32 Types of Jiu-Jitsu
Jiu-Jitsu is one of the most popular martial arts worldwide, was created by the Japanese in the 1400s and became popular in the 1800s because of the Kano Jigoro (Judo expert). If you want to learn more, check out our article about the History of Jiu-Jitsu.
There are many types of Jiu-Jitsu today, most are derived from the Japanese Jujutsu. People have improved upon Japanese Jiu-Jitsu and other Japanese martial arts, such as Judo and giving them names like Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, American Jiu-Jitsu, German Jiu-Jitsu, Combat Jiu-Jitsu, and many more.
This is how many different forms of Jiu-Jitsu were created. Among them, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is the most popular. In this article, we will explain the different types of Jiu-Jitsu. By the end, you will have complete knowledge of each type, and there will be no need to visit another website because we provide a complete A-Z guide.
So let’s get started
12 Most Popular Types of Jiu-Jitsu:
1. Japanese Jiu-Jitsu:
Japanese Jujutsu is a martial art that originated in Japan also known as ‘Jujutsu’. It includes striking, grabbing, and ground fighting. In the 1532 a man named Hisamori Takenouchi (Shown in the image) started the first recorded Jiu-Jitsu school in Japan to teach Jiu-Jitsu to Japanese soldiers (Samurai warriors), understanding physiology (how the human body works), and providing first aid (basic medical help to someone who is hurt).
After that came the Judo and Jiu-Jitsu expert Jigoro Kano, (Shown in the image) who created an institute to educate people about Jiu-Jitsu and make it popular.
These Japanese techniques are still taught in Japanese Jiu-Jitsu classes but are very rarely shown in competitions, except for the ground fighting technique, which is still used in different competitions. Due to Japanese martial arts, many other styles emerged later, as discussed in the article below.
2. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ):
In 1914, a jiu-jitsu expert named Mitsuyo Maeda, Student of Jigoro Kano, traveled from Japan to Brazil. He taught jiu-jitsu to some Brazilians, including Luiz Franca and Carlos Gracie. This is how jiu-jitsu started in Brazil. Brazilians improve and popularize Japanese jiu-jitsu. Over time, it became Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). There are many types of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Here are some of them:
A. Gracie Jiu-Jitsu:
One of the most important and popular types of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is “Gracie Jiu-Jitsu”. It is also called Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). It focuses on leverage-based joint locks and chokeholds, inspired by Kodokan Judo. As I mentioned earlier, Mitsuyo Maeda taught jiu-jitsu to Carlos Gracie. Carlos didn’t just learn it for himself, he taught it to his four brothers: Oswaldo, Gastão Jr., George, and Helio Gracie.
These five brothers promoted and improved jiu-jitsu, making it possible for a smaller, weaker practitioner to defeat a bigger, stronger opponent. They tested their techniques in the fighting ring. If a technique worked well, they kept using it. If it didn’t work, they stopped using it.
The Gracie family passed their knowledge down to the second and third generations, and now to the fourth generation. Rorion Gracie, a family member, even created the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) organization. The Gracie family played an important role in popularizing jiu-jitsu in Brazil, then the USA, and eventually all over the world. That’s why people called the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu (GJJ) as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ).
If you want to learn more then read the Gracie Family Tree article, where we explain all the members from the first generation to the latest as shown in the below table.
B. Machado Jiu-Jitsu:
Carlos Gracie not only taught jiu-jitsu to his brothers but also to his cousins in the Machado family. The Machado family has five brothers: Carlos, Roger, Rigan, Jean Jacques, and John Machado. They are highly respected and skilled practitioners, all holding BJJ black belts and coral belts. The Machado brothers have played an important role in making BJJ popular in both Brazil and the USA.
C. Luiz França Jiu Jitsu:
Another student of Mitsuyo Maeda was Luiz França Filho, born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (1910–1982).
He also studied under two other Japanese teachers, Soshihiro Satake and Geo Omori.
Luiz França taught jiu-jitsu outside of Rio de Janeiro to police officers, soldiers, and poor people in difficult conditions.
Among these poor people was Oswaldo Fadda, who became a 10th-degree red Grandmaster in BJJ.
França’s way of practicing BJJ is still used today by teams like Nova União and GFTeam.
D. Gi Jiu Jitsu and No-Gi Jiu Jitsu:
These are the other two types of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Gi Jiu-Jitsu and No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu.
In Gi Jiu-Jitsu, fighters wear a special uniform with a belt as shown in the image. They can grab their opponent’s clothes to help control them, which makes grappling easier.
In No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu, fighters wear shorts and a rash guard or a t-shirt as shown in the image above. They use their skills to grab parts of the body like elbows, neck, or knees. This can be a bit harder, but they learn more techniques. No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu is very important for MMA fighters because, in MMA, they can’t wear the Gi uniform.
3. 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu:
10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu is another type of Jiu-Jitsu created by Eddie Bravo, an American martial arts instructor. It doesn’t use the gi (a specific uniform) and mainly focuses on grappling techniques like the rubber guard and leg locks. The fighters wear rash guards, which are tight-fitting shirts.
Eddie Bravo earned his BJJ black belt in 2003. After that, he opened the first 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu school in Los Angeles, California, USA. Bravo taught his students without using a Gi because, in MMA, fighters don’t wear a complete uniform. So, he decided to teach without a specific uniform. Some of his famous students include Joe Rogan, Ben Saunders, Tony Ferguson, Carlos Condit, and Vinny Magalhães.
Today, there are over 100 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu schools around the world. This style has spread to many countries, including Ireland, the United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, Australia, Mexico, and Korea.
4. Combat Jiu-Jitsu (CJJ):
Combat Jiu-Jitsu, also known as CJJ, was created by Eddie Bravo. It combines elements from Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). CJJ focuses on ground fighting and allows slaps to the head and body once the fight is on the ground.
In CJJ, fighters use takedowns, throws, sweeps, joint locks, chokes, and striking techniques. The unique part of CJJ is the use of ‘open-hand slaps,’ where practitioners can slap each other’s faces.
5. American Jiu-Jitsu (AJJ):
American Jiu-Jitsu (AJJ) is another type of jiu-jitsu which is a newer version of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) that adds moves from other martial arts. AJJ also uses techniques from wrestling, judo, and other fighting styles. This mix makes AJJ unique because it includes a wider variety of techniques and strategies.
One of the biggest areas where American Jiu-Jitsu has made its mark is in leg-locks. This is a part of grappling where American practitioners are leading and likely will continue to lead.
Some people think AJJ is just another name for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), which is very popular too. But others say AJJ is a different style with its own special moves and rules. Read more here.
6. Hokutoryu Ju-Jutsu:
In 1977, Auvo Niiniketo created a Finnish martial art called Hokutoryu Ju-Jutsu. The name translates to “Big Dipper-style” or “North Star-style,” showing respect for its Japanese origins.
This style focuses on using speed, timing, and technique instead of physical strength. It includes a variety of moves like punches, kicks, throws, joint locks, and weapon techniques. Practitioners also train against both armed and unarmed opponents, including sparring sessions.
Niiniketo, known as the “Father of Finnish Ju-Jutsu,” studied different martial arts and founded Hokutoryu after training in Ju-Jutsu in Sweden. Hokutoryu Ju-Jutsu is practical for both men and women, with many female practitioners. Today, there are many Hokutoryu schools around the world, mainly in Finland.
For the latest updates and detailed information, especially about their training you can visit their official website which is in Finnish language at hokutoryu.com
7. Luta Livre Esportiva:
Luta Livre Esportiva is another type of Jiu-Jitsu created by Euclydes Hatem in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
This is the Brazilian martial art and combat sport means “freestyle fighting” in Portuguese.
The style focuses on ground fighting without a uniform (no-gi) using hands, feet, knees, and elbows, and it is a mix of catch wrestling and Kosen judo.
There are two main styles of Luta Livre. The first one is Esportiva (Sporting), which focuses on grappling techniques to make the opponent submit (give up). The second one is Combate, which includes striking techniques, meaning fighters can use palm strikes and kicks on the ground.
Famous fighters who practice Luta Livre are José Aldo, Darren Till, Marco Ruas, Glover Teixeira, vicente luque, rousimar palhares, pedro rizzo and many others.
Today, people are working to bring Luta Livre to popularity. In 2017, the International Brazilian Luta Livre Federation (IBLLF) was created to help promote the sport. Luta Livre is not just popular in Brazil, it is also becoming more popular in Europe, especially in Germany, where there are many schools teaching it.
8. German Ju-Jutsu:
German Ju-Jutsu (or German Jui-Jitsu) is a martial art that started in Germany in the 1960s which comes from traditional Japanese Jujutsu. It combines techniques from Jujutsu, Judo, Karate, Aikido, and other martial arts. They focused on techniques that could be used in real-life situations.
The main organization for German Ju-Jutsu in Germany is called the DJJV. Competitions are organized by the JJIF, and German Ju-Jutsu is part of the World Games and World Combat Games. It is also taught to German police officers.
9. Small Circle JuJitsu:
Small Circle Jujitsu is a type of martial art created by Wally Jay. It’s known for its smooth and flowing moves.
Instead of using force, it focuses on making quick and smooth changes between different techniques, like locks and throws.
The idea is to use both push and pull actions at the same time, which makes the techniques more effective.
The goal is to move easily from one technique to another without any hard stops, making it faster and more fluid in a fight.
10. Atemi Jujitsu:
Atemi Jujitsu is a type of Jiu-Jitsu. In the 1940s, a famous Judo and Jiu-Jitsu teacher named Bernard Pariset created this style in France. He was inspired by both Judo and traditional Jujutsu. This style is also called Pariset Ju-Jitsu. The Pariset family learned this technique from Mikonosuke Kawaishi, Shozo Awazu, and Minoru Mochizuki, who all studied under Jigoro Kano, the founder of Judo.
Atemi Ju-Jitsu focuses a lot on how you move your body (tai sabaki) and techniques to make the opponent lose balance (kuzushi). Striking (atemi) is very important because it helps to unbalance the opponent and hit weak spots on the body, like joints and nerve endings.
Practitioners of the Atemi Jujitsu style target these areas to effectively disable an opponent, similar to how the samurai used to fight against armored enemies.
In 1946, Kawaishi started the French Judo and Jiu-Jitsu Federation, which was later renamed to FFJDA and today this is the FFJUDO.
11. Kenpo Jiu Jitsu:
Kenpo Jiu-Jitsu is another type of jiu-jitsu that combines boxing and kicking, making it effective for self-defense. While many types of jiu-jitsu are used in sports, Kenpo Jiu-Jitsu is designed specifically for self-defense to protect yourself and your loved ones.
It was created and taught by James Mitose, an American martial artist, during the times of ancient Samurai warriors (Japanese soldiers), after World War II.
12. Budoshin Ju-Jitsu:
Budoshin Ju-Jitsu is a modern style rooted in traditional Japanese Ju-Jitsu, developed by Sanzo “Jack” Seki in the 1960s. It combines elements from Judo, Aikido, and Karate, focusing on practical self-defense rather than sport. Key techniques include throws, joint locks, strikes, and defenses against weapon attacks. Unlike Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Budoshin is not primarily ground-focused.
The Budoshin Ju-Jitsu Yudanshakai, established in 1994, supports practitioners with resources and standards for progression.
13 Less Popular Types Of Jiu-Jitsu:
Below are some types of Jiu-Jitsu that are less popular, so we have just mentioned the names, without giving an explanation:
13. Fusen-ryu Jujutsu:
14. Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu:
15. Hakko-ryu Jujutsu:
16. Hontai Yoshin-ryu Jujutsu:
17. Kukishin-ryu:
18. Takagi-ryu Jujutsu:
19. Takenouchi-ryu Jujutsu:
20. Sosuishi-ryu Jujutsu:
21. Kito-Ryu Jujutsu:
22. Tenjin Shinyo-ryu Jujutsu:
23. Gyakutedo:
24. Yagyu Shingan ryu:
25. Daiwado Jujutsu:
If you want to know more about these types, you can search on Google or check this Quora post. It includes videos of all 13 types (13 to 25). Watch them to learn more.
7 Other Jiu-Jitsu Related Martial Arts:
These are martial arts that include some techniques of Jiu-Jitsu. While you cannot say they are types of Jiu-Jitsu, many of Jiu-Jitsu techniques make them closely related. Therefore, these martial arts have some connection to Jiu-Jitsu.
26. Aikido:
Aikido is a type of Japanese martial art created by Morihei Ueshiba, developed in the 1920s.
Morihei wanted to create an art where people could defend themselves without hurting the other person. He created Aikido by combining his martial arts studies, his philosophy, and his religious beliefs.
Aikido means “the way of working together with the energy of life” or “the way of peaceful spirit.” Aikido has many techniques, mainly throws and joint locks.
It also uses weapons like the bokken (wooden sword), tantō (knife), and jō (staff).
27. Judo:
Judo is a martial art developed by Jigoro Kano in Japan in the late 19th century. It evolved from traditional Japanese Jiu-Jitsu and focuses on throws, pins, and ground control techniques. Although not a type of Jiu-Jitsu, Judo includes many techniques derived from Jiu-Jitsu, making it a closely related martial art.
28. Sambo:
Sambo is a Russian martial art and combat sport developed in the early 20th century. It incorporates techniques from Judo, Jiu-Jitsu, and other wrestling styles. Although not a type of Jiu-Jitsu, Sambo includes many techniques derived from Jiu-Jitsu, making it a closely related martial art.
It has two main forms: Sports Sambo, which is similar to Judo, and Combat Sambo, which includes striking and grappling techniques used by the military.
29. Bartitsu:
Bartitsu is an eclectic martial art and self-defense method developed in England in the late 19th century. It combines elements of boxing, Jiu-Jitsu, cane fighting, and savate. Although not a type of Jiu-Jitsu, Bartitsu includes Jiu-Jitsu techniques, making it a unique fusion of different fighting styles.
30. Wadō-ryū Karate:
Wadō-ryū Karate is a style of Karate developed by Hironori Ōtsuka in Japan.
It combines traditional Okinawan Karate techniques with Jiu-Jitsu joint locks and throws.
Although it is not a type of Jiu-Jitsu, many Jiu-Jitsu techniques are included in Wadō-ryū Karate,
so we can consider it as one of the martial arts styles.
31. Vale Tudo:
Vale Tudo is a Brazilian no-holds-barred fighting style that combines striking and grappling techniques. It is a parent to modern Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and contains various martial arts techniques.
32. Triangle choke:
The triangle choke, also known as sankaku-jime, is used in Judo, VJJ, Sambo, and No-Gi grappling styles. This is a move where you use your legs to trap your opponent’s neck and one arm, making a triangle shape. By squeezing with your legs and pressing the opponent’s shoulder, you cut off the blood flow to their brain. This can make them pass out in just a few seconds.
There are five types of triangle chokes: the standard triangle choke, the rear triangle choke, the side triangle choke, the reverse or inverted triangle choke, and the arm triangle choke, as shown in the image below. If you want to learn more then check Wikipedia.
Which Style of Jiu-Jitsu is Best?
Choosing the “best” style of Jiu-Jitsu depends on your goals and interests because every style has its pros and cons, as well as different techniques. Some styles are better for self-defense, while others are suited for competition.
If you’re primarily interested in self-defense, Gracie Jiu-Jitsu (GJJ) is a great choice. Some people use the term Gracie Jiu-Jitsu to mean the same thing as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) because Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is a well-known and popular type of BJJ. This technique allows a smaller and weaker person to effectively defend themselves against a stronger and more powerful opponent.
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is also beneficial if you’re interested in competition, like MMA, as many Gracie Jiu-Jitsu practitioners have succeeded in UFC fights.
Another option to consider is Japanese Jiu-Jitsu. It includes many techniques, such as throws (like hip throws), joint locks (such as arm locks), strikes (including kicks and punches), restraints (such as chokes), and breakfalls (to fall safely). This is also a great option to explore.
Short Overview of the Article:
There are more than 32 types of Jiu-Jitsu. Among them, 12 are the most popular, 13 are less well-known, and 8 are other types of martial arts that, while not strictly Jiu-Jitsu, include many Jiu-Jitsu techniques. Here’s a quick explanation of the article:
- Japanese Jiu-Jitsu: The original style created for samurai warriors, focusing on striking, grappling, and ground fighting.
- Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ): Developed in Brazil, this style focuses on ground fighting. Subtypes include:
- Gracie Jiu-Jitsu: Known for helping smaller people defeat bigger opponents.
- Machado Jiu-Jitsu: Taught by the Machado family, relatives of the Gracie family.
- Luiz França Jiu-Jitsu: Practiced by teams like Nova União.
- Gi and No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu: Gi fighters wear a special uniform, while No-Gi fighters wear shorts and a rash guard.
- 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu: Founded by Eddie Bravo, this style doesn’t use a uniform and focuses on grappling.
- Combat Jiu-Jitsu: Combines Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA, allowing slaps during ground fighting.
- American Jiu-Jitsu (AJJ): A newer version of BJJ, mixing techniques from other martial arts like wrestling and judo.
- Hokutoryu Ju-Jutsu: A Finnish martial art focusing on speed and timing.
- Luta Livre Esportiva: A Brazilian style focusing on ground fighting without a uniform.
- German Ju-Jutsu: A German martial art that combines techniques from Judo, Karate, and other styles for self-defense.
- Small Circle Jujitsu: Focuses on quick, smooth moves using joint locks and throws.
- Atemi Jujitsu: A French style focusing on striking and unbalancing the opponent.
- Kenpo Jiu-Jitsu: A self-defense style mixing boxing and kicking.
- Budoshin Ju-Jitsu: A modern style rooted in traditional Japanese techniques, focusing on practical self-defense.
The article also mentions 13 less popular types of Jiu-Jitsu, including Fusen-ryu Jujutsu, Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu, and others. A Quora post with videos of these 13 styles is linked for more information.
Lastly, it covers martial arts related to Jiu-Jitsu, such as Aikido, Judo, Sambo, Bartitsu, Wadō-ryū Karate, Vale Tudo, and the Triangle choke, which share techniques with Jiu-Jitsu. The article concludes that the best Jiu-Jitsu style depends on your goals, like self-defense or competition.
FAQs
1. How Many Types of Jiu-Jitsu are there?
There are more than 33 types of Jiu-Jitsu. Of these, 25 are clear types of Jiu-Jitsu, while the remaining 8 are martial arts styles that include elements of Jiu-Jitsu. as discussed above in the article.
2. Is Jiu-Jitsu also Called the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ)?
Yes, if you look back in history, Jiu-Jitsu was not very popular until 1914 when it spread from Japanese Jiu-Jitsu to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The Gracie family promoted Jiu-Jitsu and made it popular. That’s why when someone mentions “Jiu-Jitsu,” it often means “Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.” The Gracie family popularized Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, so it is also called “Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.” In short, when you hear the words Jiu-Jitsu or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, it refers to the Gracie family’s style of Jiu-Jitsu.
3. What is the difference between Jiu-Jitsu and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?
Jiu-Jitsu originated in Japan and includes a mix of strikes, throws, and joint locks. It mostly focuses on standing techniques but also includes some ground techniques, it also called Japanese Jiu-Jitsu or JJJ. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) evolved from traditional Jiu-Jitsu in Brazil and focuses on ground fighting and submissions, such as chokes and joint locks, aiming to control and submit opponents. Learn here a complete guide about JJJ VS BJJ.
4. How many levels are there in Jiu-Jitsu?
There are 8 types of belts in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, white, blue, purple, brown, black, Red/Black, Red/White, and red. The Red 10th-degree belt is the highest belt in BJJ. Read more here about the BJJ Belt Ranking system.
5. How Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) Became More Popular?
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu became more popular in 1993 when practitioner Royce Gracie fought in UFC 1 and won the fight.
6. What’s the Difference Between Judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?
Judo focused on throws and takedowns, with the goal of using an opponent’s force and balance against them. Judo practitioners wear a traditional gi (uniform) that is used for gripping and throwing. While in BJJ focused on ground fighting and submissions. The goal in BJJ is to control and submit the opponent using joint locks and chokeholds. BJJ can be practiced with a gi or without it (no-gi). The gi allows for grips on the clothing, while no-gi relies on grips on the body.
7. Can Children Practice Jiu-Jitsu?
Yes, children can practice Jiu-Jitsu. Many schools offer classes specifically for kids, which focus on basic techniques, discipline, and self-defense in a fun and safe environment. Even though there are different belt ranking systems for children in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
8. Can Women Practice Jiu-Jitsu?
Yes, women can and do practice Jiu-Jitsu. It is an excellent martial art for self-defense and fitness, and many schools offer classes specifically tailored for women.
Hopefully, you liked the article! If you have any questions, feel free to comment below and If you want to learn more about BJJ, save our website name because we focus on in-depth and well-researched information about only BJJ.
Don’t forget to follow us on social media!
You may also like the 12 Best BJJ Fighters:
Also check the Benefits of BJJ:
Here we explain the top 10 most popular of BJJ such as self-defense, weight loss, improved mental focus and problem-solving skills, making valuable friends in the BJJ community, increased heart rate and stamina (better cardio), better sleep, improved flexibility, and movement, using the technique over strength (which reduces the chances of injury), boosting self-confidence, and having fun as shown in the table below. For more details click on the mentioned link.
If you want to start BJJ check our article: How to find a Good BJJ Gym
One Comment