Is BJJ Dangerous? (Proper Guide with Case Studies & More)
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a “gentle art” that teaches people how to control and submit to their opponents using skill instead of strength without hurting them. It focuses on fighting on the ground and helps people defend themselves.
BJJ also promotes respect and teamwork among students but many people are confused and ask whether, Is BJJ dangerous? how likely injuries are? and what kinds of injuries can happen? and many more queries.
In this article, we’ll explore the risks involved in BJJ, the safety measures taken in training, and the benefits of practicing this martial art. We’ll answer all of your questions which are related to your query ‘Is BJJ Dangerous?‘ and clear up any confusion.
By the end, you’ll have enough knowledge and won’t need to look for answers on another website.
So stay tuned!
Is BJJ Dangerous or Safe? (Quick Answer)
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a safe martial art with a very low chance of minor injuries, like bumps, bruises, or sometimes a jammed finger or bloody nose. These injuries usually happen if techniques are not performed correctly, if a person doesn’t tap out (surrender) in time when caught in a submission hold, or if you’re training with an inexperienced instructor. Injuries can also occur if your partner is a beginner and doesn’t know the techniques well.
Compared to other combat sports, in BJJ, there is almost no risk of broken bones or concussions, which are more common in other sports like boxing or kickboxing. In BJJ, the focus is on grappling techniques like joint locks, chokes, and controlling your opponent. It doesn’t involve striking or hitting, which is why there’s a low risk of injury.
3 Researches about the Dangers of BJJ
1. University of Hawaii Study on BJJ Safety and Risks
When talking about safety in BJJ, it’s important to look at the facts. A study by the University of Hawaii looked at all Jiu-Jitsu competitions in the state from 2005 to 2011.
Surprisingly, injuries happened in less than 1% of Jiu-Jitsu matches.
This statistic shows that jiu-jitsu is safer than other combat sports, like judo, taekwondo, wrestling, and even mixed martial arts (MMA). Among these sports, Jiu-Jitsu is one of the least risky to practice.
The study also reveals that certain injuries happen more often. Elbow and knee injuries are the most common, with the arm bar move being the leading cause of injuries in fighters. Elbow sprains and neck injuries are particularly well-known. It’s important to understand that these injuries usually happen during intense competitions, where people push themselves hard and often hesitate to tap out (surrender).
2. Story of a Beginner Fear: Asking the Trainer About Injuries in BJJ
A new BJJ student named Mary emailed her trainer, asking if BJJ is dangerous. The teacher responded, and below is a quick overview of the trainer’s email.
Hello Mary,
Thanks for your question! Like any sport, Jiu-Jitsu can have some risk of injury, but it really depends on how you train and the gym you choose. If you’re careful and follow the right techniques, the risk is similar to sports like jogging or basketball.
We focus on proper warm-ups and pairing new students with experienced partners to keep things safe. The key is training smart and listening to your coach, which helps keep injuries low. Our gym takes safety seriously, and Jiu-Jitsu can be a great way to stay healthy.
Source: Emergebjj
3. Stories of 3 Person Practicing BJJ for Years Without Major Injuries
As you can see in the post below, a person on Reddit mentioned that they practised BJJ from 2006 to 2013/2014 and didn’t have any serious injuries.
The below is another post from a person who has been practicing BJJ for around 10 years, but they have experienced much less damage than when they were skateboarding in high school.
A story from another BJJ black belt athlete on Quora, as shown in the post below, says: I’ve been training Jiu Jitsu since 1999. I really haven’t had any serious injuries. I’ve had more injuries training judo and even those weren’t very serious.
Let’s talk about the types of injuries, how to stay safe from them and the benefits of BJJ
6 Common Injuries in BJJ During Practice
You know that in every sport, there’s a chance of minor or major injuries, especially in combat sports. However, BJJ is one of the sports with the lowest risk of injury. Below, we discuss common injuries that may occur if you don’t practice properly:
1. Knee Injuries
The knees can get hurt when moving in awkward positions or when someone is trying to escape from a stronghold. They usually happen when your knee is twisted or bent in a strange way, especially during takedowns or leg locks. Wearing knee pads and practicing good technique can help protect your knees.
2. Joint Injuries
In BJJ, you use your joints a lot, especially your knees, elbows, and shoulders. Joint injuries happen when you twist or bend them the wrong way. This can happen during moves like arm locks or leg locks. To avoid this, make sure you tap out if you feel any pain during these submissions.
3. Rib Injuries
Rib injuries in BJJ happen sometimes because of the close contact and pressure during training. These injuries can be minor, like bruises, or more serious, like cracked ribs. Rib injuries usually occur from a hard hit or too much pressure, but they can also happen if you twist or move the wrong way.
Common signs are pain when you breathe or move, and sometimes swelling or bruising. To avoid rib injuries, try to keep a good posture and avoid staying in bad positions for too long.
4. Neck Injuries
Neck injuries can happen when your neck is twisted or bent in uncomfortable positions. It occurs during chokes, neck cranks, or being stacked (folded) during guard passes. If you ever feel pain in your neck, stop immediately and let your training partner know.
5. Finger and Toe Injuries
Your fingers and toes can easily get hurt in BJJ, especially when you grip your opponent’s gi (the uniform). Fingers might get jammed or twisted, and toes can get stubbed. To protect your fingers, you can tape them, and be careful when you’re gripping or moving quickly.
6. Cuts, Scrapes, and Bruises
During sparring or drilling, it’s common to get cuts, scrapes, or bruises. These are usually not serious, but they can be uncomfortable. Wearing proper gear like rash guards and keeping your nails trimmed can help reduce the chances of getting cuts.
10 Tips to Stay Safe from Injuries in BJJ
Here are some tips on how to stay safe and prevent injuries while practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ):
1. Warm Up Properly
Before you start training, it’s important to warm up your body. Doing light exercises like jogging, stretching, or jumping jacks can help prepare your muscles and joints. This makes your body ready for the moves you’ll be doing and reduces the chance of injury.
2. Tap Early
In BJJ, tapping out is a way to say “stop” when you’re caught in a submission (like a choke or joint lock), tap out early. Don’t wait until it’s too painful. This will keep you safe from serious injuries.
3. Use Proper Technique
Practicing good technique is key to staying safe. If you move the wrong way, you might hurt yourself or your training partner. Always listen to your coach and practice slowly until you get the technique right. Don’t try to force moves.
4. Communicate with Training Partners
Talk to your training partner during practice. Let them know if you need to slow down or if something feels uncomfortable. Good communication helps both of you stay safe and avoid accidents.
5. Avoid Overtraining
Give your body enough time to recover between training sessions. Training too much without giving your body time to rest can lead to injuries. Make sure to take rest days and listen to your body. If you feel very sore or tired, it’s okay to take a break.
6. Use Protective Gear
Consider wearing gear like knee pads, ankle supports, or rash guards. These can provide extra support and protection for your joints and skin during training.
7. Keep Your Joints Safe
BJJ involves a lot of joint locks, so it’s important to keep your joints safe. If you feel pressure on your knees, elbows, or shoulders, tap out before the pain gets worse. Don’t let your training partner put too much force on your joints.
8. Focus on Technique Over Strength
Always train with control and avoid using too much strength or speed. BJJ is about technique, not power. If you rush or try to overpower your partner, you can easily get hurt or hurt someone else.
9. Train with Experienced Partners
Train with more experienced practitioners who can guide you and help you learn proper techniques while minimizing risk.
By following these tips, you can stay safe and enjoy BJJ without worrying about injuries. Remember to warm up, communicate, and always use proper technique. Taking care of your body is the best way to keep training for a long time!
10 Most Popular Benefits of BJJ:
There are a few injury chances of BJJ but there are a lot of benefits of BJJ too. Here are the top 10 benefits of BJJ that you can gain from practicing it:
1. Self-Defense: If you are learning martial arts for self-defense, BJJ is better than other martial arts because it focuses on techniques to protect yourself against larger opponents without causing them harm.
2. Easy Weight Loss: In BJJ, you engage your entire body, which helps you burn calories and lose weight more easily.
3. Improved Mental Focus: In BJJ, if one technique isn’t effective, you try a different one. If that doesn’t work either, you search for another approach that might be more successful. This process helps you develop critical thinking skills and strengthens your discipline by encouraging you to solve problems during practice.
4. Community: In the BJJ community, you might know that it’s not just your instructor who helps you with training; your friends with brown or higher BJJ belts also support you. Through this, you can find a great friend for yourself.
5. Better Cardio: BJJ helps improve your cardio because you move a lot and work hard during practice. The constant action and intense sparring build your endurance and lung power, making you fitter over time.
6. Better Sleep: Reduces stress and tension, promoting deeper and more restful sleep.
7. Improved Flexibility: When you practice BJJ, you engage in a lot of bending, stretching, and moving your body in various ways. This helps you become more flexible, just like rubber.
8. Technique Over Strength: Focuses on skillful techniques, reducing the chances of injury during practice.
9. Boosts Self-Confidence: The BJJ belt ranking system helps you improve your confidence. As you progress from one belt to the next, it boosts your energy and self-worth.
9. Having Fun: Makes training enjoyable and engaging with exciting techniques and camaraderie.
If you want to know more about these 10 benefits then check our article about the benefits of BJJ.
Short Overview of the Article
This article discusses whether Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is dangerous. BJJ is often called the “gentle art” because it teaches people how to control opponents without hurting them.
While some may worry about injuries, studies show that BJJ has a very low risk of serious harm compared to other combat sports. We explore common minor injuries, the importance of proper training and technique, and how to stay safe while practicing BJJ.
Additionally, we highlight the most popular 10 benefits of training BJJ, such as improved self-defense skills, weight loss, mental focus, and a sense of community.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a safe martial art with a low risk of serious injuries when practiced correctly. While minor bumps and bruises can happen, following proper techniques and safety measures can help keep you safe on the mat. BJJ not only teaches self-defense but also provides numerous benefits, such as better fitness, improved mental focus, and a supportive community. If you’re considering trying BJJ, remember that it’s all about learning skills in a safe environment.
Enjoy the journey and have fun while you train!
FAQs
1. Which is more dangerous, Japanese Jiu-Jitsu or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?
Japanese Jiu-Jitsu (JJJ) can be more dangerous due to its inclusion of strikes and self-defense techniques. While, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) focuses on ground fighting and submissions, focusing on control and safety in training. The main difference between the JJJ and BJJ is that in JJJ, you learn to protect yourself and can cause harm to your opponent if needed, while in BJJ, you aim to defend yourself without hurting your opponent.
2. What is the purpose of BJJ?
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) was created by the Gracie family, for self-defense and effective combat, allowing a smaller person to defend against a larger opponent through technique and leverage. It also promotes physical fitness and mental discipline.
Maybe You Like:
