BJJ Glossary
Your complete guide to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu terminology. From fundamental movements to competition rules, learn the language of the gentle art.
Browse by Category
Positions
Guard positions, top positions, and transitional positions in BJJ.
67 termsTechniques
Submissions, sweeps, passes, and other technical terminology.
119 termsMovements
Fundamental movements like shrimping, bridging, and technical stand-ups.
34 termsCompetition
Rules, scoring, and competition-specific terminology.
38 termsTraining
Training methods, drilling, and practice terminology.
42 termsCulture & Etiquette
BJJ culture, traditions, and gym etiquette terms.
46 termsEquipment
Gi, no-gi gear, and training equipment terminology.
27 termsAnatomy
Body parts and anatomical terms relevant to BJJ.
27 termsPositions
(67)Guard
A position where you are on your back but using your legs to control your opponent.
Mount
A dominant top position sitting on your opponent's torso, worth 4 points in competition.
Side Control
A dominant top position perpendicular to your opponent, controlling their upper body.
Back Control
The most dominant position in BJJ, controlling your opponent from behind with hooks in.
Closed Guard
A guard position where your legs are wrapped around your opponent's waist with ankles crossed.
Open Guard
Any guard position where your legs are not closed around your opponent.
Half Guard
A guard position where you control one of your opponent's legs between yours.
Butterfly Guard
A seated guard with your feet hooked inside your opponent's thighs.
Turtle
A defensive position on hands and knees, protecting your neck and limbs.
Knee on Belly
A dominant top position with one knee on your opponent's stomach.
North-South
A top control position facing the opposite direction of your opponent, head to hips.
Spider Guard
A gi guard using sleeve grips with feet on biceps to control distance.
De La Riva Guard
An open guard hooking around the outside of your opponent's lead leg.
X-Guard
A guard with your legs forming an X under your standing opponent.
Ashi Garami
A leg entanglement position used to control and attack the legs.
Crucifix
A controlling position where you trap both of your opponent's arms while behind them.
Truck
A controlling position from the back using a lockdown on the legs.
Body Triangle
A back control configuration using your legs in a triangle around your opponent's torso.
Worm Guard
A lapel guard where the gi lapel wraps around the opponent's leg.
50/50 Guard
A symmetrical leg entanglement where both players have equal control of each other's legs.
Waiter Guard
A guard position where you hold your opponent's foot like a waiter holding a tray.
K-Guard
A modern leg entanglement entry position developed by Lachlan Giles.
Headquarters Position
A guard passing stance with one knee inside the opponent's guard and one leg posted outside.
Squid Guard
A lapel guard variation created by Keenan Cornelius using the lapel around the opponent's arm.
Collar-Sleeve Guard
A gi guard controlling one collar and one sleeve with active feet on hips.
Shin-to-Shin Guard
A seated guard where your shin presses against the opponent's shin for control.
Single Leg X-Guard
A guard controlling one leg with your legs forming an X shape.
Coyote Guard
A half guard variation using a cross grip on the far ankle for sweeps.
Z-Guard
A half guard variation with a knee shield across the opponent's chest.
Lockdown
A half guard leg configuration that traps and stretches the opponent's leg.
Over-Under Position
A guard passing position with one arm over and one arm under the opponent's legs.
Twister Side Control
A side control variation with a leg entanglement used in the 10th Planet system.
Kesa-Gatame
A judo-derived side control variation with a headlock and underhook.
Yoko-Shiho-Gatame
A judo side pin controlling from the side with both arms on the same side.
Tate-Shiho-Gatame
The judo term for the mount position, controlling from on top.
Modified Mount
A mount variation with one foot hooked under the opponent for better control.
S-Mount
A high mount variation with one leg posted high near the opponent's head.
Technical Mount
A mount variation with one foot posted on the ground and one knee in, used for back takes.
Saddle
A leg entanglement position considered the strongest for heel hook attacks.
4/11 Position
An alternative name for the saddle or inside sankaku leg entanglement.
Outside Ashi Garami
A leg entanglement controlling the opponent's leg from the outside.
Inside Sankaku
A leg entanglement with a triangle lock on the opponent's leg from inside.
80/20 Position
A seated guard position with inside and outside control on the opponent's leg.
Body Lock Position
A passing position using a tight body lock grip around the opponent's torso.
Leg Weave Position
A passing position where your arm weaves under the opponent's leg for control.
Double Under Position
A guard passing position with both arms under the opponent's legs.
Quarter Guard
A minimal guard retention position where only one foot hooks the passer's ankle.
Three-Quarter Guard
A position between half guard and full guard with significant but incomplete guard control.
Reverse Half Guard
A half guard variation where the top player faces away from the bottom player.
Inverted Guard
A guard position played while inverted, with hips overhead and legs attacking upward.
Tornado Guard
An inverted guard variation that uses spinning momentum for sweeps.
Sitting Guard
An open guard played from a seated position facing a standing or kneeling opponent.
Combat Base
A kneeling stance with one knee up and one knee down, used for guard passing.
Crab Ride
A back attack position with one hook and a cross-body leg ride.
Kiss of the Dragon
A back take by inverting under the opponent from De La Riva guard.
Dogfight
A scramble position from half guard where both players are on their knees battling for underhooks.
Wrestling Stance
A low, athletic standing position used for takedowns in grappling.
Lasso Guard
A gi guard wrapping your leg around the opponent's arm while gripping the sleeve.
Reverse De La Riva Guard
A guard hooking the inside of the opponent's lead leg from the inside.
Deep Half Guard
A half guard variation where you get deeply underneath your opponent.
Knee Shield
A defensive frame using the shin across the opponent's chest from half guard.
Seated Butterfly Guard
A butterfly guard played from an upright seated position with hooks inside.
Seated Open Guard
A generic seated position used as a starting point for various open guard entries.
Matrix Guard
A guard retention position where you lean far back to create distance and use legs actively.
Posting
Using a hand or foot to brace against the mat for balance and defense.
Berimbolo Position
The inverted position under the opponent during a berimbolo back take attempt.
Judo Stance
An upright stance used in judo with grips on the collar and sleeve.
Techniques
(119)Submission
A technique that forces your opponent to tap out due to a choke or joint lock.
Sweep
A technique from guard that reverses position, putting you on top.
Guard Pass
A technique to get past your opponent's legs and establish a dominant top position.
Armbar
A joint lock hyperextending the elbow, one of the most fundamental submissions.
Triangle Choke
A choke using your legs in a figure-four around the opponent's head and arm.
Rear Naked Choke
The highest percentage choke, applied from back control without using the gi.
Kimura
A shoulder lock using a figure-four grip on the opponent's arm.
Americana
A shoulder lock similar to the kimura but with the arm bent the opposite direction.
Guillotine Choke
A front headlock choke wrapping around the opponent's neck.
Omoplata
A shoulder lock using your legs to rotate the opponent's shoulder.
Heel Hook
A devastating leg lock attacking the knee by rotating the heel.
Ankle Lock
A leg lock attacking the ankle by extending the foot.
Bow and Arrow Choke
A powerful gi choke from back control using collar and leg control.
Scissor Sweep
A fundamental closed guard sweep using a scissoring leg motion.
Hip Bump Sweep
A sweep from closed guard when your opponent postures up.
Torreando Pass
A fast guard pass throwing the opponent's legs to the side.
Knee Cut Pass
A common guard pass sliding your knee across your opponent's thigh.
Choke
A submission that restricts blood flow or air to force a tap.
Joint Lock
A submission that attacks a joint by hyperextending or rotating it.
Leg Lock
A submission attacking the legs, including ankle locks and heel hooks.
Takedown
A technique to bring a standing opponent to the ground.
Escape
A technique to get out of a bad position.
Control
Maintaining a dominant position over your opponent.
Transition
Movement from one position to another.
Pressure
Using body weight effectively to control and exhaust your opponent.
Berimbolo
An inverted spinning back take popularized by the Mendes Brothers.
Seatbelt
A grip configuration for back control with one arm over the shoulder and one under the armpit.
Underhook
A grip where your arm goes under your opponent's armpit, controlling their shoulder.
Overhook
A grip where your arm goes over your opponent's arm, trapping it against your body.
Kuzushi
The art of off-balancing your opponent to set up techniques.
Imanari Roll
A rolling entry into leg locks from standing, named after Masakazu Imanari.
Flying Armbar
A jumping armbar from standing, leaping onto the opponent to attack their arm.
Flying Triangle
A jumping triangle choke from standing, leaping onto the opponent's neck.
Rolling Kimura
A kimura attack that uses a rolling motion to finish or transition.
D'Arce Choke
An arm-in head-and-arm choke threaded from the side, named after Joe D'Arce.
Anaconda Choke
An arm-in head-and-arm choke threaded from the front, squeezing like an anaconda.
Arm-In Ezekiel
A variation of the ezekiel choke that traps the opponent's arm inside the choke.
Ezekiel Choke
A choke using one hand threaded through the gi sleeve of the other arm.
Loop Choke
A gi choke using a looping collar grip around the opponent's neck.
Clock Choke
A gi choke applied against a turtled opponent by walking around them like a clock.
Paper Cutter Choke
A gi choke from side control using a collar grip and forearm across the throat.
Baseball Bat Choke
A gi choke using a grip similar to holding a baseball bat on the collar.
Electric Chair
A sweep and submission from lockdown half guard that splits the opponent's legs.
Banana Split
A groin stretch submission from the truck position, splitting the opponent's legs apart.
Calf Slicer
A compression lock attacking the calf muscle by folding the leg over a fulcrum.
Bicep Slicer
A compression lock attacking the bicep by folding the arm over a fulcrum.
Buggy Choke
An unorthodox choke from bottom side control using your legs around the neck.
Suloev Stretch
A hamstring and knee attack from back control using your legs to stretch the opponent.
Lockdown Sweep
A sweep from half guard using the lockdown leg configuration to whip up.
Old School Sweep
A classic half guard sweep using an underhook and coming up to take the back.
Dogfight Sweep
A sweep from the dogfight position using the underhook to come up on top.
Plan B Sweep
A backup sweep from half guard when the primary sweep is defended.
John Wayne Sweep
A half guard sweep where you come up like a cowboy to take the top position.
Scissor Takedown
A takedown using a scissoring leg motion to sweep the opponent off their feet.
Kata Guruma
A judo shoulder throw similar to the fireman's carry in wrestling.
Seoi Nage
A judo shoulder throw turning in and loading the opponent onto your back.
O-Goshi
A major hip throw in judo, lifting the opponent over your hip.
Uchi Mata
An inner thigh throw, one of the most effective and popular throws in judo.
Harai Goshi
A sweeping hip throw combining hip rotation with a leg sweep.
Kouchi Gari
A minor inner reap foot sweep targeting the opponent's inside foot.
Ouchi Gari
A major inner reap attacking the opponent's inner leg with a reaping motion.
Osoto Gari
A major outer reap, sweeping the opponent's leg from the outside while driving them backward.
Tomoe Nage
A sacrifice throw using a foot on the opponent's stomach to throw them overhead.
Sumi Gaeshi
A sacrifice throw using a butterfly hook to roll the opponent over.
Tani Otoshi
A sacrifice throw where you drop behind the opponent and trip them over your body.
Arm Spin
A wrestling takedown that spins the opponent around using their arm.
Fireman's Carry
A takedown where you load the opponent across your shoulders and dump them.
Snap Down
Pulling the opponent's head down sharply to break their posture and create offense.
Russian Tie
A controlling grip wrapping both hands around one of the opponent's arms.
Underhook Series
A collection of attacks and transitions built around having an underhook.
Overhook Series
A collection of attacks and transitions built from having an overhook grip.
Baratoplata
A shoulder lock similar to the omoplata but using the arm instead of the leg.
Monoplata
A shoulder lock using one leg to apply pressure on the opponent's arm.
Tarikoplata
A shoulder lock combining a kimura grip with an omoplata leg position.
Japanese Necktie
A head-and-arm choke variation finished by sprawling and applying neck crank pressure.
Peruvian Necktie
A front headlock choke that uses the legs to apply choking pressure.
Twister
A spinal lock from the truck position that rotates the spine.
Vaporizer
A leg lock from the truck position attacking the knee by rotating the lower leg.
Estima Lock
A foot lock attacking the top of the foot, popularized by the Estima brothers.
Texas Cloverleaf
A double leg lock submission twisting both legs for knee and spine pressure.
Kneebar
A leg lock that hyperextends the knee joint, similar to an armbar for the leg.
Toe Hold
A foot lock twisting the foot to attack the ankle and knee.
North-South Choke
A choke applied from the north-south position using your arm around the neck.
Collar Choke
Any gi choke using grips on the collar to apply pressure to the neck.
Front Headlock
A controlling position with your arm around the opponent's head from the front.
Arm Drag
A technique pulling the opponent's arm across your body to get to their back or side.
Leg Drag
A guard pass dragging the opponent's leg across your body to clear the guard.
Single Leg Takedown
A takedown attacking one of the opponent's legs to bring them down.
Double Leg Takedown
A takedown attacking both of the opponent's legs simultaneously.
Stack Pass
A guard pass that stacks the opponent onto their shoulders to compress and pass.
Leg Lace
A passing technique threading your leg through the opponent's guard like lacing.
Upa
The fundamental mount escape using a bridge and roll to reverse position.
Butterfly Sweep
A sweep from butterfly guard using a hook to elevate and off-balance the opponent.
Cross Collar Choke
A gi choke using cross grips on the collar to apply pressure from guard or mount.
Guard Retention
The skill of maintaining guard when the opponent attempts to pass.
Pressure Pass
A guard passing style that uses heavy pressure to smash through the guard.
Speed Pass
A guard passing style that uses quick movement to go around the guard.
Blood Choke
A choke that restricts blood flow to the brain via the carotid arteries.
Air Choke
A choke that restricts airflow by compressing the trachea.
Scramble
A chaotic transitional exchange where both players are fighting for position.
Crossface
Driving your forearm or shoulder across the opponent's face to control their head.
Sacrifice Throw
A throw where you deliberately fall to the ground to take your opponent down.
Knee Reap
A leg entanglement where the leg crosses over the opponent's centerline, often illegal in IBJJF.
Wrist Lock
A joint lock attacking the wrist by bending it beyond its range of motion.
Whizzer
An overhook used to defend against underhooks and single legs.
Pendulum Sweep
A powerful closed guard sweep using a swinging leg motion to generate momentum.
Collar and Sleeve
A fundamental gi grip controlling one collar and one sleeve.
Lapel
The front fold of the gi jacket, used for grips and chokes.
Collar
The thick fabric around the neck of the gi jacket, used for chokes and control.
Leg Entanglement
Any configuration where your legs are controlling the opponent's leg for leg attacks.
Stiff Arm
Extending your arm rigidly to create distance and prevent the opponent from closing space.
Submission Defense
Techniques for defending against and escaping submission attempts.
Pin
Holding an opponent flat on their back with dominant control.
No-Gi Grips
Grip configurations used when training without the gi.
Gable Grip
A strong palm-to-palm grip used for controlling and finishing techniques.
Defense
Techniques and strategies for protecting yourself from attacks.
Sleeve
The arm portion of the gi jacket, used for gripping and control.
Guard Game
A practitioner's overall system of techniques and strategies from guard positions.
Passing Game
A practitioner's overall system for getting past the opponent's guard.
Movements
(34)Shrimp
A fundamental defensive hip escape movement used to create space and recover guard.
Bridge
An explosive hip thrust movement used to off-balance opponents and create escape opportunities.
Technical Stand-Up
A safe method of standing up from the ground while maintaining a defensive posture.
Granby Roll
A shoulder roll used to escape bad positions or recover guard, named after Granby High School wrestling.
Hip Escape
Moving your hips away while keeping your shoulders relatively stationary.
Inversion
Rolling onto your shoulders with hips overhead, used in modern guard play.
Base
Your foundation and balance, essential for both offense and defense.
Posture
Maintaining an upright position, especially important in your opponent's guard.
Frames
Using your limbs as barriers to create and maintain space.
Sprawl
A defensive reaction to a takedown attempt where you shoot your legs back.
Sit-Out
An escape from turtle or bottom position by swinging your leg through and turning.
Forward Roll
A tumbling movement rolling forward over your shoulder, used in warm-ups and transitions.
Backward Roll
A tumbling movement rolling backward over your shoulder.
Shoulder Roll
A roll over one shoulder used for directional movement and guard recovery.
Butt Scoot
Scooting forward on your buttocks to close distance while seated.
Combat Base Transition
Shifting between combat base stances to change passing angles.
Stand in Base
Standing up from kneeling while maintaining a stable base and posture.
Reguarding
Recovering guard position after it has been partially or fully passed.
Leg Pummeling
Using your legs to fight for inside position, similar to hand fighting with the legs.
Hand Fighting
The battle for grip control, establishing your grips while stripping your opponent's.
Grip Stripping
Techniques for breaking your opponent's grips on your gi or body.
Collar Drag
A takedown pulling the opponent forward by their collar.
Two-on-One
Controlling one of the opponent's arms with both of your hands.
Inside Trip
A takedown reaping the opponent's inside leg while pushing them over it.
Outside Trip
A takedown reaping the opponent's outside leg while driving them backward.
Guard Pull
Deliberately sitting or jumping to guard position from standing.
Guard Jumping
Jumping onto the opponent and wrapping your legs around them to pull guard.
Recomposition
Adjusting your position and frames without giving up control or space.
Fake Guard Pull
Feinting a guard pull to create a takedown opportunity.
Breakfall
Techniques for falling safely to minimize impact and prevent injury.
Balance
The ability to maintain equilibrium while attacking or defending.
Single Leg Stand Up
Standing up from guard while controlling one of the opponent's legs.
Bait and Switch
Offering one attack to set up a different, more effective technique.
Russian Tie Entry
Methods of establishing the Russian tie grip from neutral standing position.
Competition
(38)IBJJF
International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation, the largest governing body for BJJ competitions.
Points
The scoring system in BJJ competition, awarded for achieving dominant positions and techniques.
Advantages
Secondary scoring in BJJ competition, awarded for near-submissions or near-point situations.
ADCC
Abu Dhabi Combat Club, the most prestigious no-gi submission grappling event.
Mundials
The IBJJF World Championships, the most prestigious gi BJJ tournament.
Weight Class
Categories in competition dividing competitors by body weight.
Absolute
Open weight division where competitors of any weight can compete.
Referee
The official who enforces rules and scores points during matches.
Penalty
Points or warnings given for rule violations in competition.
Disqualification
Being removed from a match or tournament for serious rule violations.
Double Guard Pull
When both competitors pull guard simultaneously, neither achieving top position.
Stalling
Not actively advancing position or attacking, resulting in penalties.
Submission Only
A competition format where the only way to win is by submission.
EBI Overtime
Eddie Bravo Invitational overtime rules where competitors start from spider web or back control.
ADCC Rules
The competition ruleset used by the ADCC, featuring no points in the first half.
IBJJF Rules
The most commonly used competition ruleset in sport BJJ.
No Time Limit
A match format with no time restriction, continuing until a submission occurs.
Round Robin
A tournament format where every competitor faces every other competitor.
Single Elimination
A tournament format where a single loss eliminates you from the tournament.
Bracket
The tournament draw showing matchups and progression.
Superfight
A featured match between two high-level competitors, often the main event.
Gi Division
A competition division where competitors wear the traditional gi.
No-Gi Division
A competition division where competitors wear rashguards and shorts instead of gis.
Absolute Division
An open-weight competition category where all weights compete together.
Masters Division
Age-based competition categories for older competitors.
Juvenile Division
Competition categories for younger competitors under 18.
Weigh-In
The process of verifying competitors meet their weight class requirements.
Podium
The medal ceremony platform and finishing in the top positions of a tournament.
Europeans
The IBJJF European Championship, a major annual tournament held in Europe.
Pan Ams
The IBJJF Pan American Championship, a major annual tournament.
Nationals
A national-level BJJ championship for a specific country.
Grand Slam
The four major IBJJF tournaments that form the most prestigious competition series.
Referee Decision
When a match outcome is determined by the referee's judgment.
Guard Pull (Competition)
The competitive strategy of deliberately pulling guard to start the ground game.
DQ
Abbreviation for disqualification from a competition match.
Who's Next Format
A competition format where the winner stays and the next challenger steps up.
Grand Prix
A prestigious single-division tournament featuring top-ranked competitors.
Medal
Awards given to top finishers in BJJ competitions.
Training
(42)Rolling
Live sparring in BJJ, the equivalent of "sparring" in other martial arts.
Drilling
Repetitive practice of specific techniques with a compliant partner to develop muscle memory.
Positional Sparring
Sparring that starts from a specific position, with specific goals for each partner.
Flow Rolling
Light, technical sparring focused on movement and transitions rather than winning.
Open Mat
Free training time without structured instruction.
Warm-Up
Preparatory exercises before training, often including movement drills.
Rounds
Timed periods of sparring, typically 5-6 minutes each.
Training Partner
The person you drill and spar with during training.
Mat Time
The amount of time spent training on the mat.
Competition Training
Focused training to prepare for upcoming tournaments.
Specific Training
Targeted sparring from specific positions or scenarios.
Hard Rolling
Sparring at high intensity with maximum effort.
Shark Tank
A training drill where one person rolls continuously against fresh opponents.
King of the Hill
A training drill where the winner stays and faces the next challenger.
Competition Class
A class specifically designed to prepare students for competition.
Fundamentals Class
A class focused on teaching core BJJ techniques for beginners.
Advanced Class
A class covering complex techniques for higher-ranked students.
Private Lessons
One-on-one instruction with a coach or instructor.
Seminar
A special training session led by a visiting instructor or expert.
Training Camp
An intensive training period, often in preparation for a major competition.
Rep Counting
Tracking the number of technique repetitions during drilling.
Timed Rounds
Sparring or drilling structured in timed intervals.
Cool-Down
Light activity after training to help with recovery.
Conditioning
Physical fitness training to support BJJ performance.
Strength Training
Weight training and resistance exercises to build strength for BJJ.
Flexibility Work
Stretching and mobility exercises to improve range of motion for BJJ.
Visualization
Mental rehearsal of techniques and scenarios to improve performance.
Film Study
Watching and analyzing competition footage to study techniques and opponents.
Training Journal
A written log of techniques learned, sparring notes, and training reflections.
Training Log
A record tracking training sessions, volume, and progress over time.
Progressive Resistance
Drilling with gradually increasing resistance from a training partner.
Situational Rolling
Sparring that starts from a specific scenario with defined victory conditions.
Takedown Sparring
Sparring focused exclusively on standing takedowns and throws.
Recovery
The process of resting and healing between training sessions.
Muscle Memory
The ability to perform techniques automatically through extensive repetition.
Stand-Up Only
Training or sparring focused exclusively on the standing portion of grappling.
Game Plan
A strategic approach outlining your preferred techniques and sequences.
Safety
Practices and principles that keep training safe for all participants.
Technique
A specific move or sequence of moves in BJJ.
Progression
The gradual improvement of skills and knowledge over time in BJJ.
Nutrition
Dietary practices that support BJJ training and recovery.
Sparring
Live training against a resisting opponent, also known as rolling in BJJ.
Culture & Etiquette
(46)Oss
A Japanese expression used in BJJ as a greeting, acknowledgment, or sign of respect.
Tap
To submit by tapping your partner, the mat, or verbally saying "tap" to indicate you give up.
Acai
A Brazilian berry that has become synonymous with BJJ culture, often eaten as a post-training meal.
Lineage
The chain of instructors leading back to the founders of BJJ.
Professor
A respectful title for a BJJ instructor, typically a black belt.
Academy
A BJJ school or training facility.
Affiliation
The larger BJJ association or team an academy belongs to.
Creonte
Someone who changes academies or teams, sometimes viewed negatively.
Açaí Bowl
A smoothie bowl made with açaí, a BJJ culture staple.
Pineapple
A traditional gift to bring when visiting or joining a new academy.
Porra
A Brazilian Portuguese exclamation used to express excitement or encouragement.
Jiu-Jitsu Lifestyle
The holistic integration of BJJ principles into daily life.
Coral Belt
A rank above black belt featuring alternating red and white or red and black stripes.
Red Belt
The highest rank in BJJ, 9th and 10th degree, reserved for the pioneers of the art.
Mestre
A Portuguese title meaning master, used for senior BJJ practitioners.
Grao-Mestre
Portuguese title meaning grand master, the highest title in BJJ.
Degree System
The grading system within black belt ranks, measured in degrees.
Stripe System
The use of stripes on belts to indicate progress within a rank.
Sandbagging
Intentionally staying at a lower belt level to dominate competitions.
Politics
Interpersonal and organizational conflicts within the BJJ community.
Team
The group of practitioners who train together at an academy or affiliation.
Dojo
A Japanese term for a training hall, sometimes used for BJJ academies.
Tatami
Traditional Japanese floor mat, used to describe the training mat surface.
Bow
A traditional gesture of respect performed when entering the mat or starting a roll.
Slap Bump
The traditional hand slap and fist bump to start a roll.
Competition Team
The group of dedicated competitors representing an academy in tournaments.
Hobbyist
A BJJ practitioner who trains for fun and fitness rather than competition.
Coach
An instructor who teaches and guides students in BJJ.
Instructor
A person qualified to teach BJJ classes.
Promotion
The formal ceremony of advancing to a higher belt rank in BJJ.
White Belt
The first belt rank in BJJ, indicating a beginner.
Blue Belt
The second belt rank in BJJ, where practitioners start developing their game.
Purple Belt
The third belt rank in BJJ, considered the transition from intermediate to advanced.
Brown Belt
The fourth belt rank in BJJ, one step from black belt mastery.
Black Belt
The expert rank in BJJ, typically requiring 10+ years of dedicated training.
Judo
The Japanese martial art from which BJJ was derived, focused on throws and pins.
Wrestling
The ancient grappling art focused on takedowns and control, widely used in BJJ.
Mat Hygiene
Cleaning practices for mats and personal hygiene to prevent infections.
Ego
The sense of self-importance that can hinder learning and safety in BJJ.
Etiquette
The customs and behavioral norms expected in a BJJ academy.
Gracie
The founding family of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Honorary Black Belt
A black belt awarded for contributions to BJJ beyond technical skill.
Mat
The padded floor surface used for BJJ training.
Community
The social bonds and support network formed through BJJ training.
Respect
A core value in BJJ culture, shown toward partners, instructors, and the art.
Loyalty
Dedication to your team, academy, and training partners in BJJ culture.
Equipment
(27)Gi
The traditional uniform worn in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, consisting of a jacket, pants, and belt.
Rashguard
A tight-fitting athletic shirt worn for no-gi training, protecting against mat burn and infections.
Belt
The colored belt indicating rank in BJJ.
Spats
Tight-fitting compression pants worn for no-gi training.
Mouthguard
Protective gear worn to protect teeth and jaw during training.
Ear Guards
Headgear worn to prevent cauliflower ear.
No-Gi
BJJ training without the traditional gi uniform.
Board Shorts
Athletic shorts worn for no-gi training, typically without pockets or zippers.
Athletic Tape
Tape used to protect fingers, toes, and other joints during training.
Finger Tape
Narrow tape specifically for protecting finger joints from gi grip stress.
Knee Pads
Protective padding worn on the knees during training.
Protective Cup
A groin protector worn during training.
Gym Bag
A bag for carrying gi, rashguard, and training gear to class.
Foam Roller
A cylindrical foam tool used for self-massage and muscle recovery.
Resistance Bands
Elastic bands used for warm-up, rehabilitation, and strength exercises.
Grappling Dummy
A human-shaped dummy used for solo drilling of techniques.
Gi Patches
Embroidered or printed patches sewn onto the gi for decoration or identification.
Gi Pants
The reinforced pants portion of the BJJ gi uniform.
Gi Jacket
The top portion of the BJJ gi uniform with reinforced collar and lapels.
Belt Display
A rack or frame for displaying earned BJJ belts.
Water Bottle
Essential hydration equipment for training sessions.
Lacrosse Ball
A small hard ball used for targeted self-massage and trigger point release.
Pull-Up Bar
A bar used for pull-ups, a key exercise for grip and pulling strength in BJJ.
Crash Pad
A thick cushioned mat used for practicing throws and takedowns.
Rank Certificate
An official document certifying a practitioner's belt rank.
Wall Mat
Padding placed on gym walls to prevent injury from impacts.
Belt Clips
Small clips used to keep the gi belt tied during training.
Anatomy
(27)Cauliflower Ear
Permanent ear deformation from untreated trauma to the ear.
Mat Burn
Skin abrasion from friction against the mat.
Neck
A primary target for chokes and important to protect.
Grips
Hand positions used to control opponents, especially important in gi.
Hips
The powerhouse of BJJ movement and technique.
Hooks
Feet/legs used to control or attack your opponent.
Carotid Artery
The major neck arteries targeted by blood chokes to cause unconsciousness.
Trachea
The windpipe, targeted by air chokes to restrict breathing.
Rotator Cuff
The group of shoulder muscles and tendons targeted by kimuras and americanas.
ACL
The anterior cruciate ligament in the knee, vulnerable to leg lock attacks.
MCL
The medial collateral ligament in the knee, vulnerable to certain leg attacks.
Meniscus
The cartilage cushions in the knee, vulnerable to rotational leg attacks.
Cervical Spine
The neck portion of the spine, at risk during inversions and stacking.
Lumbar Spine
The lower back portion of the spine, subject to stress from grappling.
Hip Flexor
Muscles at the front of the hip used extensively in guard play.
Hamstring
The muscles at the back of the thigh, used for bridging and guard control.
Grip Strength Muscles
The forearm muscles responsible for gripping, heavily used in gi BJJ.
Core Muscles
The trunk muscles providing stability and power for all BJJ movements.
Forearm Muscles
The muscles of the forearm responsible for wrist movement and gripping.
Deltoid
The shoulder muscle used in framing, pushing, and controlling opponents.
Bicep
The upper arm muscle used in pulling, gripping, and applying chokes.
Tricep
The upper arm muscle used in pushing, framing, and stiff-arming.
Quadriceps
The front thigh muscles used in guard, standing, and sprawling.
Fascia
Connective tissue throughout the body that can become restricted from training.
Ulnar Nerve
The nerve running along the inside of the elbow, vulnerable to armbars.
Radial Nerve
A nerve in the arm that can be compressed during certain chokes and arm attacks.
Injury
Physical harm sustained during training or competition.
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