General Chat & Info Board

I'm originally from Zadar—well, I guess you could say I call it home—and honestly, even there, we've got some pretty solid clubs

I honestly wouldn't know about that.

So, I was thinking—what actually makes up classic ju-jitsu versus Brazilian ju-jitsu? Like, what’s the real breakdown there?

There's this group over in Zanesville doing a sports version of jujitsu.
It’s basically like a mashup of karate and ground grappling—though honestly, I'm more into the ground work myself.
They’re actually pretty solid at it, and if I remember right, they dedicate two days a week strictly to just the ground game.
Anyway, if my memory serves me, one of their guys follows this forum, so maybe they can give you a better rundown on the specifics...

crimsonbison10 said:Maybe we should actually consider giving Dinko a shot after all

How could I forget about Dinko! 🙈 Is he still hanging out in NYC or did he build his own damn arena down south?

Jamie Fowler2 said:How could I forget about Dinko! 🙈 Is he still hanging out in NYC or did he build his own damn arena down south?

To be perfectly honest, I haven't the slightest clue, though I suppose I could find out. Last time I caught wind of him was sometime last year 😢 , and since I actually owe him a favor, I’m in no rush to go digging. 🙈

So, I was wondering—how does the whole belt progression thing actually work in Jiu-Jitsu? Like, how long does it usually take to move from a white belt to something else?

I think it really comes down to the specific school and the individual instructor you end up working with.

Jamie Fowler2 said:Kuzman teaches Tenjin Shinyo ryu, I think. Honestly, that’s probably the closest thing to "real" traditional ju-jutsu you’ll find unless you have connections or something... 🙂

Kuzman knows his stuff, he really does. Hao almost learned that the hard way. But honestly, there’s basically nobody doing Jiu-Jitsu around here besides maybe Majhen, and even he’s not all that great.
I'm not even counting guys like Grbavac or Zdunic—those types of patients who don't really have a clue what they're doing and just mix everything together...

I think Melissa Williams25 is heading over to sign up next week

Jiu-jitsu—my husband trains at a club in Chicago, and they do traditional styles alongside a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu section. I don't really know much about their training methods—except that whenever I wash his gi, it’s usually covered in blood, so... there's that.
He mentioned that even within their traditional sessions, they spend quite a bit of time working on ground fighting.

Hey everyone who regularly hangs out in this section of the forum!

Got one question for you guys.

I know you can't really tell me what I *should* train, so I’ll just lay out my own thoughts for a bit.

I tried boxing and... honestly, I wasn't feeling it. My idea was basically learning enough technique to land some "quality" shots—you know, either enough to finish a fight or just stun someone so you can keep going. Just kind of aimless, I guess—don't roast me for that.

To be honest, I'm mostly interested in self-defense. Something more stand-up oriented rather than rolling around on the floor. Times are tough, and you never know who you're dealing with these days... people are sketchy.

I'm 6'1" and about 187 lbs.
My goal is also to work on muscle definition, so I hit the home workouts Monday through Friday, and on Tuesdays and Thursdays I go for runs. I do push-ups and sit-ups, and I use this resistance band thing—it’s like those cable machines, but you have to do them right to see results.

I've always been drawn to styles where you can control an opponent using simple leverage and mass redirection.

I actually have this self-defense book focused on Judo. I’ve been looking at it and practicing breakfalls so I don't end up getting hurt by accident when I start actual training. EH, yeah—that's the main thing. I'm not really into wrestling because it feels hard to apply in a real situation; you tend to get exhausted, unless someone gets close enough to grab your arm, then things get ugly. But if someone throws a solid punch, it's not like some kid swinging wildly—wrestlers just drop. And I know a few guys in wrestling who are total bullies; they tear up their sparring partners, and then nobody wants to work with them because they break arms and the coaches just ignore it. It's all nonsense. One guy actually broke his own arm, so he isn't much of a bully anymore.😉

Basically, I want something with that Eastern vibe—something where I can neutralize someone and just walk away. That's it. And obviously, I want to get in shape before summer hits.😉

It would be pretty cool to say "poison is kept in large bottles," wouldn't it?😂

I don't know, maybe I forgot something... I'll post again when it comes to me.

Oh, right—I'm studying in Chicago, so please give me some recommendations!

Out!

Based on what you've said—it sounds like Krav Maga or Ninjutsu would be your best bet—though, personally? I’d suggest Karate, just based on my own experience! I'm not quite sure what the local club scene looks like in a place like St. Louis, so I can't really give you a solid lead there. Hopefully, someone from the area who trains something similar pops up soon—but if not, just drop a list of the clubs in town and we can try to point you in the right direction!

I think you might be a little mistaken regarding Judo and Hwa Rang—even Jiu-Jitsu shares some DNA there—because once you get enough training, you learn how to evade a strike and close the distance just enough to control someone and take them down. And trust me—hitting concrete when you don't know how to fall properly? That’ll incapacitate a person way faster than a punch ever could...
Honestly—you should primarily train whatever actually draws you in, purely for the skill itself—not just for self-defense. If that’s your only goal, then honestly? Just buy some pepper spray and call it a day; it’ll handle any attacker just fine!

There’s a Bujinkan Ninjutsu section over in Osijek. Go check them out if that sounds like your thing.
Unfortunately, their website is still down, but I can give them a call and find out when and where they hold training sessions if you want to head over and watch a class.
Either way, since you aren't quite sure what you want to train yet, my advice is to go see a few different disciplines before making a final decision.

Matej, just don't fall into the trap of thinking you can master any situation in just a few days—or even months, regardless of what skill we're talking about.
It takes long-term, dedicated training—and once you've put in enough time, you'll realize you won't even feel the need to prove yourself by putting someone in their place.

Thanks for the quick replies!

I mean, sure—being fast enough helps you dodge a hit, but you actually have to reach that level first...

I’m not afraid of putting in the work—I just care about the results.

Since I spend plenty of time online, I’ll dig around and see what you guys recommended to figure out where I might fit in...

I took a look at some Aikido clips—pretty interesting! Though, as a total amateur, the technique all looks kind of "the same" to me (like Judo or Aikido...)—you grab a ligament, twist something, throw them off balance...😬 go ahead, laugh at the newbie!

Personally, I really dig stuff that's dynamic and "fast," but still has that elegant movement—yeah, yeah, I know, it takes practice...

Anyway, I'll check things out and let you know.😁

Thanks again.

I guess I gave off the impression that I want to do everything at once, but that's not really it. I just want to start—I'm 19, and I feel like I should be doing something productive! I'm not frustrated or anything; I'm just fascinated by actual self-defense skills, more so than just grappling on a mat.

northernwalker6 said:Thanks for the quick replies!

I mean, sure—being fast enough helps you dodge a hit, but you actually have to reach that level first...

I’m not afraid of putting in the work—I just care about the results.

Since I spend plenty of time online, I’ll dig around and see what you guys recommended to figure out where I might fit in...

I took a look at some Aikido clips—pretty interesting! Though, as a total amateur, the technique all looks kind of "the same" to me (like Judo or Aikido...)—you grab a ligament, twist something, throw them off balance...😬 go ahead, laugh at the newbie!

Personally, I really dig stuff that's dynamic and "fast," but still has that elegant movement—yeah, yeah, I know, it takes practice...

Anyway, I'll check things out and let you know.😁

Thanks again.

I guess I gave off the impression that I want to do everything at once, but that's not really it. I just want to start—I'm 19, and I feel like I should be doing something productive! I'm not frustrated or anything; I'm just fascinated by actual self-defense skills, more so than just grappling on a mat.

Do a little research and look around—there's plenty to explore. I did about three or four years of Aikido back in the day... it’s truly graceful. It’s definitely practical too, even if it doesn't always look like it—though applying it in a real situation isn't quite like the drills in class, which is probably why it takes so much training to master. It really depends on the person, though.
placidbison20 gave you solid advice—check around and maybe even give them a call to set something up... based on what you said, I still think Ninjutsu would be your best bet. Those guys are awesome—I was skeptical at first too, but they totally won me over.😁
If you're looking for self-defense, that's the way to go.
It's got strikes, throws, joint locks... everything you need.

Man, I am actually loving this!

It’s got just the right amount of movement...
I mean, I might start creeping around my own apartment now, I guess.🤣

This description—it really hits home for me, mind and body.

Hey, placidbison20, whenever you have a sec, let me know if they’re actually training when the membership kicks in.
🙏 thank u man

I am not entirely sure what all they have over there or how high their level actually is.
but you should definitely give Bujinkana Sansa a shot.
based on everything I can see, they ought to be one of the higher-quality clubs in this part of the country, I suppose...
🙂

I think I might try to switch up my skill set for some reason...
they seem to cover everything I am interested in.👍
probably because they cover just about everything that comes to mind, I guess....

There’s no need to change up your technique.
Our seminars are open to everyone, not just the local guys.
You can find a full list of upcoming sessions on our website; if anything catches your eye, just let me know.
We don't have many scheduled here in the States this year, unfortunately, but we'll have two excellent specialty seminars toward the end of the year. Honestly, I think fighting without gear or barehanded is a real struggle.