Why BJJ Practitioners Should Say “I Need to Work on My Takedown Skills” Instead of “I Need to Work on My Judo or Wrestling”

As a Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner and coach, one of my biggest pet peeves is when athletes in BJJ say they want to work on their “judo” or “wrestling” when what they really mean is they want to improve their takedown skills. This distinction may seem minor, but it reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of the relationship between these grappling arts and their historical context.

A Brief History of Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, and Wrestling

To start, it’s important to understand the shared roots of these arts. Traditional Japanese jiu-jitsu predates judo and included a wide variety of grappling techniques, including throws, joint locks, and ground submissions. Jigoro Kano, the founder of judo, took elements of these jiu-jitsu systems and codified them into a new martial art he called judo, “the gentle way.” His intent was to refine jiu-jitsu into something that emphasized physical education, moral discipline, and competition, rather than just combat effectiveness. Even in Kano’s time, judo was often referred to as jiu-jitsu, as evidenced by the book titled The Complete Kano Jiu-jitsu (Judo), published in 1923 by H. Irving Hancock.

Judo grew in popularity, eventually becoming an Olympic sport with a focus on throws and pins. Meanwhile, jiu-jitsu continued to evolve outside of the judo framework, most famously in Brazil, where practitioners developed what we now know as Brazilian jiu-jitsu. BJJ placed more emphasis on ground grappling and submissions but retained the throws and takedowns of its Japanese predecessor.

Similarly, wrestling styles such as freestyle, Greco-Roman, and folkstyle developed independently, though they share common principles with judo and jiu-jitsu. After all, there are only so many ways to throw or take down a human body. Techniques like single legs, double legs, and body locks are universal because they are biomechanically efficient, not because they belong exclusively to one style.

The Misconception in BJJ

In Brazilian jiu-jitsu, there’s a stereotype that takedowns are under-taught and under-practiced, especially compared to ground techniques like guard passing and submissions. While this may be true in some schools, it doesn’t mean that takedowns aren’t part of BJJ. On the contrary, takedowns are an integral part of the art and sport, as reflected in the IBJJF scoring system.

Here’s where my pet peeve comes into play: when a BJJ practitioner says, “I need to work on my judo,” or “I need to work on my wrestling,” they often aren’t expressing a desire to compete in those sports. They’re simply acknowledging a weakness in their takedown game. However, by framing it this way, they inadvertently separate takedowns from BJJ and place them in the domain of other martial arts, as if takedowns aren’t already part of their core discipline.

Takedowns Are Jiu-Jitsu Too

Throws and takedowns like uchi mata, osoto gari, single-leg takedowns, and double legs aren’t exclusively “judo” or “wrestling” techniques—they are grappling techniques, and they exist within Brazilian jiu-jitsu as well. Before judo became an Olympic sport, these techniques were part of the jiu-jitsu curriculum, and they remain part of BJJ today.

The idea that a double-leg takedown is “wrestling” and a hip throw is “judo” ignores the shared history of these arts. It also downplays the versatility of Brazilian jiu-jitsu as a complete grappling system. BJJ doesn’t stop at the ground; it encompasses every phase of grappling, including standing exchanges and takedowns.

Respecting Judo and Wrestling

Let me be clear: I’m a fan of both judo and wrestling. I’ve studied judo and traditional Japanese jiu-jitsu, coached high school wrestling, and continue to respect and appreciate these arts for their unique contributions to grappling. However, when BJJ athletes say, “I need to work on my judo” or “I need to work on my wrestling,” they’re unintentionally misrepresenting what they actually need: better takedown skills for BJJ competition.

A Better Way to Frame It

If you’re a BJJ practitioner who wants to improve your takedown skills, try reframing how you think and talk about it. Instead of saying, “I need to work on my judo” or “I need to work on my wrestling,” simply say, “I need to work on my takedowns.” This shift in language not only clarifies your intention but also reinforces the idea that takedowns are a part of Brazilian jiu-jitsu, not something separate from it.

By acknowledging that takedowns are an essential part of BJJ, you’ll help preserve the integrity of the art and encourage a more well-rounded approach to training. So, the next time you’re in the gym, focus on improving your takedown skills—not your “judo” or “wrestling.” After all, they’re jiu-jitsu techniques too.