[1] Unlike Brazilian Ju-Jitsu (BJJ), Budoshin does not focus primarily on ground fighting and is not a sport, although some practitioners take part in tournaments featuring waza (technique) and kumite (sparring) competitions.

George Kirby — author of instructional publications[2] and Black Belt magazine's "Instructor of the Year" in 2007[3][4] — has been a key proponent of Budoshin since helping found and codify the style beginning in 1967.

[5] Budoshin originated in the teachings of Sanzo "Jack" Seki (1914–98), who was born in Los Angeles to a Japanese ju-jitsu master father and an Irish-American mother.

Budoshin techniques enable practitioners to defend themselves by subduing assailants in varied contexts, and include throws, sweeps, joint locks, nerve attacks, punches, kicks, strangles, and chokes.

Budoshin students learn how to manipulate an assailant's pressure and balance points, with an explanatory book, Jujitsu Nerve Techniques: The Invisible Weapons of Self-Defense, appearing in 2001.

[a] Some Budoshin sensei with a background in Japanese swordsmanship instruct students in fundamental techniques of the bokken and katana to complement unarmed training.

The ryū enables practitioners to control the amount of pain applied when subduing an assailant to avoid injuring him unnecessarily (e.g., by using joint locks or nerve manipulation).

Because serious or lethal injuries are possible, practitioners follow a philosophy of non-violence; bodily confrontations are avoided whenever possible, and all verbal or other methods of de-escalating conflicts are attempted before resorting to physical means.

Budoshin co-founder George Kirby is a Grandmaster of the World Head of Family Sokeship Council[14] and a senior advisor to the Institute of Traditional Martial Arts.