BJJ Glossary - Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Terminology
A comprehensive glossary of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu terms. Whether you just started training or you've been rolling for years, use this reference during practice and while watching competitions.
Positions
Guard
A family of bottom positions where you use your legs to control your opponent. The guard is both defensive and offensive, and it is one of BJJ's defining concepts. Major variations include closed guard, open guard, and half guard.
Closed Guard
A fundamental guard position where you lock your ankles behind your opponent's back while lying on your back. One of the first positions beginners learn.
Open Guard
Any guard position where your feet are not locked together. Includes De La Riva, spider guard, lasso guard, X-guard, and butterfly guard.
Half Guard
A guard where you control one of your opponent's legs between both of yours. Modern BJJ has transformed it into a highly offensive position with many sweeps and back-takes.
Side Control
A dominant top position where you pin your opponent from the side, chest-to-chest. From here you can attack with submissions or transition to mount.
Mount
A dominant position where you sit on your opponent's torso. Scores 4 points in competition and offers many submission options.
Back Mount / Back Control
Controlling your opponent from behind using hooks or a body triangle. The most dominant position in BJJ, giving access to chokes while your opponent cannot see your attacks.
Turtle
A defensive position on all fours, curled up to protect against attacks. Carries the risk of giving up back control.
Techniques
Guard Pass
Getting past your opponent's guard to reach a dominant position. Styles include pressure passing, speed passing, and leg drags.
Sweep
A technique from the bottom that reverses your opponent and puts you on top. Worth 2 points in competition.
Takedown
Bringing an opponent from standing to the ground. Includes wrestling (single leg, double leg) and judo techniques. Worth 2 points.
Escape
Getting out of a bad position. Foundational movements like the shrimp, bridge, and framing are essential.
Submissions
Armbar (Juji Gatame)
A joint lock that hyperextends the elbow. One of BJJ's most iconic submissions, applicable from many positions.
Triangle Choke
A choke using your legs to trap your opponent's head and one arm in a triangle shape. A signature BJJ technique.
Rear Naked Choke (RNC)
A chokehold from the back using your arms. One of the highest-percentage finishes in grappling and MMA.
Kimura
A shoulder lock named after Masahiko Kimura, who used it to defeat Helio Gracie in 1951. Also called a double wristlock.
Guillotine Choke
A front headlock choke. Can be applied standing or from guard.
Heel Hook
A leg lock attacking knee ligaments by twisting the heel. Extremely dangerous; restricted at lower belt levels in IBJJF. Widely used in no-gi.
Essential Terms
Gi (Kimono)
The traditional BJJ uniform: jacket, pants, and belt.
No-Gi
Training without the gi, wearing a rash guard and shorts. Emphasizes underhooks, overhooks, and wrist control.
Tap (Tap Out)
Surrendering when caught in a submission. Tapping early is an essential safety practice.
Roll / Sparring
Free-form live training. Rounds typically last 5-6 minutes.
Oss
A greeting used in BJJ academies, conveying respect and perseverance.
Shrimp (Hip Escape)
A fundamental movement to create space. The basis of most escapes and guard recoveries.
Competition Terms
IBJJF
International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation. The largest BJJ governing body.
Mundials (Worlds)
The IBJJF World Championship, the most prestigious gi BJJ tournament.
ADCC
Abu Dhabi Combat Club. The premier no-gi grappling event, held every two years.
Advantage
A secondary IBJJF scoring criterion for near-successful techniques. Serves as a tiebreaker.