Commencing Jujitsu training next week. Have a few questions about it.

[Asmo]

I know that a dedicated MA forum might be the better place to ask but I know that several members here have had experience training in the art so I thought I'd ask here first..

A little background info on why I chose Jujitsu. I know I haven't started training in it yet so it might seem odd that I've decided on it. This all really goes back to my first exposure to MA itself, which was really a combination of the video game Street Fighter II (keep in mind this was when I was about 4 or so), Rumble in the Bronx or Project A (don't really remember which one I saw first) and the film The Street Fighter, itself.

From then on, I expressed interest in training in Karate (which I did for a few weeks, enjoyed it but at the time I don't think it kept my attention). Fast forward to late 2007/early 2008. I had just completed secondary school and I had a lot of free time on my hands, and I began seriously thinking about pursuing MA. I looked at the options that I had around me, Wing Chun, Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and a few styles of Karate. I'd considered a few but I had to factor in timetables, because I was going to college part time during the night (I still do).

Last Saturday, I saw a school that offered Karate, and Jujitsu (as well as styles of weapons fighting incorporated within). I got in touch with the owner of the school and I initially expressed interest in Karate but my schedule caused a bit of a conflict. I then asked about their Jujitsu program and it fit my schedule perfectly. I'll be going there on Monday night to check it out for myself.

I didn't mean for this to become autobiographical and I'm only just now getting to the basic gist of my questions.

As I said, I haven't started training yet but I've researched it and it looks like something that would fit me as well as something I'd be interested to do, and to commit to.

There are two classes a week (which amount to about 3 hours). The Sensei told me that they initially teach beginners separately in a small group. Their website says "All techniques are taught for self-defence situations and are practiced with one or more partners" I'd imagine that we'd run through the previous lessons' training before/during a lesson but I was wondering what sort of training that I'd be expected to do on my own to keep up? Would these techniques be something that I could practice on my own (or are there training aids/implements that could be recommended)?

If anyone can knows about the specific styles practiced and would be able to tell me more, here's the link to their website:

http://www.karateselfdefence.com/judo_jujitsu.htm

Thanks,
Scott

[VenomsFan]

the thing about jujitsu, is you need to practice with another person to get better at the grappling, locking, and throwing.

on your own, i suggest strength training with weights (upper body and legs) for balance and your core.

all in all you can't really practice jujitsu "on your own"

[inframan]

I did some Aikido and Judo years ago, the first thing you'll need to learn is ukemi, which is bascially the art of falling. You can practice most rolls and falls on your own.

But basically most judo and jujitsu is based on working with someone else. You might want to ask if any weapon training is included in their jujitsu, there may be kata you could learn with a staff or bokken.

[gorhama]

I am currently training in a sytle of Juijitsu called Shobudo Bujuitsu. It's a traditional Japanesse style and the motto is "complience through pain". So far it's been very beneficial in building up my pain tolerance....I'm still a wuss when it comes to my wrists!! :cry:

But it's cook to be a part of a martial art that has the history Juijitsu does. I hope your instructor has studies it's history like mine has. He has a wealth of knowledge and is a great teacher.

Also my teacher has shown us various ways to practice by yourself. You could paractice the movements as if someone is there like a single person kata. You could also use thick heavy ropes that serve dual purposes......help with wrist and hand strength and condition your arms.

Bes to of luck Asmo I hope you enjoy it as much as I have been.

[KUNG FU BOB]

Hey Asmo-

Great choice of styles, even if you fell into it through convenience of schedule. :wink: Of the styles that I've trained in, Jujutsu suits me (personally) best, and I like that it has both standing and ground work (around 90% of fights go to the ground) which are essential to any art. It has many no-nonsense, brutal stopping techniques, but also the appealing submission and pain-inducing locks and grabs. These are great for controling a violent attacker through extreme pain, but without causing permanent injury. That is one of my favorite aspects of the art, as I am a peaceful man that never wants to harm anyone.

As far as training goes, as others have said- the majority of training can only be done with a partner. But there are still plenty of things you can do on your own- without any equipment- to advance your physical skills and help in your training.

BREAKFALLS In your first class you will learn how to breakfall. There are several varieties of this technique, and they are all essential. Once you know how to fall properly, you will have a much easier time practicing jujutsu, as you will have more confidence when being thrown- which means your mind will not be preoccupied on "not getting hurt" but rather focused on the throw you're being taught. My sensei used to say once you become adept at breakfalls, you can fallanywhere without serious injury- except in a bathtub or out of an airplane"! LOL You really cannot practice these skills too much.

ROLLS These are great for recovering from falling or being pushed by rolling straight back onto your feet. A seemingly simple skill that can be challenging for some people to perfect, the roll also teaches you to maintain balance while in awkward positions, tumbling, and moving. Again- you cannot practice these too much.

STRIKES You can practice punching, kicking, and flicking techniques on your own. Remember that speed is most important, followed by accuracy, and technique. Practicing strikes repeatedly builds up your muscle memory so that these movements become things you can naturally do, without any thought, like walking or opening a door. I recommend a free standing punching bag- water or sand filled base- like the Wavemaster. They are easier to move around in your training environment, move more like a person when struck (as opposed to a hanging bag), and can be easily emptied for a light, convenient transport to a different location. They are perfect for kicking and punching, elbow and knee strikes. For finger jabs, finger flicks, and small snake strike techniques I recommend an old X-Ray (if you strike it with the right amount of snap at the end of your strike you can hear an audible difference) or the lid of a pizza box thumbtacked to the top of a doorway frame. Until you build up a bit of strength and endurance in your fingertips, you don't want to try these moves on the harder striking pads.

STRETCHING One of the most important aspects of this style (and any MA) is your flexibility. It's important so that you don't pull muscles while executing techniques, and also to have an edge in slipping out of locks. If your wrists are flexible enough, you'll have an edge when countering a lock that others won't. The wrist stretches are especially important in jujutstu, and can be done on a train, while walking or jogging, during a movie or veiwing TV, in class, ect.

EXERCISE General stuff like jogging, push ups, pull ups, weight training, and technique repetition are all important.

Hope this helps. Feel free to ask questions any time, and good luck in your training bro! :angel:

[butcher wing]

cool art, shrimping is dope when manuvering from under a full mount. i have been thinking of taking a traditional japanese style to add to my stand up. to make myself a complete fighter, but this wont happen until my back decides to heal. until then i work on my standing style

[bamboo spear]

It really depends on what type of jujutsu you're starting up. If it's more of a modern MMA competitive sport jujutsu (it's really judo), you'll probably do lots of cardio and randori (sparring, or "rolling"), lots of groundfighting and probably cross-training with boxing or kickboxing.

If you're doing traditional Japanese jujutsu, you'll be doing lots of academic work, as well - learning Japanese terminology and deciphering complex and very old kanji. You'll learn anachronistic things, like how a samurai would tie an opponent with rope, or the proper way to tie the sword to the belt, or how to fold a hakama (divided skirt), how you would use an iron fan against a sword or knife whilst sitting across from someone wearing a robe, how to defend against someone grabbing your "topknot" or your sword's sheath in passing, etc. Most of your techniques will be from standing and grappling ("the clench") or defending against a punch, kick or attack with a weapon. It won't be as physically demanding as MMA (lots of traditional jujutsu and aikido artist are pretty hefty), but the holds will be very painful, and you'll get used to being thrown lots of awkward ways.

Either way, enjoy, and give it your all. Make sure you research the teacher, the school and the style very well, first.

[KyFi]

Excellent advice from bamboo spear. What makes a martial art "best" for you is if you're learning something you're really interested in and enjoy, and you're getting out of it what you wanted to. There's a lot of different aspects to martial arts: fighting ability, health, culture/philosophy/tradition, competition, FUN, etc. All these things are worthwhile, and no art, in my opinion, can give you ALL of those things at the highest level. You just have to decide which of these aspects you lean towards, and then find an art with the same emphasis. And, of course, make sure your teacher is honest and knowledgeable.

[jiujitsu77]

personally i think jiujitsu sucks:xd: (hey where the f&@k did my monkeys go?)

as for bjj being basically judo....well im not too sure about that one. to be quite honest, bjj's closest link can be seen in alot of the old samurai jiujitsu training manuals (or tablets and such). don't get me wrong...judo is an integral part of bjj, but the difference begins 30 seconds after your back is on the ground. sport jj is awesome, and helps your game, stamina, grip and overall technique progress...but it is still a sport. the self defense aspects are taught separately depending on which academy you go to.

traditional japanese jiujitsu is PAINFUL! and if I had it my way, it would be part of the curriculum. the cool thing about having to have a second person with you to train is the fact that you can really monitor your progress. it's a lovely thing, jiujitsu is. no matter what style, it is still beneficial. good for you in choosing jiujitsu.

and remember. JJ Machado said it best. all of these techniques have been done before in different countries and different styles. grappling is grappling, no matter what name you put on it. for instance, to say a triangle choke is strictly a bjj move is stupid. anyone can incorporate that move since it was around prior to any gracie trying it on some 300+ sumo wrestler. really, it all boils down to the practitioner. don't be afraid to try new things, even if your style restricts you from doing so.


and damn do i wish we had weapons at our academy. stupid pigheaded mma dicks. ill nunchuk their asses! karate!

[Asmo]

Thanks for the advice guys, I really appreciate it! I'll have a word to the Sensei about training on my own but I'll most likely pick up a punching bag soon (There's a martial arts supplies store near me, I actually have to visit that area tomorrow so I might stop in and see what they have). I'm sure I'll have to come back to this thread with more questions once I actually start training, haha.

BTW, Bamboo Spear.. Learning old Kanji might come easier to me than others, considering Japanese is what I study at night :smile: