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American Jiu-Jitsu at MIT | self-defense@mit.edu

AJJ FALL 2019 INTRODUCTORY COURSE ANNOUNCEMENT

What, When and Where

The 2019 Fall American Jiu Jitsu Self-Defense Intro Course will begin at 9PM on Monday, September 9th, 2019. The introductory class will run Mondays and Wednesdays from 9pm to 11pm for 8 weeks, with additional normal club practice times on Thursdays (9-11pm) and Sundays (3-5pm).

If you miss the start of the intro class, please come anyway to the next class time on Monday or Wednesday—it's okay if you miss a class! New students are also welcome to attend Thursday and Sunday classes, but must be prepared to do their best to follow along with the faster-paced format that matches general club workouts, as Thursday and Sunday club practices do not follow the introductory curriculum.

Before you come to your first class, please fill out the MIT Club Sports registration for the American Jiu Jitsu Club. Go to the link provided, and then click "Register" under "American Jiu-Jitsu" to register. This will not commit you to the club in any way—it's just a legal thing that MIT requires you to do before you can attend any club sport.

In addition, please email the club officers at 'jitsu-off@mit.edu' if you want to be added to the club practice mailing list.

We suggest athletic clothing such as a T-shirt and sweatpants. A white gi and white belt is also appropriate if you own one.

If you have any questions feel free to contact our club instructors (self-defense@mit.edu) or take a look at the FAQ.

AJJ Self-Defense Intro Course Philosophy

Intro courses are offered at the start of each term. The intro course curriculum includes self-defense techniques and strategies from all levels of Jiu Jitsu. The primary focus of the intro course is to bring students with little or no previous experience to a level that allows them to engage fully in all classes, and to be able to perform and learn any technique safely and effectively. While mastery requires a great deal of practice, students who complete the intro class will build a great deal of confidence in dealing with self-defense scenarios and will possess the tools necessary to continue their training through the intermediate and advanced levels of Jiu Jitsu instruction.

Click here for the American Jiu Jitsu Tri-Fold Brocure for a preview of what you'll learn during your first semester.

Practice Commitment and Make-up Classes

Attendance at every single intro course class is not required to be "in the club". We do understand that some students have 7-10pm academic commitments during the semester. There are no formal make-up classes, and we do not take attendance—jiu-jitsu is something we do because we love it and are committed to self defense. However, know that it is difficult for most people to make progress at any physical activity or hobby without practicing at least 2 times a week. If you can't come both Mondays and Thursdays as a new student, we recommend that you regularly attend Wednesdays and/or Sundays to make up for lost practice time and "get your reps in."

Who We Are

We train in practical and effective self‐defense – both traditional and modern. We employ extensive scenario‐based self-defense education appropriate for all body types, fitness, and experience levels. A true martial art is neither a sport nor a dance; it must be as effective on the street as it is on the battlefield…it must train the practitioner for the probable and prepare them for the unthinkable.

American Jiu-Jitsu Club has been at MIT since 1994. We learn and practice Jiu-Jitsu (jujutsu, ju-jitsu), or the "Gentle Art," consisting of a wide variety of techniques: joint locks, submission holds, throws, strikes, weapons use and unarmed weapon defense (gun, knife, blunt weapons), and ground-defense - not to mention de-escalation techniques and strategies. Jiu-Jitsu does not rely on brute strength, but rather on flexible response and the use of an attacker's own energy. Jiu-Jitsu prepares a person for any situation, including stand-up and ground fighting with and without weapons, and multiple attacks.

Where We Practice

Classes are ONLY open to members of the MIT community with athletics cards. While we have many MIT staff and faculty members as well as spouses and alumni, our primary focus is always on the MIT student. We were founded by students and pride ourselves in being a student-run, student-led organization. We meet in the Wrestling Room on the 2nd floor of DuPont Gym during the Fall, IAP, and Spring terms (that's Building W32 on the map). If you have any questions feel free to contact our club instructors (self-defense@mit.edu) or take a look at the FAQ.

Note: To get to the DuPont Wrestling Room, you must enter the athletics complex through the Z-center entrance... walk through the Rockwell Cage (basketball courts), and into DuPont. Go upstairs. The Wrestling room is 2/3 the way down the hall. If you get lost, ask the desk staff to direct you to the DuPont Wrestling Room.

When We Practice

While we offer two scheduled intro classes each year geared specifically toward new students, we also welcome new students all the time! Beginners are welcome at any class, anytime during the Fall, Spring, and Summer terms.

For a PDF map of DuPont, and where we practice, click here

Schedule updated 9/13/2019

Academic Year 2019/2020 Schedule

Academic Year Practice Schedule begins Monday, September 2nd, 2019. The official Introductory Class begins Monday, September 9th, 2019 at 9pm.

(September - May)

Intro and Intermediate Class: Monday - 9 to 11 p.m.

• DuPont Wrestling Room

Intro and Intermediate Class: Wednesday - 9 to 11 p.m.

• DuPont Wrestling Room

Normal Club Practice (All ranks, belt techniques): Thursday - 9 to 11 p.m.

• DuPont Wrestling Room
• All students welcome. Expect to work on belt-level-appropriate techniques, grappling, or special topics. Normally includes open mat practice time. Class moves faster than Intro class.

Open Mat: Sunday - 2 to 3 p.m.

• DuPont Wrestling Room

Normal Club Practice (All ranks, belt techniques): Sunday - 3 to 5 p.m.

• DuPont Wrestling Room
• All students welcome. Expect to work on belt-level-appropriate techniques, grappling, or special topics. Normally includes open mat practice time. Class moves faster than Intro class.