What is BJJ?

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a grappling and martial art system in which you control an opponent without striking or kicking. The fight starts standing and moves to the ground via a takedown, throw or pull, where most of the training takes place.

Position and control are at its core: through positions such as guard, side control and mount you work towards a dominant position and try to make your partner submit with a choke, arm lock or leg lock. Technique, leverage and timing matter more than strength, so a smaller practitioner can control a larger partner.

At AmsterdamBJJ we train BJJ both as a sport and in the broader, complete form in the Rickson Gracie line: Gi and No-Gi, with attention to self-defence.

In the Gi you wear a jiu-jitsu uniform with a belt. You may grip the fabric of sleeves, lapels and trousers, which allows more grips, control and chokes using the clothing. The pace is often slower and more technical.

In No-Gi you train in a rashguard and shorts. Without fabric to grip you rely on underhooks, body locks and holds on the body itself. The pace is faster and it resembles wrestling and grappling more closely.

Both forms are in our schedule. Many members train them side by side, because the underlying principles stay the same.

Yes. Beginners are welcome at AmsterdamBJJ and start in the basics classes, where the fundamentals are explained step by step: posture, moving on the ground, escaping and the first controlling positions.

You start with two free trial classes. No experience is required, and from your first class you train with guidance from the instructor and with experienced training partners.

No, you do not need to get in shape first. You build the conditioning you need during the training itself, and in most drills you set the pace together with your partner.

Our group includes hobbyists and competitors of different ages and levels. If you have an injury or medical condition, check with your doctor beforehand and tell the instructor at the start of class.

Yes. At AmsterdamBJJ standing work is part of the training: distance and posture, grips, the clinch and takedowns or throws to bring the fight to the ground.

The class then continues on the ground with ground control, positional control and submissions, so standing and ground work are trained as one whole.

Sport BJJ focuses on the competition context: a rule set, time limits and a points system for positions such as sweeps, passes and mount. Training choices often follow what scores in that context.

Complete or Gracie Jiu-Jitsu additionally covers broader situations: distance and clinch, escaping from bad positions and self-defence scenarios without a rule set.

The technical base overlaps to a large degree. It is not a matter of better or worse, but of a different emphasis. At AmsterdamBJJ both angles are covered.

BJJ trains skills that can be relevant in self-defence: managing distance, dealing with the clinch, keeping control of someone who closes in and escaping from a bad position. You also learn to stay calm under pressure.

At the same time, no martial art is a guarantee. A real situation involves factors you cannot replicate on the mat, such as multiple people, the surface or weapons. We therefore present BJJ as training and preparation, not as a promise of safety.

A class starts with a warm-up and movement drills on the mat. The instructor then explains a technique, which you repeat calmly with a partner.

Next come drills where you practise the movement with a little more resistance. Most classes end with sparring (rolling). As a beginner you may watch during your first classes or join at a low pace — intensity is adapted to your experience.

For your trial class sportswear is enough: a T-shirt or rashguard and sports shorts or trousers without zips or pockets. For a Gi class you can usually borrow a gi; if you keep training you buy your own.

Also bring slippers for off the mat (on the mat you train barefoot), a bottle of water and a towel. Hygiene matters: clean clothing, short nails and no jewellery.