[ Breakfalls ] [ Strikes ] [ Kicks ] [ Blocks ] [ Throws ] [ Grappling ]

Jujitsu is above all a system of self-defense, in which you learn to use leverage, balance, and continuous motion to maximize your effectiveness against an attacker. Although no two Jujitsu styles are exactly alike, most involve throwing, grappling or ground defense, and joint manipulations such as locks and chokes.

Like other grappling arts (e.g. Judo and Aikido), Jujitsu's movements aim at closing the distance between the Jujitsuka and his opponent. If attacked, a Jujitsu student would perform a general series of movements:

1. Judge the force of the attack
   
2. Unbalance the opponent using leverage and timing, or redirect and neutralize the force with a block or throw
   
3. If necessary in #2, use strikes or kicks to distract the opponent before unbalancing
   
4. Evade attack
   
5. If #4 is not possible, joint immobilization is used to disable

The defining characteristic of Jujitsu and other grappling arts is that it offers a choice in the level of response. Immobilization techniques are always initially performed with the minimum amount of force so that it is both efficient but not harmful for the attacker. But while pinning is the extent of immobilization in Aikido or Judo, more injurious and lethal techniques such as chokes, locks, breaking of limbs, and strikes are used in Jujitsu. Such combative or self defense techniques are not taught in Judo until Black Belt level, and even then, they are limited in extremity.

NOTE:
Jujitsu techniques shown in the following pictures and video clips can be extremely dangerous and even fatal! Do not practice them unless you are under the strict supervision of an instructor.

Breakfalls
Breakfalls are literally the breaking of falls, or the practice of falling (ukemi) without injuring oneself. Breakfalls are extremely important in Jujitsu, and must be learned before practicing throws. The basic breakfalls are: the side, front, back, and rolling breakfall.

Side
It is safest to practice the side breakfall from crouching position first. Squatting on the heels, the feet are kept slightly apart, and the body weight rests evenly on them. The arms are rested in front, on each knee. In one motion, the right hand is brought to the opposite shoulder, and the right foot is extended. Falling to the right, the right palm is slapped down. The head is kept up with the left hand. The left side breakfall is practiced in the reverse direction, with the left hand. After the side breakfall is mastered, it can be practiced from a standing position.

Side Breakfall

Front
This move can be started from crouching position or standing position. The body should dives forward onto the palms of the hands, resting on the elbows. The knees stay together to prevent any kicks from the rear from injuring the groin and the head is turned to protect the nose. The hands are turned inward.

Front Breakfall

Back
The backwards breakfall is most commonly practiced in the crouching position. The feet are kept slightly apart, the chin is slightly tucked in, and the body resting on the heels. The weight is spread evenly between both feet. The arms can be extended straight in front, or crossed over the chest. Rolling backward along the curve of the spine, the hands are slapped down on the mat (the harder the slap, the easier the landing). The arms should be at a right angle from the body. After the backwards breakfall is mastered, it can be practiced from a standing position.

Back Breakfall

Rolling
The forward rolling breakfall is more challenging than the previous two, since it involves rolling the entire body. The body is upright at starting position, with the right foot is placed in front. The right knee is bent, and the upper body is bent forward so that the hands are placed in front (between the legs) on the ground, pointing inward. The right elbow is bent, bringing the back of the head and right shoulder onto the mat. Using the left foot to push the body forward, the body is rolled over in a circle. The right elbow, upper arm, shoulder, and bottom, and left leg and foot will all hit the ground simultaneously, landing the body in side breakfall position. The left palm is slapped down onto the mat. The left forward breakfall is practiced in the reverse direction, with the left hand.

Rolling Breakfall

Strikes (Atemi-waza)
Strikes are blows to the body intended to shock or distract the opponent. Three of the most popular strikes dealt with the arms are the front snap punch, reverse twist punch, and elbow strikes.

Front snap punch
This is a combination of two simultaneous punches-a strike with the left fist, and a follow-up strike with the right fist. To give the second punch greater power, the right hip should be twisted in the direction of the punch. The front snap punch targets the opponent's face.

Front Snap Punch

Reverse twist punch
The body is turned to the side with the left fist guarding the upper body and right fist chambered at the hip and back of the hand facing down. As the body is turned to face the opponent, the right fist is extended and turned so that its back is facing up. The left fist should also be chambered. The reverse twist punch targets the opponent's chest.

Reverse Twist Punch

Elbow strike
While the left fist is chambered, the right arm's elbow is thrust forwards and upwards, then across. This strike is used in close-range combat.

Elbow Strike

Kicks (Geri-waza)
Kicks are blows to the body dealt with the legs that are intended to shock, distract, or unbalance the opponent. Three of the most popular kicks are the front snap kick, side snap kick, and roundhouse kick.

Front snap kick
The right knee is raised to hip level and the foot is quickly snapped forwards. The toes can also be pulled back so that an additional kick can be dealt with the ball of the foot. After the contact is made, the foot is immediately brought back. This technique can be used to attack the opponent's groin, solar plexus, or chin.

Front Snap Kick

Side snap kick
In the side snap kick, the heel explodes on the surface of the target. The leg is raised to hip level and extended and retracted quickly. The side of the body should be perpendicular to the target and the arms should continuously guard the upper body throughout execution of the kick.

Side Snap Kick

Roundhouse kick
This kick is executed in a circular action to attack the opponent's side, solar plexus, or lower body. The leg is raised to hip level and the body is turned while the leg is quickly straightened and extended, then retracted.

Roundhouse Kick

Blocks (Uke-waza)
Blocks are used to prevent and deflect an opponent's strikes, punches, or kicks. There are two basic blocks: the high parry and the low parry.

High parry
Beginning with both forearms raised and pointing upwards, one arm is moved across the face to the opposite side while the other is chambered to the side. The high parry is used to block straight punches aimed at the upper body or head.

Right High Parry (left)
Left High Parry (right)

Low parry
Beginning with both forearms raised and pointing upwards, one arm is swung down and towards the opposite side, stopping at the center of the body. The other arm is chambered to the side. The low parry is used to block kicks to the lower body.

Right Low Parry (left)
Left Low Parry (right)

Throws (Nage-waza)
Throwing is a matter of leverage and balance, instead of pure strength. They are typically performed in a small amount of space. Throws are most efficient when the opponent is gripped tightly, so that he does not fall away. The person who is throwing is called the Tori, and the one thrown is called the Uke. Throws performed while standing are called Tachi-waza, or "standing techniques." The body part he uses determines what type of tachi-waza he will use.

Hand and arm techniques (Te-waza)

Ippon Seoinage

Hip techniques (Koshi-waza)

Harai Goshi

Foot and leg techniques (Ashi-waza)

Tai Otoshi

Rear sacrifice techniques (Ma sutemi-waza)

Tomoenage (432 kb)

Side sacrifice techniques (Yoko sutemi-waza)

Yoko Otoshi (562 kb)

Grappling (Katame-waza)
Once an opponent is thrown down, he must be kept down so that he cannot attack again. Grappling techniques are used for this purpose. They can be used while standing or while both opponents have fallen down. There are three types of Jujitsu grappling techniques: pinning, locking, and strangling/choking holds.

Pinning (Osae-waza)

One Hold Down

Strangling/choking (Shime-waza)

Triangle Choke

Locking (Kansetsu-waza)

Elbow Lock

Like challenges? Take the Jujitsu Quiz.
Thoughts to share? Discuss in the Sports Forum.
Opinions? Contribute to the Jujitsu Poll.
Questions? Contact our Jujitsu M-[art]²-ial Mentor.
Interested? Contact a Jujitsu Organization.

Images of "Front Breakfall", "Back Breakfall", "Side Breakfall", "Rolling Breakfall",
"Front Snap Punch", "Reverse Twist Punch", "Elbow Strike",
"Front Snap Kick", "Side Snap Kick", "Roundhouse Kick",
"High Parry", "Low Parry", "One Hold Down", "Triangle Choke" and "Elbow Lock" from
Ultimate Jujitsu (http://www.ultimatejujitsu.com).
webmaster@ultimatejujitsu.com. July 2001. Email message.

Images of "Ippon Seoinage", "Harai Goshi" and "Tai Otoshi" from
Judo Information Site: Judo Pictures and Techniques (http://www.judocentral.com).
support@judocentral.com. July 2001. Email message.