While Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a great martial art for disabling larger opponents, it doesn’t work exceptionally well against groups, and here’s why: the martial art’s biggest strength has to do with lying on your back (also known as your “guard). When in the guard, you can effectively “sweep” (push your opponent to the ground and gain a dominant position), “submit” (break an opponents arm, knee, or ankle), and even deliver heel kicks to their midsection and/or face. One-on- one, Jiu-Jitsu is likely the most efficient martial art that there is. However, in a fight against multiple opponents, it doesn’t stand a very good chance at succeeding.
The Problem With BJJ and Multiple Opponents
Most experienced BJJ instructors will tell you this: when faced with multiple assailants, always try to talk your way out of it, or simply run away. Even the grandfathers of BJJ, Helio Gracie (among others), knew this. BJJ simply isn’t very good against multiple opponents. The reason why is because it isn’t a “striking” martial art like kickboxing or karate. Instead, it focuses on grappling- based techniques- grabbing, clinching, throwing, etc. While you are busy taking care of one opponent, another might strike you down.
How Well Does BJJ Work Against Single Opponents?
If you’re having any doubts about the effectiveness of BJJ against single opponents, feel encouraged to Google search the phrase “Gracie Challenge”. It will show you articles and videos that relate to a time in which the Gracie family (founders of BJJ) challenged the best martial arts fighters in the world, each from a different martial art.
They challenged fighters from kickboxing, karate, kung Fu, aikido, judo, and even shoot wrestling- all of them were inferior to the technique presented by the BJJ fighters. Since that time, BJJ has sprawled from the underground and become a sport likened by people all over the world. People use BJJ to strength their self- defense skills, as well as build their confidence and self-esteem. BJJ tournaments are equally as popular, allowing Jiu-Jitsu practitioners of all skill levels to test their techniques against one another.
Bottom Line
Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art that can build self-defense skillsets, confidence, and self- esteem. However, it’s not very effective against multiple assailants. We aren’t saying this to discourage you, but rather, to prevent you from entering a self- defense situation in which you aren’t fully prepared for (A.K.A. attempting to use BJJ against multiple opponents, which won’t be very effective).