Texarkana Jiu Jitsu and Fitness

Texarkana's Leading Martial Arts and Fitness Gym for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ), MMA, Kickboxing, Wrestling, Judo, Combat Arts, and Fitness Cardio Kickboxing Bootcamps!

Combat Sports

The Clinch Position and Judo for Self Defense

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Stand Up Grappling For Self Defense… The ClinchJudo for Self Defense in Texarkana

The Arts That Focus On This Range To Varying Degrees Includes Judo, Wrestling, Sambo, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and Muay Thai Kickboxing.

A recent question was asked, “Is Judo effective for self Defense?”

Of course anything can happen in a fight.

It’s best not to fight and to do your best to avoid situations where fights are more likely to occur when possible.

An unarmed fight can be broken down into 3 ranges…

  1. Unattached stand up where striking, takedown shots, and running away can be used.
  2. Attached stand up where grappling and striking can occur. This is the clinch range.
  3.  The ground where an opponent can better be immobilized and submitted.

Judo can be exceptionally effective in a street fight.

Judo is generally best in the clinch range.

Judo is excellent for developing good throws from the clinch position. Some of the grips are clothing based, but most are easily adapted for less clothing self defense situations.

The average person in a fight knows nothing about this range. They will not understand control positions or balance.

Judo practitioners develop some skills on the ground, some develop more than others.

Regardless, Judo practitioners will generally know much more than what the average person knows on the ground (which is basically nothing).

Throws for Self Defense.

A good throw will generally end a fight and could possibly cause very serious injury to the person thrown depending on the throw, it’s execution, and how/what they land on.

Throws are often very fast as well. This means that the fight can end quickly with a throw.

The Judo practitioner can use a throw and remain standing if they choose where they can strike, negotiate with the person (if they are still conscious), or leave .

The thrower can also choose/may land on the opponent adding to the force of the throw.

Spending time learning the clinch range is a critical part of self defense and Judo is very good for this range.

At Texarkana Jiu Jitsu, we spend a considerable amount of time on developing the clinch range, takedowns, and throws because they are very important for any martial artist and especially useful in a fight.

Coach Marc started training in Judo in 1993 under the late 9th degree Judo black belt Vince Tamura in Dallas. He has continued training over the years and incorporates Judo into his Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Program.

Texarkana Jiu Jitsu and Fitness

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Martial Arts and Fitness Classes for Kids (Age 4 and Up), Teens, Men and Women. We Help Texarkana Area Kids, Men, and Women Live Healthier, More Active Lives.

Martial Arts Classes for Fitness, Self Defense, Confidence, Competition, and a More Active, Positive Lifestyle!

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Kids Martial Arts. Cardio Kickboxing. Yoga. Beginners and All Fitness Levels Are Always Welcome!

Want To Try A FREE First Class In One Of Our Programs?

Contact Us and We’ll Set It Up For You.

Call Us or Email Us

A Parent’s Guide To Martial Arts In Texarkana

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Parents Have Several Different Options For Kids Martial Arts Classes In Texarkana.

Martial arts can definitely be confusing to parents that haven’t been involved in an art before!​

This post is meant to help parents learn a little more about the martial arts so they can make the best decision for their family.

This post covers a lot of things a parent who is unfamiliar with the martial arts should know before choosing a Texarkana martial arts school for their child.

We talk about traditional martial arts versus combat sports martial arts programs in this previous post.

So many different martial arts exist… Judo? Kickboxing? MMA? Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ)? Wrestling? Karate? Tae Kwon Do, Ninjitsu?? Krav Maga? Boxing? Self Defense?

Parents put their kids into a martial arts program for many different reasons.

The parent might be concerned about their child being bullied or want them to get more active to get in shape, learn to focus better (many parents that have kids with ADD and ADHD put their kids in our program), discipline, self defense, develop mental toughness, help them develop better social skills or a better positive mindset.

There are many different martial arts styles that emphasize very different techniques.

Some martial arts focus on teaching a child how to punch and kick to defend themselves.

Examples of these types of martial arts are karate, tae kwon do (TKD), boxing, kickboxing, and to varying degrees mixed martial arts (MMA).

Other martial arts focus on techniques that allow someone to control a larger, more aggressive opponent and put them in a position where they are unable to harm the person.

The attacked can then determine the appropriate response whether it’s controlling the person, getting away, or using additional force.

Examples of these arts include Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Judo, and Wrestling.

This is primarily what we teach the kids at Texarkana Jiu Jitsu… Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (with self defense application), Judo, and Wrestling.

We do this because we want the kids to be able to control the situation and not just get in a punching and kicking contest with another kids.

This reduces the chances that your child will get hit and also prevents the other child from having to be hurt as well.

The next big thing to consider has to do with who is teaching your child.

It’s important that the school instructors have good character and a positive attitude.

This is much more important than even the style.

It really matters who your child spends time with because it has a big impact on them.

The instructors also create the culture in the class.

How the class is ran and how the kids behave in class.

kids brazilian jiu jitsu best class in texarkana

This is important for the same reason.

Your child is influenced by those around them.

We really focus on creating the right environment to help kids achieve more in martial arts and more importantly, outside of martial arts.

Speaking of those around them, another important factor is the age group of the program.

We’ve found over the last 19 years of teaching Jiu Jitsu in Texarkana that the kids need to have age appropriate instruction.

We break the classes down into 2 groups – the 4 to 6 year olds and the 7 to 12 year old groups.

Even within the same age group, we often split the kids based on physical attributes and age.

 

The facility also matters.

 

It’s important that it’s large enough, safe, and clean.

 

It’s important that the program offers a free class to check out the instruction, facility, and culture of the school.

At Texarkana Jiu Jitsu, we offer a free first class to come in and check out the program.

It’s the first step to make sure the program is right for you and your family.

It gives you the opportunity to see the facility, meet the instructors, and have any questions you have about the programs answered.

This will help you make a better decision about the program before joining.

As far as price goes, most martial arts schools will be within about $10 per month of one another for tuition.

Many schools also have added fees of buying equipment as often as every month, paying for promotion ceremonies, membership in associations, and events.

We charge $97 a month for the kids classes. We​ do not other hidden charges. We hold​ ​in school competitions,parents night out, parties, and events for the kids for free.

It’s really important that parents understand the ins and outs of martial arts and think about these things so they can make the right decision for their children.

If you’re interested in setting up the first class, contact us and we’ll get it set up for you!

Texarkana Jiu Jitsu and Fitness

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Martial Arts and Fitness Classes for Kids (Age 4 and Up), Teens, Men and Women. We Help Texarkana Area Kids, Men, and Women Live Healthier, More Active Lives.

Martial Arts Classes for Fitness, Self Defense, Confidence, Competition, and a More Active, Positive Lifestyle!

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Kids Martial Arts. Cardio Kickboxing. Yoga. Beginners and All Fitness Levels Are Always Welcome!

Call Us: (903) 793-1085 Email Us: TexarkanaJiuJitsu@gmail.com

Ex-Navy SEAL Commander On Why He Trains Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

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Jocko Willink talks about the importance of training BJJ, developing personal power, the mental and physical skill sets that allow athletes to compete in MMA at a high level.

Check it out. Great insight into a high level achiever.

https://youtu.be/qYPMwFemmIo

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu took off in the US when Royce Gracie entered the 1st UFC back in 1993.

In the US, this was the beginning of what is now known as MMA.

Royce Gracie went on to win 3 out of the first 4 UFCs, submitting all opponents in the process.

In 1995, our head coach Marc Hagebusch was fortunate to become one of the first Texans to train BJJ when Carlos Machado came to Dallas. Carlos Machado is a cousin of the Gracie family and the eldest brother of the legendary Machado Brothers.

Coach Marc was training Judo at the time under the legendary Vince Tamura.

He continued training both highly effective combat sports, Judo and BJJ.

In 1999, Coach Marc moved to Texarkana to take over a clinic and began sharing his Jiu Jitsu, Judo, Wrestling, and Self Defense.

At the time, the only styles available in Texarkana were Karate and Tae Kwon Do.

Texarkana Jiu Jitsu began in 1999 and still continues today with popular kids and adult programs… plus Fitness Programs, Cardio Kickboxing, and Weight Loss.

If you’re interested in finding out more about what we offer OR if you would like to try a Free First Class, send us an email or call us and we’ll get it set up for you!

Former Navy SEAL Commander on the Best Martial Arts for Self Defense

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“What’s The Best Martial Art For Self Defense?”

Former Seal Commander and best selling author, Jocko Willink on training for self defense and real martial arts.

His self defense recommendations, in order…
  1. Get a gun and become proficient with it.
  2. Learn Brazilian Jiu Jitsu before other arts.
  3. Boxing
  4. Thai Kick Boxing (Muay Thai)
  5. Wrestling
  6. Other Weapons

Interesting that Jocko picks Jiu Jitsu first and then other combat sports in lieu of some other more traditional martial arts.

The truth is that Brazilian Jiu Jitsu will allow you to defend yourself in a one on one situation.

There is more to it than self defense though.

Jiu Jitsu will also get you in shape, regardless of where you are right now.

You’ll be able to get in shape while doing something that is fun and really enjoyable.
The fitness and weight loss is more likely to save your life than protecting yourself in a fight… because the truth is that you are much more likely to get taken out from a lifestyle disease.

You’ll develop discipline, grit, perseverance, confidence in yourself, and how to overcome obstacles.

You’ll develop an unshakable belief in yourself because you’ll see what you can do, what you can accomplish day after day as you step on the mats.
These mental benefits will change your life forever.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and other combat sports are fun to train and really that makes all the difference because if something can’t hold your interest, you won’t get the benefits from training.

Do you live in the Texarkana area and want to try a Free BJJ Class at Texarkana Jiu Jitsu?

Call Us: (903) 793-1085 Email Us: TexarkanaJiuJitsu@gmail.com

Texarkana Jiu Jitsu and Fitness offers Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Martial Arts and Fitness Classes for Kids (Age 4 and Up), Teens, Men and Women.

We Help Texarkana Area Kids, Men, and Women Live Healthier, More Active Lives.

Martial Arts Classes for Fitness, Self Defense, Confidence, Competition, and a More Active, Positive Lifestyle!

Beginners and All Fitness Levels Are Always Welcome!  No Experience Necessary!

Types of Combat Sports and Martial Arts

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The Combat Sports, MMA, Gracie Jiu Jitsu, and Jiu Jitsu in Texarkanatexarkana martial arts and combat sports training

In order to be extraordinary, you must not follow the ordinary path.

It makes sense.

All Martial Arts Offer Some Benefit for It’s Practitioners.

The style that you choose should suit what you want to accomplish with training.

Different styles appeal to people for different reasons.

This post will talk about some of the training differences from a broad perspective to help people understand different training methods.

It is not meant to be this art or style is better than another art.

Gracie Jiu Jitsu

The Gracies developing a system of martial arts that was grappling based contrary to the common wisdom of the time that grappling didn’t work in a fight. This idea went on the revolutionize the martial arts, combat arts and sports. The Gracies were the founders of modern MMA and the UFC.

They used the UFC to show the world how well Brazilian Jiu Jitsu performed in a very close to no rules fight against other skilled martial artists.

One of the Gracies, Royce Gracie, went on to win 3 out of the first 4 UFCs.

Martial Art Styles

If you’re thinking about training for yourself or your child, many different styles exist… Karate (like Shotokan), Tae Kwon Do, Krav Maga, Judo, Wrestling, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Boxing, Kickboxing, Sambo, and other combat sports and martial arts.

By the way, I like to make this distinction in martial arts styles/systems.

You can break martial arts into two groups… the combat arts/sports and the ‘traditional‘ martial arts.

What’s the difference in these 2 Martial Arts categories?

Traditional Martial Arts

Traditional martial arts include tae kwon do, karate (like Shotokan karate and Kenpo karate), Japanese ju jitsu, Aikido, and others.

These martial arts are by in large a static system that was passed down through many years, often centuries.

These arts are generally a closed system of martial arts. The techniques do not generally change over time.

A large part of the practice in these styles consists of the practice of forms or kata. These are long sequences of movements that are memorized.

Presumably, the arts were taught that way because of limited written communication / reading. It was a way to pass on the techniques in this era.

They often incorporate weapons that were used centuries ago like the staff, nunchuks, or tonfa.

These arts do not typically spend much time in live drilling and sparring against a resisting opponent. It varies depending on the school.

The old school traditional arts tend to discourage much cross training in other arts, whereas some of the less traditional ones allow or at times encourage cross training. It depends on the art and the particular martial arts school/instructor.

Combat Martial Arts and Combat Sports

The combat arts include MMA, boxing, muay thai/kickboxing, judo, wrestling, sambo, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

These arts are not static.

These arts tend to be an open system of arts that change over time as new things are learned and improved on.

These arts are based more upon performance, that is being able to use the movements against a resisting opponent that has counter intentions of their own.

You see these arts as the primary styles that work in Mixed Martial Arts competitions like the UFC.

This type of training follows the line of thinking that if you want to learn how to swim, you’ll have to get in the water.

The benefits to training in combat arts like Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is that participants develop…

  • the ability to use what they learn in a more realistic scenario.
  • improved fitness, endurance, and conditioning.
  • improved focus because the participant remains attentive and present in practice and training.
  • improved discipline in other areas of their life because participants want to perform better in their chosen sport and this causes them to evaluate if their lifestyle (habits, diet, exercise, …) will improve their performance or reduce it
  • Gain much better control of their emotions because anger and other negative emotions will cause them to perform poorly during training (and competition)
  • and the confidence that they can actually use the techniques against an attacker.

A very important added benefit to training in a grappling style like Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is that participants are able to train without the repetitive head trauma that often occurs in the striking arts.

As we learn more about concussions, this is something that many are rightfully concerned with both for adults and especially for kids.

Plus, as far as kids go, the kids learn how to handle a bully or an attacker without having to resort to punching or kicking them.

Kids in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu learn how to control their aggressor without injuring them. This is particularly important with modern school policies punshing both students involved in a fight, regardless if it was simply from one bullying another.

There is some cross over between the 2 camps of martial arts at times and different martial arts schools may lean a little more towards performance or kata type training regardless of style depending upon the instructor.

However, this is a good way to intellectualize the difference between the various martial arts.

Want To Try A Texarkana Jiu Jitsu Class?

Call Us: (903) 793-1085 Email Us: TexarkanaJiuJitsu@gmail.com