Jiu Jitsu Techniques
Jiu Jitsu is actually used to refer to two distinct but related martial arts: the Japanese Jiu Jitsu (or Ju Jitsu) and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Japanese Jiu Jitsu has been around in various forms for hundreds of years, with the earliest account of it going back to the historical records written during the Muromachi period of Japanese history, which lasted from 1333 to 1573.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu was born out of a later Japanese martial art called Judo, which was itself developed from various forms of Jiu Jitsu techniques.
Whichever, form you are talking about though, they both rely primarily on grappling as opposed to a striking style of fighting.
Possibly the most important component to Jiu Jitsu mastery is knowledge of the control positions, of which there are three: the Guard, the Cross Body, and the Mount.
In terms of amount of control that it can give you, the Guard is the position that allows you the least. You should spend a lot of time learning how to work from this position however, as this is probably where you will end up in a lot of the time, especially when you are just starting out.
Basically, if you can develop a set of Jiu Jitsu techniques that will work well in this position, you will be able to handle pretty much any other position.
Arm bars are an important offensive maneuver in Jiu Jitsu, and it can be difficult to learn how to do it right. On common mistake that many beginners make is not pinning the shoulders securely when performing this move.
This makes it much harder to keep your arm in position, and will allow your opponent to wiggle out of the bar. Using your knees and your feet will also help you apply the hold more effectively by focusing pressure on the shoulder area, leaving the arm vulnerable to the lock.
Finally, one of the most spectacular of all the Jiu Jitsu techniques used to make your opponent submit is the triangle choke.
This can be amazingly effective particularly if you pull your opponent’s head towards the ground, increasing the effect that your hold has on him.
