Brazilian Jiu-jitsu is torque in action. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art that uses leverage and force to apply joint locks and chokeholds to defeat the opponent. It has the concept of a smaller, weaker person being able to defend themselves against a much larger, heavier person. Seeing as a smaller person may not have as much strength against the larger person, they can use BJJ techniques such as joint locks to still win. Joint locks and Choke holds use torque to inflict pain. If a smaller person wishes to win, they can use the idea of torque and create levers using the human body. By apply force to these levers, a submission will be created. It is important for BJJ fighters to understand torque and use it to their advantage; without understanding levers and force, a heavier person could easily defeat a weaker person.
Why does Jiu-Jitsu follow this progression?
- Get your opponent to the ground
- Get past your opponent’s legs
- Control their hips and shoulders
- Add a submission
This progression is important because it neutralizes the opponent’s ability to throw the fighter’s balance off and use a submission on the fighter. It is especially important if the fighter is smaller, this progression gives the smaller opponent advantage seeing as the control is given to the fighter and not the opponent. Once control is established, the fighter is able to create locks (fulcrums) and apply force to create a submission and win the match.
Why does Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu want control?
Control gives the fighter the ability to use the opponent’s centre of gravity and limbs against them. They have the ability to choose where the force is applied and how to create a submission.
Determine the Lever, Fulcrum, Force, and Torque of Joint Locks
![](https://myriverside.sd43.bc.ca/nighinar2016/files/2019/02/Kimura-1fwuyj1-632x843.png)
![](https://myriverside.sd43.bc.ca/nighinar2016/files/2019/02/Armbar-1icqmtt-632x843.png)
Determine the Lever, Fulcrum, Force, and Torque of a Choke
![](https://myriverside.sd43.bc.ca/nighinar2016/files/2019/02/Bow-and-Arrow-Choke-2nre5kz-632x843.png)