Two or three large rugs or blankets upon the floor make a very good substitute for a gymnasium mat if this cannot be procured, while a piece of grass free from stones, or a lawn, is an ideal practice ground in the summer.

Hold yourself easily, muscles relaxed, in a good upright position. Avoid crossing your legs when side-stepping. Remember that it is only by holding the body loosely, with all muscles relaxed, prepared to spring into a sudden tension, that one can ever get a good control of body balance, and acquire that lightning rapidity of action which is the keynote of success in Ju-Jitsu.

To Engage, take hold of each other's collar and sleeve with either hands, a little below the level of the shoulders (Fig. 1). Stand well upright, not exactly facing your opponent, but turning a little to either side, and move rapidly about all over the mat, watching for opportunities to apply the throws and trips described.

Your hold on your opponent's jacket should be loose and easy, ready at any moment to tighten or let go. If necessary to make a pull on your opponent's jacket it is generally better to give a strong sharp jerk, as this has greater effect in disturbing his balance than a slow pull.

It is well to promise, for the beginning, never to exert any considerable strength, especially in ground work; the result is to inculcate a habit of relying solely upon your skill and quickness.

The Breakfall (Or the art of falling without hurting yourself).

To prepare, lie on the back of the mat with the right forearm crossed over the chest, palm of hand upwards. Swing the arm over with all your force, striking the mat on your right with all the arm and fingers together, at about 45 degrees from the body, at the same time rolling a little to the right.

Immediately cross the left arm over the chest, and repeat on that side, taking care to keep the arm perfectly straight at the moment of the blow. Keep this up rapidly for some time (Fig. 2).

When this is mastered, try from a squatting position (Fig. 3). Sitting on the heels, lift up the left leg, and roll backwards to the right, strike with the right arm a fraction of a second before the body reaches the mat.

Practise this well, and try from a standing position. Fall well backward, keeping the back straight and head "tucked in," and practise striking with one leg in conjunction with arm.

Forward Breakfall: Strike with both forearms and palms in front (Fig. 4).

Holding your opponent's jacket by collar and sleeve, step back with the right foot. As your opponent steps forward with his right foot, and before he can replace it on the ground, put the sole of your left foot against the outside of his right ankle, and sweep the leg away to your right, well into the air. Give simultaneously a sharp jerk to your left rear with the left arm, keeping the elbow well into the side.

The leg should be quite straight, and the stroke made with the sole, not the side of the foot. (Fig. 5).

Step back and to the left with the right foot, and your opponent will step forward with his left. Turn quickly to the right, and place the left foot on the ground, so that the ankle comes directly across and in front of your opponent's left ankle. Pull sharply and firmly with the right arm across your body to the right. (Fig. 6.)

When your opponent has, say, his right foot off the ground, step up quickly with the left foot as though about to pass him on his right side, leaning well forward. Engage his right hock with your own by hooking your lower leg behind his, pull him sharply backward and to your left with your left hand, and at the same time thrust back with your right leg. (Fig. 7.)

Free your right arm with a twist of the elbow, holding opponent by his right sleeve with your left hand. Turn until you are practically side by side, then swing the left leg in front of his thighs, letting the weight of the body fall on the right hand on the mat, slip the right leg behind his ankles (Fig. 8.), and press back with the left leg.

Practise this carefully, until you can jump quickly into this position, taking care not to kick your opponent.

This may be applied in direct sequence to the ankle trip.

Retain hold of left hand upon opponent's sleeve when he is on his back, and grasp his right wrist with the right hand, keeping the palm of his hand away from you. Swing the left leg over his throat, and sit down with the shin of the right leg against his side at the armpit. Hold the captured arm above the elbow, between the knees, and lie back and gently press downwards upon the wrist keeping the palm upward (Fig. 9).

Kneel on the right knee on the right side of opponent's chest, facing his head, with the left leg across his chest. Take hold of the left side of his collar, with the left hand as far back as possible, and do the same with the right on the other side, crossing the forearms. (Fig. 10.) Twist the hands inwards a little, the pressure coming just below the ears, on the carotid arteries. Note this is not a strangle hold.

Source: How To Be Healthy: A Complete Course of Physical Culture (C. Arthur Pearson Ltd., London. 1913)