Women's Self-Defence Classes: Why Gracie Jiu Jitsu is Best
Women face unique challenges when it comes to self-defence. Size and strength disparities can make traditional striking arts less effective. This is where Gracie Jiu-Jitsu shines. Let's explore why.
Why women should learn mixed martial arts for self-defence?
Mixed martial arts (MMA) offers a comprehensive approach to self-defence by combining striking, grappling, and submission techniques. For women, this versatility is crucial because:
Real-world scenarios: Attacks rarely follow a predictable pattern. MMA trains you to handle a variety of situations, from standing strikes to ground engagements.
Confidence building: Learning to defend yourself physically empowers women and fosters a sense of security.
Physical and mental fitness: MMA training enhances strength, endurance, and mental resilience, all of which are vital for self-preservation.
Situational awareness: Many MMA gyms place a strong emphasis on awareness and de-escalation tactics. As a general rule, women are much more likely to want to de-escalate a situation, and having the skills to do that puts the female back in control to a better outcome.
Adaptability: MMA teaches you to adapt to your opponent's actions, a critical skill when facing an unpredictable attacker.
However, not all aspects of MMA are equally beneficial for women facing larger, stronger assailants.
Is Gracie Jiu Jitsu the best martial arts for women?
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu (GJJ) is often considered the ideal martial art for women due to its emphasis on leverage and technique over brute strength. Here's why:
Neutralising size and strength: GJJ focuses on using an attacker's weight and momentum against them, allowing a smaller person to control and subdue a larger opponent.
Ground fighting proficiency: Many assaults end up on the ground. BJJ specialises in ground control, escapes, and submissions, giving women a significant advantage in these situations.
Realistic self-defence: Gracie Jiu-Jitsu was developed for real-world self-defence scenarios, prioritising practical techniques over sport-specific moves.
De-escalation and control: GJJ emphasises controlling an attacker without necessarily causing severe injury, which can be crucial in legal and ethical considerations.
Focus on fundamental movements: the Gracie system prioritises fundamental movements that are effective for all body types.
What are the best martial arts for small women?
For smaller women, martial arts that prioritise technique and leverage are essential. Here are some top contenders:
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu: As discussed, its focus on leverage makes it highly effective against larger opponents. If you are wondering what the difference is between Gracie Jiu Jitsu and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, please read our blog: “Gracie Jiu Jitsu Training: Understanding the Difference between GJJ and BJJ”.
Aikido: Similar to GJJ, Aikido emphasizes using an attacker's momentum against them. However, it can be less effective in resisting a determined attacker.
Krav Maga: While it incorporates striking, Krav Maga also includes grappling and focuses on practical self-defence techniques. However, it can be more striking focused than GJJ.
Systema: Systema focuses on natural movements and relaxation, allowing for efficient defence against larger opponents. However, it can be hard to find qualified instructors.
Ultimately, Gracie Jiu-Jitsu's emphasis on ground control and leverage makes it particularly well-suited for smaller women.
Why is GJJ recommended for females rather than Judo?
While Judo is a grappling art, there are key differences that make BJJ more suitable for women's self-defence:
Ground focus: Judo primarily focuses on throws and takedowns, while BJJ heavily emphasises ground fighting. In real-world scenarios, fights often end up on the ground, where GJJ's expertise provides a significant advantage.
Submission emphasis: GJJ prioritises submissions like chokes and joint locks, allowing a smaller person to effectively control and subdue a larger opponent. Judo, while having submissions, places a much larger emphasis on throws.
Control over throws: While throws can be effective, they require a certain amount of strength and can be risky if not executed perfectly. GJJ's focus on control positions allows for more effective use of leverage.
Adaptability to size differences: GJJ's techniques are designed to neutralize size and strength disparities, making it more effective for women facing larger attackers. Judo throws often rely on utilising the opponents momentum, which is harder to do against someone much larger.
Self-defence focus: The Gracie system of GJJ was designed from the ground up to be a self defence system, whereas Judo has evolved to be more sport focused.
In conclusion, Gracie Jiu-Jitsu offers women a powerful and practical self-defence system that empowers them to protect themselves regardless of size or strength.
At Zero Point Jiu Jitsu, we have a female instructor and female only classes running every week, so that even if you haven’t tried a martial art before, you will be comfortable and enjoying it in no time. You will also have the opportunity to practice with other females.
Book into your first Women’s Self-Defence Class with Zero Point Jiu Jitsu.
It’s free to try out Zero Point Jiu Jitsu, so don’t hesitate to book into your first free class.