What's the Difference Between Ju Jitsu and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?

What’s the difference between Ju Jitsu and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ)?


Both Ju Jitsu and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) share the same roots, but they’ve evolved differently.

Traditional Ju Jitsu, which we teach here at Ju Jitsu Rugby, is a complete self-defence system. It includes striking, throwing, locking, pressure points, and ground fighting. It’s designed to deal with real-life confrontations and multiple situations.


Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu focuses more heavily on ground fighting and is often taught with a strong emphasis on sport and competition.


We think of Ju Jitsu as the broader, older martial art. It’s practical, adaptable, and perfect for people who want real-world self-defence, not just tournament wins.