2 on 1 Grip From Seated
(too-on-wun grip from see-ted)
Categories: Technique, Concept
A dominant grip where one practitioner uses both of their hands to control one of the opponent's arms, typically the wrist and elbow. It is used to break posture and set up sweeps or takedowns.
Absolute
Categories: Competition
A championship division where there is no weight limit for competitors.
Academy
Categories: Administrative
The term used to refer to a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu school.
Amarrão
(/a.ma.ʁaˈsɐ̃w̃/ (ah-mah-hah-SOW))
Categories: Slang and Foreign Terms
Refers to a fighter who constantly "stalls" the fight by holding back themselves and their opponent, instead of aiming for submission, which is the ultimate goal of a Jiu Jitsu competition.
Amasso
(/aˈma.su/ (ah-MAH-soo))
Categories: Slang and Foreign Terms
Describes situations where a competitor has complete dominance over their adversary during a fight. It can also refer to situations where a practitioner enters the fight with a half-guard or immediately immobilizes the opponent, applying significant pressure.
Americana
(Ame-Ri-Ca-Na)
Categories: Submission
A submission that aims to force the opponent’s arm from the side control position. Also known as ude garami, this is a type of lock that uses leverage to apply pressure to the adversary's shoulder or elbow.
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Anaconda Choke
Categories: Submission
A submission that uses the arms to compress the opponent’s airways from the side. A strangle similar to the arm-triangle, typically entered from a front headlock position, compressing the opponent's airways from the side.
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Ankle Lock
Categories: Submission
A submission focused on the adversary's ankle, where a torsion is applied towards the joint's internal rotation.
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Ankle Pick From 2 on 1
(an-kul pick from too-on-wun)
Categories: Technique, Takedown
A takedown executed by using a 2 on 1 grip to off-balance an opponent and then using the free hand to 'pick' or lift their ankle, forcing them to the mat.
Ankle Pick From Collar Tie
(an-kul pick from kol-lar tie)
Categories: Technique, Takedown
A takedown performed from a clinch position (collar tie) where one practitioner pushes their opponent's head down to force their weight onto their heels, then reaches down to pick an ankle.
Arm Crush
Categories: Submission
An armlock that relies on the legs to keep perfect distance while the arms attack the opponent's elbow.
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Arm Drag From Seated Guard
(arm-drag from see-ted gard)
Categories: Technique, Sweep
An offensive move from a seated guard position where a practitioner pulls on their opponent's tricep to move past their arm and get an angle to take the back or initiate a sweep.
Arm-Triangle Choke
Categories: Submission
A type of strangle where the attacker uses the defender's own shoulder in combination with their forearm to apply pressure to the side of the neck.
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Armbar
Categories: Submission
A go-to submission from the guard or mount position that hyperextends the opponents elbow joint.
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Armlock
Categories: Submission
A submission that puts pressure on the elbow joint. How Brazilian fighters name the armbar.
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Arrochar
(/ahoˈʃar/ (ah-ho-SHAR))
Categories: Slang and Foreign Terms
To tighten the grip, adjusting your position during grappling.
Baby Bolo
(bay-bee boh-loh)
Categories: Technique, Sweep
A variation of the Bolo back-take, typically initiated from De La Riva guard, that involves a spin underneath the opponent's legs to expose the back, often seen as a slightly simplified version.
Back Control
Categories: Position
A position where one fighter is behind the opponent, with legs wrapped around their body. The player takes control of the opponent’s back, placing the heels between the opponent’s thighs without crossing the legs. Must have one arm trapped (see “seat-belt”) or the ability to trap one arm in order to be given the points. This position is awarded four points if held for three seconds in competition.
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Back Mount
Categories: Position
A position where a student has control of another student from the back (i.e. a student is face down with another student straddling his back).
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Back Strap From Turtle
(bak-strap from tur-tul)
Categories: Technique
A controlling grip from the turtle position where a practitioner reaches over the opponent's back and under the far armpit, connecting their hands to create a powerful lever for breaking the turtle down.
Back Take
Categories: Technique
A technique used to take the opponent’s back. The transition from a position such as side control or mount to obtain back control.
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Back Take From Over Under
(bak-tayk from oh-ver un-der)
Categories: Position, Technique
A transition to secure the back position that is initiated from an Over-Under Pass attempt, often by using the underhook to spin behind the opponent as they defend the pass.
Back Take From Turtle
(bak-tayk from tur-tul)
Categories: Position, Technique
Any technique used to secure the back position when an opponent is in turtle, often involving breaking their base, inserting hooks, and establishing a seatbelt grip.
Backstep Pass From Reverse De la Riva
(bak-step pass from ree-verse day-la-hee-va)
Categories: Technique
A dynamic guard pass where the passer, facing an opponent's Reverse De La Riva guard, takes a large, backward step with their free leg to collapse the opponent's leg frames and move to side control.
Baiana
(/baˈja.na/ (bah-YAH-nah))
Categories: Takedown
Also known as morote gari or double leg. It is a throw that consists of grabbing both legs of the adversary in order to throw them to the ground.
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Baratoplata
Categories: Submission
A submission that uses a twisting of the opponent’s arm to force the submission.
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Base
Categories: Concept
The foundation or stability of the body, usually achieved by maintaining a low center of gravity and keeping the legs spread out widely when kneeling or standing.
Basic Guard Pass
(bay-sik gard pass)
Categories: Technique, Concept
A fundamental technique or series of techniques used to get past an opponent's legs (their guard) and establish a dominant top position like side control or mount.
Belt
Categories: Equipment
The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu belt worn by practitioners to indicate their level of proficiency. A symbol of a fighter's level of proficiency and experience.
Belt Records
Categories: Administrative
A required form for athletes who are skipping belt ranks in the IBJJF system or for first time Brown and Black Belt membership holders. This form requires athletes to indicate their promotion dates at each belt rank to show they have completed the required time.
Berimbolo
Categories: Sweep
A technique used to sweep an opponent from the guard position. An advanced and highly dynamic technique used to sweep an opponent from the guard, frequently involving inversions and leg entanglements to achieve a back take.
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Bicep Slicer
Categories: Submission
A submission that puts pressure on the opponent’s bicep. A submission in which the practitioner attacks their opponent's bicep by driving their shin into the bicep muscle.
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BJJ
Categories: General
Abbreviation for “Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.”
Black Belt Certificate
Categories: Administrative
A completely separate process from the membership process. Active Black Belt membership is not the same as the Black Belt Certification process. The membership process only allows the athlete to compete or start the certification process.
Body Lock Pass
(bod-ee lok pass)
Categories: Technique
A pressure-based guard pass where the top player wraps their arms around the opponent's torso, connecting their hands to lock them in place, and then uses their body weight to systematically pass the guard.
Bolo
(boh-loh)
Categories: Technique, Sweep
A modern back-take technique, usually initiated from De La Riva guard, involving an inversion (spinning upside down) under the opponent's legs to get behind them and secure the back.
Bottom Player
Categories: Administrative
A fighter who prefers to fight from the bottom.
Bow and Arrow Choke
Categories: Submission
A powerful Gi collar choke where the attacker grabs the opponent's collar and drags it across the neck to apply pressure, often from the back.
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Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Categories: General
A form of martial arts that focuses on grappling and submission techniques. A style of Jujitsu formulated by the Gracie family from Brazil. Helio Gracie took the core of traditional Jujitsu and Judo and modified techniques to work for smaller practitioners.
Breakfall
Categories: Escape
A technique to “break your fall” when thrown or falling by slapping your arm on the ground and properly positioning your body. Breakfalls are used whenever you are thrown to the floor by your opponent. The technique should result in your landing on the ground as comfortably as possible by throwing out an arm to take some of the impact of the fall.
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Bridge
Categories: Escape
A movement where the practitioner arches their back to create space or escape from a bad position, such as when trapped under the mount. A technique use to “buck” off or dislodge an opponent who is in the mount position.
Butterfly Guard
Categories: Position
A guard used to control the opponent by using the feet and legs. A guard used to control the opponent by placing the feet, often referred to as ""hooks,"" on the inside of their thighs.
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Calf Slicer
Categories: Submission
A submission that puts pressure on the opponent’s calf.
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Chair Sit
(chair sit)
Categories: Technique, Concept
A fundamental movement used to take an opponent's back, where a practitioner gets to the side of their opponent and sits down as if sitting in a chair, allowing them to get their hooks and seatbelt grip in.
Chair Sit to Back
(chair sit too bak)
Categories: Technique
The direct application of the Chair Sit movement to successfully achieve the back control position with hooks and a seatbelt grip.
Chair Sit to Leg Drag
(chair sit too leg drag)
Categories: Technique
A variation where the Chair Sit movement is used not to take the back, but to transition into a leg drag position, controlling the opponent's legs to set up a guard pass.
Choke
Categories: Submission
A submission that compresses the opponent’s airways. A submission technique that restricts the opponent’s airflow (air choke) or blood choke) to induce unconsciousness or tap out.
Cinturar
(/sin.tuˈɾaɾ/ (seen-too-RAR))
Categories: Slang and Foreign Terms
To grab the adversary by the waistline from behind, in order to throw them to the ground.
Clock Choke
Categories: Submission
A type of choking applied with the help of the adversary's own Gi, when the opponent finds themselves in a four-pronged position.
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Closed Guard
Categories: Position
A guard where the opponent’s legs are intertwined around the attacker’s waist. When you are on your back and you have your legs wrapped around your opponent’s back & your feet are locked together.
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Collar Choke
Categories: Submission
A type of choke that involves using the opponent's gi collar to apply pressure to the neck or throat.
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Collar Drag From Seated
(kol-lar drag from see-ted)
Categories: Technique, Takedown, Sweep
A takedown or sweep from a seated position where a practitioner grips the opponent's collar (or neck in No-Gi) and forcefully pulls them forward and down, often spinning to get behind them.
Crab Ride
(krab ride)
Categories: Position, Technique
A controlling position where a practitioner is behind their opponent, typically with one or both legs hooked from the outside, used to break down the opponent and transition to the back.
Cross Ashi Garami
(kross ah-shee ga-rah-mee)
Categories: Submission, Position
A leg entanglement position from the Ashi Garami family where the practitioner's legs are crossed over the opponent's leg, often used to set up heel hooks and other leg locks.
Cross Body Ride
(kross bod-ee ride)
Categories: Position, Technique
A wrestling-based controlling position on top of a turtled or flattened opponent, where the top player's body is diagonally across the opponent's back, using leg hooks (rides) to control and break them down.
Cross Choke
Categories: Submission
Applied by crossing the arms and gripping the opponent's Gi lapels on opposite sides of their neck.
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Cross Collar Choke
(kross col-lar chohk)
Categories: Submission
A fundamental choke, primarily used in the Gi, where a practitioner uses the opponent's collar (lapel) to apply pressure to the carotid arteries on both sides of the neck.
Cross Grip Pass
(kross grip pass)
Categories: Technique
A guard pass where the passer reaches across the opponent's body to secure a grip (e.g., on the pants or ankle) and uses that grip to pull the opponent's legs out of position, allowing them to pass.
Crossface
Categories: Technique
Pressure exerted on an opponent’s face, usually from shoulder pressure. The intention is to make an opponent incredibly uncomfortable so that they relinquish a grip or position to alleviate the pressure. Additionally, pressuring the head in one direction limits the bottom player’s mobility and explosive ability, making it impossible for the player to move in certain directions and escape.
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Crucifix
Categories: Position
A position in which the fighter uses their arms and legs to hold both of the opponent's arms from behind, in such a way that resembles a crucifix.
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D'Arce Choke
Categories: Submission
A submission that uses the attacker’s arm to compress the opponent’s airways. A type of strangle that is very similar to the anaconda choke but with the entry on the opposite side.
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De La Riva Guard
Categories: Position
A guard used to control the opponent using a leg hook. An open guard position where the guard player has one leg hooked around the opponent's leg, with the other leg extended out to the side.
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De la Riva Guard
(day-la-hee-va gard)
Categories: Position
A form of open guard where one of the practitioner's legs is hooked behind the opponent's lead leg from the outside, used to off-balance and sweep the opponent.
Degree
Categories: Administrative
An intermediate stage between belt graduations, in which the student needs to achieve 4 degrees (and other criteria) to become eligible to take a belt exam. Each Jiu Jitsu school uses its own criteria for each degree, and above the black belt, there are 10 degrees until the fighter reaches the red belt.
Dojo
Categories: Administrative
A traditional term for the club or hall where you train.
Double Leg Takedown
Categories: Takedown
A takedown technique where the attacker grabs both of the opponent’s legs and brings them down. A classic wrestling takedown where the attacker grabs both of their opponent's legs and takes them to the ground.
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Double Underhooks
Categories: Position
A position where the practitioner has both of their opponent's arms underhooked and controlled. Often used to set up takedown attempts.
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Double Unders Pass
(dub-ul un-ders pass)
Categories: Technique
A classic pressure pass where the practitioner secures underhooks on both of the opponent's legs, lifts their hips off the mat, and walks around their guard.
Drill
Categories: Training
The part of training that consists of many, many... many repetitions of various techniques.
Elbow Knee Escape
(el-boh nee es-kayp)
Categories: Technique, Escape
A fundamental escape from side control or mount where the practitioner connects their elbow to their knee to create a frame, allowing them to shrimp (hip escape) and re-establish their guard.
Espalhar o frango
((Spread the chicken))
Categories: Slang and Foreign Terms
A position in which the fighter grabs the adversary's back—placing the hooks—and turning them belly down on the ground and extending the hip.
Ezequiel Choke
Categories: Submission
A submission that uses choking with the back of the opponent’s gi or sleeve to compress the opponent’s airways. A strangle using the opponent's own kimono sleeves.
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Far Side Arm Bar
(far side arm-bar)
Categories: Submission
An armbar (Juji Gatame) that is attacked on the opponent's arm that is furthest away from the practitioner's body.
Fechar o cadeado
((Close the padlock))
Categories: Slang and Foreign Terms
It means ""to close your guard on the adversary,"" by wrapping both of your legs around the opponent's torso, putting one of your ankles under your other knee, forming a kind of triangle.
Figure 4 From Top Half Guard
(fig-yur for from top haf gard)
Categories: Technique
A grip configuration used from top half guard, often to set up a Kimura, where the practitioner's arms are linked in a 'figure four' shape to control the opponent's arm.
Finalização
(/fi.na.li.zaˈsɐ̃w̃/ (fee-nah-lee-zah-SOW))
Categories: Concept
The ultimate goal of Jiu Jitsu, to submit your adversary, leading them to ""give up"" the fight.
Floating Pass / Folding Pass
(floh-ting pass / fohl-ding pass)
Categories: Technique
A style of No-Gi guard passing that involves staying light on the feet, putting pressure on the opponent's upper body with hands, and quickly changing directions to 'float' over the legs or 'fold' them up.
Flow Roll
Categories: Training
A type of training that is similar mechanically to sparring, but the practitioners flow from one technique to another without stopping in a relaxed manner.
Foot Lock
Categories: Submission
A submission that aims to force the opponent’s ankle joint beyond its natural range of motion. A broad term for submissions involving the opponent's foot, including ankle locks and toe holds.
Frame and Hip Escape
(fraym and hip es-kayp)
Categories: Technique, Concept, Escape
A core defensive concept involving the use of arms and legs to create frames (structural barriers) against an opponent's pressure, combined with a hip escape (shrimping) to create space and escape bad positions.
Ghost Escape
(gohst es-kayp)
Categories: Escape
An escape from side control where the bottom player turns away from the opponent, creates a frame, and quickly sits up and out from underneath the position to get to their feet or a wrestling position.
Gi
(/ghee/ (hard 'g' like in grapefruit/go))
Categories: Equipment
The traditional uniform worn during Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training and competitions. The clothing worn by many martial artists, loose fitting to aid in varied body movements.
Gi Choke
Categories: Submission
Where you use your Gi (uniform) or your opponent’s Gi to perform a choking technique.
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Gift Wrap Control
(gift rap con-trohl)
Categories: Position, Technique
A controlling grip, typically from the back or mount, where the practitioner traps one of the opponent's arms by feeding it across their neck and securing it with their own arm, similar to tying a ribbon on a gift.
Gogoplata
Categories: Submission
A type of choke used against an adversary in high guard, using the shin to submit them. It can also be done using the scapula (shoulder blade).
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Grappling
Categories: Training
A close-range combat technique that involves wrestling. To fight an opponent but with no punching or kicking, much like a Judo match, but the ground-fighting may continue for longer than compared to a Judo match.
Guard
Categories: Position
A ground position in which one combatant has their back to the ground while attempting to control the other combatant using their legs.
Guard
Categories: Position
A fundamental position in Jiu Jitsu where one practitioner is on their back while their opponent is between their legs. The guard is a versatile position that allows for both defensive and offensive techniques. A position where the opponent’s legs are closed around the attacker’s body. A position in which the fighter finds themselves, seated or lying on the mat, in such a way that—between themselves and the adversary—there's at least the possibility to use one leg.
Guard Pass
Categories: Pass
A technique used to pass the opponent’s guard. The player on top (i.e. “passer”) successfully goes around/through the guard player’s legs and advances their position to either side control or north/south position.
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Guard Pull
Categories: Takedown
A technique where the opponent pulls their opponent into their guard. An alternative method of bringing the match to the ground. A guard-pull results in one player bringing the match to the ground with their feet in a position to control their opponent.
Guillotine Choke
Categories: Submission
A submission that uses the arms to compress the opponent’s airways from the front.
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Half Guard
Categories: Position
A position where one fighter has one leg folded under them. A defensive position where you are on your back. One of your feet is on the inside of an opponent’s leg and the other is on the outside.
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Hand Triangle
Categories: Submission
A move in which you put your arm around the adversary's neck and under your armpit, stopping the blood flow to their brain.
Head and Arm Choke
(hed and arm chohk)
Categories: Submission
Another name for the Arm Triangle choke, a submission where pressure is applied to one side of the neck with the practitioner's bicep and the other side with the opponent's own shoulder.
Headquarters
(hed-kwor-ters)
Categories: Position, Concept
A standing guard passing position where the passer has one of the opponent's legs controlled between their own legs, acting as a central hub from which various passes can be launched.
Heel Hook
Categories: Submission
A submission move where you grab a person's heel for leverage while twisting the leg at the knee joint. A powerful and dangerous leg lock that torques the knee by twisting the ankle.
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High Leg Over Pass
(hi leg oh-ver pass)
Categories: Technique
A guard pass where the top player steps one leg high over the opponent's body, often over their head or shoulder, to clear the legs and move into a dominant position.
Hip Heist
(hip hyst)
Categories: Technique, Concept
A fundamental movement used to get up from a seated or kneeling position to a standing base, often used after a sweep or to escape a bad position. It is synonymous with a Technical Stand Up.
Hooks
Categories: Concept
Refer to the top player’s legs when in back control. To place the hooks, one puts the tops of their feet on the inside of the controlled player’s thighs and presses out. This is used to control the rotation of the bottom player’s hips as they attempt to escape.
IBJJF
Categories: Administrative
The International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation, whose tournaments are currently among the most common and prestigious events globally, requiring membership for participation.
Inside Position
Categories: Concept
This is the space between the hip and armpit. Occupying or denying the inside position can dictate who is in control.
Inside Sankaku
(in-side sahn-kah-koo)
Categories: Submission, Position
Japanese for 'Inside Triangle'. A position where a practitioner's legs are triangled around an opponent's leg and torso, often used as a transition to the back or to set up submissions.
Invert/Inversion
Categories: Technique
The act of turning upside down (with feet above head and shoulders) while under your opponent. Doing so allows the player on bottom to keep their guard intact when the top player is trying to pass. Inverting is a relatively new concept in Jiu-Jitsu and has resulted in many new positions, attacks, and escapes.
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Inverted Heel Hook
(in-ver-ted heel hook)
Categories: Submission
A powerful submission that attacks the knee by controlling the heel and using a rotational force while the opponent's knee is pointing inwards.
Inverted Triangle
Categories: Submission
A submission that uses the legs to compress the opponent’s neck from the bottom.
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Jail Break Escape
(jayl brayk es-kayp)
Categories: Escape
An escape performed when an opponent has you in a body triangle from the back, involving specific movements to break the lock of their legs and turn into their guard.
Joint Lock
Categories: Submission
A submission that aims to force a joint beyond its natural range of motion. A submission that targets the opponent’s joints, such as the elbow or knee, by applying pressure in a way that causes pain or damage.
Juji Gatame
(/Ga-Te-Meh/)
Categories: Submission
A submission where pressure is applied over the adversary's elbow, aiming to dislocate the joint by forcefully overstretching the arm.
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Juvenile
Categories: Competition
Athletes aged 16 and 17 years old in the current year.
Kami Shiro Gatame
((Japanese pronunciation))
Categories: Position
An immobilization in which you control the adversary's torso with your arms, facing the opposite direction to them.
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Katagatame
(/Ga-Te-Meh/)
Categories: Submission
Also known as the hand triangle, it is a type of submission in which the fighter strangles the opponent by passing one arm under the adversary's neck, crossing the other arm outside that one. The fundamental idea in this move is to apply constant pressure, in such a way that it is uncomfortable for the opponent but easily maintained for the choker.
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Kesa Gatame
(Kesa-gah-tah-meh)
Categories: Position
A judo-derived pin where the top player wraps their arm around the opponent's head and controls their arm, lying perpendicular to them.
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Kimono
Categories: Equipment
The traditional uniform worn during Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practice. The traditional vestment for Jiu Jitsu practice.
Kimura
Categories: Submission
A submission that aims to force the opponent’s shoulder beyond its natural range of motion. A specific shoulder lock submission that is applied by controlling the opponent’s wrist with both hands and using the practitioner’s body to rotate the opponent’s arm behind their back, forcing pressure on the shoulder joint.
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Kipping Escape (Upa)
(kip-ing es-kayp / oo-pah)
Categories: Escape
A dynamic escape from the mount position where the bottom player bridges their hips explosively to create space and roll the top opponent over. Also known as the bridge and roll escape.
Knee Cut Pass
(nee kut pass)
Categories: Technique
A common and effective guard pass where the top player controls the opponent's legs and 'cuts' or 'slices' their knee across the opponent's thigh to pass their guard. Also known as the Knee Slice.
Knee Reaping
Categories: Technique
A movement or technique where the practitioner uses their leg to control or off-balance the opponent’s leg, often leading to a sweep or submission. In competition, certain types of reaping can be illegal, depending on the ruleset.
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Knee Shield
Categories: Position
A guard that uses the knee to keep the opponent at a distance and create openings for attacks.
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Knee Slide Pass
Categories: Pass
A technique used to pass the opponent’s guard by sliding a knee between their legs.
Knee-on-Belly
Categories: Position
A position where one of the fighters is on the opponent’s belly with a knee on their stomach. The player on top places their knee on the belly, chest, or ribs of the player on the bottom.
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Kneebar
Categories: Submission
A submission that aims to force the opponent’s knee beyond its natural range of motion. Also known as leglock, it is a submission that consists of hyperextending the knee joint.
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Lapel Choke
Categories: Submission
A submission that uses the opponent’s belt or kimono jacket to compress their airways.
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Leg Drag
Categories: Pass
A technique used to pass the opponent’s guard by quickly moving one of their legs. The most common transitional guard position in modern competitive Jiu Jitsu.
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Leg Drag
(leg drag)
Categories: Position, Technique
A guard pass and a controlling position where the practitioner pulls one of the opponent's legs across their body, effectively pinning their hips and allowing the passer to move to side control.
Leg Lace
(leg lays)
Categories: Position, Technique
A leg entanglement configuration where the practitioner weaves their leg over and under the opponent's legs, creating a tight lock used for control and to set up submissions like the toe hold.
Leg Pummeling Drill
(leg pum-mel-ing dril)
Categories: Technique, Concept
A dexterity drill where two partners sit facing each other and practice weaving their legs inside and outside of their partner's legs, improving hip mobility and guard retention skills.
Lever
(ˈliːvəʳ/ (LEE-ver))
Categories: Concept
The classical concept of ""lever"" (a more efficient and effective energy use) but applied to techniques in which you twist, throw, or pressure your opponent in a more economic way.
Long Step Pass
(long step pass)
Categories: Technique
A dynamic guard pass, often used as a counter to a knee slice defense, where the passer takes a large, lateral step with their back leg to swing around the opponent's guard.
Loop Choke
Categories: Submission
Uses the opponent's Gi lapel to create a loop around their neck, applicable from various positions.
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Low Single
(loh sing-gul)
Categories: Takedown
A takedown that involves changing levels and attacking an opponent's lead leg at or near the ankle, without penetrating deep like a traditional single leg.
Master
Categories: Competition
Athletes aged 30 years and older can enter Master divisions, broken down further by age (i.e. Master 1, Master 2, etc).
Membership
Categories: Administrative
Creating an IBJJF account is not the same as having IBJJF membership. Athletes must undergo the full membership process and complete payment to activate their membership. Athletes will receive a physical IBJJF card but can use their membership from the moment of completed payment. Active membership is required to register for IBJJF events.
Morote Gari
((Japanese pronunciation))
Categories: Takedown
A double leg takedown adopted later by the Kodokan into their Shinmeisho-no-waza (newly accepted techniques) list.
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Mount
Categories: Position
A position where a fighter is sitting on top of the opponent’s torso. A dominant position where one practitioner sits on top of their opponent’s torso.
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Near Side Arm Bar
(neer side arm-bar)
Categories: Submission
An armbar (Juji Gatame) that is attacked on the opponent's arm that is closest to the practitioner's body.
Neck Crank
Categories: Submission
A technique where a BJJ student pulls on or twists an opponent’s head in order to create neck/spinal pain. Banned from most competitions.
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No-Gi
Categories: Style
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training or competition without wearing a kimono. A style of Jiu Jitsu that is practiced without the traditional Gi.
North-South
Categories: Position
A position where one of the fighters is on top of the opponent with their head towards their feet. An immobilization in which you control the adversary's torso with your arms, facing the opposite direction to them.
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Obi
(ˈō-bē (OH-bee))
Categories: Equipment
The traditional Japanese term for a belt worn with a gi.
Omoplata
(om-PLAH-tah)
Categories: Submission
A submission that uses an armlock from an open guard to force the opponent to submit. A submission that utilizes an armlock from an open guard to force the opponent to submit by attacking their shoulder joint with the legs.
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Open Guard
Categories: Position
A guard where the opponent’s legs are not entwined. Any guard position where the legs are not entwined around the opponent's waist.
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Orelha de couve-flor
((Cauliflower Ear))
Categories: Slang and Foreign Terms
The popular slang to describe the common bruise on Jiu Jitsu practitioners’ ears, ""deformed"" in a permanent way due to frequent injuries and friction.
Oss
(oh-sss)
Categories: Slang and Foreign Terms
A common greeting used in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu dojos. A versatile word in the Jiu-Jitsu community. It can be used as a greeting, a way to say ""thank you,"" an acknowledgment of a higher belt's skills, or a general affirmation of solidarity among practitioners.
Outside Ashi Garami
(owt-side ah-shee ga-rah-mee)
Categories: Position
A fundamental leg entanglement position where the practitioner controls the opponent's leg from the outside, acting as a base position for straight ankle locks and heel hooks.
Outside Heel Hook
(owt-side heel hook)
Categories: Submission
A powerful submission that attacks the knee by controlling the heel and using a rotational force while the opponent's knee is pointing outwards.
Over Under Pass
(oh-ver un-der pass)
Categories: Technique
A classic pressure pass where the practitioner has one arm over the opponent's leg and one arm under the other leg, using shoulder pressure to flatten and pass their guard.
Overhook Control From Closed Guard
(oh-ver-hook con-trohl from klohzd gard)
Categories: Technique
A controlling grip from the closed guard where the bottom player wraps their arm over the top player's arm, limiting their posture and setting up submissions like triangles and omoplatas.
Pass
Categories: Pass
Transitioning from one position to another (i.e. “passing” or getting around an opponent’s guard position in order to gain control).
Passing the Guard
Categories: Pass
The act of maneuvering around an opponent’s legs (guard) to establish a more dominant position like side control or mount.
Pendulum Sweep
(pen-joo-lum sweep)
Categories: Sweep
A classic sweep from closed guard where the practitioner uses an overhook and swings their legs like a pendulum to off-balance and reverse the opponent.
Posture
Categories: Concept
A position in which a player can maintain strong spinal alignment. Usually referred to when in an opponent's guard.
Power Half
(pow-er haf)
Categories: Technique
A wrestling technique used to break down an opponent in the turtle position, where the practitioner reaches over the opponent's back and under their arm to apply leverage and force them flat.
Pressure Pass
Categories: Pass
A technique used to pass the opponent’s guard by applying constant pressure.
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Professor
Categories: Administrative
The term used to refer to a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu instructor or coach.
Provisional
Categories: Competition
Athletes ranked Brown Belt without history as a Purple Belt or ranked Black Belt without history as a Brown Belt in the IBJJF system. These athletes must register under Black Belts with higher degree qualifications as “provisional” athletes.
Puxar para a guarda
((Call to guard))
Categories: Slang and Foreign Terms
When, while in combat, the two fighters find themselves standing and one of them sits or lies on the mat, making guard.
Qualifying Points
Categories: Competition
Adult Black Belt athletes must achieve certain point requirements for specific events. Namely, the Pan Championship (Gi and No Gi) and the World Championship (Gi and No Gi). At the time of this publication, only Adult Black Belts (both male and female) have these requirements.
Ranking
Categories: Competition
Athletes receive ranking points per tournament if they medal. The points do not transfer between belt ranks or age divisions.
Raspagem
(/ʁasˈpa.ʒẽj̃/ (has-PAH-zheng))
Categories: Sweep
When the fighter who is on guard manages to invert the position and move over the adversary by using the legs.
Reap
Categories: Technique
A movement or technique where the practitioner uses their leg to control or off-balance the opponent’s leg, often leading to a sweep or submission. In competition, certain types of reaping can be illegal, depending on the ruleset.
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Rear Naked Choke
Categories: Submission
A submission that uses the arms to compress the opponent’s airways from behind. A submission that uses the arms to compress the opponent's airways from behind, widely considered one of the most effective chokes.
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Reverse De la Riva
(ree-verse day-la-hee-va)
Categories: Position
A form of open guard where one of the practitioner's legs is hooked around the opponent's lead leg from the inside, often used to set up back-takes like the Bolo.
Reverse Triangle
Categories: Submission
A submission that uses the legs to compress the opponent’s neck from the top.
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Reverse Triangle
(ree-verse try-ang-gul)
Categories: Submission
A triangle choke applied from an alternate angle, often from the back or side control, where the practitioner's body is facing the opponent's back rather than their front.
Rodizio
((approx. ho-JEE-zyoo))
Categories: Training
A training method where a single person remains in the middle for a period, facing two or more opponents who take turns against them.
Roll
Categories: Escape
A rotation technique used to escape a disadvantageous position.
Rolling
Categories: Training
Jiu Jitsu’s term for sparring. A free sparring session.
Rules Seminar / Webinar
Categories: Administrative
This is not a mandatory course for athletes but any athlete can choose to take the course. It is only mandatory for those who intend to join the Referee Training Program or those applying for their Black Belt Certificate.
Running Man Escape
(run-ing man es-kayp)
Categories: Escape
A method of escaping back control where the practitioner gets their shoulders to the mat and performs a running motion with their legs to create space and turn into the opponent.
S-Mount
(ess-mownt)
Categories: Position
A variation of the mount position where the practitioner positions their legs in an 'S' shape, with one knee high by the opponent's head and the other foot tight to the hip, creating a powerful angle for attacking armbars.
Sankaku Jime
((Japanese pronunciation))
Categories: Submission
A type of choking in which you place the adversary's neck and one arm between your legs.
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Scissor...source
Categories: Technique
shoulder through a forceful translational or rotational movement of their arm.
Seat Belt Control
(seet-belt con-trohl)
Categories: Position, Technique
The primary controlling grip from the back position, where the practitioner has one arm over the opponent's shoulder and one arm under the other armpit, connecting their hands over the opponent's chest.
Shin to Shin Guard
(shin-too-shin gard)
Categories: Position
A type of open guard where the practitioner places their shin directly against the opponent's shin, used to control distance and set up sweeps and entries into other guards like Single Leg X.
Shotgun Arm Bar
(shot-gun arm-bar)
Categories: Submission
A fast and powerful armbar from the closed guard, where the practitioner explosively throws their legs up high on the opponent's back to break their posture and secure the submission.
Shrimp/Hip Escape
Categories: Escape
The act of moving the hip away from an opponent. The shrimp allows a player to brace on their opponent and not allow them to advance, while the shrimping player scoots their hip away. Shrimping allows for a player to create space, usually resulting in replacing their guard.
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Side Control
Categories: Position
A control position where one of the fighters is lying on the side of their opponent. A position where the practitioner is beside their opponent, controlling them with their bodyweight.
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Side Control Escape to Knees
(side con-trohl es-kayp too neez)
Categories: Escape
An escape from side control where the bottom player creates space, gets onto their side, and transitions to their knees, often ending up in the turtle position or initiating a wrestle-up.
Side Control Escape to Underhook
(side con-trohl es-kayp too un-der-hook)
Categories: Escape
An escape from side control where the bottom player secures an underhook, creates space, and uses it to either get back to their guard or reverse the position (e.g., Dog Fight).
Single Leg Takedown
Categories: Takedown
A throw in which you grab only one of the opponent's legs.
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Single Leg X
(sing-gul leg eks)
Categories: Position
A powerful open guard and leg entanglement where the practitioner's legs are wrapped around one of the opponent's legs, providing excellent control for sweeps.
Single-Bracket
Categories: Competition
Athletes who are alone in their bracket with no opponents are considered single-bracket athletes. These athletes will either need to change their division or collect the medal automatically.
Single-Elimination
Categories: Competition
IBJJF events are single-elimination, meaning that one loss dismisses you from the subsequent brackets. However, a 3-man bracket allows for more than one match dependent on the results.
Snap Down
(snap down)
Categories: Technique, Takedown
A wrestling technique from the clinch where a practitioner forcefully 'snaps' the opponent's head down, breaking their posture and creating openings for chokes, takedowns, or back-takes.
Sode Guruma Jime
((Japanese pronunciation))
Categories: Submission
A type of Judo chokehold (shime-waza), which compresses the opponent's trachea or the carotid arteries.
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Sparring
Categories: Training
A friendly combat practice used to improve Brazilian Jiu Jitsu skills.
Spider Guard
Categories: Position
A guard used to control the opponent using the feet and hands.
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Sprawl
Categories: Escape
A technique used to avoid a takedown by quickly moving the legs back. A defensive movement used to counter an opponent’s takedown attempt.
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Straight Jacket System
(strayt jak-it sis-tem)
Categories: Technique, Concept
A system of control from the back position that focuses on trapping both of the opponent's arms, severely limiting their ability to defend chokes or escape.
Submission
Categories: Concept
The technique that forces the opponent to surrender. A technique designed to force the opponent to submit or “tap out,” often by applying joint locks or chokeholds.
Sumo Sweep
(soo-moh sweep)
Categories: Sweep
A sweep from the butterfly guard where the practitioner lifts the opponent with their hooks and uses a grip on the arm to pull them into the space created, similar to a sumo wrestler's throw.
Sweep
Categories: Sweep
A technique used to sweep an opponent from the guard position. Techniques used from the guard to reverse positions, moving the practitioner from the bottom to the top.
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Takedown
Categories: Takedown
A technique used to bring the opponent to the ground. The act of bringing an opponent to the ground.
Tap/Tapping Out
Categories: Training
This is how a practitioner signals submission, effectively ending the round or match. The act of one player gently slapping the mat or their opponent as an indication of giving up.
Tatami
(tətɑ́ːmɪj (tuh-TAA-mee))
Categories: Equipment
The mat used for training.
Throw
Categories: Takedown
An alternative method of bringing an opponent to the ground. Throws refer to techniques commonly used in Judo.
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Top Player
Categories: Administrative
A fighter who prefers to fight from the top position.
Top Spin to Arm Bar
(top spin too arm-bar)
Categories: Submission, Technique
A dynamic transition where a practitioner, often after a failed guard pass, spins over the top of their opponent to land directly in an armbar submission.
Torreando Pass
(tor-ee-an-doh pass)
Categories: Technique
A dynamic, standing guard pass where the practitioner grips both of the opponent's legs (usually at the pants) and moves side-to-side to throw their legs out of the way, resembling a bullfighter.
Trap and Roll Escape
(trap and rohl es-kayp)
Categories: Escape
Another name for the Upa or Kipping Escape from mount, emphasizing the action of trapping one of the opponent's arms and a leg before bridging and rolling them over.
Triangle Choke
Categories: Submission
A submission that uses the legs to compress the opponent’s neck. A type of choke in which the adversary's neck and one arm are trapped between the practitioner's legs, forming a triangle shape.
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Turtle Position
Categories: Position
A position where the opponent is on their knees and hands, with their back facing their opponent. A defensive ground position where you tuck in your arms, legs and head like a turtle hiding in its shell.
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Twister Hook
(twis-ter hook)
Categories: Technique
A specific leg hook used in the 'Twister' submission, where a practitioner from the back or side uses their leg to control the opponent's leg, creating a spinal lock when combined with upper body control.
Ude Garami
((Japanese pronunciation))
Categories: Submission
All kinds of locks aimed against the adversary's arm joints, done through the rotation of their shoulder.
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Ude Gatame
((Japanese pronunciation))
Categories: Submission
All kinds of locks aimed against the adversary's arm joints, done through the hyperextension of their elbow joint.
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Underhook and Pass
(un-der-hook and pass)
Categories: Technique, Concept
A fundamental concept for guard passing where securing an underhook on the opponent is prioritized, as it allows the passer to control the opponent's upper body and prevent them from turning in.
Underhook to Dog Fight
(un-der-hook too dog-fyt)
Categories: Position, Technique
A specific sequence from bottom half guard where the practitioner secures an underhook and gets up onto their elbow and knee, creating a neutral scrambling position known as the 'Dog Fight'.
Upa
Categories: Escape
A technique use to “buck” off or dislodge an opponent who is in the mount position. Sometimes called a bridge-and-roll, this technique is used as an escape method by lifting your hips off of the ground when when being mounted.
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Von Flue Choke
(von floo chohk)
Categories: Submission
A submission from side control that is used to counter an opponent's guillotine choke defense. The practitioner applies shoulder pressure to the side of the opponent's neck, using their own trapped arm against them.
Waitor Sweep
(way-ter sweep)
Categories: Sweep
A sweep performed from the deep half guard position, where the bottom player uses their top hand to lift the opponent's leg, similar to a waiter carrying a tray, to off-balance and reverse them.
Wrist Lock
Categories: Submission
A submission that applies pressure on the wrist joint.
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X Guard
(eks gard)
Categories: Position
An open guard position where the practitioner is underneath the standing opponent, with their legs configured in an 'X' shape to control the opponent's base, setting up powerful sweeps.
X-Guard
Categories: Position
A guard used to control the opponent using a leg inside their legs.
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X-Pass
(eks-pass)
Categories: Technique
A standing guard pass, similar to a Torreando, where the practitioner pushes one of the opponent's legs down and across while stepping to the side, creating an 'X' shape with the opponent's legs.