Essential BJJ Techniques Every Beginner Should Learn

As a BJJ instructor, I’ve seen thousands of students start their journey. The ones who progress fastest are those who focus on mastering the fundamentals first. Let me share the essential BJJ techniques every beginner should learn to build a solid foundation in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Basic Positions: The Foundation

Understanding BJJ positions is crucial. These are the building blocks of everything else.

Guard

Guard is when you’re on your back with your legs controlling your opponent:

Closed Guard: Legs wrapped around your opponent
Open Guard: Legs not wrapped, but still controlling distance
Why it matters: Allows you to attack and defend from your back

Key concepts: Control the distance, break posture, create angles for attacks.

Mount

Mount is when you’re on top, sitting on your opponent’s chest:

High mount: Sitting on their chest
Low mount: Lower on their body
Why it matters: Dominant position with many submission options

Key concepts: Maintain balance, control their arms, prevent escapes.

Side Control

Side Control is when you’re on top, perpendicular to your opponent:

Standard side control: Lying across their chest
Knee on belly: Variation with knee pressure
Why it matters: Strong control position with submission opportunities

Key concepts: Weight distribution, control the near arm, prevent them from turning.

Back Control

Back Control is when you’re behind your opponent:

Back mount: On their back with hooks in
Rear mount: Similar but different control
Why it matters: Most dominant position in BJJ

Key concepts: Secure hooks, control the neck, prevent escapes.

Essential Escapes

Learning to escape bad positions is more important than learning submissions when starting.

Escaping Mount

Bridge and roll (upa escape):

Trap an arm and leg on the same side
Bridge explosively
Roll them over
Establish guard or top position

Key points: Timing, trapping correctly, explosive movement.

Escaping Side Control

Shrimping (hip escape):

Turn toward your opponent
Shrimp your hips away
Create space
Recover guard or get to knees

Key points: Hip movement, creating space, not just pushing.

Escaping Back Control

Defending the rear naked choke:

Protect your neck immediately
Remove hooks
Turn into your opponent
Escape to guard or top position

Key points: Neck protection first, removing hooks, turning the right way.

Fundamental Submissions

These are the BJJ techniques you’ll use most often.

Rear Naked Choke (RNC)

The most common submission in BJJ:

Setup: From back control
Execution: One arm under chin, other arm behind head, squeeze
Why it works: Cuts off blood to the brain
When to use: From back control, when opponent gives you their back

Key points: Proper arm placement, squeezing with back muscles, not just arms.

Armbar

Classic joint lock:

Setup: From mount, guard, or side control
Execution: Isolate arm, control wrist, extend elbow
Why it works: Hyperextends the elbow joint
When to use: When opponent’s arm is isolated

Key points: Control the wrist, keep legs tight, extend slowly.

Triangle Choke

Effective choke from guard:

Setup: From closed or open guard
Execution: Trap head and arm, lock legs, squeeze
Why it works: Cuts off blood flow to both carotid arteries
When to use: When opponent’s arm is across your body

Key points: Angle is crucial, proper leg placement, cutting the angle.

Kimura

Shoulder lock:

Setup: From various positions
Execution: Control wrist, figure-four grip, rotate
Why it works: Rotates shoulder beyond normal range
When to use: When you control an arm

Key points: Figure-four grip, control the position, rotate slowly.

Basic Sweeps

Sweeps reverse positions:going from bottom to top.

Scissor Sweep

From closed guard:

Control opponent’s arm and sleeve
Open guard and place foot on hip
Scissor legs
End up in mount

Key points: Control the arm, timing, leg placement.

Hip Bump Sweep

From closed guard:

Control opponent’s head
Bump hips up
Roll them over
End up in mount

Key points: Head control, hip movement, following through.

Fundamental Movements

These BJJ movements are used constantly.

Shrimping (Hip Escape)

The most important movement in BJJ:

Purpose: Create space, escape positions
How: Turn to side, move hips away
When: Escaping side control, making space for guard recovery

Practice: Do this movement hundreds of times. It’s fundamental.

Bridging

Explosive hip movement:

Purpose: Create space, reverse positions
How: Arch back, drive hips up
When: Escaping mount, creating opportunities

Practice: Bridge and roll is essential for mount escapes.

Granby Roll

Advanced movement for escapes:

Purpose: Escape back control, create scrambles
How: Roll forward over shoulder
When: From turtle, escaping back control

Practice: Start slowly, build up speed as you understand the movement.

Guard Passing Basics

Passing guard means getting past your opponent’s legs to a dominant position.

Knee Cut Pass

Fundamental guard pass:

Control opponent’s legs
Cut knee through
Establish side control

Key points: Control the legs, pressure, don’t rush.

Over-Under Pass

Powerful guard pass:

Over one leg, under the other
Drive forward with pressure
Pass to side control

Key points: Pressure, control, following through.

Takedowns for Beginners

While BJJ focuses on ground fighting, basic takedowns are important.

Double Leg Takedown

Fundamental wrestling takedown:

Level change
Drive through opponent
Finish the takedown
Establish top position

Key points: Level change, driving through, finishing strong.

Single Leg Takedown

Versatile takedown:

Control one leg
Drive opponent backward
Finish the takedown
Establish top position

Key points: Leg control, driving, finishing.

Defense Fundamentals

Defense is often more important than offense when starting.

Defending Submissions

General principles:

Recognize the threat: Know when you’re in danger
Protect immediately: Don’t wait
Create space: Don’t just hold on
Escape: Get to a safer position

Defending Takedowns

Basic sprawl:

When opponent shoots, sprawl legs back
Put weight on them
Control their head
Work for top position

Key points: Quick reaction, weight distribution, control.

How to Learn These Techniques

Focus on Fundamentals

Don’t try to learn everything at once. Master these basics before moving to advanced techniques.

Repetition is Key

Drill these techniques hundreds of times. Muscle memory comes from repetition.

Apply in Rolling

Try techniques in live sparring. You’ll learn what works and what doesn’t.

Ask Questions

If something isn’t clear, ask. Your instructor and training partners want to help.

Be Patient

Progress takes time. These techniques are simple to understand but take years to master.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Skipping Fundamentals

Don’t rush to advanced techniques. Build a solid foundation first.

Not Drilling Enough

Watching isn’t enough. You need to practice these movements.

Giving Up Too Easily

Techniques feel awkward at first. Stick with them.

Not Asking for Help

Your training partners are resources. Use them.

Building Your Game

Once you’ve learned these essential BJJ techniques, you can:

Build combinations: Link techniques together
Develop your style: Find what works for your body type
Expand your game: Add more techniques as you progress
Compete: These fundamentals work in competition

Conclusion

These essential BJJ techniques form the foundation of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Master these fundamentals, and you’ll have a solid base to build upon.

Remember: Simple techniques done well beat complex techniques done poorly. Focus on these basics, drill them consistently, and you’ll progress faster than students who try to learn everything at once.

The journey in BJJ is long, but these fundamental techniques will serve you throughout your entire BJJ career. Take your time, be patient, and enjoy the process of learning.

Ready to learn these essential BJJ techniques? Contact Costello BJJ in Exeter to start your training. We focus on building strong fundamentals from day one. Located at 4 Cofton Road, Marsh Barton, Exeter EX2 8QW.