BJJ is a martial art specially designed for fighting exercises on the ground alongside using submission hold techniques to facilitate self-defense. Concept like leverage and techniques serves its purpose of enabling practitioners of any size to control and dominate enemies of bigger size. However, irrespective of one’s level in BJJ; be it a new member of the mat or someone who has been rolling for years, understanding certain techniques is important to the game.
1. The Guard Position
The guard is one of the basic positions in BJJ and one of the most important roles therein, where the person on the bottom uses his/her legs and hips to control his/her opponent. The guard is versatile, with variations such as:
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Closed Guard: As they grapple holding the opponent around the midsection, trapping the legs around the opponent’s waist.
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Open Guard: In fast motion feet and grips manage to keep distance and control over the opponent.
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Half Guard: Holding one of the opponent’s legs when trying to achieve a turn over or applying an arm lock.
Learning of the guard enables one to launch attacks such as sweeping and submissions and at the same time avoiding the opponent to transform to a better position.
2. Escapes and Reversals
It is important in BJJ to avoid inferior positions. Some fundamental escapes include:
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Shrimping (Hip Escape): A transition from positions such as side control or even mount to be able to create space.
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Bridge and Roll Escape: As a strong tool used to perform a reversal and switch the position between a mount and an opponent.
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Technical Stand-Up: Technique used in defense to assume the upright position.
These moves are mostly of control and patience to make sure the practitioners remain patient.
3. Submissions
Takedowns are the primary strategy of BJJ and allow the use of the ground to defeat an opponent without having to punch them. Key submissions include:
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Rear-Naked Choke: An Armbar hold that generates pressure on the arteries in the neck meant to elephants blood flow to the brain.
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Armbar: Pushing beyond the natural, flexible limit of the opponent arm and using the hip as a fulcrum.
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Triangle Choke: Utilising legs to control the opponent’s neck and one of his arms to create a blood choke.
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Kimura: A hold used to get tight on the opponent’s shoulder by bending the opponent’s arm in a figure-four manner.
These techniques have to be very accurate and timed and for this simple reason they are efficient in sports as well as in self defense.
4. Sweeps
Sweeps enables a practitioner to change the status of a disadvantage and be able to gain an advantage over the other side. Popular sweeps include:
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Scissor Sweep: A guard sweep where one applies leverage along with an opponent’s forward momentum to shift or post them from their guard.
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Flower Sweep: Pushing the opponent in a way to cause him/her to fall on their back.
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Butterfly Sweep: Using the legs of the hook as the base and swing the opponent around.
Learning sweeps improves positional control and transitions from a poor position to a better position.
5. Control Positions
BJJ is a grappling martial art that focuses on the control of an opponent before going for submission. Dominant positions include:
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Side Control: Cautioning the opponent from the side and thus restricted his movement and making submissions easier to apply.
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Mount: Sitting on the opponent’s chest to make pressure and have stances for strikes.
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Back Control: Defending the opponent’s back suitable for countering their offense while controlling the opponent with hooks and grips and attacking them.
Occupying these positions guarantees the practitioner sets the rhythm and tenor within the fight.
6. Takedowns
However, BJJ is famous for its moves on the ground, however, takedowns start a fight by taking down an opponent to the ground. Effective takedowns include:
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Double Leg Takedown: To decrease the distance between you and the opponent, charging through the opponent’s legs and sweeping.
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Single Leg Takedown: The process of having an opponent’s balancing on one leg and using force to pull him/her off balance.
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Trip and Sweep Takedowns: Applying foot technique to unbalance the opponent.
Read More: Is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Good For Self Defense
Conclusion
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a fighting sport that requires tactics, skill in the application of the tools and stamina. Preparation, guard control, escapes, submission and sweeps all help practitioners lay a solid groundwork on countering opponents in the cage. Both of the techniques prioritise leverage meaning that anyone, regardless of size, should be able to apply BJJ.