What is jiu jitsu?
Jiu jitsu is a martial art from Japan meant to defeat an opponent during battle. The original jiu jitsu had many techniques, such as hitting, throwing, kicks and punches, twisting joints, holds, choking, and even used small weapons like knives and clubs. It was invented in the 1530s by the samurai warriors for life and death battle, but has become more popular today as a sport called Brazilian jiu jitsu or BJJ. BJJ is different from the original jiu jitsu because BJJ uses a lot of ground fighting, grappling, mount, and guard to try to get to a submission in a sporty competition. In BJJ, you use techniques that help a smaller person defeat a larger opponent, but we don’t compete to try to kill people! BJJ is not karate, judo, or boxing.
Why BJJ is important
One reason BJJ is important is that it is an individual sport where you go one on one with an opponent like wrestling. Unlike a team sport, there is no one to help you if you mess up. This is why you should practice to not make these mistakes. There is no one on your side, so if you mess up a little bit, it can make the difference between winning and losing. Another reason BJJ is important is that you get good exercise. For example, BJJ gives you good exercise in the warm-ups when you do forward rolls, backward rolls, and side rolls. You may use these rolls during a match. The last reason it is important is that you do a lot of thinking. One example it makes you do a lot of thinking is that there are a lot of moves to choose from like chess.
Why I encourage you to play
One reason I encourage you to play BJJ is because you get many belts which shows you trained a long time. Another reason I encourage you to play is because you compete against other players from different schools at tournaments. The last reason I encourage you to play is because there are many moves to help you get to a submission.
Belts
The first belt you get is the solid white. There are many other belts after the white. One of those belts is the black belt. Did you know that there are belts beyond the black belt? The belts after the black is the red and black, the red and white, and the solid red. The red belt is very hard to earn. Our coach once said that if he tried to get a red belt, he would be in his 90s!
Moves
There are many moves to help you get to a submission. A submission is when your opponent gives up. One famous move is the armbar. If you aren’t careful, your opponent might end up breaking an arm! Another famous move is the triangle. The triangle is a choke that you do not want to end up in. The good thing is that BJJ is a competition, so no one will get seriously injured with these and other moves.
Where you can join BJJ
If you want to join BJJ, the closest school is called Mountain Road Jiu-Jitsu. Mr. Hoak, the coach, teaches students with Carissa, another coach. The address is 1776 W. Market St. Pottsville PA, 17901. If you want to join, Mr. Hoak’s phone number is (610) 256-1705.
I hope you join Mountain Road Jiu-Jitsu! Jiu jitsu is a fun sport, because I like competing against other people at tournaments. If you work hard, you can reach the black belt, and maybe even the red belt!