Leave BJJ for Judo ?

[Tkd10]

I've been cross training my stand up with some BJJ (about 3 months) and i'm not enjoying it as much as i want to. I guess it's a combination of stuff, i was hoping it would have more stand up but the only take downs we train are wrestling style. I don't enjoy fighting off my back most of the time, and i'm not really into the lifestyle with the designer kimonos and trends. I'm leaning towards Judo as i enjoy grappling from stand up, the throws look pretty cool, it seems to have a decent amount of ground work too and sticks to the basics, and i think it will work nicely with my striking. I find BJJ to be really frustrating and technical.

I don't know how to explain, for some reason i just always find my self watching a ton of judo videos and i'm left in awe from some of the throws, but BJJ can be really interesting too, but i'm just not getting the same vibes. I kinda feel guilty, i don't know should i stay or give Judo a try ? I was thinking maybe train Judo and as time goes on throw in a bit of BJJ occasionally ?

 

[Darwinambrosius]

Wait for T-Bone's input. He's the authority on this subforum.

 

[MrJak]

I've been cross training my stand up with some BJJ (about 3 months) and i'm not enjoying it as much as i want to. I guess it's a combination of stuff, i was hoping it would have more stand up but the only take downs we train are wrestling style. I don't enjoy fighting off my back most of the time, and i'm not really into the lifestyle with the designer kimonos and trends. I'm leaning towards Judo as i enjoy grappling from stand up, the throws look pretty cool, it seems to have a decent amount of ground work too and sticks to the basics, and i think it will work nicely with my striking. I find BJJ to be really frustrating and technical.

I don't know how to explain, for some reason i just always find my self watching a ton of judo videos and i'm left in awe from some of the throws, but BJJ can be really interesting too, but i'm just not getting the same vibes. I kinda feel guilty, i don't know should i stay or give Judo a try ? I was thinking maybe train Judo and as time goes on throw in a bit of BJJ occasionally ?

What's your goal? Judo is also very technical. It's not quite as practical either.

 

[Tkd10]

What's your goal? Judo is also very technical. It's not quite as practical either.

Well we had a judo instructor come in for a day and we tried some basic throws, they hurt like hell to me, i would think they're pretty practical.

It just seems more interesting to me, i'm looking for a grappling art to compliment my striking, but i feel no passion towards BJJ.

 

[FierceRedBelt]

It's a hobby, do whatever makes you happy.

Judo's learning curve is ridiculous if you're chasing true ippons and there are plenty of 10+ year players who really 'don't get it.' I've never met someone who's been practicing bjj for more than 5 years who didn't have a somewhat developed game. Good luck.

 

[MrJak]

Well we had a judo instructor come in for a day and we tried some basic throws, they hurt like hell to me, i would think they're pretty practical.

It just seems more interesting to me, i'm looking for a grappling art to compliment my striking, but i feel no passion towards BJJ.

Unless you're training for the street those throws probably won't do any real damage. They will force your opponent to the ground, just like wrestling takedowns. Then what? But ya, if you're not training for competition just do whatever makes you go.

 

[Lamfadha]

BJJ came from Judo just find a school that does Ne Waza or BJJ 30% of the time instead of almost never and you should probably have more fun doing 70% stand up.
Also since Judo started BJJ how about you "it isn't practical at all people" stop practicing BJJ then?

 

[lts5025]

I've been cross training my stand up with some BJJ (about 3 months) and i'm not enjoying it as much as i want to. I guess it's a combination of stuff, i was hoping it would have more stand up but the only take downs we train are wrestling style. I don't enjoy fighting off my back most of the time, and i'm not really into the lifestyle with the designer kimonos and trends. I'm leaning towards Judo as i enjoy grappling from stand up, the throws look pretty cool, it seems to have a decent amount of ground work too and sticks to the basics, and i think it will work nicely with my striking. I find BJJ to be really frustrating and technical.

I don't know how to explain, for some reason i just always find my self watching a ton of judo videos and i'm left in awe from some of the throws, but BJJ can be really interesting too, but i'm just not getting the same vibes. I kinda feel guilty, i don't know should i stay or give Judo a try ? I was thinking maybe train Judo and as time goes on throw in a bit of BJJ occasionally ?

Judo is a great art and a well-executed throw is beautiful to watch. I love judo and think it can be practical for self-defense or MMA. Like others have said, the learning curve is extremely steep and if you're not willing to put years of practice into it before you pull off a basic throw you will get frustrated and quit.

And the groundwork in judo is about as developed as the takedown game is in BJJ. Sure you have some newaza specialists, but most BJJ blue belts would destroy recreational judo black belts in ground grappling.

 

[andrewm2211]

Unless you're training for the street those throws probably won't do any real damage. They will force your opponent to the ground, just like wrestling takedowns. Then what? But ya, if you're not training for competition just do whatever makes you go.

Wait what?
Getting thrown hurts like hell and has a pretty considerable stun factor. I'm judging from my experience sparring in BJJ class. And that's from a reasonable training partner.
I can only imagine a throw on a surface harder than a gym mat from someone with malicious intent would cause considerable pain/damage.

 

[DiogenesOfSinope]

I've been cross training my stand up with some BJJ (about 3 months) and i'm not enjoying it as much as i want to. I guess it's a combination of stuff, i was hoping it would have more stand up but the only take downs we train are wrestling style. I don't enjoy fighting off my back most of the time, and i'm not really into the lifestyle with the designer kimonos and trends. I'm leaning towards Judo as i enjoy grappling from stand up, the throws look pretty cool, it seems to have a decent amount of ground work too and sticks to the basics, and i think it will work nicely with my striking. I find BJJ to be really frustrating and technical.

I don't know how to explain, for some reason i just always find my self watching a ton of judo videos and i'm left in awe from some of the throws, but BJJ can be really interesting too, but i'm just not getting the same vibes. I kinda feel guilty, i don't know should i stay or give Judo a try ? I was thinking maybe train Judo and as time goes on throw in a bit of BJJ occasionally ?

Learning "wrestling style" takedowns at a BJJ hobby gym is a joke. They start from the knees why? Because you get hurt doing takedowns, and they don't want their customers hurt. Go do what you want to do. Judo will teach you how to fall and make you tougher.

While you're at it, stop being a pussy and take an amateur MMA bout. You will survive and you will never forget it.

 

[Russky]

Unless you're training for the street those throws probably won't do any real damage. They will force your opponent to the ground, just like wrestling takedowns. Then what? But ya, if you're not training for competition just do whatever makes you go.

This is someone who has never been thrown by a judoka.

TS, I did judo an bjj in parallel for a few years. This month I am quitting bjj and I will be training in judo exclusively.

Judo is much more fun but it hurts like hell in the beginning. That's why I did more bjj than judo.

 

[MrJak]

Wait what?
Getting thrown hurts like hell and has a pretty considerable stun factor. I'm judging from my experience sparring in BJJ class. And that's from a reasonable training partner.
I can only imagine a throw on a surface harder than a gym mat from someone with malicious intent would cause considerable pain/damage.

Yes when you first start Judo it can hurt a bit, but that and especially the stun factor will disappear. My point was that if you threw someone on the street it would do damage, but relatively little in a gym. Relative to let's say a shin to the floating ribs.

 

[Russky]

Yes when you first start Judo it can hurt a bit, but that and especially the stun factor will disappear. My point was that if you threw someone on the street it would do damage, but relatively little in a gym. Relative to let's say a shin to the floating ribs.

Try it before making opinion.

Learning to keep elbow to the chest to keep my ribs safe took me one day. Learning to fall without getting hurt every practice took me two years.

 

[winterbike]

This reads like you're coming out of the closet. Follow your heart OP!

 

[richardb]

I do both Judo (5 years, 2nd kyu Blue belt) and BJJ (3 years, Blue belt). In my experience Judo classes are around 75% standing and 25% ground work, whilst BJJ is around 90% ground and 10% standing technique. In a way Judo is a more 'complete' style than BJJ as BJJ has such little standing work. That's not meant as a criticism as I love both, just an observation. Emphasis on ground vs standing varies from club to club in Judo. Some Judo Sensei's have great ground technique, and hold-downs can be very hard to escape. Judo is tougher on the body and can lead to more injuries, especially in competition. I've seen people with concussion and dislocated shoulders etc from being thrown in comps.
Judo can be much cheaper than BJJ, which is a bonus. I got into BJJ after falling in love with the ground work I learnt at Judo and I wanted to learn more, I will never stop wanting to improve my throws either though! If ground work is not a high priority then give Judo a try and see how you like it.

 

[T-Bone]

Wait for T-Bone's input. He's the authority on this subforum.

Quoted for posterity. No sarcasm icon, so you were serious.

I will weigh in later... because neither bjj nor judo is unique in this regard... you know, leaving one for another.

-T

 

[AnotherOldGuy]

What's your goal? Judo is also very technical. It's not quite as practical either.

Judo is certainly very technical, and has a steeper learning curve. Practical depends on the circumstances. If you know you're going to the ground anyway, BJJ is much better. If you want to avoid going to the ground in the first place, judo is better (its very hard to get a judoka to the ground unless you're an equally good judoka or wrestler - guard pulls are easy to avoid if the rules don't force engagement on the ground, as is proven in 95% of MMA matches where someone unsuccessfully tries to pull an unwilling person to the ground).

For a striker, judo (or wrestling) is very useful, as it can keep them on their feet against people with poor takedowns/throws (again MMA is full of this). On the other hand, BJJ is also very useful for a striker, as it'll give them good tools if they do find themselves on the ground. Best is to study both BJJ and judo/wrestling if you want to be a good grappler. Or find the rare BJJ or judo club (or a sambo or catch club) which work on both ground and standing.

 

[Uchi Mata]

Where do you live TS? In the US the level of technical instruction in the average BJJ school is much higher than the average Judo dojo. In general in the US Judo practices consist of overly long warmups, a ton of uchi komi, maybe some technical work (though that usually just consists of 'here's how you do a tai otoshi' for the 10th time), ne waza randori from the knees and then standing randori, always full strength. What I'm saying is, most places in the US Judo is taught very badly and you'll be lucky to ever get good. Say what you will about the economic model of BJJ, but most people who teach it are dedicated pros and they teach you good stuff, and you will become competent if you show up and work hard. Judo is mostly taught by marginally qualified volunteers.

You also won't learn anywhere near the same sort of practical matwork in Judo that you would in BJJ. Judo groundwork is very opportunistic and is mostly about establishing pins or snatching a quick sub during transitions. It's not very systematic in the way BJJ is.

If you're in Europe or Asia, the level of Judo instruction is likely to be at least as good as the level of BJJ instruction. In either case, plan to get hurt more in Judo and suck for longer, it does have a higher learning curve.

 

[T-Bone]

Wait for T-Bone's input. He's the authority on this subforum.

Read and learn. That was quite easy. I probably gave the TS more and better advice than the lot of you put together.

I am feeling particularly McGregor-ish today.

-T

I've been cross training my stand up with some BJJ (about 3 months) and i'm not enjoying it as much as i want to. I guess it's a combination of stuff, i was hoping it would have more stand up but the only take downs we train are wrestling style. I don't enjoy fighting off my back most of the time, and i'm not really into the lifestyle with the designer kimonos and trends. I'm leaning towards Judo as i enjoy grappling from stand up, the throws look pretty cool, it seems to have a decent amount of ground work too and sticks to the basics, and i think it will work nicely with my striking. I find BJJ to be really frustrating and technical.

I don't know how to explain, for some reason i just always find my self watching a ton of judo videos and i'm left in awe from some of the throws, but BJJ can be really interesting too, but i'm just not getting the same vibes. I kinda feel guilty, i don't know should i stay or give Judo a try ? I was thinking maybe train Judo and as time goes on throw in a bit of BJJ occasionally ?

Words have meaning. While not a profound statement, expand the quote above, and read it snd your wuote below. Focus on the bold font.

Those are your words, not mine. You selected them for a reason. And this is not rocket science. If anyone in this thread tries to convince you to stick with BJJ, or give you a bunch of reasons, it's falling on deaf ears. You have already made your decision. You just don't realize it. You are still thinking that maybe you'll do BJJ occasionally. Your words tell me otherwise.

Cut your losses and run. BJJ is not for you. You have made that clear. Stick with Judo and your striking. If you ever Tire of judo, or want to try BJJ in the future, then you will. But right now, it ain't for you.

-T

Well we had a judo instructor come in for a day and we tried some basic throws, they hurt like hell to me, i would think they're pretty practical.

It just seems more interesting to me, i'm looking for a grappling art to compliment my striking, but i feel no passion towards BJJ.

 

[Ethan]

Judo is awesome. BJJ is awesome. Try Judo, if you like it, stick with it. There's no point in training if you don't enjoy it.