Small Circle Jujitsu - worth training for self defense?

**Deviated Septum** · Posted On: 5/29/2006 7:39pm

Hello everyone. I've been wanting to train for a while now, but I'm very, very lazy. I just found out that there was a Small Circle Jujitsu studio within walking distance of my house. The fact that it is so close means I'm more likely to actually show up for class, as opposed to some other studio on the other side of town that I have to drive through traffic to get to.

My main interest is self-defense. I took Goju Ru karate many years ago and believed it was worthwhile until I got sucker punched on the street. The only thing I can say in my favor is that I never went down, but beyond that my karate training didn't serve me all that well. Then I started watching the early UFCs and realized there was a whole other world out there.

So my question: Have any of you who train ever heard of Small Circle Jujitsu and do you think it any good for self defense?

I googled it but objective information is hard to find. Here's a link to the founder's webpage ...

http://www.smallcirclejujitsu.com

Any non-BS advice greatly appreciated .... !

EDIT: Mods, if this aint the right forum please tell me what is.

**BSDaemon** · Posted On: 5/29/2006 7:50pm

I would avoid this Ju Jitsu. Compliant dead patterns, no competition, poor groundfighting. This isn't the Jiu Jitsu you see in the UFC... Far from it. Look for a Brazilian school you will be much better off.

edit: where are you located?

**Deviated Septum** · Posted On: 5/29/2006 7:57pm

Originally Posted by Bud Shi Dist

I would avoid this Ju Jitsu. Compliant dead patterns, no competition, poor groundfighting. This isn't the Jiu Jitsu you see in the UFC... Far from it. Look for a Brazillian school you will be much better off.

edit: where are you located?

I'm in Portland, Oregon. I realize BJJ would be my best bet but I don't think there are any BJJ classes around here. If Small Circle is completely useless in terms of actually fighting I'll look for something else ... I just thought maybe some half-way decent (if that?) training would be better than none ...

There is also a Kali studio near me that I've considered as well.

Thanks for responding, Bud Shi Dist!

**BSDaemon** · Posted On: 5/29/2006 8:03pm

Here you go.... This is a legendary school:

http://www.straightblastgym.com/

1911 N.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Tel: (503) 230-7924

This is the home of Matt Thornton, a champion in the fight against BS in martial arts.

2.2 miles away from the small circle school, but worth the trip.

**Cough/Cool** · Posted On: 5/29/2006 8:12pm

Straight Blast is awesome, they have a very open minded approach to MA. It may be a bit expensive but it is worth it.

**Poop Loops** · Posted On: 5/29/2006 8:20pm

Originally Posted by Bud Shi Dist

Here you go.... This is a legendary school:

http://www.straightblastgym.com/

1911 N.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Tel: (503) 230-7924

This is the home of Matt Thornton, a champion in the fight against BS in martial arts.

2.2 miles away from the small circle school, but worth the trip.

Seriously, dude, if you don't go to this school when you are so close to it, then you might as well never show your face here again. It's doubtful you'll find a better gym in your area.

**RoninPimp** · Posted On: 5/29/2006 9:01pm

The SBG is a no brainer.

**Deviated Septum** · Posted On: 5/29/2006 9:05pm

Looks like the verdict is pretty unanimous. Thanks everyone for responding.

I'll check out this gym.

EDIT: one thing though. Maybe I'm remembering this wrong, but I thought there was a post on the main page not too long ago mocking this very school for its "aliveness" philosophy? Am I remembering this wrong?

**Boyd** · Posted On: 5/29/2006 9:12pm

Our collective lips are so tightly wound around Matt Thornton's penis that removal of such would cause violent rugburns all along his phallus. And I mean that in the most complimentary way possible. Go. Now.

**Don Gwinn** · Posted On: 5/29/2006 9:47pm

Somebody probably did post something insulting about Thornton; however, that person was probably derided as an idiot by the vast majority of Bullshido members. I'll never forget the fall of 2004 when Thornton pushed a guy in front of an Amtrak train just to see what happened. Two people got banned for suggesting that he should have called 911 to request an ambulance for the guy. It was a little sad, but they should have known better.

If you are two miles away, you could easily walk there and back, especially during the summer. A bicycle would be as good as a car in that situation. If you don't at least go try it out a few times, you'll probably wish you had.