Blog

The kimura lock explained — the 1951 Masahiko Kimura vs Helio Gracie story, its double wristlock roots, and why it's a control system, not just a tap.

Open guard in BJJ is an umbrella term, not one position. A clear map of spider, de la Riva, butterfly, x-guard, and lasso — and how to pick your first one.

Butterfly guard explained — why this unglamorous seated guard ages better than any other, how hooks and elevation work, and when beginners should learn it.

Back control is BJJ's king position — how to take the back, keep it with seatbelt and hooks, and escape it safely by winning the hand fight first.

Takedowns for BJJ when you hate standup — why gyms neglect it, wrestling vs judo entries, three high-percentage options, and honest guard-pulling talk.

Leg locks in BJJ, honestly — why they were taboo, what changed, where beginners should start, what's legal at your belt, and how to keep partners safe.

Half guard for beginners — how BJJ's old survival position became real offense, the underhook battle, the knee shield, and what to focus on first.

The armbar explained — its judo lineage, how it works from mount, guard, and back, why control beats extension, and when to tap to protect your arm.

Why the rear naked choke is grappling's highest-percentage submission — back control, the seatbelt and hooks, and blood chokes explained honestly.

The triangle choke explained — its judo roots, how the mechanics actually work, the mistakes every beginner makes, and how it changes from gi to no-gi.

Guard passing is one of the hardest skills in BJJ. Here are the principles that make passing work — pressure, posture, grips, and patience — plus beginner mistakes to fix.

Grip fighting decides most BJJ exchanges. Here's a beginner's guide to the essential gi and no-gi grips, how to break grips, and why winning the grips wins the position.

The highest-percentage beginner escapes from mount and side control in BJJ — the bridge-and-roll, elbow-escape, and framing — plus the principles that make them work.

The highest-percentage BJJ submissions for beginners — armbar, rear naked choke, triangle, kimura, guillotine and more — what they are and why to learn them first.

Some techniques define the art. From the triangle choke to the berimbolo, these are the most iconic BJJ techniques — their origins, mechanics, and why they've shaped how the world grapples.

Mastering positions is the foundation of effective BJJ. From closed guard to the back, here are the ten positions that structure every roll — and why understanding them accelerates everything else.