BJJ used in a self-defense situation
Today I watched a video that was posted of a guy using his BJJ in a self-defense situation on a basketball court. The video is a great example of BJJ being used as self-defense in a hand to hand situation. What I like best about the video is that it very closely resembles a roll on the mat, except of course for the punches. I think this is significant because I’ve seen people try to reinvent the wheel and demonstrate “self-defense” moves with elaborate punching blocks and throws. Many of which look cool, but are simply not effective nor based on reality in the fast paced, high stress situation of a fight. This video and similar videos, even the old Gracies in action videos are reminders of what fighting BJJ looks like.They demonstrate that very basic BJJ combined with control of space are the essentials to winning a fight in a hand to hand situation, not some crazy self-defense move. In the video you see the purple belt working to close the distance, establish dominant position and then submission. . . essentially what is done everyday in a good BJJ gym.
BJJ is a fighting art, first and foremost. It’s always important to remember that, and we don’t have to reinvent the wheel or stop doing sport BJJ competitions in order to apply our BJJ in a fight. We just need to understand how it works in relation to a fighting situation.
