Roll Jiu-Jitsu in Socal Documentary Review will break down an important and intriguing documentary about the past, present and future of BJJ in Socal.
Roll Jiu-Jitsu in Socal Documentary Review is all about the first wave of Americans to learn about BJJ from the Gracies in their move to California.
Roll Jiu-Jitsu in Socal is an amazing looking insight into the world of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in California even before the days of Royce in the UFC. Some names you may of never heard of and some are well known, but it is interesting in seeing how these people from different backgrounds came into contact with the well known sport, now and day, of BJJ.
Obviously, the sport blows up after Royce dominates the first UFC event, but that is a story told hundreds of times in different mediums. They touch on the Gracie challenge that went on in gyms all over the state with Karate masters to Marines trying to on any student in the BJJ gym, or how coaches would test the students on whether they were ready for a challenge whether or not someone was actually coming to fight them or not.
Roll Jiu-Jitsu in Socal hits on the era of BJJ that does not exist in our politically correct world. Back in the day, there were times went Dojos would be rushed due to people have arguments between each other or if someone was a fake black belt. Most people love the modern era of BJJ as it is more of a community, but almost all universally are sad to see the self defense aspect of BJJ being lost do to tournaments and rule changes and what is commonly called the “Sport Jiu-Jitsu”.
One of my favorite quotes from the documentary came from Ralph Gracie’s mentality on competing in BJJ tournaments which was, “If you tap him you(your opponent) you win, if he taps you out then you lose, if no one gets a submission then who cares.” Of course it being called Roll Jiu-Jitsu in Socal, they have to talk about Socal itself. Socal itself was the first landing point of Brazilians in America. Obviously, hey have spread out by now, but Socal specifically was the landing ground of the sport.
Roll Jiu-Jitsu in Socal talks about the economics of the situation where money comes from in terms of Brazilians coming to open schools, the dynamics of the tournaments, and even how much you can charge for different things being in the Socal area. Not only do they speak on economics of the sport, but also they talk about the rules that have essentially watered down competition b taking away moves like heel hooks and other types of moves. While they are not advocating for everyone to use these moves, but the conceit of why it is not allowed at Black Belt especially at IBJJF tournaments when the moves are allowed in Abu Dhabi and MMA or even on the street.
Roll Jiu-Jitsu in Socal even gets down to the nitty gritty of the sport of BJJ Gis talking to Shoyoroll founder and OTM founder as well. They talk about the days of being able to go to Brazil, buy Gis, and make a decent amount of money reselling them in America. The evolution of Gis is touched upon from the days of all looking the same all the way to the variety and specialty Gis that exist now.
Check out Roll Jiu-Jitsu in Socal for an introspective look in the sport you may love or know nothing of as it delves into the history as well as where the future of the sport may go.