Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Brazilian Jiu-jitsu?
A:
Brazilian Jiu-jitsu is a grappling martial art that specializes in techniques when you are on the ground, whether on top or the bottom of your opponent. It encompasses throws and takedowns, positional control, positional escapes, and submissions. Submissions include arm locks, chokes, and leg locks.

Q: Where did Brazilian Jiu-jitsu come from?
A:
It started with Mitsuyo Maeda, a student of Kodokan Judo. Maeda had competed in hundreds of challenge matches from 1904 to 1925 or so, losing only twice in no-gi matches. Maeda moved to Brazil in 1915, where he started teaching. Carlos Gracie started training with Maeda at the age of 17. Carlos carried on the open challenge of his teacher, fighting and winning throughout the 1920's and 1930's. Carlos opened his own academy and taught his brothers, who together spread this style throughout Brazil.

Q: So Brazilian Jiu-jitsu is the same thing as Judo then?
A:
The short answer is no. While Maeda started out with Kodokan Judo, it clearly evolved throughout his career of challenge matches. Likewise, the Gracies, with their history of challenge matches, have continued to evolve and specialize the techniques in this martial art. This evolution led to the Gracies calling it "Brazilian Jiu-jitsu", to clearly differentiate it from Judo.

Now, regardless of their exact historical development, modern Kodokan Judo and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu differ in their emphasis. In Judo, you spend 80% to 90% of your time working on throws. In Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, you spend 80% to 90% of your time working on the ground. Simply put, you will be good at what you train.

Q: Do I have to wear a gi?
A:
I highly recommend that every student wear a gi to the gi classes, but I do not require it. I have a no-gi class where students wear t-shirt and shorts. I do not promote students who do not train in a gi at least part of the time.

Q: Can you promote students?
A:
Yes, I have permission from my instructor to promote students to blue-belt, up to three stripes.

Q: What are the ranks in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu?
A:
The following table indicates the ranks and the average total training time needed to earn a promotion to that rank. These time frames are estimates based on when most folks earn a promotion. The promotions are not automatic and can vary significantly. If you train more often and have a good amount of natural ability, you will progress significantly faster. Likewise, if you only train 2x/week you will likely not progress as fast.

The fastest time to (a legitimate) black-belt I have ever heard of is BJ Penn. He earned his in about four years. However, BJ has an obscene amount of natural talent, and was training 2x/day, 5-6 days a week! No, he did not have to support himself :-)

Earning your blue-belt is a significant accomplishment, and one not to be taken lightly. I believe that nearly everyone, with enough consistent training, can get there. Higher ranks definitely take a certain amount of natural talent and desire that not everyone possesses.

These are adult ranks, you must be at least 16 to get promoted to blue-belt. There are yellow, orange, and green between white and blue for children only.