FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about choosing whether or not to practice Brazilian Jiu Jitsu:

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF PRACTICING BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU?

The most commonly mentioned benefits are:
• Self-defense ability
• Improved self confidence
• Enhanced physical ability
• Physical fitness
• Improved discipline
• Team environment
• Social aspects
• Stress relief

WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU?

Anyone can benefit from jiu jitsu training. Men, women and children of any age can experience the benefits.

HOW DO I GET STARTED?

Getting started is simple. Just call, text, email or visit to see if jiu jitsu is for you. You can observe or participate in an actual jiu jitsu practice depending on your preference. There is always a trial period provided free of charge to help you make your decision.

WHAT EQUIPMENT IS NEEDED?

No equipment is needed to get started. Just show up and see if you enjoy the practice first, then if you do you will eventually want to purchase a gi. Gis vary in price but can be purchased for less than $100. Though this can seem expensive at first, but one gi can last for 1-2 years of training with proper care.

WHY DO YOU WEAR GIs IN TRAINING?

The gi is not just a uniform, but more importantly a training tool. When you grapple in a gi you are providing “handles” for your training partners making it easier for them to control, attack and submit you. When you learn to deal with this you become a more skilled grappler than otherwise possible training only no-gi. This is better for self-defense purposes. In self-defense situations, a physical altercation will almost always involve you and an attacker with enough clothing to be gripped.

A common argument to training in a gi comes from those who want to learn to grapple for MMA competition. “I won’t compete in a gi so why practice in one?” they often ask. This seems logical, however when a student is used to opponents being able to grip and control them in a gi they can escape much more easily when the gi is removed. No gi is actually more simplified than gi training. In addition, the skills developed in a gi are easily transferred to no-gi situations. This success of this training philosophy is evidenced by the fact that the best submission grapplers in the world with gis are also the best no-gi grapplers in the world. We do believe in training no-gi as well as gi.

HOW DO I SELECT A JIU JITSU SCHOOL?

When selecting a jiu jitsu school some factors to be considered include:
• Individual training goals
• Training philosophy
• Class structure
• Class times
• Individual attention

WHAT IS A TYPICAL JIU JITSU CLASS LIKE?

A class at CGCJJ is designed to improve the student’s jiu jitsu by focusing on two main facets; physical ability and technical knowledge. There will be a warm up section of class to prepare for the training and it will be followed by position/movement drills. The physical ability of a student to perform movements required in jiu jitsu will be improved by the use of the drills. Creating “muscle memory” is a powerful force when building skill in jiu jitsu classes. A combination of fewer techniques executed with better muscle memory is known by experts to be more effective than more techniques with less muscle memory. This quality over quantity approach is enhanced by the position/movement drills.

The technique portion of the class is focused on improvement of a certain skill by providing students detailed instruction and step by step demonstration. It could be a position such as “side-control bottom” or a series of techniques that are able to be used together effectively to achieve a certain result like “attacks from inside your guard."

HOW DOES YOUR PROGRAM ADDRESS SELF-DEFENSE?

Jiu jitsu itself is an excellent art for self-defense. One of the biggest reasons is that it can be practiced at a very high intensity very frequently without injury. Therefore if the jiu jitsu skillset is called upon in a self-defense situation the practitioner is used to full resistance.

Our program addresses self-defense firstly through the selection of pertinent, useful subject matter. We prioritize teaching skills most likely to be drawn upon in a physical confrontation. In addition to selection of skills to be practiced, we emphasize training to maximize muscle memory as mentioned above. A technique or skill will be much more likely to be executed in a high stress situation if conscious thought is minimized.

Finally, we incorporate training in other facets of fighting to improve our skill set. We believe in using striking and wrestling techniques to assist us in controlling where and how a fight takes place.

DO YOU OFFER KIDS CLASSES?

Yes, we do! Please visit our page here.

FAQ