Wednesday, April 27, 2011

4 Sports to Cross Train In to Improve Your Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Skills


Brazilian jiu jitsu is one of the most physically demanding martial arts. Due to this fact it is often necessary to master a variety of other skills in order to excel. While there is no shortage of ways to cross train, there are definitely some sports that will provide more direct benefits than others.

1) Wrestling

Wrestling and Brazilian jiu jitsu are two sports that share many similarities. This is because they are both grappling based activities. The goal of wrestling is very different than B.J.J. Rather than trying to submit your opponent, the goal is to pin your opponent. Cross training in this sport is one of the best foundations for B.J.J. This is because wrestling teaches fundamental movements and its focus on being offensively aggressive.

2) Judo

Judo and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu actually share a similar history as they were both derived from Japanese jiu jitsu. The goal of Judo however is the perfect throw rather than performing a submission on your opponent. It is however necessary to first take your opponent to the ground in B.J.J. in order to submit them. In both sports the same uniform, the kimono, is worn and practiced in. This means that many of the same handles and techniques are easily transferable between these arts. Mastering just a few basic Judo throws is a sure way to improve your overall game.

3) Sambo

Russian sambo is also a grappling based sport like Brazilian jiu jitsu. Sambo was developed to function as a military system rather than strictly as a martial art. Due to this fact many of the submissions utilized in Russian sambo focus on neck and leg attacks. These types of submissions are often under utilized by sport B.J.J. competitors. Learning a few different types of leg locks can create a well rounded submission game that can keep the competition on their toes.

4) Gymnastics

Unlike the other activities recommended in this article, gymnastics is not a combat sport. Gymnasts are however known for having some of the best strength to weight ratios as well as possessing incredible dexterity. The best B.J.J practitioners possess many of the same physical attributes. Cross training in this sport will more than any other will increase your ability to perform basic motions and increase your agility.

There are many other ways to add to your game. Never stop learning, evolving and looking for new ways to innovate.


     By Jason Gee

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6199117

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