and pressing the knees into the armpits reducing movement.
Side control pins the opponent on their side and pressure is used on the hips and shoulders.
The two types of submission holds are choke holds and joint locks.
Choke holds can cause an opponent to become unconscious if they do not submit quickly.
Joint locks create a lever with the body and isolate limbs, it forces the joints past their normal range of motion and induces submission when pressure is increased.
Joint locks involve the ankle, shoulder, elbow and wrist as these joints are more flexible.
In tournaments knuckles can be driven into pressure points, body weight can be placed on the sternum driving the opponent to pain.
As they do not qualify as true submission moves they are avoided in middle to upper levels of competition.
Blood chokes and air chokes or chokes and strangles are the most common forms of submission holds.
Chokes are used to constrict air flow and strangles constrict the flow of blood.
Strangles work better than air chokes which can damage the trachea or result in death.
Strangulations can cut the flow of blood to the brain and cause unconsciousness.
Supervision should be in place during this type of move.
Based on ones level of knowledge and skill will determine the color belt they wear.
The colors are white for younger practitioners who are 15 years old or younger.
The highest color belt is the red 9th and 10th dan black belt.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gear consists of a kimono and a belt.