When looking at starting Jiu Jitsu, many people ponder the differences between schools and the different styles of each gym. Some may opt for a traditional self defense school whilst others may opt for a sports gym that focuses more on competition. As many beginners are conscious of self defense, it is often a typical question asked; whether sport Jiu Jitsu is good for self defense?
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The differences
Self defense BJJ often teaches situations around ‘real’ combat and street situations. For instance, you may learn how to block strikes when standing, or takedown an opponent. This is similar to traditional martial arts which are based around fighting to defend yourself from an attacker. With these schools, there is rarely a focus on competition. Often, these gyms are referred to as Gracie Jiu Jitsu gyms and look mostly at the fundamentals and basics of BJJ. Another term for this is ‘combatives’, which basically means a way of using BJJ to subdue an attacker.
The main issue with these gyms is that some don’t spar as much as regular BJJ gyms which can be a problem, as sparring is what keeps your BJJ honest and sharp. Without regular sparring, you may believe your Jiu Jitsu is excellent, however drilling is completely different from sparring as there is no pressure to execute moves. With this said, you should always try to find a gym that spars.
Even if you believe a school is good for training or enjoyable, if it doesn’t allow sparring then this is a major red flag as it means its methods aren’t properly tested. We should add, this is not always the case for self defense schools, but it is certainly more commonly found compared to most sports BJJ schools.
Moving on to sport Jiu Jitsu, this often involves learning around competition instead of self defense. For instance, you may be taught basic competition rules whilst training – such as learning that a sweep earns two points and so on. The main difference here is that a sports BJJ gym isn’t as bothered around self defense and is more modernized as a result.
For example, you may be taught exclusive-sports moves such as Worm guard and inverting. The reality is, you wouldn’t use these moves in a fight as they’re too risky with little rewards. Whilst these moves are good in competitions, they could get you into trouble if used in a fight.
Another issue with sports based gyms is that sometimes they can be too strict when teaching ‘dangerous’ techniques. For example, some gyms will avoid teaching heel hooks or leglocks until brown belt. This follows the guidelines of competing, but the reality is that these moves are often very valuable when fighting.
Because of this, a practitioner could go years without learning certain moves that can end fights and submit opponents. Whilst this is not always the case, you should ask about the rules of the gym on submissions before starting if you are adamant about using certain moves that may be deemed illegal.
This is probably the main concern with sports based gyms. Whilst they may offer more sparring which is ideal, they may also teach certain bad habits. For instance, you may start stalling from bad positions to survive submissions rather than focus on escaping which is arguably more important. Once more, you may get carried away with your technique which works in competition but isn’t an ideal fighting style.
For instance, sitting guard is common in a competition, but could get your head kicked during a real fight. Because of this, if you are conscious of self defense whilst at a sports gym – remember to focus on moves that are fundamentally solid for fighting. These are basic moves that anyone can learn such as takedowns and various MMA-themed guards.
Sometimes, there actually isn’t much in it
With this being said, sometimes, there isn’t much difference between the two. For instance, if you have a self-defense gym that encourages sparring, then it will mostly focus on the basic moves. Remember, there’s nothing wrong with basic moves that are proven to be effective. Similarly, these moves will be taught in a sports BJJ gym.
Especially if your gym focuses on an oldschool game – the results will be the same. In brief, sometimes there isn’t much difference between a self-defense and sports-based gym. It should also be noted that some gyms offer both sport and self defense classes. There is also a lot of crossover between the two. For instance, an armbar is always going to be an armbar, regardless of the circumstances.
There are more sports BJJ gyms – why is this?
Often when looking around your city, you will find that most of the gyms offer sports BJJ based around competition. Whilst it’s not essential to compete in these gyms, the culture here is encouraged. One thing you may find is that sports gyms are more popular with the masses, which is why there’s more of them.
Perhaps this is down to certain restrictions of self defense schools which are typically more traditional in their outlook. For example, some of these gyms supposedly don’t like competition and actively avoid it. This is a major red flag as it means the instructor may be doubtful of their techniques being taught, so they avoid students failing to remove any possible embarrassment.
In short, you should be encouraged to compete as it puts your BJJ into a pressure environment which is different from training at the gym.
This may be one reason as to sports gyms are favored – because of the more modern atmosphere which allows competing. It is a good way to test your skills and learn about yourself. But more importantly, it mirrors what has been taught to you.
Another possibility for the popularity of sports gyms is the invention of open mat. This isn’t really done at self defense gyms which again can be an issue. The open mat is often held on Sundays and is where the gym is open for all, even if you train elsewhere.
Here, you can come in and train with different people as well as talk on the sides if needed. This creates a fun atmosphere and once again puts your skills to the test against strangers. If a gym doesn’t allow this, then again it may be a sign of the instructor being doubtful over their methods so they become avoidant of their students training with others.
Proof of sports BJJ being effective
Perhaps the biggest nod to sport BJJ being effective is the sheer number of ex-competitors who managed to dominate MMA. MMA is the nearest thing to a street fight setting so it is a good measurement of how your BJJ would fare. To name a few, the likes of Werdum, Lovato Jr and Roger Gracie have all become champions in BJJ and then in their respected MMA promotions. Similarly, others such as Vagner Rocha, Damian Maia, Kron Gracie and Jacare Souza have all gone on to have successful MMA careers.
Sadly, the same cannot be said for self-defense gyms. As of today, there have been no fighters of note to come out of these gyms and succeed in MMA. Whilst this doesn’t mean the stuff taught is ineffective, it simply means it probably isn’t good enough to reach the highest levels of MMA.
In brief, if you trained in a self-defense gym for a couple of years you would probably be able to handle opponents in a street fight. In this sense, the gym has done its job in creating a capable martial artist. At the same time, sport BJJ is also clearly capable of creating decent fighters which have been shown above with the MMA examples.
Summary
In conclusion, sport BJJ is effective in self defense situations. This has been seen at elite levels of MMA, but also in various internet videos showing self defense. At the same time, we have also discussed that sport BJJ can also have some problems such as encouraging ineffective fighting moves.
However, your own common sense should realise which positions are good and bad and it’s up to you with how you chose to learn BJJ around this. Not to mention, competing can also offer valuable experience based around fighting regarding adrenaline dumps and using techniques under greater pressure.
Overall, sport BJJ is effective in self defense and probably more fun to learn. By choosing to compete and spar regularly, it is a good way to test your skills in comparison to a real, fighting situation. At the same time, we should not be too harsh on self defense gyms. Often these can get a bad reputation, but like all gyms, there are good and bad. As previously mentioned, they often serve their purpose in offering adequate self defense techniques that have been proven to work.
This brings us to the final point, which is that ultimately it’s up to you to chose what gym is right for you. Depending on your preference, you may opt for one or the other – but dropping in for a trial lesson is advised to make sure you make the correct choice.
