Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Effectively managing the space between yourself and your opponent is a central theme in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. In this lesson, BJJ No Gi World Champion Bruno Pucci teaches a drill for creating space called the hip escape drill. Practicing this fundamental movement in repetition will train your body to react naturally…

An aggressor stands in front of you and grabs both of your lapels at chest level. This dominating grip gives the aggressor significant control over your upper body, and is common in street self-defense situations. In this lesson, BJJ World Champion Zorobabel Moreira teaches how to defend against the double…

The shoulder grab is a hostile gesture that is commonly used by physical aggressors to intimate and threaten their targets. In this lesson, BJJ No Gi World Champion Bruno Pucci teaches a defense to the shoulder grab, which is used when the aggressor straightens out their arm in resistance to…

Controlling the back is one of the most advantageous positions you can obtain in a fight. With back control, a smaller opponent can attack and defeat a larger opponent from a position where the opponent has very few attacking options. In this lesson, BJJ World Champion Leandro demonstrates the basics…

The “guard” position, when used correctly, can allow a person to control and finish a stronger opponent from a potentially vulnerable bottom position on the ground. In this lesson, BJJ World Champion Leandro Issa demonstrates how to pull an opponent into the guard from a standing position.

The full mount position is one of the most dominant and advantageous positions you can obtain in a fight. From this position, the person on top can apply a wide range of submission techniques and strikes, while the person on bottom has very few attacking options. In this lesson, BJJ…

The half guard is a useful transitional position from the bottom, used commonly to defend as well as attack. From this position, it is possible to apply a complex variety of sweeps, apply submission holds, and advance to other positions such as full guard or back control. In this lesson,…

The knee on belly position is a versatile top position that puts great downward pressure on your opponent. It presents you with a vast number of options to either transition to a new position or finish the fight. In a street self-defense situation, attacking with the knee on belly position…

The open guard is a form of guard where you hold an opponent between your legs with your feet unhooked. This allows you to quickly apply a wide range of submissions and sweeps, as well as transition to other guard systems, such as the spider guard. In this lesson, BJJ…

The north south position is a dominant top position that allows you to apply submissions, transition to other positions, and also has the added advantage of keeping relatively clear of your opponent’s legs. This makes it difficult for your opponent to regain their guard. In this lesson, BJJ No Gi…

Side control is a very stable and commonly occurring top position in BJJ. Frequently, side control is the first position you will obtain and stabilize after passing the guard. There are a wide range of submission holds available from this position. In this lesson, BJJ World Champion Alex Silva demonstrates…

Another style for controlling your opponent from the guard is known as spider guard. Not only is spider guard an effective method for setting up submissions and sweeps, but it also makes attacking very difficult for your opponent. In this lesson, BJJ No Gi World Champion Bruno Pucci demonstrates the…