My school is a member of the Pedro Sauer associations one of the earlier members. My two head instructors when receiving their black belts had to perform the self-defense maneuvers as well as a few other things to get their black belts. That was over nine years ago befrw Rickson really started pushing all of his black belt to know the self-defense curriculum. It has since become a requirement at our school for the brown belts to learn at least 30 and before they can receive their black belt to know All 86. I originally questioned why I would have to learn these defense mechanisms. After being a mixed martial artist and learning a little bit of stand, I just always thought with my Jiu Jitsu ability in the amount of boxing ability I’d be able to defend myself from almost any attack. But my instructor wisely explained to me. What if a woman walked into our school and you were the only higher ranking belt here at the time ,a brown belt , and he asked me if this woman asked you how was she defend somebody trying to choke her with two hands from the front. He said are you gonna show her to punch the guy kick him in the balls or to do a double leg? ??? He told me it was important that I know this for the reputation of a school and to be able to teach anybody how to defend themselves. That’s when I learn self-defense was a little bit beyond just me knowing it but I had to know it so that I could show others the best way to defend themselves even if it’s not how I would do it. I guess I’m just curious on everybody’s thoughts on the Rickson Gracie self defense system? Is there anybody out there that’s never heard of it? Are there those of you out there who received your black belt without ever learning the techniques? ( also if you have time stop by check my profile and give me a verification vote)

Met Pedro many years ago at the Arnold's event being run by Relson, truly a high class dude, plus some of the best times ever.

I’ve never learned any formal self defense curriculum in BJJ class. I think it would be fun.

I’ve never learned any formal self defense curriculum in BJJ class. I think it would be fun.

Not only is it fun but a lot of that stuff is legitimate stuff that anybody of any size can use. I routinely teach the kids the bearhug self-defense around the arms and arms free. As well as double hand wrist grab defense. I feel like when I teach the young kids these three self-defense moves. And tell them to scream help danger!! as loud as they can they have a pretty good chance of surviving any kidnap situation. Plus the same moves are the ones we teach the adults so it’s stuff they can keep with them their whole lives.. honestly I find the basic ease of the moves to probably be the primary essence of Jiu Jitsu and self-defense. What good is the arm bar if we can’t get the flight to the ground in a self-defense situation? I always say not everybody is going to be able to shoot a double leg takedown. But these moves are so basic with little effort even a 60-year-old woman could do it

For sure... I like how the headlock self defenses transfer well in rolling. Give you sparring partner no option but to go for that headlock out of desperation and employ the whole series of headlock escapes and reversals, even back takes or flip it to the 10th planet Truck position. Works well on Judo guys that love Kesa Gatame too.

W h a t. I love Kesa, and have found the BJJ attempts at escaping it to be extremely unsuccessful against folks with a good judo base. Works great against other jiujiteiros who can't properly apply Kesa though ( hahaha).

W h a t. I love Kesa, and have found the BJJ attempts at escaping it to be extremely unsuccessful against folks with a good judo base. Works great against other jiujiteiros who can't properly apply Kesa though ( hahaha).

Too true... escaping Kesa from under a BJJ player who decides to try it for a change from side control, or from under an experienced judo player, there is a WORLD of difference. And I don't know why all the judo guys who love Kesa are always also 100+ kilos. :( :(

Put on some gloves on the other guy and let him try to punch you in the nose. THEN try to make all of it work.

My school is a member of the Pedro Sauer associations one of the earlier members. My two head instructors when receiving their black belts had to perform the self-defense maneuvers as well as a few other things to get their black belts. That was over nine years ago befrw Rickson really started pushing all of his black belt to know the self-defense curriculum. It has since become a requirement at our school for the brown belts to learn at least 30 and before they can receive their black belt to know All 86. I originally questioned why I would have to learn these defense mechanisms. After being a mixed martial artist and learning a little bit of stand, I just always thought with my Jiu Jitsu ability in the amount of boxing ability I’d be able to defend myself from almost any attack. But my instructor wisely explained to me. What if a woman walked into our school and you were the only higher ranking belt here at the time ,a brown belt , and he asked me if this woman asked you how was she defend somebody trying to choke her with two hands from the front. He said are you gonna show her to punch the guy kick him in the balls or to do a double leg? ??? He told me it was important that I know this for the reputation of a school and to be able to teach anybody how to defend themselves. That’s when I learn self-defense was a little bit beyond just me knowing it but I had to know it so that I could show others the best way to defend themselves even if it’s not how I would do it. I guess I’m just curious on everybody’s thoughts on the Rickson Gracie self defense system? Is there anybody out there that’s never heard of it? Are there those of you out there who received your black belt without ever learning the techniques? ( also if you have time stop by check my profile and give me a verification vote)

Unpopular opinion. The pure 'selfdefense' stuff, and especially the way it's taught and trained, is dead pattern tma stuff. Put on some gloves on the other guy and let him try to punch you in the nose. THEN try to make all of it work. Resisiting opponent. Aliveness and whatnot.

I agree. The aliveness is part of the real magic of BJJ. Some of the self defense moves are good, but you need to put on MMA gloves and go spar to really work them.

Also agree, have zero interest in 'self defense' techniques. If people want 'more realistic' training, I'd say do a 'combat jiu jitsu' class with slaps, do kickboxing, or do MMA. Have never regularly attended a school with a real self defense curriculum, and would find it so boring as to be a deal breaker. Had to do some of those techniques one day visiting a humaita gym, was embarrassing.

I just saw that Rickson’s federation is doing “self defense tournaments” where participants demonstrate self defense techniques and get points for execution. That’s seriously weird. Straight up TMA. Next up BJJ kata tournaments?

I’m a JJGF member and this is true. You will find similar kata tournaments with Japanese Ju Jitsu as well. I would love to take part in one myself tbh. https://jjgf.com/blog-pos[...]ampionship

Alistair Overeem want to learn how to defend himself from who, humans???? Against standing movie chokes and bear hugs? :D