The Different Forms of Jiu-Jitsu
Forms of Jiu-Jitsu
Jiu-Jitsu is a sport that can meet many different needs, and as such, people have very unique and individual experiences with it. As some background, circa 1993 in America, Jiu-Jitsu was known as a very difficult and grueling fighting art where no holds were barred. This is the type of Jiu-Jitsu that I was first exposed to and I’m incredibly grateful for the experience I gained through that time. I learned how to push my body and my mental stamina to the limit. I learned to see through pain and how to conquer it. However, as I grew in knowledge about the sport and about people, I learned that this type of intense, physically demanding training was not for everyone. This is where I first started to consider the different forms of Jiu-Jitsu.
Our History
I first started Jiu-Jitsu with my father, the founder of Self-Defense Tactics Inc. We originally focused very heavily on practical self defense, but that is physically taxing, as well as mentally grueling. We did bare knuckle sparring with a very limited rule set to keep the training realistic. After all, what good are self-defense techniques if you don’t know 100% without a doubt if they work or not? This mentality was for a very elite group only. I took over running Self-Defense Tactics in the year 2000 and in 2003 changed the name to Clinch Academy, and began to also focus on the sports of Jiu-Jitsu and MMA. Practical self defense is still incorporated in our BJJ program, but it is not our sole focus.
Sport Form of Jiu-Jitsu
The sport form of Jiu-Jitsu focuses on the competition and training associated with Jiu-Jitsu as a sport. This training can be either very intense or it can be more relaxed, depending on the individual. Jiu-Jitsu as a sport is generally highly competitive, and success is mirrored in effort. However, highly intense competition and training is not for everybody, and that’s ok! Jiu-Jitsu is a personal sport and each individual has the opportunity to excel at a rate that is comfortable for them.
Art Form of Jiu-Jitsu
The next form is the art form. This form focuses on the beauty and meticulousness of each move. One of the trademarks of Jiu-Jitsu as an art from is minimum effort, maximum result. Here, the focus is on creativity and artistic energy that is applied to achieve the maximum results with minimum effort. When you are in the art phase, jiu-jitsu is no longer just about self-defense or competition, it’s a way of life. Self enrichment and personal growth are just as important if not more important in this phase. The art mindset is crucial to the long game.
Hobby Form of Jiu-Jitsu
Some people are jiu-jitsu hobbyists. As hobbyist, they may not have an intense focus on any of the other forms and therefore do not excel quite as quickly. When you have a focus, your goals become clear and your training has more intention. This allows for you to improve at a higher speed. Hobbyist tend to want to just have some fun and get some exercise and this is fine…if that is what they want. Not everybody has the same amount of time available to put into training. That doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be able to enjoy training. A little jiu-jitsu is still better than no jiu-jitsu!
How This Applies to You
To get the most out of Jiu-Jitsu, it is preferable to go through each of these different forms or phases. However, I recognize that this isn’t something that is necessarily doable for a lot of people. Some start training at age 4 and others start at age 50 plus! The main reason that we offer so many kid’s programs is because I want to offer as many people as possible the opportunity to experience each one the these phases. Each person finds a form that suits them best personally, so it doesn’t matter if you are 4 or 50, you can still join in where you feel your passion lies.
Things I’ve Learned
Since I’ve gone through all these phases, I’ve learned a lot, both about other people and about myself. I’ve practiced intense self-defense, gone through the season of competition, transitioned into having a deep appreciation for the art. As I’ve gotten older, my technique and skill has become more and more efficient but my body can’t quite do what it was able to do 20 years ago. I’ve learned to redefine my own physical limitations and I’ve grown tremendously through that process. As an instructor, you have to have a good understanding of these different forms of jiu-jitsu because you are going to have students coming in for different reasons and at different times in their life. You can’t expect someone in their later years to want to experience intense self-defense or even competition. Not everyone is going to want to do that! You are going to have different kinds of Blue Belts and different kinds of Black Belts depending on how many different forms or phases they have been able to experience. Their jiu-jitsu will be different. It will feel different and we have to be ok with that. Jiu-Jitsu can either be a rough sport that runs your body to the ground or it can be a life art that does the body, mind and soul good. For some of us it’s both and for others, it is what it is.
Life Lessons from Jiu-Jitsu
You have to be willing to learn lessons from Jiu-Jitsu that aren’t just self defense or sport related. In Jiu-Jitsu, you learn things like patience, perseverance, dedication, and commitment. Some people use it when they are on the mat but forget about it when they are off the mat. To get the most out of your training, you should strive to carry these virtues forward in the other areas of your life. There is much to learn and gain from your training. There is a time for wanting to be the best and the baddest, and I’ve been there before. But as I’ve gone through the different phases of Jiu-Jitsu, I’ve learned to appreciate it in all of its forms.