Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Basic Positions

Essential Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Positions Every Beginner Should Know

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a martial art that focuses on grappling and ground fighting, with several fundamental positions that form the core of training and competition. Understanding these positions is crucial for every beginner as they provide the foundation for defense, control, and submission in BJJ. Here’s an overview of the basic positions:

1. Guard

Overview: The guard is a defensive position where the practitioner on the bottom uses their legs to control the opponent on top. This position allows various techniques like sweeps, submissions, and transitions to more dominant positions. The guard is a versatile position, offering both safety and offensive opportunities.

Types of Guard: Closed guard, open guard, and half guard.

Key Techniques: Sweeps, submissions, and transitions to other positions.

2. Mount

Overview: This is a dominant position where the practitioner sits on top of their opponent’s torso, controlling them with their weight and balance. From the mount, you can apply a range of submissions and strikes (in a self-defense scenario), making it one of the most advantageous positions in BJJ.

Advantages: Excellent for applying pressure and setting up submissions.

Key Techniques: Armbar, Americana, and transitioning to back control.

3. Side Control

Overview: A dominant position where the practitioner is perpendicular to the opponent, controlling their upper body. In side control, you pin your opponent to the ground from the side of their body, using your weight to limit their movements. This position is excellent for applying pressure and setting up submissions or transitioning to other dominant positions.

Advantages: Strong control and ability to transition to mount or submissions.

Key Techniques: Kimura, Americana, and transitioning to mount.

4. Back Control

Overview: One of the most dominant positions, where the practitioner controls the opponent from behind.Securing back control involves taking the back of your opponent, with hooks (legs) in place and arms ready to attempt chokes. It’s a highly dominant position because you can control your opponent while having various submission options, with minimal threat to yourself.

Advantages: High control and excellent for securing submissions.

Key Techniques: Rear naked choke, bow and arrow choke, and body triangle.

5. Knee on Belly

Overview: A transitional position where the practitioner places a knee on the opponent's stomach, applying pressure.

Advantages: Mobility and ability to quickly transition to mount or side control.

Key Techniques: Kimura, armbar, and transitioning to mount.

6. Half Guard

Overview: Half guard is a position where you control one of your opponent’s legs between your legs while lying on your side. It's a versatile position that can be used defensively or offensively, depending on your strategy and skill level.

Conclusion

These positions are just the starting point in the vast and intricate world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Mastery of these fundamentals is essential for progression, providing the groundwork from which all advanced techniques and strategies develop. Whether you're looking to compete, improve fitness, or learn self-defense, understanding these basic positions will help you achieve your goals in BJJ.