The debate between ‘sport’ and ‘self defense’ BJJ has been overblown because good jiu-jitsu is always better than bad jiu-jitsu. If your focus is on self defense then find the best BJJ school you can and, if necessary, supplement that training with a little bit of boxing, kickboxing or MMA training to become comfortable in the striking zone rather than going to a lesser school that claims to teach special ‘self defense’ BJJ techniques. The magic is all in the training against resistance and dealing with pressure, and it is much easier to adjust technique on the fly than it is to suddenly develop the capacity to deal with someone who is using all their strength, energy and willpower to crush you!

Stephan Kesting

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