jiu jitsu

How To Stop Bullying in Texarkana

Texarkana Jiu Jitsu and Fitness · Mar 13, 2019 ·

Bullying is a problem for so many kids and can effect them for the rest of their lives.

We can’t help kids by hoping that other kids will do the right thing and stop.

Kids are empowered when they are confident. When they know that they can take care of themselves.

They no longer have to live in fear.

This makes all the difference.

Self confidence means they probably will never be bullied again.

They most likely will never have to have a physical conflict because the bullies lack self esteem and want an easy target.

Developing self confidence is the real key.

We’ve helped countless kids over the years overcome problems with bullying.

If your child is being bullied, put them in a program that teaches them how to handle a bully so they won’t have to live in fear.

If you want to find out more about our program, send us a message.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a martial art that helps kids be able to defend themselves in the worst possible positions against bigger, stronger opponents.

Of course, the real benefit of training is knowing that they are no longer in danger, that’s self confidence.

We’re here to help!

Texarkana Jiu Jitsu
903-793-1085

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for Everyone Age 4 Through Adult Men and Women

Texarkana Jiu Jitsu Exciting News!

Texarkana Jiu Jitsu and Fitness · Feb 5, 2019 ·

Texarkana Jiu Jitsu Making It Happen in 2019!

𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵, 𝗧𝗲𝘅𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗝𝗶𝘂 𝗝𝗶𝘁𝘀𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝗺𝗮𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴…

1. We joined a NEW phenomenal team and are now a part of 𝗚𝗙𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺!

2. We promoted 𝗧𝗛𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝗡𝗘𝗪 Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belts!

3. We now have 𝗙𝗜𝗩𝗘 Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belts!

4. Coach Marc Hagebusch gets his 𝟰𝘁𝗵 𝗱𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗯𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝘁.

5. We had UFC and Ultimate Fighter Vet, Roli Delgado down to teach a class.

6. We started a NEW 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻’𝘀 𝗢𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗝𝗶𝘂 𝗝𝗶𝘁𝘀𝘂 class.

7. We’ve had so many great men, women, and kids join our program!

8. We just got back from the GFTeam Winter Conference (pictured) learning from GFTeam founder Master Julio Pereira and multiple time World Champion Denilson Pimenta.

This is only some of what we’ve already seen this year… still this is an impressive list as we just now begin February!

𝘞𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘥.

𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗿 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗿𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗮 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀…

Send us a MESSAGE and we can get you set up!

Texarkana Jiu Jitsu and Fitness
903-793-1085

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for Everyone Age 4 Through Adult. No Experience Necessary. All Fitness Levels Welcome!

What’s Better for Self Defense, Judo or BJJ?

Texarkana Jiu Jitsu and Fitness · Mar 11, 2018 ·

Which Martial Art Is Better for Self Defense… Judo or BJJ ?

This question comes up so often and is very polarizing. Everyone has an opinion based on their own experiences.

I have been fortunate enough to train both Judo and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with some incredible instructors.

I don’t believe that there is a single right answer here.

Should you train BJJ or Judo?

It depends on the specific gym, the instructor, the other students, and the individual that is thinking about training.

These probably matter much more than the art itself in this case… and because a wide variety exists in all these variables and what may suit you may not be the best for many others.

It depends a lot on you because if you don’t like the training or are training at a place where you are often injured due to poor safety standards then you won’t get good enough to use the techniques in a self defense situation.

Judo for Self Defense

My Judo instructor, the late Vince Tamura, was very ‘old school’ and taught his family’s style of jujitsu as well as Judo in a pretty well rounded curriculum that still predominately focused on competitive Judo for the most part.

I don’t think the self defense techniques were all that necessary to allow any of the Judoka I trained with to defend themselves against an attack.

The throws, conditioning, and the groundwork would give you a huge advantage in a fight over an opponent that likely knows nothing in the grappling area either stand up or ground.

There is a little less variation in curriculum between Judo schools, but it’s still very variable depending on the coach.

Judo tends to really stand out in the clinch/throwing department.

There’s more to Judo than throws though as I mention below.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for Self Defense

Restating the idea above, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu may be the best art for you.

It depends.

As far as self defense goes, the greatest danger is when you are in close combat – not when you’re throwing punches at each other while at a distance.

If you aren’t in the clinch already you are likely able to get away in most situations… or you can very likely get there quickly.

In close combat, a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioner is going to have a huge advantage over the average person.

The specific Jiu Jitsu school curriculum does matter to some degree.

If the training is too focused on competition techniques without covering basic foundational Jiu Jitsu techniques then it might not be quite as effective… even so, the average sport focused BJJ practitioner will have a big advantage in close combat over most attacks.

If there are no clinch or takedown techniques it might not be ideal for self defense.

I haven’t done a formal survey of BJJ schools, but I would guess the vast majority teach some stand up grappling to varying degrees.

Judo or BJJ for Self Defense

The reality is that both martial arts are likely to help someone be able to defend themselves for a variety of reasons.

These are both grappling based martial arts that will give you skills in close range combat where the vast majority of the public have no technical skills.
Both martial arts are generally trained against a resisting opponent giving the practitioners a more realistic type of training where the practitioners have to develop strategies that work in a real situation.
These arts tend to push your fitness, conditioning, and balance which will give you an advantage over the vast majority of people that do not train and are out of shape.
Both Judo and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu will help practitioners develop mental toughness and perseverance through constant challenges that will help you in a self defense situation when things may get tough.

Texarkana Jiu Jitsu

Texarkana is a small town. We don’t have a separate Judo gym here.

My own gym, Texarkana Jiu Jitsu, trains a good amount of Judo in our Jiu Jitsu class.

At my school, Texarkana Jiu Jitsu, we spend a significant amount of time on takedowns in our Brazilian Jiu Jitsu classes although not as much as the average Judo school.

This time is vastly more than the individual you are likely to fight in a self defense situation has in stand up grappling… and more than the average BJJ school.

The ground matters, a lot, particularly for women’s self defense who in the worst scenario will be put on their back against likely a bigger, stronger male… but the ground matters for everyone that gets in a fight.

Mostly to be able to get up or sweep from the bottom, as well as being able to dominate in the top position.

Coach Marc Hagebusch

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu For Self Defense?

Texarkana Jiu Jitsu and Fitness · Feb 16, 2018 ·

“Can Brazilian Jiu Jitsu work in a street fight?”

It depends. Great answer, I know!

What does it depend upon?

It depends on the situation and the practitioner.

The best approach is to not fight and leave if at all possible.

Unfortunately, in some cases this won’t be possible.

It might be that the person is cornered or in a situation where they need to protect others like friends or family.

In this case, you have to fight.

It also might be that the other person(s) grab you.

In this case, you no longer have the ability to leave/run… so you’ll have to engage to some degree.

In this case, you may be able to use grappling/BJJ to disengage and then leave the situation.

Stuck in the grappling range without this ability means you are in very serious trouble.

This is part of the problem with the ‘BJJ is useless against multiple opponents’ idea.

Anyone against multiple opponents is in greater trouble.

It doesn’t matter what art you train.

Yes I know there’s a youtube video showing a boxer taking out multiple opponents.

It can happen.

It also might go really wrong if one of the opponents grabs the boxer (or non-boxer).

See Art Jimmerson, a skilled boxer, against Royce Gracie in UFC 1.

Art was helpless against Royce in the grappling range… so were his other opponents who had no significant grappling ability.

No one should want to be too entangled on the ground in a fight, especially if there is a possibility of someone else jumping in.

Here’s an interesting question…

Why is it always assumed that BJJ practitioners have no friends around, but the street fighting guy is part of some gang of brothers or something?

I don’t think that training BJJ means you’re always alone and friendless.

Anyway, it’s not really relevant to the question.

Most opponents will be completely lost in the grappling range.

They will be out of position and essentially drowning on land.

They will be very frightened as they realize this.

They will also become tired very, very quickly.

This is due to several things…

⦁ they have no idea what is going on,
⦁ they get a massive brief adrenaline dump,
⦁ they are very likely way out of shape playing the averages,
⦁ if if they are not out of shape for general society – they will be out of grappling shape if they have not been training regularly. They will very likely have no sport specific endurance/conditioning…
⦁ and if they do because they train BJJ, you had better know what you’re doing.

**I can assure you this is true.**

I have trained for 22+ years and own a school. I have seen this countless times.

The people coming in to train experience this the first time they ‘spar‘ even in a very safe and friendly situation on mats.

In a situation where they will be taken down to the ground quickly landing on very likely a bad surface and not know how to fall – it will be much worse.

Virtually everyone has some sense of throwing a strike.

Even a pure sport BJJ guy/girl.

As mentioned above, virtually no one knows what to do in a grappling situation.

As soon as someone is taken down (with the landing possibly ending the fight right there), the BJJ practitioned does not have to have great striking skills to strike from a superior position controlling an opponent who is very likely completely helpless.

A few strikes to the head which is against the ground and no where to go is likely to end the fight.

You don’t have to mount, take an opponent’s back, or play guard in the vast majority of situations.

A very common position in BJJ is knee on belly.

This allows an excellent, high pressure control which allows you to strike very, very well and to get back to your feet immediately in a fraction of a second.

What if you end up on the bottom?

You had better know what you’re doing or again you are in big trouble

If possible, use BJJ to get up and leave the situation OR at least protect yourself and get to a better situation.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gives you the ability to control of another opponent.

It also provides an excellent platform from which you can strike, use a submission, or get up as necessary.

It also generally promotes a healthier lifestyle including getting the practitioner in shape. *Again some limited variance here from practitioner to practitioner – but generally very true.

This alone could save you in a self defense situation OR may save you from serious health problems / death from an unhealthy lifestyle.

**Most people will not be in a fight, ever, once they’re an adult.**

If they are it’s likely because of their occupation (a police officer or a bouncer for example)… or they’re in a place that they probably shouldn’t be in.

Avoiding these types of places is excellent self defense.

If you are otherwise forced to defend yourself, being proficient at Brazilian Jiu Jitsu can be very, very valuable for the reasons I posted above and so many others.

Coach Marc

Why Texarkana Kids Love Martial Arts

Texarkana Jiu Jitsu and Fitness · Feb 11, 2018 ·

Kids Love Training Martial Arts In Texarkana

You might think that kids want to learn martial arts because of the latest Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Movie or Lego’s Ninjago show they’ve watched… or maybe you have spent some time watching some of the ‘old’ classics you watched growing up… Karate Kid, Chuck Norris, Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, or Jean Claude Van Damme.

The truth is that kids have always loved the martial arts and maybe even more so now.

They see a martial artist doing some cool move and they want to learn how to do it.

Kids also want to move and get some exercise. It’s just part of our innate blueprint, our DNA.

Kids have a lot of extra energy because they are designed to move… a lot!

Kids also want to train for many of the same reasons that their parents want them to train in martial arts… to develop confidence, focus, self control, and better social relationships… of course it helps that the training is a blast for them.

This is critically important.

As parents, one of the greatest things we want for our kids is to see them happy.

If they can have fun while improving their health, fitness, and mental outlook… all the better!

The environment that children face today is very different from what the last generation experienced.

The kids are spending a lot of time on electronic media.

The schools have been forced to cut their PE fitness programs to save money.

These are big problems for physical and mental development.

Times and technology are moving very fast.

These environmental changes have caused kids to mature a little faster and often at the expense of just being a kid.

They’re under more stress and don’t have as many physical outlets as we did in school growing up.

It is easy to see why martial arts benefits, like self discipline and confidence are so important to our children.

They also develop self defense skills that not only really boost their confidence, also gives them a sense of security and insulates them from bullying.

While it isn’t the only benefit of training, the ability to protect oneself from harm is critical to the child’s development.

Dr. Abraham Maslow was a renowned psychologist that studied motivation and needs.

He created the hierarchy of needs that had 5 levels.

His theory states that we must satisfy the lower levels before we can move on to achieve higher level needs.

Maslow’s theory put security at the 2nd level, just after physiological needs like breathing, eating, and water.

This means that security is the foundation that all people required before moving to achieve the higher levels of humanity like love, confidence (he called self esteem), and self actualization.

The martial arts provide our kids with self defense techniques which enable them to concentrate on other areas of their lives.

Martial arts training like Jiu Jitsu offer so many benefits to kids from improving their fitness to self defense, confidence, and all the mental benefits that have traditionally been associated with martial arts.

Even better, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu offers kids the ability to defend themselves without ever having to hurt the other child.

Other arts teach predominately striking based solutions to self defense.

Many parents would prefer that their child doesn’t have to solve every conflict with a punch or kick to the face of another child.

In Jiu Jitsu, the kids learn how to control their opponent so that they are no longer a threat which is safer for both kids in most altercations.

If you’re interested in trying a first Free Class of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for your child, just contact us and we’ll get it set up for you!

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