Are you interested in learning the dynamic martial art of Jiu Jitsu? Beginner or a seasoned practitioner – understanding essential Jiu Jitsu techniques is crucial. From basic positions and movements to advanced submissions and sweeps, this guide aims to provide all the information needed for success on your journey.
With over 1,500 techniques available in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu alone, it can seem overwhelming at first- but don’t worry! We’ll break down everything you need to know step by step and more into our explanations so that you can easily follow along. Let’s get started!
Understanding Jiu Jitsu Positions
Jiu Jitsu is largely defined by its various positions and techniques. Understanding these positions is crucial to developing a strong foundation in the art.
From guard position to mount position, each holds unique advantages and disadvantages that you can use to your advantage during training or competition.
The Guard Position
The guard is one of the most fundamental positions in Jiu Jitsu. It involves being on your back while controlling your opponent with your legs and hips. From closed guard to open guard, there are many variations of this position.
No matter what level you’re at, mastering the different aspects of “guard retention” and “attack from the guard” can give you a huge advantage over any opponent – even stronger ones!
The Mount Position
The Mount position in Jiu Jitsu is one of the most advantageous positions, as it allows you to control your opponent on top. Once you have established the mount position, there are a variety of submission and striking opportunities available to finish the fight.
Maintaining this dominant hold, on the other hand, can be difficult if your opponent knows how to escape properly. Work on executing effective movements such as elbow strikes or armlocks from the mount – that may lead you to a dominant position over your opponents during competitions or fights.
Side Control Position
Side control is a dominant Jiu Jitsu position where the top fighter essentially pins the bottom player’s upper body while controlling one arm. This allows for an advantageous position to further attacks or submissions.
The side control position is often utilized as a transition from half guard and also may be used to apply pressure on your opponent or provide an opportunity for attacks like Kimura, and Americana, among others.
Back Mount Position
From the back mount position, you have complete control over your opponent and are in a prime position to execute powerful attacks such as rear naked chokeholds and armlocks – that’s why it is one of the most beneficial positions!
It can be tough for beginners to gain proper footing from this spot; however, once achieved, it will set you on a path toward mastering advanced techniques.
Fundamental Jiu Jitsu Techniques
Are you new to Jiu Jitsu and wondering where to start? Let’s elaborate on these fundamental techniques so you can get going!
Hip Escape and Guard Replacement
The hip escape is a crucial movement in Jiu Jitsu that allows you to escape from the bottom position. It involves creating space by adjusting your hips and using your legs to push yourself away.
The guard replacement technique, on the other hand, helps you regain control while on the ground by replacing one guard for another when an opponent attempts to pass through it.
UPA and Elbow Escape from Mount
The UPA and elbow escape from mount techniques are essential to prevent your opponent from achieving full mount position. The UPA technique, also known as the bridge and roll, involves using your legs and core to bridge upward while simultaneously trapping one of your arms before rolling onto them.
The elbow escape technique involves shrimping out of the way in steps while ensuring your frame is tight against your hips. These moves will allow you to maintain control when under pressure from an opponent who has already established a dominant position on top of you.
Cross Collar Choke from Guard
The cross-collar choke from the guard position is a highly effective technique in Jiu Jitsu that targets an opponent’s neck. It involves using your arms to secure a grip on both flaps of fabric attached to their collar before tightening it around their neck.
This move can force an opponent into submission and give you control of the match.
Rear Naked Choke from Back Mount
The rear naked choke is one of the most effective submission holds in Jiu Jitsu. It involves wrapping your arm around your opponent’s neck from behind while locking in their body with your legs, thereby cutting off blood flow to their brain.
This technique has a high success rate and is often used by Jiu Jitsu practitioners to take down larger opponents or defend themselves against attackers.
Americana Lock from Side Control
The Americana lock, also known as a figure-four lock, can be executed from the side control position. It is a shoulder-lock submission that involves applying pressure to your opponent’s elbow joint by isolating their arm between your arms and legs.
The effectiveness of the technique lies in its ability to attack both the shoulder and wrist simultaneously. Concentrated application of leverage at these two points causes excruciating pain, forcing opponents to submit quickly when caught in such situations.
Intermediate Jiu Jitsu Techniques
Get ready to take your Jiu Jitsu game to the next level with these intermediate techniques, will help you advance your skills and dominate on the mat!
Triangle Choke from Guard
A strong attacking technique used by many Jiu Jitsu practitioners is the Triangle Choke, a submission hold applied using your legs and arms. This choke is one of the most popular submissions in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, giving you control over your opponent while you apply pressure to their neck with a triangle shape formed by your legs.
By setting up this move correctly through guard retention techniques such as controlling posture or keeping a closed guard position, you can successfully submit even much stronger opponents.
Kimura Lock from Side Control
Arguably one of the most effective submission holds in Jiu Jitsu, the Kimura Lock from side control allows you to control your opponent’s arm and apply leverage to their shoulder and elbow joints.
This technique is frequently used in high-level competitions because it can be applied from a variety of positions on the body- including top-side control, bottom-side control, or back mount.
With proper execution and practice, this move can be devastatingly effective for catching opponents off guard!
Butterfly Guard Sweep
The Butterfly Guard Sweep can help you off-balance your opponent while in the bottom guard position. Essentially, it involves placing both feet on the inside of your opponent’s thighs and using a kicking motion to unbalance them towards one side.
This sweep has been popularized by Jiu Jitsu legends such as Marcelo Garcia and is an essential technique for mastering open guard play. With diligent practice, using the Butterfly Guard Sweep will become second nature to you- making it easier to control opponents from any position!
Toreando Pass
The Toreando pass, also known as the ‘bullfighter’ pass, is a key Jiu Jitsu technique that involves passing your opponent’s guard by circling around their legs and controlling their hips. This technique is often used to break open and defeat the closed guard position of your opponent.
With precise timing and proper execution, this move can quickly disrupt an opponent’s base while giving you great control in top position for successful passes or even submissions like armlocks or chokes.
Heel Hook Submission
The Heel Hook submission is a dangerous leg lock that can cause serious damage to your opponent if executed correctly. This technique involves applying pressure to your competitor’s ankle and/or knee joints, forcing them to tap out.
However, it is important to remember that heel hooks are illegal in certain Jiu Jitsu competitions and should only be attempted under the supervision of a certified instructor.
Advanced Jiu Jitsu Techniques
The advanced moves require more practice and experience but will give you an advantage over less-experienced opponents. Let’s check them out!
Berimbolo Sweep
The Berimbolo sweep is an advanced technique that involves inverting and rolling over your opponent to take their back. Popularized by Brazilian Jiu Jitsu legends like Rafael Mendes and the Miyao brothers, this move relies heavily on timing and flexibility.
While it may seem flashy, mastering the Berimbolo will give you a significant advantage in competition – statistically speaking, competitors who use it with high frequency are more successful!
Omoplata Submission
The Omoplata is a submission that targets your opponent’s shoulder joint, making it an effective way to control and finish them. This advanced technique can be executed from various positions, including guard, spider guard, or x-guard.
As per the data collected by jiujiteiro.com over several years in international tournaments of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ), the Omoplata has one of the highest percentages among submissions attempted- coming second only to the armbar!
X-Guard Sweep
The X-Guard Sweep is a powerful technique that gives you control over your opponent while setting up submissions. It involves using your legs and feet to entangle your adversary’s lower body, creating an off-balance position where you can launch them off their feet.
This advanced move takes practice but can be incredibly effective in competition- In fact, according to BJJ Heroes website statistics, “X-Guards are 786 times(!) more likely to win through sweeping” than competitors who don’t use it.
Knee Bar Submission
The Knee Bar submission is performed from the top or bottom of your opponent’s half-guard. It targets their knee joint by hyperextending it and causing them to submit. This move requires precise execution and control over your opponent’s lower body.
According to statistics, combining this with other highly effective techniques such as arm triangles and collar chokes increased one black belt’s submission rate from 27% to an astonishing 43%!
Drills and Training Tips
Practice is key to success in Jiu Jitsu. Whichever level you’re at, drilling techniques are one of the most effective ways to improve your skills. Whether you’re flying solo or working with a partner, there are many drills that can help you master essential Jiu Jitsu techniques.
Solo Drills for Improved Movement and Agility
For those times when you can’t practice with a partner, solo drills come in handy! These exercises focus mainly on footwork, coordination training, and reaction speed improvement for improved movement quality during grappling matches. Popular examples include shrimping (hip escape), bridge and roll technique, etc.
Partner Drills for Technique Practice
To effectively execute what we’ve learned through solo drill exercises, we need to work them out and then into real-time scenarios while rolling with our partners at the mat! Examples may include the Guard Retention Drill, where one person tries their best not to let their opponent pass in his set guard position until time runs out!
How Can 10th Planet Poway Help?
Consider checking out 10th Planet Poway to start on your Jiu Jitsu journey in California! With expert instructors and a focus on progression through partnerships, we offer the perfect environment for beginners to learn and advanced practitioners to improve.
Our training program includes a variety of techniques and positions, from basic movement drills like bridging and shrimping all the way up to advanced submissions such as inverted guard attacks.
Build your skills in self-defense while gaining physical fitness! Start improving today by contacting 10th Planet Poway!
Contact us today to schedule a trial class for yourself or your child!
10th Planet Poway Jiu Jitsu
14009 Midland Rd. Poway, CA 92064
(858) 848-6444
