Why is BJJ sold as a "self-defense" art when it does not allow slams?

Question

BJJ is a great martial arts for MMA, but unlike other arts, BJJ often sells itself as being particularly focused on "self-defense".

If that is the case, why does the art not allow slams?

I know that the founders of BJJ sold it as a "weak man's martial art", where even a small person could use BJJ techniques on a bigger opponent.

Yes, sure, in an octagon on a nice, comfortable mat. But on the street, the bigger opponent is just going to grab you and slam you into the pavement. Even if your head somehow escapes getting busted open, the back and glute pain alone would be excruciating.

So allowing slams (and hence teaching DEFENSE against slams) seems to be a crucial part of BJJ. But not only don't they train that, they actively encourage falling into a slam, due to the notion of "pulling guard".

Answer 1

Allowing slams (and hence teaching DEFENSE against slams) seems to be a crucial part of BJJ. But [they] don't they train that.

Every BJJ gym I've trained at for more than a couple months has taught me how to prevent and defend against slams. Techniques to prevent being slammed were in three of the first BJJ instructional videos I watched. Most BJJ purple belts and above know how to prevent getting picked up and slammed. I know this because when I try to stand up against them in training, they knock me over, catch me in an armlock or choke, or just stop me from standing up using one of several basic BJJ techniques that we learn for this purpose.

In sport BJJ competition, we don't slam because it's too likely to hurt people. I'd like to modify the rules similar to the old judo rule for daki age, where picking someone up for a slam (but not finishing it) was a scoring technique. But banning a dangerous technique to avoid injury is a reasonable choice. Those who want to accept more risk and train with slams can do MMA. That's a reasonable trade-off.

Answer 2

First of all, there are two main kinds of BJJ. There is sport BJJ and there is self defense BJJ. There are many BJJ moves that would be great for tournaments but would be horrible for self defense (e.g. collar and sleeve/arm grips, they leave your face vulnerable). There are also some moves that are great for self defense that might get you disqualified in competition (e.g. scissor take down). Just because you have not learned any slams does not mean that they aren't part of BJJ. They just aren't part of SPORT BJJ.

I have actually learned a few slams during my time doing BJJ. For example, if someone puts you in a headlock, you can pry their face to the sky and reach under their leg to pick them up. Since this has no use in competition, it was made for the purpose of self defense. We practiced "slow-dropping" them, which is to help teach us to just drop your attacker onto the ground.

And remember, there is a large difference between sport and self defense BJJ. Just because a move isn't legal in competition doesn't mean that it isn't part of BJJ (for example, the scissor take down). You can also turn many techniques into slams. For example, a basic hip throw can be done with extreme force to "slam" your attacker's back onto the ground.

When people say that Jiu Jitsu is great for self defense, I would argue that they are right. No one ever claimed it to be a comprehensive all-inclusive self defense system, but it is probably THE most helpful grappling art for self defense (just my opinion, of course). For more backup, look at one of my previous questions: Why isn't striking part of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu?

But not only don't they train that, they actively encourage falling into a slam, due to the notion of "pulling guard".

Guard is a great position, although it does come with some risks: Groin attack danger in full guard (especially stages 3, 4)?

If you have your attacker in your guard and they start to pick you up, LET GO WITH YOUR LEGS. Nothing good will happen to you if you stay attached to them. There are several sweeps that you can do once you let go, including the overhead sweep and the Omoplata sweep.

Answer 3

Coaches focusing on training world champions is my guess as to why they don't teach slam defense. Why slamming was ever banned, I have no idea.

BJJ schools should stop advertising self defense when they hardly ever teach it. The focus tends to be on sport BJJ, which has some bizarre rules (one of which you have pointed out).

Rickson Gracie believes that BJJ schools need to change and refocus on self defense. Back when MMA started in the US, BJJ schools (specifically Gracie JJ) were teaching technique for Vale Tudo (fighting without many rules), which is much closer to self defense. I've only seen striking defense taught if you go to a self-defense lesson instead of a "normal" class (at a place where I trained briefly).

If Rickson's efforts succeed, then we might see schools focus on strike defense, slam prevention, etc.