Self Defence

Junsui Ryu Ju Jitsu is a very practical and effective martial art which focuses on self defence against a variety of realistic attack situations, ranging from a simple punch or kick, to dealing with grabs, multiple-attackers or weapons.

Unlike some other martial arts, Ju Jitsu is not a sport. We don’t train in weight categories and we don’t have rules (other than respect for each-other’s safety when training). Instead we learn the techniques appropriate to defence against a full variety of attackers – not every technique is appropriate for every attacker.

We emphasise not only effective self defence against a physical attack, but also how to respond to, and potentially control, the build-up leading to a potential attack. By greater awareness, often an attack can be prevented from happening. An aspect of our training is to allow students to experience the pressure (and fear) of a realistic attack. it is far harder to execute a graceful self-defence technique whist dealing with the adrenaline and fear in a real defence situation. Through repeated exposure to this sort of pressure, our students are better prepared to remember their training and respond appropriately should they have the real need.

The following is sourced from Wikipedia …

“Self-defence is part of private defence, the doctrine in English law that one can act in ways that would otherwise be illegal to prevent injury to oneself or others, or to prevent crime more generally[citation needed] – one has the same right to act to protect others as to protect oneself. This defence arises both from common law and the Criminal Law Act 1967. Self-defence in English law is using reasonable force against an unjust threat. Self-defence is a justification rather than an excuse (Robinson’s classification of defences), that is, the defence is asserting that the actions were not a crime at all.”

When responding to an attack, the self-defence technique not only needs to be effective (preventing harm to the defendant and permitting a safe end to the situation) but also needs to be a response proportionate to the threat. In Junsui Ryu Ju Jitsu we teach techniques covering a range of responses levels from a simple release, to a more forceful response. Our goal is to empower our students to defend themselves in a way which is proportional to the situation.

Striking – Throwing – Falling – Locking – Weapons – Ground Fighting

Striking

Striking – Throwing – Falling – Locking – Weapons – Ground Fighting

Striking techniques in a martial art from Japan are known as Atemi Waza.

Striking or Atemi is an important part of Junsui Ryu Ju Jitsu.

Knowing where and how to strike provides options which enhance the student’s self-defence abilities, particularly when dealing with multiple attackers.

In addition, a thorough understanding of how to strike allows one to effectively counter such strikes. Failure to understand the mechanics of striking as a central part of the art would of course raise the question of the effectiveness of any techniques employed to defend against such attacks.

A thorough understanding of atemi also illustrates the use of the whole body as a weapon as strikes can be employed using hands, feet, elbow, knees, head etc.

As with all techniques, a whole body sensitivity is vital to ensure one strikes from a position of balance and power, preferably at the same time as interrupting the opponent’s balance and power base.

Finally, one must also fully understand the consequences in terms of the effect of striking on the other person, in order to ensure that any atemi employed creates a reaction which produces the desired result. As a simple example, one should not use a strike to the solar plexus which results in the opponent doubling up in the middle if one is seeking to use a hip throw, as the strike effectively reduces the ability to follow up with the throw. Far better to employ a distracting strike to the face to rock the balance and allow entry to the throw.

Atemi is therefore a wider concept than simply how to strike but an understanding of where to strike and what the consequences of that strike will be. In other words, like all of Junsui Ryu Ju Jitsu, atemi is used intelligently to achieve a desired aim and is not simply flailing around without focus.

Throwing

Striking – Throwing – Falling – Locking – Weapons – Ground Fighting

Throwing techniques in a martial art from Japan is known as Nage Waza.

Nage waza or throwing is a core skill within Junsui Ryu Ju Jitsu.

Throwing in Ju Jitsu is based on understanding and taking or re-directing the balance and power of an opponent’s attack. We do not seek to meet strength with strength but rather, employing the principle of Ju, we blend with an attack, redirect it and get under the point of balance in order to throw an opponent. In this way, a much smaller person can effectively throw a much larger opponent.

In self-defence terms, the majority of altercations end up in grappling range. The syllabus of Junsui Ryu Ju Jitsu provides a range of throwing techniques which in turn provides a range of options to employ should one find oneself in a grappling position. Once again we are seeking whole body sensitivity to allow us to use the right technique in a given circumstance, the aim being to simply feel an opportunity and take it rather than entering in with a specific technique in mind.

Before being taught a specific throw, students are first taught how to land out of it and thus safety is preserved. It might look painful and scary but actually it is really good fun to be thrown! Honest!

Falling

Striking – Throwing – Falling – Locking – Weapons – Ground Fighting

Falling techniques in a martial art from Japan are known as Ukemi Waza.

Falling is taught and practiced at the beginning of every training session. There are many reasons for learning ukemi, three of which are set out below:-

Safety – Learning to fall allows the jitsuka to train safely. The complexity and difficulty of the falling required by the syllabus increases as one progresses through the grades. The aim is provide instruction and practice in the falling required to undertake specific techniques prior to those particular techniques are taught. In other words, we teach people to fall out of a technique before we teach them how to do the technique!

Control – Falling requires the jitsuka to control their body, it teaches balance, focus and develops a clear knowledge of the body. In this way the falling adds to the Jitsuka’s general knowledge.

Confidence – Some of the advanced falling can look very intimidating and requires a degree of courage simply to attempt. However, as with all practice in Junsui Ryu Ju Jitsu the safety of the student is the first priority and thus the falling is broken down and taught in stages. The benefit to one’s confidence of achieving correct falling cannot be overstated. Not only does it enable the student to progress to advanced Ju Jitsu techniques but the meeting of a physical challenge and overcoming it builds confidence

Despite the sometimes terrifying look of the falling, it is all undertaken without any damage or pain to the jitsuka and once mastered it is really good fun, almost a form of very active moving meditation. The ukemi simply flows with very little, if any, thought required.

Locking

Striking – Throwing – Falling – Locking – Weapons – Ground Fighting

Locking techniques in a martial art from Japan are known as Kansetsu Waza.

Kansetsu Waza or locking is another central part of Junsui Ryu Ju Jitsu. Locks can be applied from standing, seated or prone and are used to subdue an opponent or to break/damage a limb or joint. Locking systems are also used to affect balance and movement and are thus utilised as a part of wider techniques

Locks can be applied to any joints but are primarily employed against wrist, arms, head and legs. Other joints such as finger and thumb locks are also particularly effective but require a greater level of fine motor movement and can thus be difficult to achieve in a live situation.

The locking systems are particularly useful when dealing with armed attackers.

The application of locks should only occur once an opponent’s balance has been interrupted and their central core (musculature) has been neutralised in order to ensure that the lock can be applied efficiently. Seeking to apply a lock without achieving this makes the Jitsuka vulnerable to counters and significantly reduces the effectiveness of any lock.

Weapons

Striking – Throwing – Falling – Locking – Weapons – Ground Fighting

Weapons in a martial art from Japan are known collectively as Buki.

Junsui Ryu Ju Jitsu teaches defence from weapons and Jojitsu (use of the staff which is just over 4ft in length).

Weapons defences are a key part of the art and allow a defender to deal with attacks using the traditional weapons of sticks, knives, chains and bokken/katana (swords). The art also deals with more modern offensive weapons such as bottles, baseball bats, pint glasses, broken bottles etc.

The core principles of early positive engagement, the breaking of the balance and central core really come into their own when dealing with weapons. Fancy, complicated twisting and turning has no place when dealing with a fast, realistic weapon attack and have no place in Junsui Ryu Ju Jitsu. Our responses are simple and effective, if sometimes not pretty!

The use of a weapon by an attacker grants them the advantage of distance and often increased power as a result of greater leverage. In addition, sharp weapons such as knives and broken bottles need only a little contact to cause major damage. A realistic approach to training grants the jitsuka an edge when dealing with these very nasty attacks whilst at the same time identifies the issues involved. Thus no jitsuka will come out of weapons training feeling they need not worry about an armed attacker; rather, the jitsuka develops a healthy respect for weapons and learns to deal with them quickly and efficiently.

Finally, Junsui Ryu Ju Jitsu teaches the Jo from Shodan and above. The Jo is a short staff of just over four foot in length. Training with the Jo emphasises the use of the body as a whole in order to wield the weapon, with the power coming from the feet, up through the hips. It is for this reason that that jo is not taught until after Shodan (Black Belt). The jo is taught as an extension of the body and is not simply a big stick to wave around.

Ground Fighting

Striking – Throwing – Falling – Locking – Weapons – Ground Fighting

Ground fighting techniques in a martial art from Japan is known as Ne Waza.

Ne Waza or Ground fighting is another key skill in Junsui Ryu Ju Jitsu.

It is an unfortunate fact that many altercations end up with one or both parties on the ground. As a result Junsui Ryu examines and teaches the principles of ground fighting in a number of varying contexts.

Firstly, we look at how one defends themselves on the floor from standing attackers. We utilise exactly the same principles here as we do when defending ourselves on our feet: early positive contact, break the balance and core, move to a quick resloution.

Secondly we deal with submission ground fighting when dealing with an aggressor who has gone to ground with you. Submission ground fighting is great fun and allows competitive sparring to be undertaken in a safe environment. Many of the techniques used originally came from Samurai art of Ju Jitsu, were refined by Jigoro Kano through his development of Judo and have been further refined by the renowned Gracie family who introduced the art of Brazillian Ju Jitsu. Junsui Ryu ju Jitsu takes the best of all of the available techniques and applies them with our usual no nonsense, practical approach.

The third interpretation of ground fighting comes when the Jitsuka has got his opponent on the ground and seeks to subdue rather than finish off. The application of locking and pinning techniques provides a less destructive option for the Jitsuka.

Finally, we address the what we describe as pure Ju Jitsu ground fighting which involves a range of very effective and destructive techniques with the aim of regaining our feet as soon as possible. This section is not pretty but it is very effective; after all, who wants to stay on the floor where you are more vulnerable?

Essentially, Junsui Ryu Ju Jitsu provides a range of responses to aggression when having to deal with any floor based position. Like the rest of the syllabus it ranges from simples escapes and pins to the total destruction of the opponent. Thus the appropriate level of response can be identified and utilised dependant of the circumstances.