Top 5 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Techniques You Should Know

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a martial art that focuses on ground fighting and submission holds.

1. The Guard

The guard is one of the most fundamental positions in BJJ. Imagine you’re lying on your back with your legs wrapped around your opponent. This might seem like a defensive position, but it’s actually a powerful platform for launching attacks and sweeps. There are several variations of the guard, including the closed guard, open guard, and half guard. Learn Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under the guidance of black belt trainers of Guto Campos.

Closed Guard: In the closed guard, you keep your legs locked around your opponent’s waist. This gives you control over their posture and limits their movement. From here, you can set up submissions like the armbar or triangle choke.

Open Guard: In the open guard, your legs are not locked but rather used to control and push against your opponent. This position offers more mobility and the ability to create distance.

Half Guard: The half guard is when one of your opponent’s legs is trapped between your legs. It’s a transition position that can lead to sweeps and submissions.

2. The Mount

The mount is another crucial position in BJJ. When you have the mount, you’re sitting on top of your opponent’s chest or abdomen, with your knees pinning their arms and hips. This is a dominant position because you have gravity on your side, making it difficult for your opponent to escape.

Full Mount: In the full mount, you have both of your knees on the ground, and you’re sitting on your opponent’s torso. From here, you can deliver strikes (in a self-defense scenario) or set up submissions like the armbar or Americana.

S-Mount: The S-mount is a more advanced variation where one of your knees is up, and the other is down, resembling an “S” shape. This position provides better control and more submission options.

Mount Escapes: Knowing how to escape the mount is just as important as knowing how to secure it. Techniques like the bridge and roll or shrimping out can help you reverse the position and gain the upper hand.

3. The Back Control

Back control is often considered the ultimate position in BJJ. When you have your opponent’s back, you’re in a prime spot to finish the fight. In this position, you’re behind your opponent with your legs wrapped around their waist (hooks) and your arms controlling their upper body.

Hooks: The hooks are your legs wrapped around your opponent’s waist, preventing them from escaping. Proper use of hooks is essential for maintaining control.

Seatbelt Grip: The seatbelt grip involves one arm going over your opponent’s shoulder and the other under their armpit, locking your hands together. This grip provides control and sets up choke opportunities.

Rear Naked Choke: The rear naked choke is one of the most effective submissions from back control. It involves using your arms to choke your opponent by cutting off the blood flow to their brain, leading to a quick and safe submission.

4. The Armbar

Basic Armbar from Guard: To perform an armbar from the guard, you first control your opponent’s arm and break their posture. Then, you pivot your hips and swing one leg over their head while keeping their arm tight to your chest. By extending your hips, you apply pressure to their elbow, forcing them to tap out.

Mounted Armbar: From the mount position, you can slide into an armbar by isolating your opponent’s arm and transitioning your legs over their head and chest. This version offers more control and leverage.

Armbar Defense: Understanding how to defend against an armbar is crucial. Techniques like stacking your opponent or slipping your arm out can help you escape and counterattack.

5. The Triangle Choke

Setting Up the Triangle: To set up a triangle choke, you first control your opponent’s posture and isolate one of their arms. Then, you position your legs to form a triangle around their neck and arm, locking your ankle behind your knee. By squeezing your legs together and pulling their head down, you apply the choke.

Variations: There are several variations of the triangle choke, including the arm-in triangle, the reverse triangle, and the mounted triangle. Each offers different angles and setups.

Triangle Defense: Escaping a triangle choke requires quick thinking and precise technique. Common defenses include posturing up, stacking your opponent, or using your free arm to create space and break the choke.