Glossary
Core Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Terms
Ankle Lift. A manipulation of an opponent’s ankle that is in the turtle position. The emphasis is on lifting the opponent's ankle to the opponent’s buttocks. This will often bind the knee and force the opponent’s base towards their head and/or hands.
Armbar Position. The armbar position is an alignment of the body perpendicular to your opponent with their arm between your legs. One leg is over the head and one leg is over the chest.
Baby Seal. An exaggerated and purposeful pressing of the hips into the floor, or an opponent, and a purposeful lifting of the shoulders and head to give maximum downward pressure with the hips.
Balance. A kinetic state of equilibrium.
Base. A stationary state of equilibrium.
Bridging. A lifting of the hips by pushing off the feet and shoulder/shoulders.
Broken Turtle. a variation of the Turtle Position where the practicing student is laying on their side with their knees bent towards their chest, their hands protecting their neck and their back facing the assisting student.
Bunny Fu Fu Hands. A hand placement on the assisting student’s bicep where both hands are blocking the opposing arm by curling the fingers towards the practicing student’s own forearms and hooking the bicep with their wrist.
C Grip (Power C). A grip that includes using the thumb often taken on an opponent's wrist or ankle
Cat Grip. A controlling grip of the sleeve where the fingers roll the fabric over the first digit of the fingers and then the middle knuckles curl over the first digit to reinforce the grip.
Chair Sit. A transition to the Back from Technical Mount often accompanied by a seatbelt grip or other upper body control.
Check Your Watch. A purposeful flexion of the wrist that includes rotation of the knuckles towards the students own forearm.
Combat Base. A defensive guard top position with the lead foot posted flat on the floor. The off side leg has the knee placed on the floor (kneeling with one leg up and one leg down). The posted leg creates a barrier to having opponents attempt Closed Guard. The practicing students chest should be pressed against their own thigh and their lead arm should be placed on the outside of the knee.
Crack The Egg. A term for placing a knee in between the armpit and thigh of an opponent in the Turtle position.
Cross Face. The cross face is an arm positioning with the bicep pressed against the assisting student’s jaw with the intent to limit movement by isolating the cervical. This can occur from various positions but is most common in Side Control, Turtle, Half Guard and various wrestling defenses.
Cross Grip. A grip across the centerline on the collar, sleeve, cuff or lapel.
Cuff Grips (also known as Cat Grip). A controlling grip of the sleeve where the fingers roll the fabric over the first digit of the fingers and then the middle knuckles curl over the first digit to reinforce the grip.
Desperation Hook. An attempt made by a student in Turtle Bottom to catch or hook the inside or outside of the assisting student’s legs as they attempt to circle behind the practicing student.
DLR. An abbreviation for De La Riva Guard. De la Riva is a variation of the Open Guard with one leg wrapped around the outside of the assisting student’s knee with the ankle and foot hooked at the back of the opposite knee pit.
Double Under Grips Back Control. A hand positioning in Back Control where both arms are controlling under the opponents armpits.
Double Unders Passing Guard. A hand alignment while passing the Guard where both hands are inside the assistings student’s thighs.
Ear Muff. A hand placement with one hand on each side of the training partners head with the palms flat on the floor.
Forearm Wedge. An arm entanglement that is related to the Underhook. The Underhooking hand will trap the tricep of the assisting student’s arm as the forearm presses against the chest of the assisting student. This will create a counter pressure both pulling (with the hand on the tricep) and pushing (with the forearm on the chest).
Four Fingers Grip. A cross grip control of the lapel where the grip is initiated by placing the pointer, middle, ring and pinky finger inside the lapel and then grasping the outside of the lapel with the thumb.
Frame. refers to the alignment of the arms or legs to protect space by using bone structure rather than muscle strength.
Gable Grip. A clasping of the hands where the palms are together and the thumbs are covered. Made famous by the wrestler Dan Gable.
Giant Killer. The pocket of space in Back Control between the practicing student’s stomach and the assisting student’s lower back.
Grapevine. While in mount the practicing student will hook the inside ankles of the assisting student’s legs and stretch them out. This will leave the legs extended and controlled with the practicing students hips pressing down into the stomach and solar plexus of the assisting student.
Gummy Bear Position. A modified seated position with the legs gently extended and the flats of the feet facing each other (like an elongated Butterfly stretch). The practicing student will extend their arms and allow access to their armpits. The Gummy Bear position is simply how a student would sit to allow easy access to their back for training purposes.
Hand Fight. A term used to describe the fight for positive grips and hand positions.
Hip Slam. A rapid and explosive thrusting of the hips forward . This must be executed with the feet square, or under the shoulders to achieve the most powerful hip slam.
Home Alone Hands. A defensive positioning of the hands and elbows. The hands are placed on either side of the face with the palms cupping the practicing students chin. The elbows pinched against their rib cage protecting the space to prevent bear hugs and seat belt grips.
Hooks. The term “hooks” refers to a foot, often flexed, placed at the hips, inside of the thighs, or knees while in the Back Control position. In Open Guard, Hooks can also refer to a flexed foot pulling on an opponent’s knee pit, elbow, armpit or various other locations.
Inside Head Control. The alignment of the top of the practicing student’s head against the assisting student’s neck, face or ear.
Joystick Grips. An alternative name for the Pistol Grip. The tip of the thumb is placed in the cuff of the sleeve and stretched away from the assisting student’s wrist. The fingers are then wrapped around the exposed cloth, clutching it in the palm. The fingers of the hand with the thumb are pointed up, and the cloth enters the hand through the 5th metacarpal bone.
Kesa Gatame. A variation of the Side Control position where the near arm and head are controlled, but not the far arm. There are various acceptable hand and foot arrangements in this position, but the goal is to control the space under the near arm and control the cervical to prevent easy movements from the assisting student.
Kick Out (overhook grips on the ankles from Open Guard). A grip escape from the Open Guard where the assisting student is hooking an ankle. This is achieved by lifting the foot and passing it over the shoulder before circling back around the hand until it can be placed beyond the griping capabilities of the assisting student.
Kimura Grip. A control or submission available from various positions where the assisting student’s forearm is below their shoulder. The Kimura is created by clasping an assisting student’s same side wrist and threading the other arm over the back of the tricep, through the pit of the elbow and then clasping their own wrist.
Knee Pit. The back of the Knee.
Knee Sheer. A purposeful and deliberate pinching of the knee to control and dominate the arm in an armbar when the inside leg is not over the body.
Knee Shield. A defensive positioning of the leg that provides a frame in the Half Guard. The practicing student’s bottom leg is entangled in the assisting student’s legs and the top leg is bent, in the space between the two students. The practicing student’s shin should create a barrier to keep the assisting student’s weight off of the trunk and upper body.
Knee Staple. A controlling maneuver where the knee is placed on the floor over an opponent’s body limb with the purpose of pinning an opponent’s limb to the floor with the shin.
Kuzure Kesa Gatame. A variation of Side Control with chest pointed towards the head of the assisting students with the lower body is in the “Watching TV position” The practicing student’s arm will be placed over the assisting student’s body and their ribs will rest on the stomach or rib cage of the assisting student. The arm on the far side of the body will be in the Underhook position.
Kuzushi. The act of unbalancing, or off balancing another individual.
Laces Down. An orientation of the feet where the tops of the feet are flat on the floor and the toes are extended away from the body. The bottom of the foot and the pads of the toes are not touching the floor.
Level Change. The act of bending the legs and waist to alter the vertical orientation of the body.
Mat Return. A Mat Return is similar to a takedown but is initiated when an opponent or assisting student regains the standing position, and then is immediately returned to the ground. Depending on the situation this may or may not be scored as a takedown, sweep, advantage or occasionally nothing at all.
Napoleon Hand. A positioning of the hand with the palm flat against the stomach between the bellybutton and the pectoral muscles. Often used as a defensive position, but also used to transition in some passes.
Overhook. An upper body grip where the arm is trapped and/or pinched by hugging over another student’s arm and squeezing inwards with the elbow into the ribcage.
Posting. An adjustment or placement of the hand, foot, knee or other body part to reinforce balance or base.
Posture. An alignment of the back, legs, hips and neck to provide the greatest structural value in an attempt to maintain balance and base.
Referee Position. A variation of the Turtle position where the practicing student is posted on their hands rather than their forearms. The arms are generally straight with the shoulders elevated and the buttocks aligned on top of the ankles.
Reversal. A switching from an inferior position on bottom to a positive top position.
Reverse DLR. An abbreviation for Reverse De la Riva . Reverse De la Riva is a variation of the open guard with one leg placed between an opponent's leg and the ankle and foot hooking around the inside of the assisting student’s knee pit.
Reverse Knee Shield (samurai hook) DLR to come up. An alignment of the bottom knee to create a frame or barrier to enforce space.
Reverse Mount. A variation of the Mount position where the student is seated on the chest of the assisting student with both of their knees on the floor and their chest facing the legs of the assisting student.
Reverse shrimp. A variation of the fundamental hip movement in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu that focuses on pulling the students hips/butt to their heels to make space away from an opponent.
RNC. An abbreviation of the Rear Naked Choke.
Russian Tie. An arm control where the practicing student controls the assisting student’s arm by standing on the outside of the arms. Grips are made by cupping under the wrist and shoulder and pulling them into the practicing student’s chest as the practicing student applies forward and downward pressure on the arm.
S-Grip. A controlling grip where the fingers are curled and clasping the curled fingers of the opposite hand. Then the palms are then squeezed in against the fingers to reinforce the grip.
Same Side Grip. A mirrored grip on the collar, sleeve, cuff or lapel.
Scarecrow Position. A modified starting position to allow for easier practice, primarily used in the learning of the Double Leg, Single Leg and Duck Under. The position is assumed by standing with your feet slightly wider than shoulder width apart and the arms extended outward from the body at 180 degrees.
Seatbelt. A controlling grip with the arms and hands from Back Control with one arm under the armpit and one arm over the shoulder. The hand that comes over the shoulder will lay between the pectoral muscles and the grip from under that armpit will clasp the wrist of the top arm.
Seiza. A kneeling position with the student sitting on their own heels, back straight, and their hands on their thighs. The feet are in the Laces Down position with a slight opening between the knees.
Shell Grip. A gripping of the wrist without use of the thumb. This is commonly used in the Kimura Grip, Americana while grip fighting from the Back Control position.
Shoulder Walk. A purposeful and deliberate shifting of the shoulders to prevent being stacked by moving the shoulders away from an opponent.
Shrimping. A fundamental movement in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. This is sometimes referred to as a “hip escape” due to the exaggerated movement of the hips.
Shin Staple. A pinning of an opponent’s leg, arm or other body part by pressing the shin on top of it.
Sitting in the Triangle (keeping the toes touching while in Seiza). This is a neutral sitting position with the student on their feet and knees with their knees comfortably spread and their toes touching. This provides a strong base while also protecting the knees.
Sloth Grip. A modified grip with the fingers completely collapsed and the thumb firmly pinched against the forefinger. The Grip is then made by curling the wrist completely around the desired target with the hand only creating a hooking motion.
Square stance. An orientation of the feet directly below the shoulders while in the standing position.
Stacking. A maintained and purposeful lifting of the hips and legs to create pressure on the shoulders and cervical. This is a common tactic in many guard passing techniques as it is uncomfortable and limits movement.
Standard grips (Closed Guard and Standing). A same side collar grip with the practicing student’s largest knuckle being placed directly above the collarbone. The second hand will make a clamshell grip just above the elbow on the cloth covering the Tricep.
Superman Hands. An extension of the arms, often from the mount position, in an attempt to hide the arms from being grabbed. This also increases the pelvic pressure on an opponent by lifting the shoulders and extended arms.
Sweep. switching from a position of Guard Bottom, to the top position.
Tap. A communication of the need or desire to stop training, often used while being submitted. This communication can be verbal or physical and is often observed as a quick or light blow, or the sound of such a blow.
Tapping. A verbal or physical communication that the student is in duress and the situation creating the duress needs to stop.
Technical Mount. Also known as Triple Threat , it is a variation of the mount where one foot is posted and the other knee is still on the floor. An opponent will often be in the Broken Turtle Position, commonly as a failed result of the Hip Escape.
The Pocket. A variation of the Closed Guard with the assisting student’s arm across the centerline of the practicing student’s chest.
Thread the Needle. A transition from being on one’s back where one leg is dragged under another leg to achieve proper hip alignment to drive, stand or base.
Thumb-In Grip. A control of the lapel where the grip is initiated by placing the thumb in the collar first and then grasping the fingers around the outside of the lapel.
Tornado Arms. An alignment of the arms during the Over Under pass where one arm is between the opponents legs holding onto the far hip, the other arm is hugging around the outside of hip or thigh.
Training Position. A common starting point for both drills and techniques. The student will lay on their back with their legs bent and their feet flat on the floor. The hands should then be put in the Home alone position with the elbows tucked against the ribcage.
Two-on-One or often written as the 2:1. A grip where the practicing student is using both hands to control and dominate one arm of the assisting student. Often taken at the wrist and armpit, with or without the fabric being manipulated.
Underhook. A same-side arm alignment with the practicing student’s arm passing through the space between the arm and the trunk of the body. A grip is often made on the assisting student’s body between the hips and shoulder to reinforce the arm placement.
Watching TV position. A fundamental defensive position from while sitting that is a variation of the Butterfly Stretch/Guard. The practicing student will assume the butterfly position/stretch and then place one hand on the floor. On the same side, the practicing student will place their knee
Whizzer. A variation of the overhook with the forearm or wrist controlling the inside of the armpit to apply various pressures and kuzushi.
Wrestler Tie-Up. A neutral standing grip where both students are clasping the head with one arm and controlling the elbow, bicep or tricep with the off hand.
Zombie Arms. An extension of the arms directly away from the body with a slight bend at the elbow. The hands should be open with the palms facing towards the floor.
Positions
Back. A position where the practicing student’s chest is pressed against the assisting student’s back with both legs wrapped around the assistings student’s waist. There are various acceptable hand and leg placements.
Butterfly Guard. A variation of the open guard where the practicing student is in the seated position with his/her legs bent and the shins and feet hooking the inside of the assisting student’s legs.
Combat Base. A common variation of the Triangle Sit where one foot is posted with the knee bent less than 90 degrees. The posted knee is then pressed against the chest of the practicing student. This is often used while passing guard to create a barrier against the closed guard.
Guard. Any bottom position that makes use of the legs to initiate an attack or facilitate a change of position from bottom to top.
Half Guard. A variation of the Guard where the student on bottom has one, or both of his/her legs wrapped around one of the assisting studnet’s legs.
Knee-on-Belly. a position with one knee or shin pressed against the assisting struent’s chest, stomach or ribs with the outside foot posted. There are various foot, hand and arm placements that are acceptable, however no knee should be on the floor.
Mount. A core position in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu where the practicing student is seated on the assisting student chest or stomach with their knees, shins and feet on the ground.
North/South. A position with one student flat on their back and another student on top with their knees placed on either side of the assisting student’s head and their chest pressed against the chest of the student on bottom. There are various common hand and arm placements associated with this position.
Open Guard. a variation of the Guard where the legs are not locked around the assisting student, however the legs are still in place to be used offensively or defensively.
Quarter Guard. A variation of Half Guard where the student on bottom has the ankle trapped between their legs rather than the knee.
Reverse Knee-on-Belly. A variation of Knee on Belly where the knee or shin is pressed against the chest, ribs or stomach of the assisting student with the outside foot posted. The only notable difference is the chest is facing the assisting student’s legs rather than the head. Note, this variation is not worth any points in the IBJJF.
Side Control. Various controlling positions where the practicing student has passed the legs and the chest or ribs is placed against the chest and/or ribs of the assisting student.
Three Quarter Mount. A variation of the Mount position where the student on bottom has trapped the ankle of the student on top but the knees are still straddling the chest of the student on bottom.
Training Position. A neutral body position with the student laying flat on his/her back with their legs gently bent and feet flat on the floor. The hands should be on either side of the face with the elbows pressed firmly against their own ribcage.
Turtle. A defensive position in Braziilan Jiu Jitsu where the student is based on their forearms, knees and shins. The student should be in a Triangle sit with their forearms and elbows tucked in between their knees. The head should be down with their chin tucked towards the chest. The hands should be used to defend the collar and neck.
Teaching Terms
Exploratory Learning. an approach to teaching and learning that encourages learners to examine and investigate new material with the purpose of discovering relationships between existing background knowledge and unfamiliar content and concepts.
Scaffolding. a teaching technique that provides the material in a way structured way that allows students to build upon incremental understanding to better understand an overall concept or movement.
Strong Encoding. A teaching method where the instructor uses catchy or unforgettable soundbites to help student’s recall information.
Teaching Cue. A short phrase to call attention to a specific movement or aspect of a technique that has been deemed essential to completion of the technique.