I've been reading a number of articles talking about whether BJJ schools that focus on sport prepare their students well enough for the street. I think there's no argument that any combat sport that includes training against fully resisting opponent will provide skills and attributes that will be applicable on the street. I hear the argument from sport focused people that what they do is directly applicable to the street because they ultimately practice a martial art and they have the ability to differentiate what is appropriate for the street what is not. Some BJJ self defense focused instructors have said that schools which on'y focus on competition don't adequately prepare student for the street because they don't learn things like how to deal with things like a punch to the face or deal with standup fighting etc.

Tim, I'm curious to hear what your take is on this. I understand that traditionally the Gracie's took quite a balanced approach to teach self defense and preparation for competition, but do you think the average guy or girl that trains in a sport focused BJJ school will have adequate skills and ability to deal with an attacker on the street? I mean this question in the context of dealing with dealing with an unarmed attacker. No doubt knives, guns and multiple opponents require a whole other range of training.

I think that a lot of BJJ academies today don't adequately prepare their students for street self-defense (within their usual sport BJJ curriculum, assuming there is no MMA cross training).

Old school Gracie JJ divides the training fairly equally between street self-defense (against unarmed and armed opponents), Vale-Tudo (as in one on one no rules MMA duels) and sport grappling (with and without the gi).

Many modern BJJ academies only teach the third that includes sport grappling. Of course, if a sport grappler manages to clinch in a street fight and gets the takedown, there is no question he or she will undoubtedly dominate any fight on the ground.

I believe there needs to be ample time spent on dealing with standing holds, striking attacks, using basic striking techniques as well as the strategies for surviving street confrontations (which will often differ from sport matches).

Thanks for your feedback Tim. I've been thinking about this as a friend of mine is looking to start BJJ and has the opportunity to train at 1 of 2 schools.

One school has a highly competitive and decorated black belt that also teaches Judo/wrestling with his BJJ, but it's more competition focused.

The other is brown belt that's successfully competed in competition, not nearly to the same extent as the first guy, but has also competed in MMA and has a self defense focus in his BJJ school.

If the first guy didn't have the Judo/Wrestling it would be easy to recommend the second guy, since my friend is interested in self defense, but I was wondering if you thought the extra skill in competition plus Judo/wrestling should tip the scale, or if it's more important to have a school that's main focus is self defense even if the instructor is less experienced and accomplished in BJJ competition?

I gave him the advice that he should try both and see, but it's sometimes hard for someone to know what they're getting if they've never done any martial arts or BJJ, and trying to make a decision from trying only a few classes. Would appreciate any thoughts you have on the matter. Cheers.

I'd give the same advice, try both and see.

Thanks, Tim.