I have a combined 24 years of military and law enforcement experience. Over those years I have been introduced to countless self-defense “systems”; each proclaiming to be the answer to unarmed self-defense. Wrongful assumptions of most of these styles were that you would remain on your feet throughout the entire encounter and you would be skilled enough to overwhelm your opponent. Feedback from real life confrontations reveals that, in most cases, neither is true. I have read and heard varying percentages regarding the odds of the fight going to the ground, with the range being 65-85%. In my personal experience, a majority of my physical encounters have concluded on the ground. I failed to keep a detailed account; therefore I do not have hard numbers to share.
I have also trained in a variety of martial arts since the age of 18. Most of these were strictly striking arts, with little to no grappling skills incorporated in the curriculum. Given the aforementioned odds, these are not very practical outside of scripted sparring.
I have trained in Gracie/Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for approximately 10 months and have found it to be the most rewarding and realistic martial art I have come across. I attended a week long Gracie Survival Tactics Instructor Certification Course in July of this year and was astonished at how much useful information and technique I learned in that short period of time. The course was taught by Rener Gracie, grandson of Grand Master Helio Gracie. I spent years in other martial arts and learned a fraction of the skills learned here. The difference is the teaching methodology and the genuine passion and willingness of the Gracies to share the knowledge. The amazing part is that this has seemed to trickle down and become contagious with all the BJJ instructors I have come across.
I was asked to start a kids program (Jiu-Jitsu Junior) at Lancaster Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in February and agreed to do so with some hesitation. What a great decision! I am amazed at how fast and how much the kids learn and retain. It is like the feeling experienced by a proud parent when their child accomplishes and succeeds; only 15 times over. The progress that some of the students have made is astounding. The most satisfying aspect of the training is when they realize they don’t have to be the biggest and strongest to be victorious. That is the beauty and foundation of BJJ, as proven by Rorion Gracie and his brother Royce with the advent of the UFC in 1993. BJJ gives a child a realistic chance in a bully scenario and the techniques focus on controlling their opponent first, minimizing the chance of injury to both. After all, the main objective is to end the confrontation with the least amount of damage, if possible. The sense of accomplishment and boost in confidence and self-esteem in these children is overwhelming.
What an awesome honor to teach!
Terry Arment
Lancaster Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu