When looking for the right self-defense system or martial arts discipline for you, it is good to see what styles are available to learn from. Start by understanding your goals: Are you more interested in fitness training or learning to fight? Are you looking to practice martial arts and their rules for a sport, or self-defense skills for real-world situations when there are no rules?
When comparing Krav Maga vs Jiu Jitsu, it’s easy to see how they’re different. Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art often practiced as a sport, and Krav Maga is a self defense system to prepare for real-world confrontations where there are no rules.
Looking at the philosophies of Krav Maga vs Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, you can see a contrast that explains the difference in the styles and how they came into being. By understanding these two fighting systems, it’s easier to make the choice: Krav Maga or Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
What Is Krav Maga?
Krav Maga is built around brutal, efficient techniques. It has fast become a favorite of military and law enforcement personnel worldwide. Krav Maga was created by Imi Lichtenfeld from a background in fighting, boxing, and wrestling. It was developed to help protect the Jewish population from fascists prior to World War II. When Israel was being formed after the war, Lichtenfeld taught his fighting system to soldiers in what would become the Israeli Defense Forces to help defend the young nation.
What is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, or BJJ as it is often shortened to, is a form descended from Japanese Jujutsu through Kano Judo in the early 1900s. Jiu-Jitsu is the distillation of Kano Judo’s ground fighting aspects
Designed primarily to allow smaller or weaker opponents to take a larger opponent to the ground where they can be subdued by leverage, chokes, and joint locks, it became a favorite of martial arts exhibitions and contests. If you’re interested in sports competition and contrasting Krav Maga vs Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, BJJ is an excellent choice for fighting on the mat.
Which Is The Better Self Defense Practice For Real Life?
The bottom line when looking at Krav Maga vs Jiu Jitsu is effectiveness. BJJ is great for tournaments, an excellent complement to a strike-only fighting style, and has some definite self-defense benefits when confronted with a single attacker. Krav Maga is based on real-world fighting where the only “rule” is to take care of yourself and survive. This adaptable approach allows for the flexibility to deal with fluid tactical situations.
As an example, while BJJ may be excellent at taking your opponent down and grabbing hold of him to neutralize an attack, if he brought friends, you have now also immobilized yourself. This static approach to combat works well when facing others who are using the same techniques or set of rules, which is why it is such an entertaining sport to watch. BJJ techniques, however, break down quickly when confronted with attackers wielding weapons, or who may want to take your life.
Learn To Defend Yourself In The Real World
Understanding the goal of your martial arts training is key when deciding to study Krav Maga or Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. If you have an interest in fighting classes and are ready for self defense that’s been tested and proven on the meanest streets in the world, we can help. Visit a Krav Maga Worldwide location or affiliate today and register for training.
