Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Glossary

Also known as: Keylock, Ude-garami, Figure-four armlock

A shoulder submission that applies pressure to the shoulder joint using a figure-4 grip. The opponent's arm is bent toward their own head while controlling the wrist.

Also known as: Juji-gatame, Arm lock

A submission technique that hyperextends the opponent's elbow. Executed by controlling the arm between the legs and applying upward pressure with the hips against the elbow joint.

Also known as: Back mount, Rear mount

A dominant position where you control the opponent's back, typically with hooks (feet) inserted into their hips or thighs. Considered one of the most dominant positions in BJJ.

The foundation of balance and stability in BJJ. Good base involves proper weight distribution, correct posture, and solid support points to resist sweeps and attacks.

An advanced inverted guard technique that uses an inversion movement to take the opponent's back. Popularized by the Mendes brothers and characteristic of modern BJJ.

A choke from the back that uses the gi lapel and pants grip to create a position similar to an archer drawing a bow. Very effective and difficult to escape.

Also known as: Ukemi

A safe falling technique that distributes the body's impact when hitting the ground. Essential for preventing injuries during takedowns and throws.

Also known as: Upa

A hip elevation movement creating an arch with the body. Used to escape from inferior positions like mount, creating space and off-balancing the opponent.

A type of open guard where the insteps of the feet are hooked inside the opponent's inner thighs. Excellent for sweeps and leg entries.

Also known as: Strangle

General term for strangling techniques that cut blood flow or air to the opponent's brain, causing a tap or unconsciousness.

A choke executed from the opponent's turtle position, using the gi lapel while rotating around their head like clock hands.

Also known as: Full guard

A guard position where the legs are crossed behind the opponent's back, controlling them between the legs. A fundamental defensive position offering many attack options.

A pulling technique using the opponent's gi collar to off-balance them and create opportunities for takedowns or back takes.

Also known as: Tournament

A sporting event where BJJ practitioners compete following rules established by federations like IBJJF. Includes categories by weight, age, belt, and gender.

Also known as: X-choke

A choke with crossed grip on the gi lapels. Can be executed from guard, mount, or other positions. A fundamental gi BJJ technique.

A control position where both of the opponent's arms are immobilized, one with the legs and one with the arms, leaving them completely vulnerable to chokes.

Also known as: Brabo choke

A choke similar to the anaconda but with the arm entering from the opposite side of the neck. Effective in transitions and when the opponent defends the guillotine.

Also known as: DLR guard

An open guard where one leg hooks outside the opponent's leg while controlling the ankle with the hand. Named after Ricardo de la Riva, offers excellent distance control.

Also known as: Technical practice

Repetitive practice of techniques with a partner offering minimal resistance. Essential for developing muscle memory and automating movements.

A defensive technique to get out of an unfavorable position. Each dominant position has specific escapes that must be mastered.

Also known as: Sode guruma jime

A choke using your own gi sleeve, passing it around the opponent's neck. Can be executed from multiple positions including inside the opponent's guard.

Also known as: Belt

Portuguese word for belt, commonly used in BJJ to refer to a practitioner's rank or level.

Also known as: Leg lock

A category of submissions attacking the foot and ankle joints. Includes straight ankle lock, heel hook, and toe hold.

A defensive structure created with the arms to maintain distance from the opponent and prevent them from applying pressure. Essential for escapes and guard recovery.

Also known as: Kimono

The traditional BJJ uniform consisting of a jacket, pants, and belt. Allows for specific grips and techniques that don't exist in no-gi.

General term for body-to-body combat sports without strikes. Includes BJJ, judo, wrestling, sambo, and submission wrestling.

A position where the practitioner is on their back but uses their legs to control the opponent. Considered a neutral or even offensive position in BJJ.

Also known as: Guillotine choke

A front headlock choke where you wrap the opponent's neck with one arm while applying pressure with the forearm against the trachea or arteries.

An intermediate position where you control one of the opponent's legs between your own legs. Can be offensive or defensive depending on grips and control.

A leg submission that attacks the knee through heel rotation. Considered one of the most dangerous techniques; prohibited in many competitions until brown belt.

Also known as: Shrimp

A fundamental movement where hips are displaced to one side to create space or change angle. Essential for escapes and guard recovery.

The feet inserted into the opponent's hips or thighs when you have back control. Provide control and prevent the opponent from escaping.

Also known as: International Federation

International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation. The largest federation organizing BJJ competitions worldwide, including Worlds and Pan Americans.

Also known as: Invert, Inverted guard

A movement where the practitioner goes upside down or into an inverted position to execute sweeps, recover guard, or attack with berimbolos.

Also known as: BJJ, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Gracie Jiu-Jitsu

A martial art of Japanese origin adapted in Brazil by the Gracie family. Focuses on ground fighting, submissions, and the principle that a smaller fighter can defeat a larger one using technique and leverage.

Also known as: Double wristlock, Ude-garami

A shoulder submission with a figure-4 grip where the opponent's arm is brought toward their back. Named after Masahiko Kimura, who defeated Helio Gracie with this technique.

Also known as: Knee on stomach, KOB

A control position where the knee is placed on the opponent's abdomen while maintaining weight on them. Very effective transitional position for control and points.

Use of the knee and shin as a defensive barrier in half guard or open guard to maintain distance from the opponent and prevent guard passing.

Japanese concept meaning to break the opponent's balance. A fundamental principle for executing effective takedowns, sweeps, and submissions.

The collar/lapel of the gi, used for multiple grips, controls, and chokes. Lapel techniques are exclusive to gi BJJ.

An open guard where the leg wraps around the opponent's arm while gripping the sleeve. Provides excellent distance control and sweep options.

A guard passing technique where one of the opponent's legs is dragged to one side while advancing to side control.

A category of submissions attacking leg joints: knee, ankle, and hip. Includes heel hook, knee bar, ankle lock, and toe hold.

A half guard control technique where the legs are intertwined around the opponent's trapped leg in a figure-4. Severely limits their mobility.

A choke using the opponent's lapel forming a loop around the neck. Can be executed from guard, half guard, or during transitions.

Also known as: Full mount

A dominant position where you sit on the opponent's torso with knees on the ground. Offers superior control and multiple submission options.

Also known as: Can opener

A technique that applies pressure to the neck through twisting or compression of the cervical spine. Some variants are prohibited in competition.

Also known as: Submission wrestling, Submission grappling

A BJJ modality practiced without the traditional gi, using rash guard and shorts. Techniques adapt since there are no lapels or sleeves to grip.

A control position where the attacker is perpendicular to the opponent, with hips over the opponent's face. Effective for transitions and submissions.

Also known as: Ashi-sankaku-garami

A shoulder submission executed with the legs. The opponent's arm is trapped while pressure is applied to the shoulder through hip rotation.

A free training session where practitioners can spar, drill, or work on specific techniques without a structured class.

A guard passing technique where one arm goes over one of the opponent's legs and the other arm goes under the other leg.

Also known as: Osu

An expression used in BJJ and other Japanese martial arts as a greeting, thank you, or show of respect. Can be used at the beginning and end of class.

Also known as: Guard pass, Passing

A technique to overcome the opponent's guard and advance to a dominant position like side control, knee on belly, or mount.

The scoring system in BJJ competition. Awarded for dominant positions, sweeps, takedowns, and guard passes. Rules vary by federation.

Also known as: Specific training

Training where you start from a specific position and the goal is to maintain it or escape from it. Excellent for developing skills in specific situations.

The body alignment that maximizes balance and reaction capacity. Good posture is fundamental both standing and on the ground.

A guard passing style that uses body weight and constant pressure to crush and overcome the opponent's guard.

Also known as: Compression shirt

A tight-fitting elastic material shirt used in no-gi to protect skin from abrasions and reduce bacteria transmission.

Also known as: RNC, Mata leão, Lion killer

A rear choke where the neck is wrapped with the arm and reinforced with the other hand behind the head. The most applied submission in competition.

A position inversion from an inferior position without passing through guard. Generally doesn't score in competition but changes the fight dynamics.

Also known as: Sparring, Rolling

Informal term for a sparring session in BJJ. Practitioners roll to practice techniques with resistance.

A guard system developed by Eddie Bravo that uses extreme flexibility to control the opponent with the legs in unusual positions.

Regulations governing BJJ competitions. Include allowed and prohibited techniques by belt, scoring system, and conduct.

A classic sweep from closed guard using a scissoring motion with the legs while pulling the opponent to knock them over.

Also known as: Hip escape

A fundamental escape movement where hips are pushed back while creating distance, similar to a shrimp's movement.

Also known as: 100 kilos, Cross-side

A dominant position controlling the opponent from the side, perpendicular to their body. Offers multiple transition and submission options.

Also known as: SLX, Ashi garami

An open guard controlling one of the opponent's legs with both legs in an X configuration. Excellent for sweeps and leg attacks.

Also known as: Roll, Randori

Practice combat with a partner applying techniques with variable resistance. Essential for developing timing, reflexes, and real technique application.

An open guard controlling the opponent's sleeves while feet push against their biceps. Offers excellent distance control and sweep options.

A guard passing technique where the opponent is folded over themselves, stacking their legs on their chest while advancing.

Also known as: Ankle lock

An ankle submission applying pressure on the Achilles tendon while hyperextending the ankle. Allowed from white belt.

Also known as: Degree

Stripes added to the belt indicating progress within that level. Each belt can have up to 4 stripes before promotion to the next belt.

Also known as: Sub, Finish

A technique that forces the opponent to surrender (tap) through chokes or joint locks. The ultimate goal of BJJ.

A technique from guard that reverses positions, taking the opponent from top to bottom. The goal is to end in a dominant position like mount or side control.

Also known as: Throw

A technique to bring the opponent to the ground from standing. Includes judo throws, leg entries, and specific wrestling techniques.

Also known as: Tap out

A surrender signal given by tapping the opponent or the mat, indicating acceptance of the submission. Fundamental for training safety.

A leg submission that applies torsion to the ankle and foot. Attacks the ankle joints and can cause damage if not tapped in time.

Also known as: Bullfighter pass, Toreador

A guard passing technique where the opponent's legs are pushed to one side while passing to the other, similar to a bullfighter's movement.

Also known as: Triangle choke, Sankaku-jime

A choke executed with the legs forming a triangle around the opponent's neck and arm. One of the most iconic BJJ submissions.

A defensive position on hands and knees, protecting the neck and avoiding giving up the back. A vulnerable but common position.

A grip where the arm passes under the opponent's armpit. Provides superior control and is fundamental both standing and on the ground.

Also known as: Bridge and roll, Trap and roll

An escape technique from mount using an explosive bridge while trapping the opponent's arm and leg to reverse the position.

Also known as: Shoulder choke

A choke applied as a counter when the opponent holds a guillotine from bottom. The shoulder is used to apply pressure to the neck.

Also known as: Lapel guard

A modern guard created by Keenan Cornelius using the gi lapel wrapped around the opponent's leg for control. Highly effective but controversial.

A submission attacking the wrist joint through hyperextension or rotation. Often unexpected and effective when the opponent focuses on other threats.

An open guard where both legs form an X around one of the opponent's legs, one inside and one outside. Excellent for sweeps and back takes.

Also known as: Knee shield half guard

A half guard variant where the guard player's shin forms a diagonal barrier (Z shape) against the opponent's torso. Defensive with good sweep options.