What is Brazilian Jiu-jitsu (BJJ)?

BJJ is a form of Japanese jujitsu that evolved into a unique, evolutionary fighting style developed and popularized by the Gracie familythat emphasized (1) ground submission grappling; (2) concept of positional hierarchy; (3) effective and efficient fighting from non-dominant positions (e.g., guard); (4) safer but effective training methods; and (5) competition rules that reward moving into dominant positions or finishing with a submission, but otherwise minimally restrictive [¹].The Gracies felt that since most real fights go to the ground, the secret to winning a fight was to master groundfighting. Their primary strategy consisted of taking opponents to the ground, gaining a dominant position, and then striking them and/or submitting them (depending on the rules).

Based on these five elements, BJJ fighters were able to dominate early mixed martial arts (MMA) competition (e.g., the early Ultimate Fighting Championships). As strikers learned BJJ and wrestlers learned submissions, BJJ alone became less effective in MMA competition. BJJ fighters responded by cross training in the striking arts (e.g., Muay Thai) and take down arts (wrestling, judo). However, submitting opponents from the guard position became increasingly difficult especially when facing “ground and pound” opponents aware of submissions from the guard.

For a brief introduction to BJJ, see the following YouTube videos:

How does 10th Planet JJ differ from other types of BJJ?

The 10th Planet JJ system is a no-gi style of BJJ developed by EddieBravo [²].Although Eddie is not an MMA fighter, he recognized that BJJsubmissions (especially from the guard) were increasingly lesseffective in MMA fights (of course, there are other reasons such asMMA rules that favor the striking arts). For example, from the guardposition, how can one (1) control and set up their opponent; (2)minimized getting hit; and (3) submit their opponent with higherefficiency? He developed the “rubber guard” which he also calls the”Greco Roman guard” because it’s based on effective clinching andcontrolling an opponent in order to reduce getting hit and executing asubmission. Using the rubber guard, one executes BJJ submissions usingwrestling concepts (clinches, overhooks, underhooks, Gable grip,etc.). Of course, any wrester will tell you that you do not need totrain with a gi to learn wrestling. Eddie chose to concentrate ondeveloping a style of no-gi jiu-jitsu that builds on effective clinchand control setups. Eddie felt that no-gi JJ is not just “gi JJwithout a gi”, but rather sufficiently different and with new demands(e.g., MMA) that it deserved specialized attention anddevelopment. Fortunately for us, he also has this creative ability todevelop new moves and adapt old moves in new ways (e.g., dogfight,mission control, gangsta lean).

To summarize selected differences andcontributions of the 10th Planet JJ system:

For a brief introduction to the 10th Planet JJ system, see the following YouTube videos:

What is positional hierarchy and why does it matter?

Unarmed combat between two persons reduces to three phases: free-movement phase, standing clinch, and ground combat [³].Brazilian jiu-jitsu, as popularized by the Gracies, emphasizes ground combat. Their primary strategy consisted of taking opponents to the ground, gaining a dominant position, and then striking them and/or submitting them (depending on the rules). Specializing in realistic groundfighting, they developed a Theory of Position Hierarchy (or Dominance) based on the following criteria:

Based on these criteria, ground positions can be ranked (from best to worse):

When you have your opponent’s back from the top position you cannot be hit, you can hit at will, and you can submit (usually by rear naked choke) — hence, it’s the best position using objective criteria. Although BJJ training emphasizes submissions and not striking, the Theory of Positional Hierarchy (that considers striking) forms the basis of BJJ groundfighting strategy and competition rules [⁴,⁵] In BJJ we have this saying: “position before submission.” When we train, our primary goals are (1) move into a more dominant position, and (2) submit — in that order. Although it’s nice to submit from any position (e.g., the guard), seeking and obtaining a dominant position (and avoiding non-dominant positions) is better training for realistic fighting where your opponent will also be striking. This theory and practice of positional hierarchy is a key explanation why BJJ practitioners have been successful in mixed martial arts.

Ironically, BJJ has received notoriety because of its highly developed guard game (especially in the 10th Planet JJ system); however, the guard is NOT a dominant position especially when your opponent is free to strike you (hence the need for the 10th Planet JJ system!). Wrestlers also have a theory and practice of positional hierarchy which is to be on top and pin their opponent, which is a key reason wrestlers have also been successful in mixed martial arts. Whereas wrestlers always strive to be on top and avoid being on their backs, BJJ practitioners usually do not avoid being on their back because they are comfortable fighting from the guard position. When a wrestler meets a BJJ practitioner in a MMA fight, the wrestler usually ends up executing a “ground and pound” strategy from inside the BJJ fighter’s guard. Without a high-percentage guard, the “ground and pound” fighter usually dominates.

Understanding the Theory of Positional Hierarchy is important to guide your BJJ training. It’s critical to understand that the guard — while highly developed in BJJ — is not a dominant position. Also realize that if someone mounted you but could not submit you (because you had a great defense), but you were unable to escape the mount, based of the Theory of Positional Hierarchy, you would have been beaten in a real fight. Eddie Bravo reminds us not to be satisfied avoiding a submission when someone has mounted you (see YouTube video). Therefore, do not be satisfied having only a killer guard: practice escaping and avoiding non-dominant positions, and practice achieving dominant positions.

What is the gi vs. no gi controversy?

Many BJJ experts will argue that it is better to learn to fight with a gi before learning to fight without a gi (e.g., see [⁶]). Of course, with honest reflection we know this is simply not true. Greco Roman wrestlers do not need to first train in Judo with a gi even though they have many of the same throws [⁷] What most martial artists wear is based on their tradition and primary techniques: some wear heavy kimonos (Judo, BJJ), some wear light kimonos (Tae Kwon Do, Karate), some wear T-shirts (Wing Chun), and some wear even less (boxing, wrestling). You do not have to learn with a gi in order to be more effective without a gi. The 10th Planet JJ system is all no-gi techniques.

Should you train with a gi, no gi, or both? There is no right answer: it really depends on your goals. If your goal is to win many gi sport jiu-jitsu (or judo) tournaments, then you should train with a gi. If your goal is to win many no-gi jiu-jitsu (or submission grappling) tournaments, then you should train without a gi. If your goal is to win both gi and no-gi tournaments, then you should train with both. If your goal is fitness, either or both will keep you fit. If your goal includes self-defense, you should spend a fraction of your time training with a gi. It’s useful knowing how to execute some basic gi techniques (especially collar chokes), but more importantly how to defend against some basic gi techniques (especially collar chokes). From the 10th Planet JJ perspective, the majority of your time should be spent in no-gi training because all no-gi techniques work with or without a gi, but many gi techniques work only with a gi. But the bottom line is that “it depends” on your goals.

Any other advantages of no-gi training? First, you will become less dependent on gi “handles” (hand gripping cloth) to control our opponent. In gi JJ, we use “handles” to control, escape, or sweep our opponent; to set up submissions; and to execute submissions (e.g., collar choke). In no-gi grappling, there are no handles, and sweat makes gripping less effective (e.g., wrist control from the guard). Consequently, it is more difficult to control your opponent and the fight moves at a faster pace. Executing no-gi submissions is much more difficult and requires a tremendous amount of patience and practice (gi proponents argue that because gi fighting is slower, it benefits beginners and encourages “proper technique”—in truth it encourages gi technique). To control our opponent, we use wrestling-style hooks, and for submissions, we use non-cloth-dependent techniques (e.g., D’Arce choke, anaconda choke). Second, no-gi submission grappling develops different aspects of our groundfighting endurance. One type of endurance is what Eddie Bravo calls “squeeze endurance.” Squeeze endurance comes from a tight clinching game and from executing non-cloth-dependent submissions, especially chokes. The longer you practice no-gi submission grappling, the more anaconda-like you will become.

Is it true that 10th Planet JJ system requires freakish flexibility?

Absolutely not true! The 10th Planet JJ system concepts are not dependent on extensive flexibility; however, several techniques require extensive hip flexibility. To incorporate these techniques into your grappling arsenal you need to stretch and drill. If you’ve been around BJJ long enough, you will have already noticed that some of best fighters have very flexible hips. Flexible hips allow you to execute more techniques off your back, including some of the 10th Planet JJ techniques.

In contrast to other sports, BJJ/10thPJJ benefits primarily from a very specific type hip flexibility: simultaneous external hip rotation and hip flexion. To some, this type of hip flexibility comes naturally, to others (like me) you have to work on it. Here is a YouTube video of Eddie Bravo explaining the importance of working on your hip flexibility. In this video he demonstrates primarily external hip rotation; a couple of times he bends over, demonstrating simultaneous external hip rotation and hip flexion. He erroneously talks about the need to have “flexible knees.” Flexibility in external hip rotation and hip flexion will give the illusion that you have “flexible knees.” In fact, the knees have a very limited range of motion that cannot be “stretched.” So to minimize stress on your knees, stretch your hips.

Is it true that 10th Planet JJ system results in more knee injuries?

To the best of our knowledge, no one has documented higher rates of knee injuries from 10thPJJ techniques. However, common sense and personal experience will tell you that some of the 10thPJJ techniques can result in more stress on your knees IF you do not have appropriate hip flexibilty (described above). These lock up moves (e.g., mission control) should feel natural: if you have to grab and force your leg into position then your hips are not sufficiently flexible, and you are probably putting more stress on that knee. What can you do to minimize injuries?