There is a lot to decide when deciding to take a self-defense class versus taking a jiu-jitsu class. Here are some of the differences and why you should train jiu-jitsu.
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To physically defend yourself is something you don’t want to ever be in the situation to have to do. But you don’t want to lack the knowledge on how to do so. As we live in a world that seems scarier every single day, knowing the skill of self-defense is important for everyone no matter who you are and where you’re from. There are often many videos out there to express what self-defense is and how the everyday person can apply it to their lives. These techniques sometimes are a one-off thing that might not be effective in a real-life situation. Jiu-jitsu also gives you skills to help you defend yourself when you need to. But can be intimidating to walk into a jiu-jitsu gym, sign-up for a class and take in all the info. If you’re on the fence about taking a self-defense class versus doing Brazilian jiu-jitsu, here are some of the differences between self-defense vs. jiu-jitsu.
What is Self-Defense?
Self-defense is officially defined as the countermeasure that involves the health and well-being of oneself from harm. This means that you use anything you can to defend yourself from harm be it your own hands, an object, or a weapon. Self-defense focuses on quick and effective ways to immobilize an attacker and get away. Sometimes self-defense classes will show you how to carry and use personal objects to help with your escape and show you how to use them efficiently. Self-defense does tend to be on the short-term side of practice for emergencies and is not a discipline or martial art. There is also a tendency to market self-defense classes more so to women than to men
What is Jiu-Jitsu?
Jiu-jitsu is a martial art that focuses on grappling, submissions, and controlling opponents. A lot of the practice is geared around problem-solving and thinking about the best way to get out of a situation. Jiu-jitsu is more seen as a journey and a lifestyle that does take time to build and isn’t a “couple of classes” fix to self-defense. It does take dedication and time to improve your skills in jiu-jitsu. Jiu-jitsu gyms make the classes open to everyone and (for the most part) make everyone feel welcome.
Self-Defense vs. Jiu-Jitsu: The Differences
Now that we’ve defined what self-defense and what jiu-jitsu is, let’s talk about the differences between them:
1. Techniques
Self-defense uses techniques that maybe include striking specific places to escape, utilizing personal safety instruments like tasers, batons, etc. to get out of the situation. They might include reminding class attendees to scream or make noise when being attacked.
Jiu-jitsu uses techniques that require you to use your own body and use grappling to better your position to get out of a terrible situation. You learn how to use skill over strength and how to use leverage to submit or escape from an opponent.
2. Training
When it comes to the training approach of self-defense, the classes are usually short-term sessions that give you basic skills to react to in emergencies. Sometimes the situations are given to you in theory, and you practice it a few times. The purpose for doing self-defense classes is for you to understand how to escape emergencies and that’s it. A lot of the times, the actual technique is shown in a telegraphed way to not injure the demonstrate, especially when it comes to attacks that have to do with poking someone in the eye. It is then subsequently practiced in the same manner.
With jiu-jitsu, the practice is ongoing, and you build up on basic skills weekly. You may start off with how to get an opponent off base to escape the other way but then you’ll build on the basics to get more advanced techniques and skills. A lot of the skills learned in training is put into use fully and often because of the nature of sparring (rolling) in class. Many people who do jiu-jitsu might train for different reasons such as competitions, physical fitness, self-defense, and more.
3. Mentality and Philosophy
The mentality for self-defense is that all skills are reactive and meant for reactive and sudden situations. You have one though and that is, how can I escape from this situation. Many people think that when they do a self-defense class or workshop, they will get it after a few reps of doing the move.
Jiu-jitsu is a constant mindset of problem solving, strategizing how you can improve your jiu-jitsu, and persistence to get a technique right and incorporate it into your game. You’re not only thinking about sudden situations. You’re thinking about the continual self-improvement that it will take to get you where you want to be.
4. Physical Fitness and Longevity
Many self-defense techniques are taught so that someone who is smaller or lacks strength can do the training. There is no physical training or muscle improvement that is done when training in self-defense. Also, many self-defense classes are just short workshops or one class to learn all the skills you need in a short amount of time
Jiu-jitsu is also meant to be able to work for someone who is smaller or lacks strength by using leverage. Although a person might start jiu-jitsu not being strong. But as they continue to practice, they start building strength. In addition, because of the constant rolling, practitioners of jiu-jitsu start to build flexibility, endurance, and coordination through regular practice.
My Opinion on Self-defense
As a person who has taken a self-defense class and now frequently practices jiu-jitsu, I think self-defense can often be more dangerous than training a martial art. If you think about it this way: if you go into a self-defense class and come out thinking that if I get attacked, I’m safe, then you might build a false sense of security. A few years ago, from when I am writing this, there were a couple of self-defense videos that popped up on my social media feeds that had to do with self-defense and my thought was that most people see it once or twice, think they can commit the skill to memory, save the video, and go about their day. In reality, if that exact situation where you need the self-defense skill comes up, chances are you won’t remember what to do and you can’t exactly go back to your saves like the self-defense technique is a recipe and look at it as you’re getting attacked.
That’s why I feel that doing jiu-jitsu or any martial art gives you not only self-defense techniques but ways you can get out of a situation while putting it into practice on a daily or weekly basis. You build up the muscle memory for you to be able to perform the technique without having to think about it.
Why Jiu-Jitsu Enhances Self-Defense
Although self-defense does give you some skills and techniques that you can use that are helpful, you have to be mindful that one or two self-defense classes will not make you 100% equipped to take on an attacker who approaches you. The art and practice of jiu-jitsu gives you skills that anyone can do no matter their size, age, or gender. The constant practice builds up the confidence to know that you can defend yourself and get away when you need to.
Build Yourself Up Beyond Self-Defense
Jiu-jitsu and self-defense have a few differences that can help you be safe and secure. Although this blog is mostly about jiu-jitsu, any martial art helps with self-defense and building the skill, confidence, and mindset you need to defend yourself. If you don’t want to just do jiu-jitsu other martial arts can help you with the skills and the practice you need for self-defense.
Question: What are some of the differences you’ve noticed between Self-Defense and Jiu-jitsu? Tell me in the comments and of course message me on Instagram @blackgirlwhitegi_bjj to connect more on this and other topics.
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