Is Jiu-Jitsu strictly a grappling art or does it contain striking techniques too?
RICKSON GRACIE: Jiu-Jitsu is self defense in which we use defensive movements to counter offensive movements. We then transform defense into a counter attack, the idea always being to find a weak point in the opponent. Of course you can use strikes though these are only really effective if you either surprise someone or overpower them first. So learning how to strike is good but believing that it will save you every time, is wrong. COMBAT: How does Gracie Jiu-Jitsu differ from other grappling systems such as judo or wrestling? RICKSON GRACIE: Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is a combination of many things whereas judo and wrestling are 100% sports systems, specifically designed for competition. The fighters can be very tough and it is very difficult to beat any of them in a judo or wrestling tournament. Sometimes they need the grip of the gi to be effective in a judo tournament but this isn’t always available in a real fight. In the same way some people need to be able to punch and kick and these too
