About BJJHeadStart
BJJHeadStart Rationale
The time investment challenge
Standup part of BJJ training hasn’t got much attention. Reason for this is obvious: Takedowns/Throws are mostly copied from specialized standup arts. Becoming so good at Judo or Wrestling that it helps in BJJ, takes a huge amount of effort. Such time investment simply doesn´t make sense for a pure BJJ practitioner. Investments are paying back far more better by focusing on ground skills. Because of that, there hasn’t been much effort put into related method development.
As a result even high level coaches are recommending BJJ players to join a Judo or Wrestling class if they want to learn takedowns. BJJHeadStart is about to change that.
Different problem - different solution
Objectives in Wrestling or Judo tachi waza (standup) differ significantly from the objectives of BJJ standup. For instance, in Judo the focus is on throwing your opponent on his back with great force. And if you succeed with that, the game is over. However, in BJJ it´s all about getting an advantageous position for the next phase of the game. Further more, while Judo players do all they can to avoid getting thrown, the majority of BJJ practitioners actually favor getting on their back.
BJJ has definitely a lot to learn from Judo and Wrestling. However, since the problem in BJJ is different, so needs to be the solution.
Art of Engineering meets BJJ
Developed by a “BJJ Engineer”
BJJHeadStart is developed by a Finnish problem solving expert with black belt in Judo & BJJ.
“Did we need an engineer for this too?”
Engineers are experts in analytical thinking and systematic problem solving. Those skills are very generic and useful in any kind of problem solving. Why would BJJ be any different?
Designed from “first principles”
BJJHeadStart has been mostly a journey of discovery. Very likely the same outcomes could have been derived by anyone with similar dedication to the subject. And it is also not rocket science, but fairly simple in the end. Large portion of the development time has been spent on creating the concepts and recommendations digestible for a regular BJJ practitioners.
It’s like what they say about inventing the wheel: there is no need to do it again. All you need to do is start utilizing what is already there.
It’s definitely worth it!
About the Author
Jukkis
(Jukka-Pekka Väisänen)
Martial Arts enthusiast since 1986
Judo Black Belt (1995-), BJJ Black Belt (2018-)
10+ years of Judo competition experience (Nordic level)
BJJ International Masters and Seniors double gold 2012 (-88.3kg & Absolute, Senior 1, Purple)
Part time teaching roughly 15 years
Problem solving specialist
Master of Science (Tech.)
Supply Chain & Management Consultant (15 years)
Product Management (10 years)
Concept Development & Solution Architect (20 years)
Why BJJHeadStart?
“When I started BJJ in 2006, I had already 20 years of Judo under my belt. I instantly fell in love with BJJ and starter learning journey with fresh eyes. I enjoyed a lot of what I saw, however it was evident that BJJ was in many ways quite new sport without well established training/teaching methods. In many areas of BJJ this has improved significantly over the last years, but not when it comes to takedowns.
I taught standup to BJJ players more than a decade. I did try a lot of things and as a result, I learned this part of the game pretty much inside out. For a long time it was just for my own curiosity to develop the related methods. After seeing the BJJ Stand up struggle long enough, I decided to package my learning and share it with the community. It became my way of giving back to the Martial Arts”
Learn more About BJJHeadStart
Join the Full Online Course waiting list by providing your e-mail and click the picture below to enter the free online course (30 min of videos).
“Jukka is a fantastic coach and has a really nice way of connecting his Judo techniques to Jiujitsu. I highly recommend attending a seminar or class with him if you have the chance! Check out his page for some nice techniques that work dry well and can be applied to anyone’s Grappling game.”