Jiu-Jitsu Techniques
Step-by-step breakdowns of core jiu-jitsu techniques, with the details that matter.
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Mount Escape: The Elbow-Knee Escape Step by Step
A mount escape is how you get out from under a partner sitting on your chest and recover guard. The elbow-knee escape protects your neck, cr...
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Armbar from Closed Guard: Step-by-Step Technique
The armbar from closed guard is a fundamental submission: you control one arm, pivot your hips to an angle, and extend the elbow against you...
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Triangle Choke from Closed Guard: Setup and Finish
The triangle choke from closed guard traps your partner's head and one arm between your legs, then squeezes the sides of the neck until they...
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Scissor Sweep from Closed Guard: Beginner Guide
The scissor sweep reverses a partner who is kneeling in your closed guard. You sit up, place your shin across their belly, hook the far leg,...
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Knee Slice Pass: Cut Through Guard with Pressure
The knee slice pass moves your knee across your partner's thigh to cut through their guard and land in side control. Keep your base wide, co...
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Rear Naked Choke from Back Control: How It Works
The rear naked choke is a no-gi-friendly strangle from back control. You slide one arm under the chin, grip your own bicep, place the other...
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Kimura from Closed Guard: Safe Shoulder Lock Steps
The kimura from closed guard is a shoulder lock: you trap one wrist, build a figure-four grip, sit up, and turn the arm behind your partner'...
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Sprawl Takedown Defense: How to Stop the Shot
Sprawl takedown defense stops a leg attack by shooting your legs back and driving your hips down onto your partner's shoulders. Watch for th...
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Side Control Escape: Shrimp and Recover Guard
A side control escape uses frames, a small bridge and a hip escape to create space and bring your knee between you and your partner. Protect...
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Hip Bump Sweep: Sit-Up Sweep from Closed Guard
The hip bump sweep, also called the sit-up sweep, reverses a partner in your closed guard. You sit up, trap one arm, then bump your hips up...
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Back Escape: Escaping Back Control Step by Step
A back escape starts by protecting the neck, then lowers your shoulders to the mat toward the underhook side and removes the hooks. Defend f...
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Double Leg Takedown: Safe Entry and Finish
The double leg takedown drops your level, steps deep between your partner's feet, wraps both legs and drives forward until they land. Keep y...
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Closed Guard Fundamentals: Control, Posture and Angles
Closed guard means lying on your back with your legs locked around your partner. Its purpose is control: you break their posture, manage the...
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Half Guard Basics: Staying Safe and Getting Back Up
Half guard is when you trap one of your partner's legs between yours while they control your upper body. It is a defensive and attacking pos...
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Guard Retention Basics: Frames, Hip Escapes and Re-Guard
Guard retention is the set of movements you use to stop your partner from passing your legs. The basics are simple: sit up, frame, turn your...
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Trap and Roll (Upa) Mount Escape: Step by Step
The trap and roll, also called the upa, is a classic mount escape. You trap one of your partner's arms and the foot on the same side, then b...
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Cross Collar Choke from Mount: Gi Choke Step by Step
The cross collar choke is a gi choke that uses both hands on your partner's lapels, crossing forearms to apply pressure on the sides of the...
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Americana from Mount: Shoulder Lock Step by Step
The americana, also called the keylock, is a shoulder lock from mount. You pin your partner's wrist to the mat, form a figure-four with your...
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