Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art focusing on leverage, pressure, spacing and movement to allow a smaller, more skilled practitioner to submit a larger opponent using skill, not strength. Derived from traditional Judo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has been refined over the last 50 years and has taken the martial arts world by storm, starting with an amazing showing by Royce Gracie at UFC 1 and continuing today where it remains a staple skill-set for all serious martial artists.
Removing an opponent’s ability to use strength and kinetic attacks like punches and kicks are key to BJJ and absolutely achievable by a smaller fighter if the follow the four step approach of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu:
Take your opponent to the ground to nullify their powerful strikes.
Get past their powerful legs to avoid kicking attacks.
Secure a dominant position that allows you to focus energy on a small area.
Submit the opponent using leverage-based attacks such as strangles and joint locks.
The two sets of belt ranks are to differentiate practitioners of different age and skill categories and give younger students more opportunities for promotion and visible improvement while they develop into teens and adults. Each belt takes between 1-3 years to achieve and gives students lots of time to refine their craft.