Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Wakefield's Defensive Edge

BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU

Dedeco&Luigi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is primarily a ground-fighting art. Most techniques involve both fighters on the mat. There is a heavy emphasis on positional strategy, which is about which fighter is on top, and where each person's legs are. Positions are stable situations, from which a large variety of techniques are available to both fighters. The primary positions include:
Andre "Dedeco" Almeida
GUARD: The person applying the guard is on the bottom with his back on the ground; his legs are wrapped around his opponent's hips (who is said to be "in the guard"). Side control: Chest-on-chest but without the legs being entangled.

MOUNT: On top of his opponent (who "is mounted"), sitting on his chest, with one leg on either side of his torso.
Jon Armbar REAR MOUNT: Behind his opponent, with his feet hooked around his opponent's hips and upper thighs. Specific techniques taught are designed either to improve one's position (for example, to "pass the guard", by going from being "in the guard" to getting around the opponent's legs, resulting in side control); or else as a finishing submissions. Most submissions are either chokes (cutting off the blood supply to the brain) or arm locks (hyper extending the elbow, or twisting the shoulder).

BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU

History

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu became popular in the US when the Gracie family brought the Ultimate Challenge Championships, the first Mixed Martial Arts competition, to America. The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners challenges and beat all contestants, including Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Jiu-Jitsu, Kick Boxers, Judo, Boxers and even Sumo Wrestlers. This changed the martial arts for ever

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu was developed from Japanese Jiu-Jitsu by the Gracie family. During the turn of the last century, a Brazilian politician, Gastão Gracie, helped a Japanese immigrant named Mitsuo Maeda who was a Jiu-Jitsu and Judo master. In gratitude, Maeda taught his arts to Gracie's son, Carlos. Carlos then taught it to his brothers. They later refined it in the streets of Brazil to what the world now knows as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

The Gracie family felt that the art still relied too much on force and strength, and could be refined to use more leverage. This was very important, especially for Carlos and his youngest brother, Helio, who weighed less than 140 pounds and who were usually outweighed and muscled by their opponents. To survive in the streets, they continued to refine the art that was taught to them by Maeda. They challenged any and all comers regardless of fighting style or weight. They fought in hundreds of no rules matches (Vale Tudo) and they never lost a fight.

Today, to stay on top of the food chain in combat sports competition, you must be equally good standing as you are on the ground. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a proven and complete martial art for the street or the octagon (Ultimate Challenge Caged Ring).