A simple question with a not so simple answer. Once I decided that I wanted to learn Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, the first question I had is “what BJJ gear do I need?” There are very obvious things, such as the Gi and Belt (although finding the right Jiu Jitsu Gi or Kimono took quite a bit of research…stay tuned for my findings). However, one thing that was not clear is weather I should wear a cup for BJJ training.
Through talking to some people and researching online, I found that there are 2 schools of thought on wearing a groin cup for BJJ training:
- Don’t wear a cup – it does not apply to real-life fighting. The argument here is that many people learn BJJ as a form of self-defense that is applicable in real life scenarios (see my post below on why I decided to learn BJJ). This also applies to Judo, Japanese Jiu Jitsu, other forms of grappling and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). However, in real life you will not have time to put on a cup if you get into a fight. Immediately I thought the answer was obvious – I would just wear a groin cup during training, and of course accept the risk if I ever needed to use my Jiu Jitsu skills for real self defense. Sounds reasonable, right? I was countered with this argument – wearing a protective cup during training gives you a false sense of security for that part of your body, so you will not take extra measures to protect it. Learning to defend yourself down there during training will translate over into real life, where you are grappling for dear life and need to protect against the cheap shots.
- Umm…I would like to have kids someday. It is a no-brainer to wear a cup for Jiu Jitsu. Ultimately you are training, and why put unnecessary risk to such a crucial part of your body? When a trapeze artist learns his or her craft, they use a safety net. Even though they have live performances without a net, that is only after they undergo much training with it. Bottom line is that you never know if you’ll have a “live performance” using your BJJ skills, but with training you are almost certain to get hit in that spot sooner or later.
Another relatively minor argument is that if not positioned correctly, the cup can pinch down on a rather unpleasant spot while you are grappling. I think that you just have to make sure you get the right sized groin cup to prevent this.
I can appreciate the points on both sides. It really comes down to your reasons for learning BJJ. If you are in it for fitness and self-defense (in the rare case that you need it), you should probably train with a protective cup. If you are in the military some sort of law enforcement, it might make sense not to use a cup. I will opt for the cup, as I will be training with inexperienced fighters who may strike me down there unintentionally because they lack coordination or discipline in their movements. And I do want to have kids someday.
Here is a good place to browse for a BJJ groin cup.
BJJSports.com
3 comments
Georgette says:
May 4, 2011 at 2:54 pm (UTC 0)
IBJJF tournaments do not allow competitors to wear cups in part because of the advantage it gives in finishing an armbar. If you plan on competing in the IBJJF, you might as well not train with a cup on, just to be prepared.
BJJGUY says:
May 4, 2011 at 5:51 pm (UTC 0)
Quite right. I go back and forth whether or not to wear it. I’ve just been burned a number of times with knee on groin, especially when it comes to playing open guard and passing guard.
chris says:
November 28, 2011 at 5:54 am (UTC 0)
Your trapeze artist analogy is quite correct.
I *always* wear a cup in BJJ class, drilling, and sparring. I wore a cup before I had kids, now that I have kids, and at all times in the future.
Wearing a cup has saved my nuts from so many hits and shots that I have lost count. I use one of those “Spider guard” flexible cups. I feel it doesn’t give me any advantages when doing armbars and my team mates have never complained that I wear it.
I am also an active grappling competitor (NAGA, IBJJF, etc) and for IBJJF I really don’t notice a difference not being able to wear a cup in those circumstances. I guess I’m too amped up to really notice anything missing or different.
Ultimately, I have never regretted wearing a cup and speaking from personal experience, there would have been dozens of times where I would have regretted not wearing one if I hadn’t.
Next I’ll be wearing ear guards soon, definitely seeing the beginnings of the cauli, hahah.