When Hélio Gracie traveled around the globe demonstrating the newly-born Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, he did much more than present the world with a new fighting modality: he changed a paradigm. By fighting (and winning!) against larger and stronger opponents, he proved that – with the right technique and enough training – mind and strategy beat strength every time.
That’s probably why, in the aftermath of its meteoric growth – when it passed from a relatively obscure Japanese martial art to a widely known modality, with millions of practitioners, spread across hundreds of countries -, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu became especially popular amongst a very specific audience: the security forces.
In the context of self-defense techniques, if we needed to describe Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in a single sentence, we could probably say that it’s the power of turning your adversary’s own strength and weight into your advantage. And when we think about the imprevisibility of challenges and dangers faced by cops and military in the field, the sort of versatility Jiu Jitsu brings to the table is priceless.
So, in this article, we’ll unravel the reasons why cops and military all over the world are training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
#1 Self-knowledge and de-escalation
Since ancient times in Asia, when BUDDHIST monks developed an unarmed technique to fend off bandits in those dangerous roads, Jiu Jitsu has been used for fighting bad guys.
When the samurais took this same technique and attempered it for kicking each other’s armored asses, during the wars of the Shogunates, Jiu Jitsu gained more of its military aspect and some of the features that Hélio Gracie would – hundred of years later – improve to make Jiu Jitsu a more democratic martial art. Its grappling focus, for instance, probably dates back from that time.
But, while we’ve already pointed out the more “tactical” benefits of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for law-enforcement agents and soldiers, there’s another feature of this martial art that we usually forget, but it’s also extremely important for the efficiency and safety of our military and police: the empowerment and self-knowledge that it offers its practitioners.
Some HIPPIE talk, right? But bear with us.
Hélio Gracie himself would often highlight this aspect of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, advocating that the more experienced and self-assured a fighter becomes, the less aggressive he becomes. Violence, after all, is a resource of the insecure.
When we think about our police, it’s worth considering how much avoiding conflict is an essential (and frequent) part of the job. In that context, by offering cops the tools and techniques they need to effectively and reliably control violent situations, Jiu Jitsu also provides them with the confidence and safety to de-escalate tense situations before they get out of hand.
“But what this has to do with the military”, you’re probably asking yourself. Well, SUN TZU said first and best: “if you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles”. In other words, knowing your own strengths and recognizing your weaknesses – as well as your adversaries – is essential to dominate the field. That’s also a central part of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training and one that can be used to make better strategic decisions.
But don’t take our word for it! Check what’s happening in the United Emirates, where the king – considering this exact principle – made Brazilian Jiu Jitsu an indispensable part of the curriculum of schools and in the military alike.
That being said, let’s get to the more tangible benefits of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for cops and soldiers.
Read more: How to become a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu professional fighter
#2 Mental fitness
“Become comfortable being uncomfortable”, one of the most popular phrases of Jiu Jitsu practitioners, it’s a principle that could often be useful in the daily challenges of soldiers and cops.
Part of the self-knowledge aspect that we mentioned before is discovering how you behave in stressful situations and learning to keep calm and think clearly in those scenarios. This is a feature that you’ll encounter more… “concentrated form” at sparring, but it’s also gradually developed during the whole training.
This will HELP you make better and quicker assessments of the situations you face and shorten your response time when needed. While also making you more prepared to handle long term adversities and discomfort.
#3 Learn how to fall
That goes for both the literal and the metaphorical sense of the phrase. Let’s start with the first. By training Jiu Jitsu, soldiers and cops develop the techniques needed to have the upper hand when facing physical encounters, while still reducing the risk of injuries in all individuals involved.
And, of course, when an altercation or combat situation ends-up with fighters on the ground, you’ll wish for no other technique.
Quite straight forward, right?
The more “immaterial” aspect relates to another frequent part of Jiu Jitsu training: the defeats you’ll face. Getting your ass kicked in the mat is not only expected (and sometimes humbling), but also an important part of the learning process. Taking the best of those experiences and improving your blind-spots is what makes great practitioners and soldiers.
Read more: Jiu Jitsu for women: learn self-defense techniques
#4 Jiu Jitsu improves your body fitness
Strong mind, sane body. Beyond the self-defense technique aspect, Jiu Jitsu is a great activity to achieve body fitness, working multiple muscle groups and improving their strength, flexibility, endurance and general mobility. In other words, the conditioning required by Jiu Jitsu training will make cops and soldiers better prepared and more effective on the ground.
#5 – The power of the lever – effective ground control
By learning the ways of Jiu Jitsu, cops and soldiers develop a full understanding of the possibilities of the lever, and its many applications in various combat scenarios.
By executing more effective techniques in violent situations on the field, they’re more effective in neutralizing danger, without having to put themselves in unnecessary risk or exede in the use of force.
After all, a good ground control is technical, quick and effective!
Bonus tip
The military and police ethos has a lot in common with the principles of Jiu Jitsu: the discipline, the healthy respect for the adversary and its capabilities, the virtue of fighting for something bigger than yourself and the importance of community in our work and our lives.
By combining the security forces training with the long established tradition of Jiu Jitsu, cops and soldiers can only reinforce features that are indispensable for great warriors and guardians.
Do you want to get a try? Schedule a free trial class at School of Jiu Jitsu.