Grappling

From: Examiner

In Japanese Martial-Arts, there are at least three known styles that are considered to be grappling, or joint manipulation, type of self defense.

We must understand that the styles I will be mentioning briefly, these styles, such as karate, were utilized during the days of the Samurai and the Ninja.

Japanese martial arts developed during the days when Japan and its history were always in battle among with or against each other for power or for liberty, when claiming Japanese Family Klan’s or tribes that had a deep soul searching for their identity in Japan.

Japanese ShotoKan Karate

Many people today are now becoming familiar with Jiu-Jitsu as MMA is dominating the Entertainment Networks such as UFC and WEC, and other fighting programs around the world. During the Vietnam War, U.S. Soldiers were at least trained in Judo or Karate, for the purpose of having to fight in battle in times of low ammunition, and now Judo is part of an Olympic sport other than Tae Kwon Do (Korean Martial Arts).

Judo Competition

Aikido has been revived in movies by such actors as Steven Segal, which is an art to consider as fighting without fighting, or closely translated as “Way of Harmonious Spirit”. Remember that Shotokan Karate adds a flavor of both Aikido and/or Judo, if what not, at times some Jiu-Jitsu in some Martial Art Schools. Basically these Japanese arts branch out themselves as time and history had changed the image of Japan. It’s really back to the Samurai days, when these styles were used in combat, and to govern order in Japan.

Steven Segal Instructing in Japanese

Steven Segal Fight Scene

How can one person distinguish of the arts, when they all look so similar to each other, when the audience just sees two people trying to dominate one over the other? The only simple answer to that question is to learn and study for yourself, and analyze from your own experiences, as you are able to interpret what is Japanese Martial Arts. Or in this case comparing Traditional Martial arts from Mixed Martial Arts, what you see in Television from the fighting matches, you will not get the full picture.

Fighters such as Lyoto Machida and George St. Pierre are some prime examples the audience can view from what is the Japanese Martial-Arts when used in MMA fighting matches in the UFC. They use their skill and training to dominate their opponents and use the knowledge they have gained from instructors who have the skill and mastery in Japanese Martial-Arts.

Jiu-Jitsu Demonstration

Today, many ask, what is the Japanese Martial Arts? If there are various forms, which branch out to an incomplete martial-art, then why the several of styles are mixed in MMA matches that also includes other forms of fighting such as Muy Thai/Kickboxing?

Remember that the Japanese have always had a complete form of martial-arts, except as it is today, different schools or instructors, had their interpretation of self-defense, that was identified to their environment and situation. MMA events on television does not give the full detail on the history or the understanding of the arts other than having two professional athletes go head to head to win and make a living out from fighting.

MMA Training

The difference with MMA what you see in Television, from fighters who claim that they are Martial-Artists, comparing to those who have studied traditional Martial-Arts especially in Japanese Martial-Arts, would be comparing to a high school drop out who picks up what he/she knows from what they learned out of a book, and comparing to a college educated student with a Bachelor Degree in a specified field.

The real difference is knowing how to come out of a fight without being harmed and using the knowledge learned from Masters in Japanese Martial-Arts. Also the time and training the student puts into the art and master himself to become a Martial-Artist. What you add to the training, and how you apply it, is how you learn from the mistakes when learning how to fight.

That is what the Martial-Arts is really about, learning from your weaknesses, understanding your strengths, and improving on your fighting style, either in life threatening situation or in competition, such as MMA events.

~武德为首, Martial Art Virtue comes first

Difference between Judo and BJJ

From: Martial Arts Club Directory

After 30 years of doing anything – or anyone - continuously, one might find themselves at a crossroads, perhaps feeling that change is in order. Some call this a mid-life crisis and as a result may get married, divorced, re-married, divorced again, commit a crime spree or just buy a white sports car. At 45 years of age, I’d already done most of the above.

My case was different. The crisis I was experiencing was a Martial Arts Mid Life Crisis. Yes, 30 years of doing any martial art – Judo in my case – can do that to you.

So I strayed and left my first martial art love for something new – Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ).

Why BJJ? I suppose the seed had been planted back in 1993 after witnessing my first UFC. Watching Royce Gracie choke and armlock his way to victory using techniques familiar to and practiced by Judoka everywhere, but with funky names like the Kimura, Guard and Triangle Choke.

Other reasons for choosing BJJ were to test my Judo skills against this fairly new art - 95% of which takes place on the ground - and to better learn how to fight off my back.

So, I joined a BJJ Club. What follows are some first hand observations and noted differences between these 2 related, yet different, martial arts:

1. Lineage: Judo was developed in Japan by Jigoro Kano in the late 1800’s, a variation of Jujitsu. As its namesake implies, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) was developed and modified in Brazil by the Gracie brothers after having being taught Judo.

2. Uniform: Judoka wear heavy weave Gi’s (kimonos) tied by a belt and with no undergarments (save underwear – hopefully); BJJ practitioners tend to wear a single weave and much lighter Gi that is also tied by a belt. They also tend to wear funky form fitting and shiny undergarments called rash guards that can be worn under the gi or without: For lack of a better term, they’re cool. Furthermore, BJJ practitioners adorn their Gi’s with color-coordinated patches and logos, usually representing clubs, organizations and/or both. Again, the coolness factor.

3. Fighting Styles: Traditional Judo clubs focus on throws and takedowns which are scored accordingly. For example, a perfect throw, one that demonstrates control, power and impetus can score a perfect point, the equivalent of a knockout punch. A perfect throw (Ippon) is the ultimate goal of most Judoka. One can also win on the ground via a submission (choke, arm lock) and/or hold down. Most Judo Clubs will focus 70-80 percent (or more) of their training on throws with the balance on ground work. Conversely, BJJ practitioners spend about 80-90 percent (or more) on the ground. Throws and takedowns are secondary and are scored as such. The ultimate goal in BJJ competition is a submission.

4. Tempo: For advanced BJJ competitors – blue to black belt – matches can run from 6 to 10 minutes with the majority of the contest taking placing on the ground/grappling. The average Judo match – for advanced and beginners - runs 5 minutes, with the majority of the contest taking place standing up. Unlike BJJ, if a Judo contest does go to the ground, fighters are given very little time to work into a hold down or submission and if there is no immediate progression, fighters are quickly brought back to the standing position. As well, a lull in action from either fighter results in penalties. As a result of shorter matches and penalties for inactivity, Judo fights tend to be faster paced and more frenetic. BJJ fights tend to have a slower tempo as fighters work on the ground to gain position, control and eventually, submissions. Extended durations may also result in a slower and more deliberate pace during BJJ matches, in large part to conserve energy and to set an opponent up for a submission.

5. Terminology: Steeped in Japanese tradition, Judo throws and techniques have Japanese origins and names. For example, the fireman’s carry (a common wrestling takedown) is known as ‘kata-guruma’ in Judo. Another common wrestling takedown – the double leg takedown – is known as ‘morote-gari’ in Judo. The rear naked choke is known as ‘hadaka jime.’ BJJ, on the other hand, has exotic and descriptive names that roll off the tongue and pique the imagination. For example, ‘peruvian neck tie,’ ‘omoplata,’ ‘nonoplata,’ ‘gogoplata’ and more. Other techniques have been anglicized and named so that the average person can easily visualize them, even those with no martial arts background. For example, the ‘guillotine choke,’ ‘clock choke,’ ‘collar choke,’ ‘spin around armbar,’ ‘guard to arm lock no gi.’ These terms, for lack of a better term, just sound cool.

6. Belt Gradings: Judoka begin at white belt and from there, progress to yellow, orange, green, blue, brown and eventually black belt. At each level, students are required to know a certain number of throws and hold downs to advance. For black belt, it is necessary to perform ‘kata’ which are also known as forms. Prior to being eligible for a black belt and performing ‘kata,’ a Judoka must first compete and accumulate points by entering tournaments and winning fights. Depending on how they win and the rank of the person(s) they beat, they are awarded points. The process is very formal. An enthusiastic Judoka that practices 3-4 times per week and that competes should be able to attain their first degree black belt within 4-5 years. Like Judo, BJJ uses a belt grading system, but that is where the similarity ends. BJJ practitioners start as white belts and progress to blue, purple, brown and black belt. After attaining each belt, stripes may also be awarded to signify progress and levels of competence. Rather than forms, belt gradings are informal and conservative in nature: belts are awarded at the instructor’s discretion and seem to be heavily influenced by attendance, progress and time spent on the mat. That said, a BJJ practitioner may remain at the same belt level for years at a time. An enthusiastic and avid BJJ practitioner should be able to attain their black belt within 8-9 years. An exceptional student, perhaps sooner.

7. Honorifics: Seniority and respect play a large role in Judo. Senior students and/or instructors are referred to as ‘Sempai’ and are the equivalent of mentors while ‘Kohai’ are the equivalent of trainees. In Judo, the term ‘Sensei’ is usually reserved for 3rd degree black belts and up, but may be used by colored belts when addressing any black belt. The term is used in reference to those that have achieved a certain level of mastery and maturity. In BJJ, the equivalent of Sensei is Professor and is only used when addressing black belts. The term ‘professor’ has a scholarly overtone and again, is one that the average person can easily identify with.

8. Profit vs Non-Profit: As a rule, Judo Clubs are run as non-profit and can often be found in community center’s and/or rented out spaces. It’s rare to find a Judo Club as a standalone storefront/entity. Unlike Judo, BJJ is for profit and charges accordingly; charging what Judo clubs ought to be charging.

9. Conduct: Judo tends to be formal in its on-the-mat interactions. For example, it is proper etiquette to bow before entering and after leaving the dojo mat area. It is also proper etiquette to bow to your partner before and after a randori (freestyle practice or sparring) and/or ne-waza (ground work/grappling) practice session. BJJ clubs are less formal and as a rule, emphasize camaraderie more so than formality. For example, prior to and following a practice session (rolling), participants will shake or slap hands. Should one partner submit the other during a rolling session, they will break and shake or slap hands. At the end of the BJJ class, everyone is acknowledged and appreciated for their efforts with hand shakes, hand slaps and partial hugs.
Note: this is the behavior demonstrated at the BJJ club that yours truly belongs to and, as a result, can not be verified as common practice among all BJJ clubs.

10. Perception: Although an Olympic sport, practiced world-wide and over 100 years old, Judo has an image/PR problem. In general, the Judo community has no idea how to market itself. If Judo were an animal, it would be on the endangered species list. On the other hand, BJJ is flourishing. It is marketed as a form of self-defense and a staple to any serious mixed-martial artists game. No doubt helped in large part by the UFC, Royce Gracie’s early success and the continued success of BJJ practitioners in mixed martial arts.

In essence, both Judo and BJJ are great sports/martial arts that have a lot to offer both purists and mixed martial artists alike. Now, if Judo can learn from the BJJ brain trust, it just may have a fighting chance of surviving the coming decades. In the meantime, I’ve temporarily traded in my Judo black belt for a BJJ white belt and am enjoying every minute of it.

~武德为首, Martial Art Virtue comes first

Youngsters taught Martial Arts to stop anti-social behaviour

From: Lancashire Telegraph

YOUNGSTERS in Pendle are being offered the chance to hone self-defence skills in a bid to crack down on anti-social behaviour.

As part of the scheme, children aged eight to 15-years-old can sign up to the free martial arts summer school, where they will be taught an introduction to the ancient Japanese art of ju-jitsu.

The classes will take place at Pendle Martial Arts Academy, in Colne Road, Brierfield, but the project is the brainchild of police community support officer (PCSO) Catherine Horner, who said a similar incentive in a neighbouring area has led to a reduction in anti-social behaviour.

Students who sign up to the course will receive a uniform, insurance to the club for a year and on completion will be graded to red belt status.

The course is due to be run on a Tuesday afternoon throughout the summer holidays at the club.

PCSO Horner said: “This is now the second year we have run this type of event, last year we saw a very positive outcome with a reduction of anti social behaviour on the Queensgate area and it was great getting to know the children.”

“There are still several students at the club who attended the scheme last year and they are all making good progress.”

The course has a very limited number of places on the course. Those wishing to apply must be between the ages of eight and 15 and live in the local area.

For an application pack contact PCSO Horner on 07961065419. If there is no answer then leave a message with contact details.

Pendle Martial Arts Academy trains six days a week in many different types of martial arts. For more information contact them on 01282 690216.

~武德为首, Martial Art Virtue comes first

A Brief History of the Kubotan

From: Japanese Jujitsu

Designed by Takayuki Kubota, the Japanese Kubotan became highly popular in the mid-1970s when it was introduced to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). The LAPD eventually began teaching female officers its proper use along with lessons in jujitsu and other martial arts.

Soon however, male officers and other security personnel began to utilise its strength in subduing uncooperative suspects.

Having a strong history associated with jujitsu and other forms of martial arts, the Kubotan works with the body’s abilities to bring about maximum efficiency in defense. The Kubotan is a Japanese invention that acts as a self-defense keychain. It can be used as a close-quarter self-defense weapon when such actions are necessary.

Used correctly, it can hold opponents in painful locks and strike at pressure points. The Kubotan has been affectionately called the “Instrument of Attitude Adjustment” by many of its users. Today, security personnel of all professions use Kubotans as a small defense mechanism. Mercenary operations utilize its pocket-size strength along with members of the Secret Service and FBI.

The device, as marketed by Takayuki Kubota, is a high-impact plastic rod measuring approximately 5.5 inches in length and a little over a half an inch in diameter. To the casual observer, a Kubotan appears to be merely a large keychain or a key fob.

Modern Kubotans, however, come in a variety of sizes and designs. Some are made of metal and spiked or pointed. Some include hidden darts or tear gas. Kubotans have a long history with law enforcement and defense personnel as well as those looking for convenient self-defense options.

~武德为首, Martial Art Morality comes first