Here are 90 essential BJJ techniques that you need to know. Although this is not meant to be a comprehensive all known BJJ attacks, escapes and defences, this article is to serve as a quick resource of beginner BJJ attacks and counters that you’ll need to know towards your path to Blue Belt.
Toughness. Effort. Technique. Discipline. These are the key attributes you’ll need when you’re training BJJ.
Table of Contents
- Essential BJJ Techniques Chapter 1: Guard Passing
- Essential BJJ Techniques Chapter 2: Closed Guard Submissions
- Essential BJJ Techniques Chapter 3: Closed Guard Sweeps
- Essential BJJ Techniques Chapter 4: Side control
- Essential BJJ Techniques Chapter 5: Half Guard
- Essential BJJ Techniques Chapter 6: Knee on Belly
- Essential BJJ Techniques Chapter 7: Back Control
- Essential BJJ Techniques Chapter 8: Turtle attacks
- Essential BJJ Techniques Chapter 9: Butterfly Guard
- Essential BJJ Techniques Chapter 10: Positional Escapes
- Essential BJJ Techniques Chapter 11: Submission Defense
- Essential BJJ Techniques Chapter 12: Take Downs
Essential BJJ Techniques Chapter 1: Guard Passing
The Guard position and learning how to fight off of your back is the cornerstone of BJJ. Attacking from the Guard and defending against sweeps and submissions while passing the Guard is the majority of BJJ.
Closed Guard.
High – Stand up, knee push, back pocket
Med – Knee in tail bone, hip break
Low – sao paulo
Half Guard
With underhook – head down, knee slide
Without underhook – cross body, knee push
Butterfly Guard
Toreador – cuff grip
Cage hips, 2 on 1
Open Guard
Matador
Ankle lock
Double Under
Essential BJJ Techniques Chapter 2: Closed Guard Submissions
Retaining your Guard and attacking from your Guard is unquestionably the most important set of skills in BJJ. It should be noted that as critical a skill Guard Retention and Guard Attacks are, it’s simultaneously the most difficult skill to master in BJJ.
Let’s begin your introduction to Guard attacks with Closed Guard submissions.
Kimura
Triangle
Armbar
Omoplata
X Choke
Guillotine
Essential BJJ Techniques Chapter 3: Closed Guard Sweeps
Sweeping from the Closed Guard is typically the first set of attacks that you’ll master as an absolute beginner. Sweeping your partner is often much easier than winning a submission over them. Furthermore, the Closed Guard is notably an easier position to attack from because of the strong control you have over your partner; thus, slowing them down and eliminates scrambles.
Bump
Scissor
Reverse Scissor
Armpit / Knee Flower
Flower Sweep
Back take
Omoplata Sweep
Double ankle sweep
Single ankle sweep
Essential BJJ Techniques Chapter 4: Side control
Winning the Side Control position is one of the first dominant positions you’ll achieve as a complete beginner. When you successfully execute a sweep or a takedown on your partner or when you win a solid Guard Pass; most likely , you’ll find yourself in Side Control.
Advancements
Move to knee on belly
Move to mount
Submissions From Cross Side
180 armbar
Near side armbar
Americana
Kimura
Straight armbar
Scarf hold Americana with legs
Essential BJJ Techniques Chapter 5: Half Guard
Top Half Guard
Americana
Kimura
Straight arm bar
Bottom Half Guard
Old school sweep
Reverse Old school sweep
Back take
Leg hug gator roll
Half Guard Bottom
Kimura
Guillotine
Essential BJJ Techniques Chapter 6: Knee on Belly
Knee on Belly
Loop choke
Baseball choke
180 armbar
Near side armbar
Knee on Belly Advancements
Move to mount
Essential BJJ Techniques Chapter 7: Back Control
Seat belt
RNC
Bow and arrow
Armbar
Essential BJJ Techniques Chapter 8: Turtle attacks
Seat belt
Crucifix
Clock choke
Modified bow and arrow
Essential BJJ Techniques Chapter 9: Butterfly Guard
Sweeps/Improvement
Elevator/ butterfly sweep
Arm drag
Rock up when flat
Butterfly Guard Submissions
Guillotine w. Sweep
Essential BJJ Techniques Chapter 10: Positional Escapes
Side Control
Hip escape to Re-Guard
Bridge to Single Leg
Scarf Hold
Bridge and roll
Back take
Mount Escape
Arm / leg trap
Bridge , hold, and shrimp
Back Escape
Straight arm
Hook removal
Knee on Belly Escape
Force half guard
Belt grab to ankle pick
Turtle Escape
Arm trap “Anthony” sweep
Straight leg sweep
Essential BJJ Techniques Chapter 11: Submission Defense
Armbar from guard
Stack and bulldog
Armbar From Mount Escape
Hitchhiker
Head inside
Triangle Escape
Stack, rechoke, and rotate
Posture and pull
Kimura Escape
Defend hand and pass to back
Omoplata Escape
Jump across
Dive under
Collar Choke Escape
Grip break
Rechoke
Americana Escape
Elbow pull
Elbow push
Ankle Lock Escape
Put on the boot
Essential BJJ Techniques Chapter 12: Take Downs
Wrestling
Single leg
Double leg
Judo
Osoto Gari (1)
