Is Jiu Jitsu Good for Self Defense?

In this page we'll go over if Jiu Jitsu is good for Self Defense, what skills that martial art can provide you with, and if Jiu Jitsu is effective in a street fight.

is jiu jitsu good for self defense

Table of Contents

Is Jiu Jitsu Good for Self Defense?

Self Defense is the use of force to protect oneself from an attempted injury by another. The best self defense is the one where you are able to safely neutralize your opponent while enduring little to no harm.

jiu jitsu

Due to this, in our opinion Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is the best martial art for self defense.

Regardless of your stature or your strength, BJJ has been proven to be effective throughout history as long as the appropriate technique is applied at the appropriate time.

BJJ will teach you the necessary physical skills to use body positioning, wrist control, body language, balance, takedowns, takedown defense, submissions & submission defense.

BJJ will also teach you the mental skills to understand in which situations to apply these techniques, as well as keeping your emotional composure.

Is Jiu Jitsu Effective in a Street Fight?

Jiu Jitsu is one of the most effective martial arts in a street fight, as you'll be able to safely neutralize your opponent in a short period of time, while receiving little to no damage.

jiu jitsu choke street fight

However, it's important to know that in a street fight, there are no rules. There can be multiple attackers, attackers with weapons, and even slamming on concrete.

This means that in a street fight if you are ever in a situation where BJJ will need to be used, you will have to be hyper-aware of the situation that you are in.

If there are multiple attackers, you will want to disengage and run. If you decide to go to the ground with an opponent when there are multiple of them, it can lead you into a very dangerous situation that will be extremely difficult to get out of.

As always, the best self defense is to diffuse a situation. However, there are times where that's not possible and it's out of your control.

Make sure that you understand the position that you are in, and only use your training if you have no other choice but to defend yourself.

Grappling Strength

Something to point out is 'Grappling Strength'. This is something that can only be developed by, actually grappling. Although lifting weights can provide you with big strong muscles, it doesn't directly transfer into grappling strength.

BJJ practitioners have phenomenal grappling strength, which directly impacts how tight a squeeze can be, how tough their wrist control is to get out of, and even how difficult it is for an opponent to get BJJ students off of them in general.

This grappling strength is a giant benefit in any fight, and is something that is developed over hundreds of hours on the mat, and can't be developed over a single fight.

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