Tai Chi vs. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as grappling arts?
Yes, this is another style comparison question, but one with genuine curiosity behind it.
I’ve been practising Tai Chi for about a year now, not with any aspirations of becoming a great fighter, but more for the health benefits. I have had a lot of the martial applications explained to me though. Tai Chi has a lot of Chin Na applications, joint locks, trips, take downs, etc.
It does not however have anything for when you’re off your feet and on the ground. And from videos I’ve seen, that’s where BJJ reigns supreme.
On the other hand, getting there often involves charging in like a bull to get a hold on your opponent, albeit at the right moment. At least to my untrained eye.
At such a moment, it looks to me like he’s somewhat off-balance. It seems precisely such a moment that a true Tai Chi master could seize upon and get him on the ground while still standing up. I’m interested in hearing from others, but especially from practitioners of both arts.
Sphere: Related ContentRelated posts:
- Tai Chi Chuan and Grappling?
- What are the best reference materials for tai chi longform?
- Qi Gong/Chi Kung: Where does the energy come from in certain throws, punches, or kicks?
- What makes people who do Tai Chi turn to killer moves?
- Should I wear socks with Tai Chi shoes?
- Can a Tai Chi master defeat any MMA fighter?
- Can a Tai Chi master defeat any MMA fighter?
- Tai Chi Master Fu Wing-fei: Applications
- which martial arts can beat Tai Chi?
- Is Tai Chi effective in martial arts?
BJJ by far woudl win out, but then again never count anyone out, BJJ is just more effective and more paired towards this style of cpmpetition.
I have trained in both, but mainly BJJ. there is no comparision. We train both standing up as well as on the map. Although it does look like a bull charging, it’s actually very calculated. That’s thing with BJJ, once you reach a certain level, there is little wasted space or energy. Any good teacher will teach you attack moves and defense moves standing as well as on the ground. But once a fight gets taken to the ground, which 90% of them do, nothing can compete with BJJ. Give it a shot. Keep doing Tai Chi too. They will complement each other. I trained in Royce Gracie’s style and recomend it. Good luck!
Unless you sparr alot don Tai Chi, and also roll (ground work), then it wouldn’t stand a chance.
Any martial art has merit though, tai chi or "the supreme ultimate fist" aim is of promoting health and longevity, not to compete.
ABSOLUTELY no comparison!
BJJ would win.
There are lots of tai chis schools and all specialize in different ways,
most are pull and push
some are stiking presure points
some use the "chinna" wrist and joint locks etc.
it is VERY hard to find GOOD tai chi fighting teachers.
and even if you do, it takes 10-20 years to get good, or a lifetime.
BJJ will give you results FAST
you cannot compare the 2.
No comparison. There are probably 5 people in the whole world who do tai chi and can fight. Those particular people could probably ALSO fight if you trained them at cooking. The secret is the resistant sparring, which virtually all tai chi does not do.
There are a few who train it like fighting, but you will rapidly find that very little remains that LOOKS like tai chi (although there are a few applications that do work). Looks for competitions, in particular competitions against OTHER arts. If it doesn’t work against another art, then it doesn’t work at all.
If you just enjoy the exercise though, there’s not much AGAINST taking tai chi. Just don’t start thinking you’re learning to fight, that way lies madness and 15th dan, and fireballs.
It’s not so much the art as it is the student.