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
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.
Knee on Belly
A transitional control position where the top player places one knee on the opponent's abdomen or chest while the other foot remains on the ground.
Side Control
A dominant position where the top player lies perpendicular across the opponent's chest, controlling them with pressure and preventing them from recovering guard.
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.