Jujitsu

Jujitsu (literally "the gentle fighting art'') is an empty handed extension of the sword fighting art of the Japanese Samuarai.

The actual ancient art is called Aiki Jujitsu. This involves joint locks, throws, strikes, blocks, and chokes. Aiki Jujitsu went through some changes in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Jigoro Kano removed many of the dangerous techniques to create Judo ("the gentle way''). This allowed students to practice full speed against resisting opponents, but with far fewer injuries that happened when Jujitsu was practiced at full speed.

The word Jujutsu can be broken down into two parts.

(JU) is a concept. A concept if you look it up in a dictionary says idea or thought. So this means that the first half of the word ju-jutsu (JU) is the idea part. The idea behind this meaning of Ju is “to be gentle”, “to give way”, “to yield”, “to blend”, “to move out of harm’s way”. But Ju is only the concept or idea, it is not an action.

(JUTSU) is the principle or “the action” part of Ju-Jutsu. In Japanese this word means science or art. Science is the understanding of how, why, where and when something works. Art means the type of method that is used. For instance, the art could be the format of how you move your body or how you posture your body while moving during confrontation. So the meaning of Jutsu can also stand for war or something very serious and violent in nature in terms of fighting in a war. It can stand for a way to preserve your own life.

So when you put the two together and it becomes Ju-Jutsu.

The Principles of Yielding

1. When forces collide there is destruction.
2. A large force needs only a small force to redirect it.
3. Yielding is more effective than resisting.

There are many variations of the art, which leads to a diversity of approaches. Jujutsu schools (ryū) may utilize all forms of grappling techniques to some degree (i.e. throwing, trapping, joint locks, holds, gouging, biting, disengagements, striking, and kicking). In addition to jujutsu, many schools teach the use of weapons.

Today, jujutsu is practiced both as it was hundreds of years ago, but also in modified forms for sport practice. Derived sports forms include the Olympic sport and martial art of judo, which was developed from several traditional styles of jujutsu by Kano Jigoro in the late 19th century; and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, which was-in-turn derived from earlier versions (pre-World War II) of Kodokan judo.

Most Famous Jujitsu practitioner(s):  Is of course, in the Brazilian style of Jiu Jitsu, which is Royce Gracie.  

Techniques Most Utilized in Full Contact Sanctioned Fighting Sports:

Front Snap Kick:  Is very familiar to some Karate style of Front Kicks.  Jiu Jitsu practitioners often utilize this kick to set-up a takedown.  It has a very fast whipping action that makes it harder for a Kick Catch.

Front Snap Punch:  Again very similar to some Karate techniques.  And definitely used by Jiu Jitsu practitioner to set up a throw or takedown leading into a submission.

Hip Throw with Strike:  This technique looks very familiar to Judo, however, a Jiu Jitsu practitioner will use it to transition in to a Mount position or straight into a submission or strikes.

Hip Throw to Armbar:  Classic move that if the opponent is not quick to move after being thrown to the ground, will be submitted in seconds.

Triangle Choke:  Flexibility is key in this technique.  Because if not done right can give a skilled Grappler a chance to reverse guard into a full Mount.  If done right your opponent will be hard press to escape or burn much needed energy, getting out of this technique.

Armbar:  Is a technique that can dislocate your opponents elbow if they do not submit in time.  This technique can be utilizes in transition from an takedown or used to takedown your opponent such as a Flying Armbar.

Kimura Shoulder Lock:  Utilized in a Mount or side-mount position.  Fight finisher.  Can be risky in a MMA fight.  Make sure your hooks are in to hold Side-mount or Full-mount position while attempting this technique.

Scissor Sweep:  Used to go from guard position to a mount position.  Maybe harder to execute if in a non-gi competition.

Rear Necked Choke:  If your opponent gives up his back, this technique should be used to end the bout or fight.  One of the most utilized techniques in MMA.

Knee Bar:  Use with half guard position, after Knocking opponent into a loose mount position.  Usually this is done by pulling opponent arm across your face, or knocking a punch attempt past your face, and causing an off-balance mount position.

Guard: Is very common for a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu fluent fighter to transition too, to than put him/her in position to transition to mount or to a submission.  Or  move too a half guard transitioning into a knee bar or stand up.

Guillotine Choke:  Is a head lock that can be attempted on a opponent standing or pulling your opponent down almost into a guard position.  If it is done right, meaning arms sunk in tight around your opponents neck, fight is over.

Jujitsu/Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Techniques would complement the following fighting styles:

For any Full Contact Marital Arts Competition that allows Grappling and/or Submissions, Jujitsu/BJJ is an excellent choice.  Primary stand-up fighters: Boxers, Kick boxers, Muay Thai, Karate, and Taekwondo, etc.  It would be a wise move too become very familiar with Jujitsu techniques for actual execution or to know how too defend against the techniques in a sanctioned bout or competition.  Judo or Wrestlers should utilize this art to improve arsenal or as mentioned learned to defend against it.