FAQ - What is Ju Jitsu?

	Jiu (joo) n. 'Soft', 'Pliant', 'Adaptable', 'Yielding', 'Harmonious'
	Jitsu (jit'soo) n. 'True', 'Technique'

Jujitsu is a method of defence and offence without weapons in personal encounter. For many centuries in Japan it was practised as a military art together with fencing, archery and the use of the spear. Jujitsu is not a contest of muscular strength. Nor is its prime purpose to damage or maim, but merely to incapacitate one's opponent for the time being by means of simple tricks and holds. Indeed, “jujitsu” is Japanese for “the science of gentleness”. Jujitsu tricks and holds can be very simple.

"A thorough knowledge of them, gained only with constant practice, should develop in one a feeling of strong self-confidence. This confidence causes a Jiu Jitsu expert to react almost instinctively in the event of sudden attack and to manoeuvre any situation to his or her own advantage."
George G. Yoshida, Secaucus,
New Jersey, 1958.

Rather than directly meeting force with force an attackers strength is used against themselves (Ju - the soft bit). The defender aims to redirect the attack (Jitsu - technique not power) placing the defender in a position of control allowing them to end to confrontation quickly with the correct response to the perceived threat level.

Jikishin Ju Jitsu Syllabus

The Jikishin Ju Jitsu syllabus is comprehensive and covers numerous self defence techniques (in recognition of the students desire to learn self defence techniques rather than enrol in a linguistics course all Jikishin lessons are conducted in English) :

Striking and Blocking

Students are taught how to correctly strike targets and more importantly defend against the self same attacks. The club uses a number of aids in developing punching and kicking skills including focus mitts and striking shields. We also utilise a number of Kata that provide practice in striking and defending. If someone cannot hit you they will very often reconsider any further aggressive action. Many strikes within Jikishin Ju Jitsu are distractions allowing the application of other immobilisation techniques.

Locking

Locking techniques allow you to control an aggressor with the 'threat' of pain not necessarily the application of it. Once a lock is applied the attacker is at your mercy and may be detained until the Police or some other form of help can arrive.

Throwing

Running away from a confrontation (the best option) is difficult if the attacker can follow you. This is where the throwing techniques come into their own. A successful throw results in the aggressor landing (sometimes quite hard) onto the floor. Once they are on the floor locks can be applied just as if they were on their feet or while they are standing up (if they feel up to it) you can run away.

Ground Fighting

Learning to defend yourself on the ground is substantially different that when on two feet. On the floor the power you can generate whilst standing is negated (that is why they let Boxers stand up again). Issues of leverage and anatomy become important when defending yourself whilst prone. The syllabus contains a number of submission techniques which will allow you to outthink larger and heavier opponents.

Weapons

We train with the classical Japanese weapons although we don’t fight with them. For more information, please see 'FAQ : Do you train with Weapons'.

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