Traditional Jiu Jitsu at Exeter Martial Arts is one of our founding disciplines, and it remains one of the most popular ways for complete beginners to start their martial arts journey in Exeter. If you've been searching for practical self-defence training that also builds confidence and personal development, here's what you need to know before your first session.

What Traditional Jiu Jitsu Covers

Unlike sport-focused martial arts that specialise narrowly, Traditional Jiu Jitsu is a complete system. Training covers standing self-defence, throws, ground control, joint locks and real-world scenario defence, giving students a genuinely well-rounded toolkit rather than one narrow skill set. Because the syllabus draws from such a wide base, students tend to develop an intuitive sense of distance, timing and control that transfers well into any other discipline they go on to try, whether that's BJJ, Kickboxing or Kenjutsu.

Taught by a Genuine Expert

Classes are led by Dr Richard Catterick, EMA's Chief Instructor, who holds a 7th Dan with the British Jiu Jitsu Association and brings over 30 years of experience teaching Traditional Japanese Jiu Jitsu. That level of depth and teaching experience is something you won't find at every dojo.

Is It Right for Complete Beginners?

Absolutely, and this is worth stressing, because it's the question we're asked most often. Training is structured from day one to bring in people with zero prior experience. You'll start with the fundamentals, movement, posture and basic technique, and build from there. Most of our current students had no martial arts background at all when they first walked through the door.

Safety sits at the centre of how we teach. Every technique is practised with a partner under instructor supervision, at a controlled pace, and students learn how to fall safely (breakfalls) early on in their training. Nobody is pushed beyond what they're comfortable with, and progression happens at each student's own pace.

Am I Too Old, or Not Fit Enough?

Neither is a genuine barrier. Many of our students start later in life and train comfortably, since Jiu Jitsu relies far more on technique than raw strength or youth. Fitness also improves naturally as you train, sessions are structured to work at your level, not the other way round, so there's no need to arrive already "in shape."

Traditional Jiu Jitsu vs BJJ, What's the Difference?

This is a common question from people comparing our disciplines side by side. Traditional Jiu Jitsu covers a wide range of self-defence including strikes, throws, locks and ground work. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ), by contrast, specialises specifically in ground fighting and submissions. Both are taught at Exeter Martial Arts, and many students find the two complement each other well as they progress, the standing and self-defence grounding from Traditional Jiu Jitsu pairs naturally with the deeper ground-game specialism of BJJ.

A Real Track Record in Exeter

Exeter Martial Arts has been teaching Traditional Jiu Jitsu in Exeter for over 20 years, and the dojo remains just as welcoming to complete beginners as it is to experienced martial artists training in the same room. That mix is part of what makes the atmosphere at EMA distinctive, new starters get to learn directly alongside people much further along in their journey.

Centre of Excellence

Exeter Martial Arts is proud to be a recognised Centre of Excellence for Jiu Jitsu under the British Jiu-Jitsu Association Governing Body (BJJAGB), the UK's official national governing body for the sport, recognised by Sport England. This accreditation reflects our commitment to upholding the highest standards of technical instruction, student safety and professional coaching. Whether you're stepping onto the mats as a complete beginner or an experienced practitioner working towards elite progression, our structured programme offers expert guidance backed by national sporting standards, in a supportive, high-quality environment.

Ready to Try It?

Every discipline at Exeter Martial Arts, including Traditional Jiu Jitsu, offers a free taster class. There's no pressure and no need to book anything in advance beyond your first visit. Get in touch via the contact form on our website, call us on 01392 663000, or email info@exetermartialarts.co.uk and we'll get you booked onto your first class.