Jiu Jitsu Q&A

What is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu?

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (also known as “BJJ” or “Gracie Jiu Jitsu”) is a Martial Art, Self Defense System and Combat Sport that uses technique and leverage to enable a smaller & weaker person to defeat a bigger & stronger opponent using submission holds such as chokes and joint locks.  Many long time practitioners of the Art also believe that Jiu Jitsu is a Lifestyle, changing the way you think, the way you eat and the way you treat others.

Where did Jiu Jitsu come from?

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has its roots in Judo and Japanese JuJutsu.  Mitsuyo Maeda; one of the top Judo experts in Japan traveled to Brazil, arriving in 1914.  As a sign of gratitude to the Gracie Family in Brazil, Maeda taught Carlos Gracie Judo for a few years.  Carlos’s Brother; Helio Gracie also learned the art, but found that his lack of strength and agility did not allow him to do many of the moves.  Helio; along with his Brother Carlos, then gradually developed what is now known as Gracie Jiu Jitsu or Brazilian Jiu Jitsu formally introducing the art in 1925.

What is a typical BJJ class like?

The usual Jiu Jitsu class starts with 10-15 minutes of stretching and then proceeds with 10-15 minutes of warm-up using bodyweight calisthenics or exercises.  After that, there is about 30 minutes of instruction & drilling involving 1-3 different moves or positions that are practiced against a non-resisting partner.  Finally, there will be about 30-45 minutes of sparring (also known as “rolling”) involving either:  isolation sparring or positional drilling where only certain technique(s) can be used, or full sparring in which each person will try to defeat their opponent using any legal techniques.

What should I wear to class?

At your first Free Trial class, you can wear Board Shorts and a T-Shirt or any exercise type of clothing, such as “Air-Wicking” type of fabrics or Rash-Guards.  Velcro or drawstring types of closures are much better than buttons, zippers, or other metal type of fasteners.  Rings, watches, necklaces, piercings, etc., will need to be removed before class as they may get damaged or cause significant injury to yourself and/or your partner.  If you decide to join regular classes, you will eventually (within 3-6 months) need to purchase a Jiu Jitsu specific “Gi” or Kimono for our training days that include the Gi. On No-Gi days, Board Shorts and a Rash Guard style of T-Shirt is recommended.

What are the Belts in Jiu Jitsu?

The standard adult Belt System of BJJ consists of 5 belts:  White, Blue, Purple, Brown and Black.  Each belt from White to Brown has 4 “stripes” to represent the progress at that belt level.  After the 4^th stripe is reached, the next belt color will be awarded.  The length of time it takes to achieve a new belt ranges from 1-3 years, depending on the belt color and the frequency of training.  With a consistent training schedule of 3-4 days per week, it will take approximately 8-12 years for the average person to reach the level of Black Belt.  Once the Black Belt is reached, degrees are given out based on years of continued practice and/or teaching.  At the Black Belt level, it can take 3-5 years just to get one degree.  When the 7^th or 8^th degree of Black Belt is reached, a Red & Black Belt will be awarded.  After approximately 10 years at the Red & Black Belt, a 9^th degree Red Belt will be awarded.  This is the highest level that can be reached, as the 10^th degree Red Belt has been permanently reserved for the original pioneers of Jiu Jitsu; including Carlos and Helio Gracie.

What are your credentials?

I started studying Jiu Jitsu in 1993 under the only Black Belt in the San Diego, CA area at the time, Nelson Monteiro.  Nelson is a fantastic Instructor and is currently associated with the Gracie Barra organization.  About one year later, Fabio Santos arrived in San Diego and I began studying with him.  Fabio received his Black Belt from the legendary Rickson Gracie.  I stayed with Fabio through all of my belts; from White to Black and am currently an Official Affiliate and Representative of his school. You can read more about Fabio here. For more on my Lineage, see here.

What else should I know?

There is an abundance of very well written information that covers almost every possible question located here.  I highly recommend you take the time to read it.

If you still have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Thanks for visiting my website!

My Teaching

The Gracie/Brazilian Jiu Jitsu System is based on precise timing, efficiency and an effective use of leverage.  Jiu Jitsu is both a Martial Art and a way of life. The greatest Jiu Jitsu practitioners in the World consistently demonstrate patience, calmness and a smoothness that shows the art at its very best.  Jiu Jitsu rarely requires strength; while too much emotion can adversely affect the goal of surviving and ultimately; victory.  Even in the largest and most recent Jiu Jitsu Tournaments, the basics and most simple moves of the system have proven to be superior.

Jiu Jitsu was originally learned by Carlos Gracie and then later developed and refined by Helio Gracie as a Self-Defense System, with the idea of a smaller & weaker person being able to defeat a larger & stronger opponent. Over the years, a strong focus has been made on “Sport” Jiu Jitsu for Tournaments. While this has caused an increase of new, technical moves and positions, some have ignored their actual applicability in a real fight situation. A student must know the difference between the two and must always be aware of an attackers ability to hit or punch. Additionally, a student must be well versed in both grappling with or without the Gi and my classes are a mixture of the two.

At the Gracie Academy in Torrance, CA they have developed a foundation of 36 essential techniques known as the Gracie Combatives.  The movements in these lessons have been proven to be the most commonly used techniques in a real fight.  By practicing & mastering all 36 positions, a student will be much more effectively able to defend themselves against a larger & stronger opponent.

My Instructor for the last 15+ years; Fabio Santos, taught me Jiu Jitsu from the very beginning that included the Self Defense System developed by Grandmaster Helio Gracie. I believe that every new student should start their journey in Jiu Jitsu by learning and perfecting these basic 36 techniques, continually revisiting them to ensure they are always in their personal arsenal.  Therefore, just like the Gracie Academy in Torrance and just like my Instructor taught me, I will be using these 36 techniques as the foundation for all of my students.  After a student can clearly demonstrate proficiency in the execution of all 36 movements and its variations, a student will be considered for promotion to Blue Belt.

Since the most common question of new students is usually, “When or how do I get my Blue Belt?”; I will address that question below.  The Gracie Academy believes that each of the 36 lessons needs to be repeated three times before a complete understanding of each technique and all of its details can be mastered. Therefore, 36 lessons X 3 times each = 108 Classes…….so the approximate timeframes for promotion to Blue Belt are as follows:

Attending class three days per week:  9 months
Attending class two days per week:  14 months
Attending class one day per week:  27 months

Again, these are approximate timeframes and are used only as a guideline.  Some people will progress faster, while others may need more time & practice.  In my experience, I have found these estimates to be quite accurate.  After a student receives the Blue Belt, then more technical movements and advanced positions will be taught that are applicable in Sport or Tournament Jiu Jitsu.  However, I will always return to the basics & fundamentals from time to time throughout all Belt levels to review them and ensure they are never forgotten.

*It should be noted that I am not an Official Representative or Instructor of the Gracie Academy or the Gracie Combatives System.  I am just a long time student of Jiu Jitsu, under a very well respected Instructor that believes the Founding Principles of Helio Gracie and his Martial Art should be practiced and carried on.

Thanks for reading,

John Acosta