Fundamental BJJ Positions

Listed below you will find the most common Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu positions found in our martial art. Please study this list, as it will help you to better understand the live instruction you receive in class.

Fundamental BJJ Positions:

  • Back Mount
    Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Back Mount Position
    (Top) The most dominant offensive position in BJJ, with several attacks.
    (Bottom) The most difficult defensive position in BJJ, with very few attacks and escapes.

 

  • Back Mount with Hooks In
    Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Back Mount with Hooks In Position
    (Attacker in blue gi) Very dominant offensive position, with many attacks.
    (Defender in white gi) Very weak defensive position, with few attacks and escapes.

 

  • Mount
    Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Top Mount Position
    (Top: High/Low) Very dominant offensive position, with several attacks.
    (Bottom) Very weak defensive position, with limited attacks and several escapes.

 

  • Side Control
    Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Side Control Position
    (Top) Dominant offensive position, with many attacks.
    (Bottom) Very weak defensive position, with few attacks and several escapes.

 

  • Knee on Belly
    Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Knee on Belly Position
    (Top) Dominant offensive position, with many attacks.
    (Bottom) Very weak defensive position, with few attacks and several escapes.

 

  • Turtled
    Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Turtled Position
    (Top) Transitional offensive position, with many attacks.
    (Bottom) Transitional defensive position, with very few attacks and several escapes.

 

  • Scarf Hold aka Kesa Getame, aka Head & Arm
    Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Scarf Hold Position
    (Top) Dominant offensive position, with several attacks.
    (Bottom) Transitional defensive position, with very few attacks and several escapes.

 

  • North/South
    Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu North-South Position
    (Top) Transitional offensive position, with some attacks.
    (Bottom) Transitional defensive position, with very few attacks and several escapes.

 

  • Closed Guard
    Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Closed Guard Position Postured Up
    (Top) Transitional offensive position, with several attacks.
    (Bottom) Transitional defensive position, with many attacks and escapes.

 

  • Half-Guard
    Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Half-Guard Position
    (Top) Transitional offensive position, with several attacks and escapes.
    (Bottom) Transitional defensive position, with several attacks and escapes.

 

  • Spider Guard

    (Top) Transitional offensive position, with several attacks.
    (Bottom) Transitional defensive position, with several attacks and escapes.

 

  • Butterfly Guard
    Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Butterfly Guard Position
    (T0p, in white gi) Transitional offensive position, with several attacks.
    (Bottom, in black gi) Transitional defensive position, with several attacks and escapes.