The casual reader may think of elbows and knees and not be particularly excited. However, as Jim Meola, Director of Hillcrest Goshin Jujitsu points out, “if you are ever in a situation that requires self defense, the objective is to get home. If you defend yourself and get a broken nose but still make it home – you may get a ‘C’, but you still passed the test.” Consequently, Goshin Jujitsu prioritizes street-effectiveness over flash.

However, if you’re close enough to hook, upper-cut, or elbow somebody, they are also close enough to hook, upper-cut, or elbow you as well. Consequently, it’s not very good strategy to repeatedly trade blows with somebody at that range. A better idea is to use strikes as a setup and use Jujitsu as the fight-stopper.

Joint locks (and assorted restraining/submission techniques), chokes, throws, and defenses from all of the above are the essence of jujutsu. Techniques used as a part of Goshin Jujitsu include, but are not limited to: