Brazilian Jiu jitsu
Grading belt system
About our Brazilian Jiu Jitsu program
Sphere Martial Art offers a complete Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & Grappling instruction program that incorporates excellent technique, live sparring, competition training, and fitness. Our instructors recognise that each student is an individual with unique goals and progresses at his or her own level according to that student’s athletic and martial arts background and level of fitness.
In general, our classes follow the following format: The classes begin with a warm-up to help protect against injury and increase stamina and fitness. Following the warm-up, the instructors teach various techniques so that the students have a full of arsenal of submissions, take downs, sweeps, reversals, and escapes. Students’ questions are always more than welcome during the technique portion of the class. Finally, the students engage in live sparring in order to practice and execute the various techniques that they have learned.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu History
Jiu-Jitsu or the "gentle art" is the oldest form of martial art. It originated in India more than 2000 years before the birth of Christ. It was created by monks who could not use any type of weapons to defend their lives against barbarian attacks. It spread throughout China, and eventually took root and was modified in Japan where it became the first martial arts style. The samurai clans in Japan adopted Jiu-Jitsu as their own traditional style to defeat an opponent regardless of whether striking, throwing or grappling was involved. With the passing years, they split the techniques and developed other martial arts styles, such as judo, akido, karate, etc.
It wasn’t until the sport art of Judo and the combat art of Jiu-Jitsu were introduced to the Gracie family in Brazil that the real art of Jiu-Jitsu would be brought to life again. Japanese Jiu-Jitsu (practiced as Judo) was introduced to the Gracie family in Brazil by Maeda.In 1914, Japanese Jiu-Jitsu champion Esai Maeda migrated to Brazil where he was instrumental in establishing a Japanese immigrant community. His efforts were aided by Gastão Gracie, a Brazilian scholar and politician of Scottish descent. As an expression of his gratitude for Gracie's assistance, Maeda taught the Brazilian's oldest son, Carlos, the essential secrets of the ancient martial arts technique. Carlos taught Maeda's techniques to his four brothers, and in 1925 they opened the first Jiu-Jitsu academy in Brazil.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu quickly became one of the most popular arts used to compete in the world of Mixed Martial Arts. This is largely due to the success of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. BJJ has been entrenched in the UFC dating back to the very first event, UFC 1. The Ultimate Fighting Championship (later renamed UFC 1: The Beginning) was the first mixed martial arts (MMA) event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship, occurring at the McNichols Sports Arena in Denver, Colorado, on November 12, 1993. The tournament had no weight classes or weight limits. The matches had 5 minute time limits with unlimited rounds; therefore no judges were necessary. Competitors only won by submission, knockout, or throwing in the towel. Royce Gracie( BJJ) won the competition ultimately beating 3 opponents including the famed MMA star Ken Shamrock and so brought Brazilian Jiu jitsu into public prominence.
Home Brazilian Jiu jitsu & Grappling Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Instructors F.A.Q Where are we/contact us
Sphere Martial Art offers a complete Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & Grappling instruction program that incorporates excellent technique, live sparring, competition training, and fitness. Our instructors recognise that each student is an individual with unique goals and progresses at his or her own level according to that student’s athletic and martial arts background and level of fitness.
In general, our classes follow the following format: The classes begin with a warm-up to help protect against injury and increase stamina and fitness. Following the warm-up, the instructors teach various techniques so that the students have a full of arsenal of submissions, take downs, sweeps, reversals, and escapes. Students’ questions are always more than welcome during the technique portion of the class. Finally, the students engage in live sparring in order to practice and execute the various techniques that they have learned.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu History
Jiu-Jitsu or the "gentle art" is the oldest form of martial art. It originated in India more than 2000 years before the birth of Christ. It was created by monks who could not use any type of weapons to defend their lives against barbarian attacks. It spread throughout China, and eventually took root and was modified in Japan where it became the first martial arts style. The samurai clans in Japan adopted Jiu-Jitsu as their own traditional style to defeat an opponent regardless of whether striking, throwing or grappling was involved. With the passing years, they split the techniques and developed other martial arts styles, such as judo, akido, karate, etc.
It wasn’t until the sport art of Judo and the combat art of Jiu-Jitsu were introduced to the Gracie family in Brazil that the real art of Jiu-Jitsu would be brought to life again. Japanese Jiu-Jitsu (practiced as Judo) was introduced to the Gracie family in Brazil by Maeda.In 1914, Japanese Jiu-Jitsu champion Esai Maeda migrated to Brazil where he was instrumental in establishing a Japanese immigrant community. His efforts were aided by Gastão Gracie, a Brazilian scholar and politician of Scottish descent. As an expression of his gratitude for Gracie's assistance, Maeda taught the Brazilian's oldest son, Carlos, the essential secrets of the ancient martial arts technique. Carlos taught Maeda's techniques to his four brothers, and in 1925 they opened the first Jiu-Jitsu academy in Brazil.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu quickly became one of the most popular arts used to compete in the world of Mixed Martial Arts. This is largely due to the success of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. BJJ has been entrenched in the UFC dating back to the very first event, UFC 1. The Ultimate Fighting Championship (later renamed UFC 1: The Beginning) was the first mixed martial arts (MMA) event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship, occurring at the McNichols Sports Arena in Denver, Colorado, on November 12, 1993. The tournament had no weight classes or weight limits. The matches had 5 minute time limits with unlimited rounds; therefore no judges were necessary. Competitors only won by submission, knockout, or throwing in the towel. Royce Gracie( BJJ) won the competition ultimately beating 3 opponents including the famed MMA star Ken Shamrock and so brought Brazilian Jiu jitsu into public prominence.
Home Brazilian Jiu jitsu & Grappling Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Instructors F.A.Q Where are we/contact us
Grappling
Takedowns
Sphere Martial Arts also incorporate grappling techniques from other arts including Greco-Roman and Freestyle wrestling, Sambo and Judo. The gi form (BJJ) utilises grips on the gi to control the opponent's body, while the "no-gi"(MMA & Submission Wrestling) form emphasizes body control of the torso and head. The gi is generally not used in submission wrestling.The use of the gi is compulsory in most Brazilian jiu-jitsu competitions although more and more of these competitions are also running concurrent no-gi matches. Submission wrestling techniques also play a large role in MMA competition.
Grappling techniques can be broadly subdivided into Clinch fighting; Take-downs and Throws; Submission holds and Pinning or Controlling Techniques; and Sweeps, Reversals, Turnovers, and Escapes. Grappling techniques can be broadly subdivided into Clinch fighting; Takedowns and Throws; Submission holds and Pinning or Controlling Techniques; and Sweeps, Reversals, Turnovers, and Escapes.
Grappling techniques can be broadly subdivided into Clinch fighting; Take-downs and Throws; Submission holds and Pinning or Controlling Techniques; and Sweeps, Reversals, Turnovers, and Escapes. Grappling techniques can be broadly subdivided into Clinch fighting; Takedowns and Throws; Submission holds and Pinning or Controlling Techniques; and Sweeps, Reversals, Turnovers, and Escapes.
- Clinching, or clinch work, takes place with both competitors on their feet using various clinch holds applied to the upper body of the opponent. Clinch work is generally used to set up or defend against throws or takedowns.
- Takedowns A takedown occurs when one grappler is able to manipulate his opponent from a position where both grapplers are initially standing, to a position on the ground where the grappler completing the takedown ends up on top of the opponent.
- Throws A throw is a technique in which one grappler lifts or off-balances his opponent and maneuvers him forcefully through the air or to the ground. The purpose of throws varies among the different disciplines of grappling with some emphasizing throws with the potential to incapacitate the opponent while leaving the thrower standing or to gain a takedown or controlling position.
- Submission holds There are generally two types of submission holds: those that would potentially strangle or suffocate an opponent (chokes), and those that would potentially cause injury to a joint or other body part (locks). In sport grappling, a competitor is expected to submit, either verbally or by tapping the opponent, to admit defeat when he is caught in a submission hold that he cannot escape. Competitors who refuse to "tap out" risk unconsciousness or serious injury.
- Pinning or Controlling Techniques: A pin involves holding an opponent on his back in a position where he is unable to attack. In some styles of competitive grappling a pin is an instant victory, and in other styles it is considered a dominant position that is rewarded with points. Other controlling techniques are used to hold an opponent face down on the ground or on all fours in order to prevent an escape or attack.
- Escapes: In a general sense, an escape is accomplished by maneuverings out of danger from an inferior position. For example when a grappler who is on the ground underneath his opponent is able to get back to his feet, when a grappler is able to maneuvers out of a submission attempt and back to a position where he is no longer in immediate danger of being submitted, or when a grappler moves from an inferior position on the ground to guard.
- Turnovers: used to maneuver an opponent who is on all fours or flat on their stomach to their back, in order to score points, prepare for a pin or in order to gain a more dominant position.
- Reversals or Sweeps: These occur when a grappler who was underneath his opponent on the ground is able to maneuvers so that he gains a top position over his opponent.
