BJJ - An Overview and Opinion

?I’m going to say this right up front…. if you’re a BJJ practitioner who engages in other defensive systems that teach you other defensive skills especially those involving punches, kicks and weapons this article is NOT directed at you.

?I’m most likely going to catch some sh*t from the haters for this article but that’s ok. If it gets them to diversify their training, then my job is done.

?My Own Opinion

What I am stating here is my OWN PERSONAL VIEW. And that view comes from decades of training. I have trained in boxing, TKD, Iaido, Goshindo, Sport weapons fighting (winning multiple 1st place divisions), and Ju Jutsu (both classical and modern) as well as dabbling in BJJ. I also practice “live” cutting called Tameshigiri. I have a real understanding of how to use a knife and sword. ?For the past 30 years I have trained in a Japanese Ju Jutsu system (notice the difference in spelling) whereby practicing against unarmed, armed, and multiple attackers is built into our curriculum. Instinctive self-defense is practiced as well. I have trained many LEOs on and off over the years. And I have been told personally and on many occasions that they feel they are better able to protect themselves and their partners due to our training.

?Now you don’t have to agree with me on anything written here. All I ask is that you have an open mind and consider what I’m saying. Also, this is NOT a reflection on every BJJ practitioner/school. Some of my friends who I know for many years are BJJ guys. I have much respect for them. But they also see the problems and deficiencies of BJJ. I personally don’t believe it’s practical for defensive purposes. Especially when weapons and/or multiple attackers are involved. And I sincerely believe any LEO that only practices BJJ is putting both themselves and their partners at risk for serious injury or worse.

?And by the way, if you are an LEO and you are currently participating in ANY defensive training?program then I congratulate you. You're in the minority!!! Today, there's an overwhelming majority?of LEOs that just aren't?training. And there are many reasons for that (please check out a recent poll that I ran on LinkedIn asking just that same question (https://www.dhirubhai.net/posts/ncatunarmednonlethalforcetraining_leo-lawenforcement-polls-activity-6910248135785070592-mz4z?utm_source=linkedin_share&utm_medium=member_desktop_web).

??Self-defense training

Perhaps self-defense training means different things to different people. To me it means self-preservation of oneself and loved ones (at all costs). Oftentimes the means to self-preservation are ugly, violent, and bloody. And quite often that is due to defending oneself again an attacker(s) using their hands, feet and bladed/blunt weapons. So, in other words attackers will use whatever they need and/or what is available to do the job (on you). Therefore, you MUST train in a system that offers you as many ways as possible to protect yourself against a variety of attacks.

?When is it ok to go to the ground?

So how do you know when it is ok to go to the ground? Personal recommendation? Its NEVER ok to go to the ground. But if you need a scenario then this is as close as I can come - Its when you are 100% certain the attacker is alone and unarmed, possesses less skill than you and doesn’t outweigh you. Otherwise, my advice is to avoid going to the ground at all costs. Well, how are you to know if he’s armed if he doesn’t show the weapon? And that’s my exact point as to why you should never go to the ground. Its too dangerous. You should ALWAYS assume that an attacker is armed and ALWAYS assume he is not alone. Why does that matter to you??Well, have you considered what the attacker’s friends are doing while you’re rolling around with one perp? They’re lining up to kick you in the face or…….. stab you to death. It only takes a few seconds to stab someone multiple times. Please, let that sink in for a minute.

?What’s the difference between a grappler and a perp?

You as the grappler and he as the perp have TWO TOTALLY different objectives. And you as the grappler are at a tremendous disadvantage. You train/compete with rules (he doesn't). You train/compete by weight class (he doesn't). You train/compete by rank/experience (he doesn't). You train empty hand (he uses every weapon at his disposal). You train/compete by judges/rounds/timekeeper (he doesn't care about any of that except time. He wants you hurt/dead immediately). And the longer you "grapple" the higher the chances are that you'll be hurt/dead. You can only defend, pass guard, try armbars for so long. Especially?while you're taking?punches and elbows to the face.

?Don't buy into any of this? Then run your own pressure test. See how well you do after the first shot to the face, head,?neck, ribs, groin, etc.?Please use extreme caution when pressure testing and go slowly. Imagine for?a moment I’m the perp and we’re grounded. If I have nothing to lose (by the way THAT is the most dangerous person to face) the first thing ?I would do after bashing you in the face/head/neck a few times is put my fingers in your eyes and try to scoop them out. Sounds gross? You know why that's a very real possibility? Because your "train of thought" is severely disrupted/broken by the sheer pain of the first punches and in those 2-4 seconds you're trying to regroup is exactly when things like this happen. Seriously, for your own safety please think about that.

?Variables of Violence

You don't need to agree or understand me, but can you consider for a moment that violence will always have one thing in common with?every other single violent action?- variables? Variation in locations, people, day/time, type?of violence (robbery/rape/murder), level of violence, goals of the perp, and the big one - weapons (does he have one, what kind (gun, knife, screwdriver, scissors, pen/pencil (yes you can be killed with both) will he use it, has he used it prior? See all the variables? We can agree then that violence has many different variables? So, if there are so many variables that may cause you to be seriously hurt or worse, then why practice a system that 1) has you on the ground ?2) has you feeling comfortable on the ground 3) has you unprepared to defend against weapons while on the ground 4) has you unprepared against multiple attackers?

?So, lets sum all this up

If you’re a BJJ practitioner, I DO NOT want you to feel as if you’ve wasted your time. Under the right conditions BJJ has very good applications. What I am simply saying is that if there were no weapon attacks, multiple attacks, hand/feet attacks then I understand training only BJJ. However, I am 100% certain we can agree that in some areas the chances of a weapon attack are significantly higher.

?So again, if you’re looking to defend yourself and your partner from actual attacks who again may use a multitude of different weapons as well as multiple attackers then I’m begging you to seek out additional training. Notice I DID NOT say stop training BJJ. I’m saying diversify your training to allow you to learn different ways to protect yourself.

??Are you a law enforcement trainer or are you in charge of training?

Do you want to increase the chances your LEOs are in a better position to protect themselves and their partners? Then diversify their training. BJJ is good training. But it has deficiencies that must be acknowledged.

And if you’re also concerned about excessive force, then providing your officers with a well-rounded unarmed defensive tactics training program will help to decrease that possibility.

Diversified training better prepares officers for whatever the street throws at them. It also gives them the confidence to know they can handle themselves. And confidence is the key. Without it – you have NOTHING!!!

??Open-mined? Interested in Training?

I’m a no nonsense, no BS kind of guy. If you're open minded?enough to explore other possibilities of training, please feel free to reach out. I am happy and honored to be able to assist any way I can. My goal is to make certain that you, as an LEO, have as many options in your defensive?playbook as possible and to make certain you get home safely after every single?shift. Remember a "basic headlock?or grappling situation” can turn into you getting “stabbed/shot situation” very quickly.

?Interested in Pressure Testing?

If you're interested?in "pressure testing" your grappling skills, I'd be very happy to see the video. Please feel free to post or send it to me directly. If I can be of any assistance on this, please let me know. Happy to help.

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So, what are YOU doing to enhance your defensive skills against both unarmed and armed attacks??????

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