What's bjj? It's both a martial art and a combat sport that targets on grappling in order for you to subdue your enemy.

Several of the moves were modified from judo and jiu-jitsu. Picking up how to execute the actual move allows even a tinier and weaker person to beat an assailant who is larger which is why it is also used in self-defense classes.

BJJ appeared as recently as in the 20's. It recently gained world renown fame when Royce Gracie won the UFC tournament several times after it was founded in the 90's. Due to the domination, thousands of schools are now teaching this sport.

One can probably say that its significance as a sport is second after football.  There are fights held often like the European Championships, the Mundials and the Pan Am Games

If you desire to be successful in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, repetition is key and the sole method you can do that is via training and rolling. This means fighting against a live and resisting partner under realistic conditions while at the same time being cautious not to cause any serious injuries.

During rolling and competition, wrestlers are mandated to wear the gi. It looks similar to what you would have on when you train judo. The only difference is that the outfit has tighter cuffs on both the jacket and pants.

Submissions in bjj are performed either through chokes or joint locks. Choking as you well know involves constricting the windpipe so the person is unable to breathe. Aside from that, there is also what is known as a strangle which shuts down the carotid. A choke is less efficient than strangles and may cause permanent damage or death which is why the second is used more often during competition.

As for joint locks which are more likely more safe, what you are doing is making a fulcrum with the body position which will force the joint to move past its normal range of motion. This is better known as hyperextension and since there is no escape out of it, the enemy has no other action but to surrender. 

Anyone can be taught jiu-jitsu. As you get better, you are promoted to the next belt class. Noobs start with the white and move their way to the red belt. For those who are under 15 years of age, you work your way from white to green belt.

How quickly you grow depends on the amount of time the person invests and how quickly they learn. To get to the elite class for instance, it requires at least 10 years or even more.

With Brazilian jiu-jitsu leaving its mark in the global scene, you won’t have a difficult time discovering a gym that's offering classes. The only thing you have to do now is use your time properly since this is done in a group and you're just one of several that are learning the ropes of this art. As a noob, you don’t have to get a kimono so just come in wearing a rashguard and board shorts.  If you are trying to find a bjj blog that doesn't take it too seriously, you should check out doyoubjj.com.