Self Defense

How To Stop Bullying in Texarkana

Texarkana Jiu Jitsu and Fitness · Mar 13, 2019 ·

Bullying is a problem for so many kids and can effect them for the rest of their lives.

We can’t help kids by hoping that other kids will do the right thing and stop.

Kids are empowered when they are confident. When they know that they can take care of themselves.

They no longer have to live in fear.

This makes all the difference.

Self confidence means they probably will never be bullied again.

They most likely will never have to have a physical conflict because the bullies lack self esteem and want an easy target.

Developing self confidence is the real key.

We’ve helped countless kids over the years overcome problems with bullying.

If your child is being bullied, put them in a program that teaches them how to handle a bully so they won’t have to live in fear.

If you want to find out more about our program, send us a message.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a martial art that helps kids be able to defend themselves in the worst possible positions against bigger, stronger opponents.

Of course, the real benefit of training is knowing that they are no longer in danger, that’s self confidence.

We’re here to help!

Texarkana Jiu Jitsu
903-793-1085

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for Everyone Age 4 Through Adult Men and Women

What’s Better for Self Defense, Judo or BJJ?

Texarkana Jiu Jitsu and Fitness · Mar 11, 2018 ·

Which Martial Art Is Better for Self Defense… Judo or BJJ ?

This question comes up so often and is very polarizing. Everyone has an opinion based on their own experiences.

I have been fortunate enough to train both Judo and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with some incredible instructors.

I don’t believe that there is a single right answer here.

Should you train BJJ or Judo?

It depends on the specific gym, the instructor, the other students, and the individual that is thinking about training.

These probably matter much more than the art itself in this case… and because a wide variety exists in all these variables and what may suit you may not be the best for many others.

It depends a lot on you because if you don’t like the training or are training at a place where you are often injured due to poor safety standards then you won’t get good enough to use the techniques in a self defense situation.

Judo for Self Defense

My Judo instructor, the late Vince Tamura, was very ‘old school’ and taught his family’s style of jujitsu as well as Judo in a pretty well rounded curriculum that still predominately focused on competitive Judo for the most part.

I don’t think the self defense techniques were all that necessary to allow any of the Judoka I trained with to defend themselves against an attack.

The throws, conditioning, and the groundwork would give you a huge advantage in a fight over an opponent that likely knows nothing in the grappling area either stand up or ground.

There is a little less variation in curriculum between Judo schools, but it’s still very variable depending on the coach.

Judo tends to really stand out in the clinch/throwing department.

There’s more to Judo than throws though as I mention below.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for Self Defense

Restating the idea above, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu may be the best art for you.

It depends.

As far as self defense goes, the greatest danger is when you are in close combat – not when you’re throwing punches at each other while at a distance.

If you aren’t in the clinch already you are likely able to get away in most situations… or you can very likely get there quickly.

In close combat, a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioner is going to have a huge advantage over the average person.

The specific Jiu Jitsu school curriculum does matter to some degree.

If the training is too focused on competition techniques without covering basic foundational Jiu Jitsu techniques then it might not be quite as effective… even so, the average sport focused BJJ practitioner will have a big advantage in close combat over most attacks.

If there are no clinch or takedown techniques it might not be ideal for self defense.

I haven’t done a formal survey of BJJ schools, but I would guess the vast majority teach some stand up grappling to varying degrees.

Judo or BJJ for Self Defense

The reality is that both martial arts are likely to help someone be able to defend themselves for a variety of reasons.

These are both grappling based martial arts that will give you skills in close range combat where the vast majority of the public have no technical skills.
Both martial arts are generally trained against a resisting opponent giving the practitioners a more realistic type of training where the practitioners have to develop strategies that work in a real situation.
These arts tend to push your fitness, conditioning, and balance which will give you an advantage over the vast majority of people that do not train and are out of shape.
Both Judo and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu will help practitioners develop mental toughness and perseverance through constant challenges that will help you in a self defense situation when things may get tough.

Texarkana Jiu Jitsu

Texarkana is a small town. We don’t have a separate Judo gym here.

My own gym, Texarkana Jiu Jitsu, trains a good amount of Judo in our Jiu Jitsu class.

At my school, Texarkana Jiu Jitsu, we spend a significant amount of time on takedowns in our Brazilian Jiu Jitsu classes although not as much as the average Judo school.

This time is vastly more than the individual you are likely to fight in a self defense situation has in stand up grappling… and more than the average BJJ school.

The ground matters, a lot, particularly for women’s self defense who in the worst scenario will be put on their back against likely a bigger, stronger male… but the ground matters for everyone that gets in a fight.

Mostly to be able to get up or sweep from the bottom, as well as being able to dominate in the top position.

Coach Marc Hagebusch

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu For Self Defense?

Texarkana Jiu Jitsu and Fitness · Feb 16, 2018 ·

“Can Brazilian Jiu Jitsu work in a street fight?”

It depends. Great answer, I know!

What does it depend upon?

It depends on the situation and the practitioner.

The best approach is to not fight and leave if at all possible.

Unfortunately, in some cases this won’t be possible.

It might be that the person is cornered or in a situation where they need to protect others like friends or family.

In this case, you have to fight.

It also might be that the other person(s) grab you.

In this case, you no longer have the ability to leave/run… so you’ll have to engage to some degree.

In this case, you may be able to use grappling/BJJ to disengage and then leave the situation.

Stuck in the grappling range without this ability means you are in very serious trouble.

This is part of the problem with the ‘BJJ is useless against multiple opponents’ idea.

Anyone against multiple opponents is in greater trouble.

It doesn’t matter what art you train.

Yes I know there’s a youtube video showing a boxer taking out multiple opponents.

It can happen.

It also might go really wrong if one of the opponents grabs the boxer (or non-boxer).

See Art Jimmerson, a skilled boxer, against Royce Gracie in UFC 1.

Art was helpless against Royce in the grappling range… so were his other opponents who had no significant grappling ability.

No one should want to be too entangled on the ground in a fight, especially if there is a possibility of someone else jumping in.

Here’s an interesting question…

Why is it always assumed that BJJ practitioners have no friends around, but the street fighting guy is part of some gang of brothers or something?

I don’t think that training BJJ means you’re always alone and friendless.

Anyway, it’s not really relevant to the question.

Most opponents will be completely lost in the grappling range.

They will be out of position and essentially drowning on land.

They will be very frightened as they realize this.

They will also become tired very, very quickly.

This is due to several things…

⦁ they have no idea what is going on,
⦁ they get a massive brief adrenaline dump,
⦁ they are very likely way out of shape playing the averages,
⦁ if if they are not out of shape for general society – they will be out of grappling shape if they have not been training regularly. They will very likely have no sport specific endurance/conditioning…
⦁ and if they do because they train BJJ, you had better know what you’re doing.

**I can assure you this is true.**

I have trained for 22+ years and own a school. I have seen this countless times.

The people coming in to train experience this the first time they ‘spar‘ even in a very safe and friendly situation on mats.

In a situation where they will be taken down to the ground quickly landing on very likely a bad surface and not know how to fall – it will be much worse.

Virtually everyone has some sense of throwing a strike.

Even a pure sport BJJ guy/girl.

As mentioned above, virtually no one knows what to do in a grappling situation.

As soon as someone is taken down (with the landing possibly ending the fight right there), the BJJ practitioned does not have to have great striking skills to strike from a superior position controlling an opponent who is very likely completely helpless.

A few strikes to the head which is against the ground and no where to go is likely to end the fight.

You don’t have to mount, take an opponent’s back, or play guard in the vast majority of situations.

A very common position in BJJ is knee on belly.

This allows an excellent, high pressure control which allows you to strike very, very well and to get back to your feet immediately in a fraction of a second.

What if you end up on the bottom?

You had better know what you’re doing or again you are in big trouble

If possible, use BJJ to get up and leave the situation OR at least protect yourself and get to a better situation.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gives you the ability to control of another opponent.

It also provides an excellent platform from which you can strike, use a submission, or get up as necessary.

It also generally promotes a healthier lifestyle including getting the practitioner in shape. *Again some limited variance here from practitioner to practitioner – but generally very true.

This alone could save you in a self defense situation OR may save you from serious health problems / death from an unhealthy lifestyle.

**Most people will not be in a fight, ever, once they’re an adult.**

If they are it’s likely because of their occupation (a police officer or a bouncer for example)… or they’re in a place that they probably shouldn’t be in.

Avoiding these types of places is excellent self defense.

If you are otherwise forced to defend yourself, being proficient at Brazilian Jiu Jitsu can be very, very valuable for the reasons I posted above and so many others.

Coach Marc

The Clinch Position and Judo for Self Defense

Texarkana Jiu Jitsu and Fitness · Feb 8, 2018 ·

Stand Up Grappling For Self Defense… The Clinch

The Arts That Focus On This Range To Varying Degrees Includes Judo, Wrestling, Sambo, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and Muay Thai Kickboxing.

A recent question was asked, “Is Judo effective for self Defense?”

Of course anything can happen in a fight.

It’s best not to fight and to do your best to avoid situations where fights are more likely to occur when possible.

An unarmed fight can be broken down into 3 ranges…

Unattached stand up where striking, takedown shots, and running away can be used.
Attached stand up where grappling and striking can occur. This is the clinch range.
The ground where an opponent can better be immobilized and submitted.

Judo can be exceptionally effective in a street fight.

Judo is generally best in the clinch range.

Judo is excellent for developing good throws from the clinch position. Some of the grips are clothing based, but most are easily adapted for less clothing self defense situations.

The average person in a fight knows nothing about this range. They will not understand control positions or balance.

Judo practitioners develop some skills on the ground, some develop more than others.

Regardless, Judo practitioners will generally know much more than what the average person knows on the ground (which is basically nothing).

Throws for Self Defense.

A good throw will generally end a fight and could possibly cause very serious injury to the person thrown depending on the throw, it’s execution, and how/what they land on.

Throws are often very fast as well. This means that the fight can end quickly with a throw.

The Judo practitioner can use a throw and remain standing if they choose where they can strike, negotiate with the person (if they are still conscious), or leave .

The thrower can also choose/may land on the opponent adding to the force of the throw.

Spending time learning the clinch range is a critical part of self defense and Judo is very good for this range.

At Texarkana Jiu Jitsu, we spend a considerable amount of time on developing the clinch range, takedowns, and throws because they are very important for any martial artist and especially useful in a fight.

Coach Marc started training in Judo in 1993 under the late 9th degree Judo black belt Vince Tamura in Dallas. He has continued training over the years and incorporates Judo into his Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Program.

Texarkana Jiu Jitsu and Fitness

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Martial Arts and Fitness Classes for Kids (Age 4 and Up), Teens, Men and Women. We Help Texarkana Area Kids, Men, and Women Live Healthier, More Active Lives.

Martial Arts Classes for Fitness, Self Defense, Confidence, Competition, and a More Active, Positive Lifestyle!

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Kids Martial Arts. Cardio Kickboxing. Yoga. Beginners and All Fitness Levels Are Always Welcome!

Want To Try A FREE First Class In One Of Our Programs?

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Girl Defeats Multiple Boys In Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Texarkana Jiu Jitsu and Fitness · Jan 16, 2018 ·

This YouTube video is amazing, check out how a young girl dominates an entire group of boys utilizing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is an incredible martial art!

It is the best martial art for kids and could be the best thing that you ever do for your young girl (or boy!) because…

Our special training at Texarkana Jiu Jitsu is designed unshakable self confidence… this alone will prevent virtually all attacks and bullying!

The techniques are extremely effective in a self defense situation (and as the father of a young girl this is EXTREMELY important to me).

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu techniques don’t require the child to hurt the other child, but allows your own child to dominate the bigger, stronger more aggressive bully or attacker and to place them into a position where they can no longer harm them.

The classes teach your child drive, determination, the ability to set and accomplish goals that will serve them for them for the rest of their life.

Your child will get into phenomenal shape and develop their true athletic potential that will enable them to perform better in every other sport.

The training is really FUN for the kids giving them something productive to do while getting them off the couch, video games, etc!

The kids make many new positive, encouraging friends… let’s face it, our kids aren’t always surrounded by the best influences.

Texarkana Jiu Jitsu and Fitness

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Martial Arts and Fitness Classes for Kids (Age 4 and Up), Teens, Men and Women.

We Help Texarkana Area Kids, Men, and Women Live Healthier, More Active Lives.

Martial Arts Classes for Fitness, Self Defense, Confidence, Competition, and a More Active, Positive Lifestyle!

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Kids Martial Arts. Cardio Kickboxing. Yoga. Beginners and All Fitness Levels Are Always Welcome!

Call Us: (903) 793-1085 Email Us: TexarkanaJiuJitsu@gmail.com