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BJJ Techniques

Positions, Guards and Submissions

BJJ techniques are the positions, sweeps, guard passes, and submissions that form the complete language of the sport. This hub covers every major area of the game, from closed guard fundamentals to choke mechanics, so you can study systematically and find the detailed spoke guides you need.

What Are BJJ Techniques?

BJJ techniques are the structured movements and strategies used to control, sweep, and submit an opponent on the mat. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (jiu-jitsu brasileiro) focuses entirely on ground fighting and clinch work, using leverage and body mechanics rather than strength to dominate a position or apply a joint lock or choke. Grappling at this level is often described as physical chess because each position presents both threats and opportunities.

The IBJJF (International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation) organises the sport around a points system that rewards dominant positions: three points for guard passing and for sweeping from guard, four points for achieving mount or back mount. This scoring structure means that understanding positional hierarchy is just as important as knowing individual submissions. Guard work, passing, and escapes are the foundation on which all submission attempts are built.

Whether you train primarily in the gi (kimono) or no-gi, the underlying BJJ techniques transfer across both formats. Grips change, the pace quickens without fabric friction, but the concepts of base, posture, frames, and leverage remain constant. Use the guides below to explore each area in depth and build a well-rounded game from the ground up.

Safety Note

All BJJ techniques involving joint locks and chokes carry inherent risk if applied at full speed or force outside a supervised training environment. Always practise submissions under the guidance of a qualified instructor, tap early and tap often, and never apply locks forcefully on a resisting partner until you have drilled the mechanic thoroughly at a controlled pace.

Technique Guides

Explore Every Area of BJJ

Detailed breakdowns for every major position, guard, and submission category.

Guard Passing

Pressure passes, leg-drag entries, toreando variations, and the posture mechanics needed to break any guard style effectively.

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Closed Guard

Armbar, triangle, and kimura set-ups from closed guard, plus breaking the top person's posture and controlling the distance to threaten sweeps.

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Half Guard

Bottom and top half guard strategy, the underhook battle, Old School sweeps, and the knee-slice pass from the top position.

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Mount Escapes

The bridge and roll (upa) and the elbow-knee escape explained step by step, with the framing and timing details that make them reliable.

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Submissions Overview

A complete reference to every major BJJ submission, categorised by joint locks and chokes, with notes on IBJJF legality by belt level.

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Kimura Lock

The double-wrist-lock shoulder submission from every position: closed guard, side control, north-south, and half guard, plus use as a sweep entry.

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Armbar

Straight armbar (juji gatame) mechanics from mount, guard, and side control, including the hip-out adjustment and defending common escapes.

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Triangle Choke

Sankaku jime set-ups from closed guard and open guard, with the angle and hip positioning details that determine whether the choke goes tight.

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Rear Naked Choke

Mata leao mechanics from back mount: the seat belt grip, the choking arm path, and the body triangle vs hooks debate.

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Takedowns

Single-leg, double-leg, and trip-based takedowns adapted for BJJ competition, with entries that transition directly into guard passing.

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Quick Reference

BJJ Positions and IBJJF Point Values

Points under current IBJJF adult rules (gi and no-gi). Confirm with the latest IBJJF rulebook for updates.

Position Points (IBJJF) Description Key Techniques from Here
Takedown 2 Taking your opponent from standing to the ground while remaining on top. Single-leg, double-leg, hip throw, trip
Guard Pass 3 Moving from inside the opponent's guard to a dominant side or top position. Pressure pass, toreando, leg drag, knee slice
Sweep 2 Reversing from bottom guard to a top position with control. Scissor sweep, flower sweep, butterfly sweep
Knee on Belly 2 Placing the knee on the opponent's torso with the other foot posted on the mat. Armbar, kimura, straight ankle lock entry
Mount 4 Sitting astride the opponent's torso with both knees on the mat. Cross collar choke (gi), armbar, triangle, Americana
Back Mount 4 Controlling the opponent's back with hooks in or body triangle, facing the same direction. Rear naked choke, bow and arrow choke (gi), collar choke
Side Control 0 (dominant position, no points) Lying perpendicular to the opponent at shoulder and hip level with no legs entangled. Kimura, Americana, north-south choke, armbar
Closed Guard (bottom) 0 On your back with your legs locked around the opponent's waist. Armbar, triangle, kimura, hip bump sweep
Half Guard (bottom) 0 On your back or side controlling one of the top person's legs between yours. Old School sweep, back take, leg lock entries

Points are awarded only after the controlling position is held for three seconds. Always verify current IBJJF rules at ibjjf.com before competing.

How to Study BJJ Techniques Effectively

Most beginners make the mistake of collecting techniques before they have a framework to organise them. A more effective approach is to understand the positional hierarchy first: back mount beats mount, mount beats side control, side control beats the guard, and the guard is your primary defensive tool from the bottom. Every technique fits within this hierarchy as either a method of achieving a better position or a method of capitalising on one you already have.

Once you have that map, it is far easier to study individual techniques because you know what they are for. A kimura from closed guard is not just a shoulder submission. It is also a sweep entry, a back-take setup, and a way to break the top person's posture. Seeing each technique as part of a connected system rather than an isolated move accelerates learning significantly.

Gi vs No-Gi Technique Selection

Training with the gi develops sensitivity to grip sequences, collar control, and friction-based guard retention that transfers well to no-gi grappling over time. No-gi training builds faster reaction times, stronger wrestling instincts, and comfort with slippery grips. If you compete under IBJJF gi rules, learning to use the collar for chokes and sleeve grips for control is essential. For submission-only or ADCC-style competition, no-gi specific techniques including single-leg X-guard, heel hooks (where ruleset permits), and the Kimura trap system become more central.

Drilling vs Live Rolling

Both are necessary and neither replaces the other. Drilling a technique slowly and correctly builds the motor pattern. Live rolling (sparring) tests whether that pattern holds under resistance and fatigue. The most effective training schedules combine structured drilling of specific techniques, positional sparring from set starting positions, and full rounds. If you are in Thailand and looking to train in a structured environment, explore the Chiang Mai, Bangkok, and Phuket gym guides to find academies that offer this kind of progressive curriculum.

Building a Personal Game

After six to twelve months on the mat, most practitioners begin to recognise which techniques fit their body type, athleticism, and temperament. Taller practitioners often find guard work and triangle chokes come more naturally. Stockier practitioners frequently excel with wrestling-based takedowns and top pressure. Rather than trying to learn everything at once, identify two or three techniques per position that suit your attributes and drill those until they work under pressure. Then expand outward from that foundation.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions About BJJ Techniques

Beginners should prioritise positional awareness before submissions. The fundamental BJJ techniques to learn first are: surviving in bad positions (mount and side control escapes), the closed guard and basic sweeps from it, a single-leg or double-leg takedown, and one or two high-percentage submissions such as the rear naked choke and the armbar. Building a solid defensive base first makes every offensive technique easier to apply later.
A position is a stable controlling arrangement of bodies, such as mount, back mount, or side control, from which you can apply pressure and look for finishes. A submission is a technique that forces a tap by threatening a joint lock or choke. Positions create the leverage and control needed to apply submissions safely and effectively. IBJJF rules award points for achieving dominant positions, which is why positional BJJ technique is central to competition strategy.
Most practitioners begin to understand and apply basic BJJ techniques consistently after six to twelve months of regular training, typically two to four sessions per week. You will recognise positions and execute simple sweeps and submissions in live rolling within that window. Drilling correctly matters more than volume. Expect two to three years before intermediate techniques like guard passing combinations and chained attacks start to feel natural.
The core BJJ techniques, including mount escapes, guard passing, and joint locks, transfer between gi and no-gi formats. The key differences are grip options and friction. Gi training allows collar chokes, sleeve and lapel grips, and arm drags using fabric. No-gi removes fabric grips and increases the pace, making underhooks, wrist control, and body locks more important. Chokes such as the rear naked choke and triangle apply in both formats.
Guard passing is the process of moving from inside your opponent's guard, whether closed, half, butterfly, or open guard, to a dominant position such as side control, mount, or back mount. IBJJF rules award three points for a successful guard pass. Effective guard passing in BJJ requires posture control, grip breaking, pressure management, and knowledge of the specific guard being attacked.
IBJJF rules permit different submissions depending on the competitor's belt level. Chokes are legal at all belt levels. Straight armbars, kimuras, omoplatas, and triangle chokes are permitted from blue belt upwards. Heel hooks and reaping techniques are banned in gi competition and restricted to advanced divisions in no-gi. Wrist locks are permitted from purple belt. Always confirm which ruleset applies to your specific competition before entering.
The rear naked choke (mata leao in Portuguese, meaning lion killer) is applied from the back mount position. You secure a seat belt grip with one arm around the opponent's neck, the forearm pressing against one carotid artery, while the other hand locks behind the head to compress the opposite side. The technique works by restricting blood flow to the brain, not by blocking the airway, and is one of the highest-percentage finishes in both sport BJJ and MMA.
The kimura (ude garami in judo) is a double-wrist-lock shoulder submission. You control the opponent's wrist with both hands, with your arm threading through to create a figure-four grip, then rotate the shoulder joint beyond its natural range of motion. In BJJ, the kimura can be applied from closed guard, north-south, side control, and top half guard. It also functions as a control mechanic to sweep from guard or take the back.
The two standard mount escapes in BJJ are the bridge and roll (upa) and the elbow-knee escape. For the bridge and roll, trap one of the top person's arms and the foot on the same side, then explode into a hip bridge to reverse. For the elbow-knee escape, create space by framing, then bring the knee to the elbow to recover half guard, then full guard. Staying on your side, protecting your neck, and avoiding flat positioning make both escapes significantly easier.
The triangle choke (sankaku jime) traps the opponent's head and one arm between your thighs. One carotid artery is compressed by your thigh, the other by the opponent's own shoulder. It is typically set up from closed or open guard when the opponent reaches in or puts one arm across. Practitioners with longer legs or more flexible hips often find the triangle easier to lock up, but with correct hip positioning and angle adjustment it is achievable at any body type and is a staple technique from blue belt onwards.
Half guard is a position where you are on your back or side and control one of your opponent's legs between both of yours. It is important because it sits between full guard and a passed position, giving you recovery options and offensive opportunities. From bottom half guard, you can hunt for the underhook to sweep or take the back. From top half guard, you can work a knee slide or pressure pass. Understanding half guard is essential for both guard retention and guard passing in BJJ.
The core BJJ techniques remain the same regardless of age or size, but the emphasis shifts. Older practitioners often benefit from prioritising pressure-based guard passing, closed guard, and submission set-ups that rely on mechanics over athleticism. Larger practitioners can lean into top pressure and wrestling-based takedowns, while smaller practitioners often excel with guard work and timing-dependent techniques such as triangles and omoplatas. The beauty of BJJ is that leverage and technique can compensate for physical differences, which is why drilling correct mechanics matters at every size.

Train in Thailand

Put These Techniques Into Practice

Thailand has some of Asia's best BJJ academies. Find a gym near you and start applying what you have learned.

Gyms in Chiang Mai Submissions Guide