Isn’t Jiu Jitsu just people beating each other up? I’ve heard it’s not safe for beginners. I’m afraid I’ll get injured… These are just a few things people worry about when it comes to Jiu Jitsu. To help address some of these concerns, we’re exploring this one key question today: Is Jiu Jitsu dangerous?
The Real Risks of Jiu Jitsu:
What Can Go Wrong (and How Rare It Is)
Jiu Jitsu is often lumped together with other martial arts, which carry a higher risk of injury. Opinions about the sport are also sometimes shaped by online misconceptions or limited exposure to how it is actually practiced.
So to help answer the question, Is Jiu Jitsu dangerous?, let’s look at what can actually go wrong and how often it occurs.
Jiu-Jitsu, like any other physical activity, will always carry some risk of injury. However, this risk has been proven to be substantially lower than in other sports.
For instance, a recent study reported an average of 5.5 injuries per 1000 hours of Jiu Jitsu training. That number is markedly lower than in many common sports in South Africa. A study on rugby reported an average of 22.8rugbyinjuries during the same period, whereas this study on soccer indicated an average of 5 to 9 injuries.
Common injuries in Jiu Jitsu include light sprains of the fingers and toes – a finger could get caught in a Gi (training apparel), for example. Mat burns happen fairly regularly, too. However, serious injuries like fractures or concussions are incredibly rare.
Is Jiu Jitsu Dangerous Compared to Other Martial Arts?
We mentioned earlier that Jiu Jitsu is often mistakenly put into the same category as other martial arts. However, the risk of injury is actually considerably lower. This comes down to one important aspect: striking, or the lack thereof.
Unlike boxing or mixed martial arts, there is no striking, kicking, punching, or elbowing in Jiu Jitsu. This significantly reduces the risk of serious injury (such as concussion or fracture) to the face, body and vital organs.
Unlike other kinds of combat sports, where it’s difficult not to hurt yourself or your partner (think boxing!), Jiu Jitsu is safe for both sparring partners.
Jiu Jitsu allows you to control someone without having to strike them. Tackling someone to the ground and subduing them can be done without necessarily hurting them. You get to train at a high level of intensity without causing damage to yourself or your sparring partner.
Whereas other sports often require participants to adopt a watered-down version (soft or light striking) to avoid injury, Jiu Jitsu can be trained safely even at high intensity. This means that the intensity of a grapple can be adjusted to proficiency level or age, and still be very effective.
Lastly, the in-built defense mechanism of tapping in Jiu Jitsu also provides an important safety net to help anyone avoid injury and be able to “tap out” during training if they need to.
How We Keep Things Safe at Maximillian Jiu Jitsu
At Maximillian Jiu Jitsu, we want to make sure that students feel safe and comfortable during their training. Here are a few ways that we ensure that:
Tapping
We emphasize tapping and how to tap to avoid injury. This doesn’t just prevent your own injuries; it’s also a way of looking out for your grappling partner.
Focus on positional sparring
Beginner students will always start with positional sparring. We create clear parameters, and there is always a goal and an objective to what you’re trying to achieve. This means that the grappling happens in a very controlled environment. This significantly reduces the risk of injury.
Warm-ups
Another important way that we keep things safe here at Maximillian is by facilitating robust and effective warm-ups. These are essential, as they help prime your muscles and ligaments and help prepare you for the physical exertion ahead.
Positive training culture
Lastly, our training culture is all about longevity and enjoyment, rather than pushing yourself too far and being driven by unhealthy performance pressure.
The most important questions we ask aren’t about winning or performing. Rather, we want to ask the question: How can you grapple in such a way that you can keep grappling?
The Benefits Outweigh The Risks
When answering the question, Is Jiu Jitsu dangerous?, it’s also important to realize that the benefits of the sport outweigh the risks by far. Jiu Jitsu has many multifaceted benefits that can be truly life-transforming.
Physically, it’s a great way to build strength, increase flexibility and develop fitness. It’s also a fun way to lose weight. Jiu Jitsu helps both kids and adults improve their coordination and body awareness.
Mentally and emotionally, Jiu Jitsu is a big confidence builder that can help improve self-esteem and lower anxiety. It also grows resilience and mental fortitude. As a Jiu Jitsu practitioner, you’ll cultivate grit and determination.
Lastly, there are social benefits too. You’ll undoubtedly make some lifelong friends! Jiu Jitsu is a community-driven sport, and here at Maximillian, we are particularly invested in this. You’ll find a supportive, welcoming community and lots of camaraderie on the mats.
Where to From Here?
Many people still regularly ask us the question: Is Jiu Jitsu dangerous?
If you’re new to Jiu Jitsu and to Maximillian, we hope that we’ve allayed your fears a little and given you a new perspective on the sport. Or perhaps “Jiu Jitsu Cape Town” has been on your Google radar for a while, but you just haven’t found quite the right place to train.
If you’d like to check out this Jiu Jitsu Cape Town academy, don’t hesitate to come and check us out. Sign up for a free trial today!
Sign up for a free trial today
and experience the difference for yourself.
