What Is Jiu-Jitsu and How Do the Main Styles Differ?
Jiu-jitsu is a grappling martial art built around leverage, positional control, and submissions rather than striking. The two styles most people encounter are Japanese jiu-jitsu (often spelled jujutsu) and Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ). They share roots, but they differ in origin, rules, and training emphasis: Japanese jiu-jitsu is a broader self-defense system that includes strikes, throws, joint locks, and some groundwork, while BJJ specializes in ground fighting and is practiced both as a self-defense method and as a sport governed by organizations such as the IBJJF.
What jiu-jitsu actually is
At its core, jiu-jitsu assumes that a smaller, weaker person can control or submit a larger opponent by using timing, leverage, and body mechanics instead of size and strength. The main tools are:
- Takedowns and throws — bringing the opponent to the ground.
- Positional control — pinning or advancing through dominant positions.
- Submissions — joint locks (e.g., armbars) and chokes (e.g., rear naked choke) that force an opponent to submit.
Because striking is limited or absent in the sport forms, the emphasis falls on grips, weight distribution, hip movement, and the ability to stay calm under pressure.
Japanese jiu-jitsu vs. Brazilian jiu-jitsu
| Dimension | Japanese jiu-jitsu (jujutsu) | Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Traditional Japanese martial arts, developed for battlefield and self-defense use | Derived from Japanese judo and jiu-jitsu, developed and refined in Brazil |
| Scope | Broad: strikes, throws, joint locks, chokes, standing and ground work | Narrower: primarily grappling, ground control, and submissions |
| Training emphasis | Self-defense scenarios, forms, and a wide technical syllabus | Live sparring (rolling), positional sparring, and competition |
| Sport structure | Less standardized as a single global sport | Organized sport with rules, divisions, and governing bodies like the IBJJF |
| Typical uniform | Traditional gi | Gi and no-gi (rash guard and shorts) |
The practical takeaway: if you want a broad self-defense system with striking and standing techniques, Japanese jiu-jitsu may fit. If you want a deep, sport-tested ground game with frequent live sparring, BJJ is the more direct path.
Core positions and techniques in BJJ
BJJ organizes ground fighting around a set of recognizable positions. Knowing them helps you follow any class or match:
- Guard — you are on your back or seated, using your legs to control the opponent's upper body. It is an offensive position, not a passive one.
- Mount — you are on top, chest-to-chest, with high control.
- Side control — you are on top, perpendicular to the opponent, pinning the torso.
- Back control — you are behind the opponent with hooks in, the strongest position for finishing.
- Half guard, knee-on-belly, and turtle — transitional positions that appear constantly in sparring.
From these positions come submissions such as armbars, triangle chokes, kimuras, and rear naked chokes. Beginners typically spend their first weeks learning to escape bad positions and hold good ones before chasing submissions.
The belt system
BJJ uses a belt system to mark progress, generally progressing through white, blue, purple, brown, and black. Adult belts after black (e.g., red-and-black) represent further time and contribution to the art. Requirements and promotion timelines vary by school and are not fixed by a single global standard, though competition divisions are organized by belt, age, and weight.
How sport BJJ competitions are structured
Sport BJJ matches are typically organized by belt, age division, and weight class. A governing body sets the rules, weight categories, uniform requirements, and referee standards. The IBJJF (International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation) is one such governing body; its site describes it as the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation and it is widely referenced for competition rules and event organization. If you plan to compete, check the specific rule set for your event, because legal techniques often differ by belt level and age division.
Gi vs. no-gi training
- Gi training uses a traditional uniform. Grips on the jacket and pants create a slower, more control-oriented game with many collar and sleeve chokes.
- No-gi training uses a rash guard and shorts. Without fabric grips, the game becomes faster and more reliant on body locks, wrestling-style control, and different choke entries.
Many schools offer both, and skills transfer between them, but the pacing and techniques differ enough that most practitioners train both deliberately.
What beginners should expect in a first class
A typical first class includes a warm-up, technique instruction, and live sparring or drilling. You do not need prior experience, but a few practical points help:
- Wear comfortable athletic clothing or a loaner gi if the school provides one.
- Expect close physical contact and to tap early when a submission is applied — tapping is a normal safety signal, not a failure.
- Focus on breathing and basic positions rather than winning rounds.
- Ask about the school's rules on hygiene, footwear off the mat, and uniform requirements.
The fastest way to understand jiu-jitsu is to try a class and feel how leverage changes what is possible against a larger opponent. From there, choose gi, no-gi, or both based on your goals — self-defense, fitness, or competition.