What is Stiff Arm in BJJ?

The stiff arm is a defensive technique where you extend your arm fully against the opponent's body (typically their hip, shoulder, or neck) to create and maintain distance. In guard, stiff-arming prevents the top player from closing distance and smashing. From top, stiff-arming helps maintain posture. While relying too heavily on stiff arms can lead to arm attacks, they are a useful tool for distance management and frame creation.