Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Its Relationship to Western Grappling Arts

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) has become a global phenomenon, renowned for its effectiveness in both self-defense and competitive grappling. While its roots lie in Japanese Judo and Jujutsu, BJJ has evolved alongside and been influenced by various Western grappling arts.

In this post, we’ll explore BJJ’s relationship with these Western disciplines, highlighting the connections, differences, and mutual influences that have shaped modern grappling.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: A Brief Overview

Before diving into comparisons, let’s recap the key aspects of BJJ:

• Origin: Brazil, developed by the Gracie family
• Key Features: Ground fighting, submissions, positional control
• Focus: Leverage and technique over strength and size
• Philosophy: Efficiency in real combat situations

As we explored in our post about how MMA greats train BJJ today, the art has continued to evolve, incorporating influences from various sources.

BJJ and Western Grappling Arts: A Comparative Study

1. BJJ vs. Catch Wrestling

Catch Wrestling

• Origin: England and United States
• Key Features: Submissions (called “hooks”), pins, and control
• Focus: Aggression and finishing the match quickly

Comparison:

• Both emphasize submissions, but catch wrestling includes pins as a way to win
• Catch wrestling tends to be more top-position focused, while BJJ has a developed guard game
• BJJ’s approach is often more methodical, while catch wrestling emphasizes a faster pace
• Some techniques, like the kimura lock (originally the “double wristlock” in catch), are shared between the arts

2. BJJ vs. Greco-Roman Wrestling

Greco-Roman Wrestling

• Origin: Developed in France, inspired by ancient Greek and Roman wrestling
• Key Features: Upper body throws and control, no leg attacks
• Focus: Takedowns and pins from a standing position

Comparison:

• Greco-Roman focuses exclusively on standing grappling, while BJJ emphasizes ground fighting
• BJJ has adopted some clinch and upper body control techniques from Greco-Roman
• The explosive nature of Greco-Roman takedowns contrasts with BJJ’s often more gradual approach to taking the fight to the ground
• Both emphasize body positioning and leverage, but apply these principles differently

3. BJJ vs. Freestyle Wrestling

Freestyle Wrestling

• Origin: Developed from catch wrestling and folk styles
• Key Features: Takedowns, including leg attacks, and control on the ground
• Focus: Explosive movements, pins

Comparison:

• Freestyle wrestling’s leg attacks have influenced BJJ’s takedown game
• BJJ’s ground control is more submission-focused, while freestyle aims for pins
• Both emphasize hip control and positional dominance, but with different end goals
• Freestyle’s pace is typically much faster than BJJ’s more methodical approach

4. BJJ vs. Sambo

Sambo

• Origin: Soviet Union (now Russia)
• Key Features: Throws, leg locks, and ground control
• Focus: Practical application for military and police

Comparison:

• Both BJJ and Sambo emphasize submissions, but Sambo includes a wider variety of leg locks
• Sambo incorporates more standing throws, influenced by Judo (like BJJ)
• BJJ has a more developed guard game, while Sambo emphasizes a top-heavy approach
• Both have sport and combat versions, with combat versions allowing strikes

Unique Aspects of BJJ

Through these comparisons, we can identify several unique aspects of BJJ:

1. Guard Development: The extensive development of guard positions and techniques is a hallmark of BJJ.
2. Submission Over Position: While positional control is important, BJJ places a higher emphasis on submissions compared to pins.
3. Adaptability: BJJ has shown a remarkable ability to incorporate effective techniques from other grappling arts.
4. Ground Specialization: While it includes takedowns, BJJ’s primary focus on ground fighting sets it apart from many other grappling arts.
5. Strategic Pace: BJJ often emphasizes a more methodical, energy-conserving approach compared to the explosive nature of many Western grappling styles.

The Influence of Western Grappling on BJJ

BJJ’s evolution has been significantly influenced by Western grappling arts:

1. Takedown Techniques: Incorporation of wrestling-style takedowns has enhanced BJJ’s standing game.
2. Leg Locks: Influence from catch wrestling and sambo has led to increased emphasis on leg lock submissions in modern BJJ.
3. Training Methods: The drilling and live training methods common in wrestling have been adopted by many BJJ schools.
4. Competition Strategies: As BJJ competition has evolved, strategies from wrestling (like ride time and positional control) have become more prominent.

BJJ’s Influence on Western Grappling

Conversely, BJJ has also influenced Western grappling arts:

1. Submission Awareness: Wrestlers competing in MMA have had to adapt to BJJ’s submission threats.
2. Guard Passing: The concept of strategically passing the guard has been adopted in some form by other grappling arts.
3. Ground Control: BJJ’s methodical approach to ground control has influenced how other grappling arts approach ground fighting.

Training BJJ at Our Austin Gym

At [Your Gym Name], we recognize BJJ’s unique position in the grappling world and its relationship with Western grappling arts. Our BJJ program incorporates:

1. Traditional Techniques: We teach the core principles and techniques that make BJJ unique.
2. Cross-Training Opportunities: We offer wrestling and sambo classes to complement BJJ training.
3. Modern Innovations: We stay current with the latest developments in BJJ, including techniques borrowed from other grappling arts.
4. Competitive Training: Our competition team training incorporates strategies and techniques from various grappling disciplines.
5. Historical Context: We educate our students about BJJ’s history and its relationship to other grappling arts.

Conclusion

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu occupies a unique space in the world of grappling arts. While it shares common ancestry with Japanese grappling styles, its development has been significantly influenced by Western grappling arts. At the same time, BJJ has made its own mark on these disciplines, particularly in the realm of submission grappling and MMA.

Understanding BJJ’s relationship to Western grappling arts can deepen your appreciation for the art and broaden your perspective as a grappler. Whether you’re drawn to BJJ’s technical ground game, the explosive takedowns of wrestling, or the well-roundedness of sambo, recognizing the interconnectedness of these arts can make you a more complete martial artist.

Ready to explore the world of BJJ and its connections to other grappling arts? Join us at Fighting Fit Kickboxing & Jiu Jitsu in Austin. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced grappler, our classes will help you develop a deeper understanding of BJJ and its place in the broader grappling landscape. Let’s roll!