5 Things You Need to Know About Brazilian Judo

1. Two for one

Judo is a martial arts form that, when coupled with Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, gives the athletes a complete workout that includes the powerful throwing techniques as well as advanced ground fighting. In Brazil, the two forms are often joined in what is sometimes referred to as Brazilian Judo. This training will prepare competitors for Olympic-level Judo competitions, as well as give the martial artists all the necessary skills for most any self-defensive situation.

2. Ancient Japanese Models

Judo, which translated means gentle ways, was patterned after the ancient Japanese fighting form called Jujitsu. While employing the throws and moves of the fighting martial arts program, Judo also incorporates mental and spiritual components. These additional techniques serve to maintain the fighter's inner focus and balance, while helping to psyche out the opponent with mental games.

3. Back off

The mental training in Judo teaches the student to back away from an opponent and let him beat himself. Unlike the brute force techniques used in other fighting sports, Judo relies on leverage. Perfect timing and awareness of the opponent's strengths and weaknesses can be a much more powerful tool that muscle-bound bullying. While Judo masters stress physical discipline and are as fit as any other athlete, they also demand an intellectual training period, backed up with spiritual practices to define the whole athlete.

4. Take it to the Streets

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a newer form of Judo that was invented in Brazil for men who were smaller than their enemies. While it maintains many of the mental techniques of Judo, it adds a component of offense to the basically defensive art of Judo. Total submission of an opponent is a part of Brazilian martial arts. Worldwide the sport is known as the forerunner of mixed martial arts competitions that are very popular now.

5. Win on Points, not ego

Competitors in mixed martial arts contests are often confused when martial artists trained Brazilian Judo do not want to fight to the finish. While they possess the physical and inner strength to remain in the fight until they achieve total submission, they usually revert to a standing position very quickly after getting the pinning point. Judo supplies the confidence of knowing where your strength lies and does not feed the ego for the big hold-downs that many mixed martial arts practitioners aspire to. Instead, they win on points and do not have to wear themselves out completely.