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Updating BJJ for Real-World Self-Defense
1 year(s) ago • 1134 views • 1 replies
JVBlack belt 2nd degreeVerified
1 year(s) ago
First post here, but I’ve been in the BJJ and combatives world for a while. I wanted to bring up a real gap in how we train for self-defense, especially regarding weapons and modern threats.
Most BJJ schools teach from a neutral start: both people are engaged, have the same level of awareness, and have no weapons in play. Without all those other layers, there is a lot to learn there, but real-world violence rarely looks like that. It's also relevant to say that some of the students of BJJ find themselves underserved with the self-defense aspects that drew them to training in the first place. The dynamics change fast, whether it’s an armed attacker, a sudden ambush, or a close-range fight with uneven initiative.
That’s why I started hosting the Combatives Summit—to help connect BJJ practitioners and coaches with people who specialize in those missing pieces: concealed carry, entangled gun/knife defense, control tactics, and how to integrate them into your existing program.
This isn’t about abandoning jiu-jitsu. It’s about rounding it out so we don’t give people a false sense of readiness.
If you want to bridge that gap or modernize your self-defense offerings, check out https://combativessummit.com. I'm happy to answer questions and connect you with folks doing the work.
—John Valentine
BJJ Black Belt | Combatives Instructor | Founder Member, Combatives Association
Most BJJ schools teach from a neutral start: both people are engaged, have the same level of awareness, and have no weapons in play. Without all those other layers, there is a lot to learn there, but real-world violence rarely looks like that. It's also relevant to say that some of the students of BJJ find themselves underserved with the self-defense aspects that drew them to training in the first place. The dynamics change fast, whether it’s an armed attacker, a sudden ambush, or a close-range fight with uneven initiative.
That’s why I started hosting the Combatives Summit—to help connect BJJ practitioners and coaches with people who specialize in those missing pieces: concealed carry, entangled gun/knife defense, control tactics, and how to integrate them into your existing program.
This isn’t about abandoning jiu-jitsu. It’s about rounding it out so we don’t give people a false sense of readiness.
If you want to bridge that gap or modernize your self-defense offerings, check out https://combativessummit.com. I'm happy to answer questions and connect you with folks doing the work.
—John Valentine
BJJ Black Belt | Combatives Instructor | Founder Member, Combatives Association
JCPurple beltVerified
1 year(s) ago
Hi John. Good to see you here.
I see a little irony in your question about modernizing self defense offerings since the BJJ most commonly seen today has been modernized by making it more about sport than self defense. That's not to say that traditional BJJ couldn't stand to be updated for modern threats, but it's focus on self defense seems to be largely gone.
I see a little irony in your question about modernizing self defense offerings since the BJJ most commonly seen today has been modernized by making it more about sport than self defense. That's not to say that traditional BJJ couldn't stand to be updated for modern threats, but it's focus on self defense seems to be largely gone.
