Jiu Jitsu: A Glossary For The Unacquainted

While Jiu Jitsu Kit is a Jiu Jitsu centered blog, I don’t think all my visitors will be familiar with the sport and martial art. That’s why I put together this post. It is a guide to acquaint those who don’t know what “rolling” is or what the term “gi” means. It is also meant to be passed to friends, family, girlfriends, boyfriends, wives and husbands who have no idea what Jiu Jitsu is about.

If you have ideas for updates or additions please let me know. I’ll update as corrections or suggestions roll in.

Jujutsu

Jiu Jitsu finds its roots in Jujutsu, a martial art which originates from Fuedal Japan, and means “art of softness.” Jujutsu evolved among Japan’s samurai and was a martial art to help a person survive when they have no weapons in combat. Judo evolved from Jujutsu.

Jiu Jitsu

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu – which I normally refer to as just “Jiu Jitsu” – evolved from Judo after Mitsuyo Maeda brought the sport and martial art to Brazil in 1914. “Jiu Jitsu” and “Jujutsu” can refer to the same thing (the Japanese martial art), but in the context of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and grappling, Jiu Jitsu is the body of techniques and knowledge, primarily originating from Brazil, that tend to focus more on grappling and ground fighting.

Ground Fighting

“Ground fighting” refers to fighting or hand-to-hand combat on the ground – unlike most other martial arts, which focus on stand up fighting. Jiu Jitsu, obviously, tends to focus on ground self-defense. Examples of martial arts that focus on stand-up fighting include Kung Fu, Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Aikido, and boxing.

Gi / Kimono

A “gi” or “kimono” (the term is often interchangable and referes to the same garment) is the traditional clothing people wear when practicing Jiu Jitsu, although some practictioners/schools do not use or wear gis. Judo and karate practitioners also wear gis but sometimes the cuts or measurements are different.

Belt

Many martial arts have belts. In Jiu Jitsu, belt rank may sometimes vary per school or tradition, but usually the belts are the following, in order from beginner to advanced: white, blue, purple, brown, black, black-red, and red. Red belts are exceptionally rare – last I heard there are only five red belts in the United States.

Professor

“Professor” in Portuguese means “teacher” is typically refers to a black belt instructor in most schools or traditions of Jiu Jitsu.

Rolling

Is “sparring” in Jiu Jitsu and may refer to an “educational” fighting session. “Rolling” can be “full speed”, but sometimes people roll at a slower pace to practice and focus on learning techniques.

Tapping

“Tapping” or “to tap” is the physical or verbal act of tapping your opponent when he or she has you in a hold or position that, if held, will break a limb, have you pass out if he or she holds it, or is extremely uncomfortable, and/or otherwise cannot be maintained. This communicates that the he or she has “won” the match or rolling session. Both the opponent or ground can be tapped. At my school, to verbally tap one says “tap” out loud.

Arm bar

Is a hold and advantageous position in Jiu Jitsu. In an arm bar, the person who is performing the arm bar is attempting to extend the elbow joint beyond 180 degrees. Obviously, if the hold is intensified, the elbow will break. A competitor wants to get an arm bar so his or her opponent will tap. There are many holds in Jiu Jitsu.

Leg bar

Is another hold and advantageous position in Jiu Jitsu. In an leg bar, the person who is performing the leg bar is attempting to extend the knee joint beyond 90 degrees. Obviously, if the hold is intensified, the knee will break. A competitor wants to get an leg bar so his or her opponent will tap.

MMA

Is “mixed martial arts” and although there might be no direct relationship between Jiu Jitsu and mixed martial arts (MMA) competition, most competitors who compete in MMA will train in Jiu Jitsu to better equip themselves for dominating the ground portion of their bouts. Most MMA fights, when they go the ground, will see the application of Jiu Jitsu.

Wikipedia was consulted when writing this post.

Update (7/6/9): Edited belt entry. Thanks Caleb!

Update (8/30/9): Edited arm bar entry. Thanks Georgette!