Jiu Jitsu 101: Does it have Weapon Training and Defense?
Since Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is becoming really famous in the entire world with multiple MMA fighters training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, many people start asking on does Jiu Jitsu use weapons or does it includes weapon defense techniques?
Most Brazilian Jiu Jitsu classes don’t involve weapon training. In fact, they don’t even teach strikes such as punches and kicks. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is competition focused and most of its moves involve grapple, joint lock and choke holds. Weapon training is not something you can find in modern Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
So what if Brazilian Jiu Jitsu don’t use weapon, is there any weapon defense it teaches? Furthermore, if there is no weapon involved, why do we hear jiujitsu weapons on some people? Where does it came from? And if you are interested, what is a good martial art you can do for weapon training? Let’s find them all out here.
Does Brazilian Jiu Jitsu use weapons?
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu does not use weapons. It is a grapple based martial art that is focused on ground attacks. Most of its attacks are focused on chokes and joint locks. Furthermore, it is competition focused with two unarmed people dominating each other on the ground.
Since Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is focused on unarmed combat in competitions, it rarely or does not have any training is weapons.
Whether it is for attack or defense, they usually don’t.
But they are really good in competitions simple because they are made for that. The chokes and Joint locks are very powerful in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu especially on unarmed fights.
But on actual fights especially when weapon is involved, it is better to just run away. One of the reason is because Brazilian Jiu Jitsu doesn’t have any weapon defense training.
Does Brazilian Jiu Jitsu teach weapon defense?
Most Brazilian Jiu Jitsu schools don’t teach weapon defense. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is focused on locks, chokes, holds and positioning which is not related to weapon defense. Although some schools teach some sort of self defense on these situations, its effectivity in actual fights is still unknown.
Most Brazilian Jiu Jitsu schools don’t teach weapon defense. And if some teach, remember this.
Most weapon training in martial arts are not made for actual weapon combat.
As flashy and cool as the moves look, fights in the real world are way more unpredictable than that.
It is better to just run away from fights rather than risking anything at all. You won’t gain anything from weapon fights.
Furthermore, you don’t know the effectivity of weapon defenses taught in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in real world weapon fights.
Granted that there are Braziliin Jiu Jitsu Military people who stopped terrorist using Ak-47 guns, but remember that they are well trained in different martial arts.
People in the Military are trained for those types of situations and if you are someone who only does Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for fun or for competitions, you are not trained for that.
Do not lose hope in learning weapon, if you just want to learn how to wield weapon because they look cool and interesting, keep reading.
What if you really want to learn grapple, hold, strikes and how to use weapon. Is there a martial art where you can do all of them? Actually there is and it is also called Jiu Jitsu.
Let us discuss it in the next section.
Is there a Jiu Jitsu that uses weapons?
You might have heard about Jiu Jitsu weapons and that’s why you are looking for answers. So does Jiu Jitsu use weapons?
The Traditional or Japanese Jiu Jitsu uses weapons. It is different from Brazilian Jiu Jitsu which focuses on grappling. Traditional Jiu Jitsu is a well balanced martial art that teaches strikes, holds, throws and weapon training. Furthermore, they teach a lot of weapons to use and how to defend against weapon fights.
The traditional Jiu Jitsu is well balanced when it comes to fighting and it includes weapon fights.
This is because historically speaking, they can use weapons in fights.
They have numerous weapons to choose from and it depends on where you will be good at.
Furthermore, they have numerous self defense lessons on weapon training which is an additional plus.
If you are looking for a Jiu Jitsu that will also teach you weapon training, Traditional Jiu Jitsu is a good choice.
If you are interested in what are more differences between Traditional and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, I recommend reading this article: Brazilian vs Traditional Jiu Jitsu
What weapons does Traditional Jiu Jitsu use?
Traditional Jiu Jitsu uses a variety of weapons, here is a table summary:
| Weapon | Description |
| Tonfa | A stick with side handle |
| Nunchaku | 2 sticks connected by a rope |
| Katana | A very sharp and slightly curved blade |
| Jo | A 4 feet long stick |
| Sai | A small sword that can fit the knuckle, it can also be thrown as a long range weapon |
| Wakizashi | A small sword around 30-60cm or 12-24 inches in length |
| Bokken | Wooden Sword |
| Bo | A 6 feet long stick |
| Kubotan | A keychain weapon, it really looks like a keychain |
| Kama | It looks like a sickle |
| Naginata | A long pole with a blade in one end |
| Tanto | A small sword less than 30 cm or 12 inches in length |
| Yawara | A stick good in close combat |
Because of the long history of Traditional Jiu Jitsu is has numerous weapons you can learn.
But most don’t learn all of them, it will depend on which school of Traditional Jiu Jitsu you will enroll. But the variety of weapons you can learn is just so cool.
It is actually based in their history. Traditional Jiu Jitsu evolved into this many weapons because of the neo confucianism period in which carrying weapons are not allowed. Thus, they learned to carry small weapons or blunt weapons as a means of self defense.
Such examples are Tonfa, Yawara and Sai.
Tanto are what usually samurai uses when in emergency they lost their weapon. It is a small backup blade.
Naginata is what cavalry army used since it has a long range and a poweful weapon.
These numerous weapons are part of history.
In all honesty, I say that tonfas are really cool. Some even spin them while attacking.
But let’s say that you want to be on Brazilian Jiu Jitsu or only Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is available in your area and you want some weapon training, is there a way?
There is a way to learn and the best way is to learn another martial art.
What should you do to incorporate weapon training with BJJ
You should study another martial art that teaches weapon training if you want to learn how to wield weapons if you are in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Braziian Jiu Jitsu doesn’t teach weapon training thus, adding a martial art that is good in weapon training such as Filipino Martial Art or Krav Maga is a best option.
Filipino Martial Art is quite underrated when it comes to using weapons. It specializes in a weapon called karambit and focuses on using weapons to defeat their enemy.
Karambit is a small dagger that they mastered how to use. Furthermore, they make other martial arts who learned how to weapon defense useless with their attacks.
Krav Maga is also a good choice. So good that it is what Israel Army uses. It is so based on actual fights that weapon fighting and defending is very crucial.
If you add this with your proficiency in ground fighting from Jiu Jitsu, you’ll be unstoppable.
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Welcome to my recommended list of Jiu-Jitsu gear.
In this section, you are going to see my recommended Jiu-Jitsu gears both for beginners and pros.
Grappling Shorts
When getting some grappling shorts, you first need to understand that the thing we are looking for in grappling shorts is the ones that will provide flexibility.
This means that we are not looking at designs but what we are looking for is how comfortable it is and if you can do a full range of motions while wearing the shorts.
If that’s the case, I recommend an IBJJF approved grappling short which has no pockets that can interfere with rolls, and most importantly, allows a full range of motion. This can help you in rolls since you need to have fluid motions to do some maneuvers.
Here is the link for the product: BJJ Shorts
Grappling Spats
Grappling spats are a great alternative to Grappling shorts and are sometimes used in conjunction with Grappling shorts.
The reason for using a Grappling spat is to prevent friction.
Remember that BJJ is focused on rolls, locks, and takedowns. This is prone to friction that can cause injuries such as burns and mat cuts.
In choosing a good pair of grappling spats, you need to take note that it is important that it is also flexible so you can easily do some full-range motions while rolling.
Furthermore, since you will be covering your whole legs with it, it is important for it to absorb some sweat while still being comfortable for the wearer.
If that’s the case, I recommend these Grappling Spats which are very stretchable making them good for fluid motion. Furthermore, it is well made to handle friction which prevents any unwanted injuries.
Lastly, its cloth is breathable which means that it is very comfortable for your skin.
Here is the link for the product: Grappling Spats
Rashguard
Think of a rash guard as the grappling spat for the upper body.
Rashguard helps in preventing friction that can cause injuries such as mat cuts and burns.
When finding one, it is important to find a comfortable rash guard which is breathable. Furthermore, have one that allows a full range of motion.
Thus, I recommend this rash guard which does all of the functions I’ve said: Rashguard
Knee and Elbow Pads
Personally, I am a victim of a knee injury. That’s why I always tell people to use knee and elbow pads when doing some physically intensive activities such as BJJ.
Because of my injuries, I can’t really last long with any sort of long physical activity.
So, while it is often neglected, I believe that Knee and Elbox pads are important.
Good Knee and Elbow pads are supposed to be comfortable while still providing maximum protection to both your elbows and knees.
Thus, I recommend these safety gears:
Ear Protectors
There are lots of cauliflower ear incidents with BJJ practitioners.
Even if this is quite an unpopular safety gear, it is important as we are preventing friction that can come from rolls.
In choosing an ear protector, you do not need to get something that protects you from strikes. Striking is usually not allowed.
So, what’s important is to find something that is very lightweight and protects you from friction.
If that’s the case, then you may opt for this which is really useful and won’t look weird on rolls: Ear Guards
