Jiu Jitsu Positions
Positions in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu are the foundation of the martial art. Each position offers unique advantages and disadvantages, and mastering them is essential for success on the mat.
All Positions
Deep Half Guard
A half guard variation where the bottom player wedges deeply under the opponent's leg and hips to off-balance and sweep.
Butterfly Guard
An open guard where the bottom player sits with legs hooked inside the opponent's thighs to elevate or sweep.
Open Guard
Any guard position where the bottom player's legs are not locked around the opponent, relying on grips or hooks to control.
Turtle
A defensive position where a player tucks into a compact, all-fours posture to avoid exposing their back or limbs.
North-South
A top control position where the attacker is chest-to-chest over the opponent but facing opposite directions (head toward opponent's feet).
Standing
The neutral starting position of a match where both competitors begin on their feet, looking to gain takedowns or pulls to guard.
Full Guard
A defensive position where the bottom player wraps their legs around the opponent's waist with ankles crossed, controlling the top player between their legs.
Half Guard
A position where the bottom player controls one of the opponent's legs between their own legs, creating opportunities for sweeps and submissions.
Full Mount
A dominant position where the top player sits on the opponent's torso with both legs straddling the opponent and knees on the ground.
Back Mount
The most dominant position in BJJ where the attacker is positioned behind the opponent with hooks inserted inside the opponent's legs or body triangle control.
Position Classifications
Positions in Jiu Jitsu are typically classified based on the relative positioning of the practitioners:
Top Positions
These are dominant positions where you are on top of your opponent, such as mount, side control, and north-south.
Bottom Positions
These positions are fought from underneath, such as guard variations (full guard, half guard), where you can still control and attack.