This topic is one that has been around for many, many, years. Is it better to practice Traditional Brazilian JiuJitsu or to Focus more on the Sport Aspect of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu? There has been an overwhelming response from both sides as to why one is better than the other, and why you should practice this one instead of that one. When it really comes down to it, the real reason most people begin to practice BJJ is for Self Defense reasons. It is because they have witnessed, heard of, or have been the victim of some sort of assault or attack and now want to have some means of defending themselves. Others like myself, have had a natural curiosity about martial arts and started from there. My point that I want to make is that they needed to have something real. A proven system that would give them peace of mind in knowing that if you were ever put in a situation again where you had to defend yourself, you would be more than capable of doing so. This is why people train in the first place. To try and figure out which is better than the other and which you should really focus on, you have to understand the difference between the two to begin with.

TRADITIONAL BJJ

Traditional BJJ is what everything is based on. Sport was born from traditional. This provided the map for sport. This is typically what you will find is taught at your average BJJ Academy. The main difference being the Self Defense aspect. This is what BJJ was based around originally. If you were to engage in Physical Combat, how would you use your BJJ to overcome the adversary and gain the dominate position. The incorporation of light strikes to simulate the reality of a real fight, while performing techniques is the main difference. Are you constantly throwing strikes while grappling? No, but it necessary to be aware that the opponent has opportunity to strike you in certain situations and you have to be ready for that instance. It becomes a little difficult to finish a submission if they are able to strike you in the process. This is where recognition comes into play along with your ability to adapt to the situation. From here, using your Jiu Jitsu, you can overcome your opponent and dominate the fight getting into a position where you render their attacks obsolete. This, in my belief, is and should be the ultimate goal for your Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

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Another thing you will find different in traditional vs sport is that in traditional, there are no “illegal” techniques. We train for the streets not for competition. I tell my students all the time, “The goal isn’t to be better than all your teammates, it’s to be better than the average guy or gal you find on the street.” We use and teach the full aspect of BJJ, no holding back. Everything from Heel hooks, reaping, cervical locks, wrist locks, you name it, we teach it. You will find in sport that many moves will not be used or taught for the sake of not being disqualified in a tournament or because they are illegal for competition. I feel like this limits or puts blinders on many who train solely sport. If you have never seen it, how can you defend it? Open your mind, don’t close it.

SPORT BJJ

Like I stated earlier, Sport BJJ was born for Traditional. Humans have always had a natural tendency to compete against each other for numerous reasons. BJJ is not different, “My style is better than yours.” “Oh Yeah, Prove it!” and it starts. Just like any other competition, they have to have rules. By implementing rules they are starting to establish some form of regulation and fairness for everyone. This is where the limits begin. You can only use these moves at this point because if you use these other moves you may hurt someone because of your lack of experience. If you have the Gi on, then only these techniques will be allowed. If you use ‘Illegal techniques” you will be disqualified from competition. If you are in a NoGi match, then this ruleset with this list of techniques will only be allowed. It is things like this I feel, start to waterdown BJJ in general. I understand limiting some techniques for safety reasons, but if a player has been training for some time then his control factor should be in check as well. This seems to be the main concern, that someone will not exhibit enough self control and someone will get hurt. The Control Factor is something one developes in training. Knowing when to use power and how much to use is a great tool. It will allow you to conserve energy in a tourney setting but also give you the heads up on when you should bail on a technique and transition to another.

One very good thing about training Sport BJJ is that you will develop lighting speed and great pressure. Your accuracy will be spot on because you know if you are late, the other guy has got the advantage. All your techniques will be smooth in a live setting because you are constantly training for that comp which is a live roll in front of an audience. Your nerves won’t be much of a factor and the adrenaline dump becomes easier to handle.

CONCLUSION

So, is it better to train Traditional over Sport? In My Opinion, Yes. While Sport holds a few advantages over Traditional BJJ, I would rather be versed in all aspects of BJJ not just a few. If I decided to focus solely later on sport, then at least i will have a full based knowledge of what BJJ entails. Then I would be prepared not only for the comp scene, but for Real Life as well. Because, in the end, this is what the overall goal is anyway. If you happen to become a World Champion in your career as a JiuJitero then bonus! Just as long as you can defend yourself and the ones you love, then your training traditional or sport has served its purpose. Take Care and as usual, have a RollBliss Day. Oss.

Chris IronMan Hinojosa

Brown Belt

Austin Submission Fighting

Rafael Lovato Association