Judo vs.

Jiu Jitsu

People tend to think that martial arts are all the same. They mistake one for the other and

normally change their names. However, there are several differences, even between

disciplines that look alike or share some techniques. This is the case of Judo and Jiu Jitsu, which

are indeed related but differ greatly when it comes to punctuation system, duration of the

fight and kind of training.

The greatest difference is related to how points are awarded in each discipline. To begin

with, the objective in Judo is to win a full point called ippon, which may be achieved in

different ways. The most common and best way is by throwing the opponent to the ground flat

on their back with enough speed and strength. If the takedown is not effective enough and the

fight continues on the ground, an ippon will be awarded when a competitor performs an

armbar or stranglehold on their opponent making them surrender. The last and least

spectacular way of winning is by holding the contestant unable to move on the ground for

twenty-five seconds. When it comes to Jiu Jitsu, the match can be won by a submission or by

difference of points. A submission technique is a stranglehold, an armlock or leglock and points

are awarded whenever competitors perform a takedown, pass the guard, get on control of the

fight or sweep their opponents.

Considering the point systems, it is possible to spot a second difference: the duration of

the fights. A judo match may last up to five minutes in adult category, but they will normally

end much sooner. Generally, in a tournament where many matches take place, a judo

competitor may want to take their opponent down as soon as possible in order to save their

breath for the following matches. In the case of Jiu Jitsu, matches may last six to ten minutes

depending on the category and since almost every technique has its counter-technique

competitors may not try to win the fight at the very beginning but analyze their opponent style

first. Moreover, although some submission techniques can be performed from a standing
position they are more likely to fail than those executed while on the ground; taking an

opponent to the ground and getting in a control position take a long time.

Finally, Judo and Jiu Jitsu kinds of training are hugely different. Many people think that as

Judo derives from Jiu Jitsu it is easy to practice one if you have already practiced the other. To

clarify, Judo classes mainly consists on training ways of falling to the ground and drilling with a

partner –performing a technique half way several times non-stop-. Drills are heavy aerobic

exercise that requires proper breath control due to the great number of fast repetitions. For its

part, Jiu Jitsu training starts by practicing movements that are common during transitions in a

match; then one technique is explained and the greatest part of the class is devoted to

practicing it in pairs. Some other related skills may be explained and the class will end with

some sparring practice. Controlling someone else’s weigh and being explosive and flexible –as

it is needed in Jiu jitsu- require a totally different kind of breath control.

In the end, every martial art has its own characteristics that make it entirely different from

any other. Jiu Jitsu and Judo may share their roots and many other features but their way of

awarding points, time length of a match and the development of a training class make them

absolutely unlike.

Mariana M. Ohse P.