When stepping onto the mats for the first time, beginners can often feel overwhelmed. The movements, techniques, and strategies may seem complex, and the instructors might throw around unfamiliar terms that sound like a foreign language. Words like guard, mount, kimura, and sweep may not mean much initially, but they are the building blocks of BJJ knowledge. Understanding these terms helps beginners follow instructions, execute techniques correctly, and engage safely in training.
Moreover, learning the vocabulary also improves your mental framework for the sport. It allows you to visualize techniques, understand tactical concepts, and communicate effectively with your training partners. Beyond practical applications, knowing the terms also connects you to the rich history and culture of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, enhancing your overall experience and appreciation for the art.
The first step in mastering BJJ is understanding the fundamental positions. Positions form the foundation for both offensive and defensive techniques, and each has its specific purpose and strategic value. Here are the most critical positions you need to know as a beginner:
The guard is one of the most essential positions in BJJ. When you are on your back, using your legs to control or defend against your opponent, you are in guard. There are several variations of the guard, including:
Closed guard: Your legs are wrapped around your opponent's waist, providing control and limiting their movement.
Open guard: Your legs are not locked around your opponent, giving you more mobility and opportunities to transition.
Half guard: One of your opponent's legs is trapped between your legs.
Understanding guard is crucial because it is both a defensive position and a launching point for attacks, such as sweeps, submissions, and transitions.
The mount is a dominant position where you sit on top of your opponent's torso, usually with your knees on either side. From mount, you have a strategic advantage and can attempt submissions such as armlocks or chokes. Mount is often considered one of the strongest positions in BJJ because it gives you leverage while limiting your opponent’s options.
Side control, also called side mount, occurs when you are lying across your opponent’s chest with your body perpendicular to theirs. It allows for significant control and opens opportunities for transitions to other dominant positions, including mount and back control. Maintaining pressure is critical in side control, as it restricts your opponent’s movement and sets up attacks.
The back control position is when you control your opponent from behind, usually with your legs wrapped around their waist (hooks) and your arms around their upper body or neck. Back control is considered one of the most advantageous positions because it allows for high-percentage submissions like the rear-naked choke.
The turtle is a defensive posture where your opponent curls into a ball, protecting themselves from attacks. While not inherently dominant, understanding how to attack and defend from the turtle position is important for beginners, as it frequently occurs during live sparring sessions.
Once you are familiar with positions, the next step is learning the essential techniques and movements that make BJJ effective. These include submissions, escapes, sweeps, and transitions. Mastery of these concepts allows you to control your opponent, defend yourself, and apply your skills efficiently.
A submission is a technique designed to force your opponent to submit, usually by tapping out. The two main types are joint locks and chokeholds.
Joint locks: These attacks manipulate a joint, causing pain or risking injury if your opponent does not submit. Examples include armbar, kimura, and americana.
Chokes: These attacks restrict blood flow or airflow, often targeting the neck. Common chokes include the rear-naked choke, guillotine, and triangle choke.
Understanding the mechanics and proper application of submissions is critical for safety and effectiveness.
A sweep is a technique that allows you to reverse positions, usually from the guard, putting you in a dominant spot on top. Sweeps are essential for beginners because they enable you to transition from defense to offense efficiently. Popular sweeps include the scissor sweep, flower sweep, and hip bump sweep.
Knowing how to escape unfavorable positions is just as important as executing attacks. Beginners should focus on escaping common positions such as mount, side control, and back control. Techniques like the bridge and roll, shrimping, and technical stand-up are foundational skills that build confidence and resilience on the mats.
Transitions involve moving smoothly from one position to another. Effective transitions allow you to maintain control, apply submissions, and capitalize on your opponent's mistakes. For beginners, understanding basic transitions between guard, mount, side control, and back control is a key part of building a solid BJJ game.
Beyond positions and techniques, BJJ has its own set of vocabulary related to rank, training etiquette, and specific movements. Familiarity with these terms will help you navigate the gym environment and accelerate your learning.
The belt system in BJJ represents rank and skill level. Most schools follow a progression from white to black belt, with intermediate colors indicating growing proficiency. The most common belts for adults are:
White belt – beginner level
Blue belt – intermediate understanding of fundamentals
Purple belt – advanced technical knowledge
Brown belt – near-expert, refined skillset
Black belt – expert level
Children’s belt systems may include additional colors such as yellow, orange, and green, depending on the school.
BJJ can be practiced in two primary formats: Gi and No-Gi.
Gi: Practicing in the traditional uniform, which consists of a heavy jacket, pants, and belt. The Gi allows for gripping and controlling your opponent through cloth manipulation.
No-Gi: Training without the Gi, typically in rash guards and shorts. No-Gi relies on body control, speed, and leverage rather than grips on clothing.
Understanding the difference helps you prepare for training sessions and competitions.
The phrase tap out is a safety signal used by practitioners when caught in a submission or dangerous position. Tapping on your opponent or the mat indicates surrender and prevents injury. Beginners should always respect taps, immediately releasing the hold to ensure safety.
A roll is a term used to describe sparring in BJJ. Rolling is how you apply techniques in a live, dynamic environment with a training partner. Beginners often feel nervous during their first rolls, but consistent practice builds confidence, timing, and technique execution.
Mat sense refers to your awareness of positioning, spacing, and timing on the mats. Developing mat sense allows you to anticipate your opponent’s movements, recognize openings, and react effectively during sparring.
Guard passing is the act of moving from your opponent's guard into a more dominant position. It is one of the most critical skills in BJJ because controlling and advancing positions often leads to submission opportunities.
BJJ is not only physical; it is a mental game that requires strategy, patience, and adaptability. Understanding terminology related to tactics and mindset can greatly enhance your performance and learning experience.
Base refers to your stability and balance during positions and movements. Maintaining a solid base prevents you from being swept, rolled, or easily controlled by your opponent. Beginners should focus on developing a strong base early, as it underpins nearly every technique in BJJ.
Posture is your body alignment and position relative to your opponent. Good posture is critical when passing guard, defending, or maintaining control. Sloppy posture can lead to vulnerability and submission.
Leverage is the application of force in a way that maximizes mechanical advantage. BJJ often allows smaller practitioners to control or submit larger opponents by using leverage correctly. Beginners should learn how to move efficiently, using hips, angles, and body mechanics rather than brute strength.
Flow rolling is a light, cooperative form of sparring that emphasizes technique, timing, and movement rather than strength and intensity. Flow rolling is ideal for beginners as it reduces the risk of injury while allowing them to practice techniques in a realistic setting.
Drilling involves practicing techniques repetitively with a partner to develop muscle memory. Drills can include positional sequences, submission setups, escapes, or guard passes. Consistent drilling is a cornerstone of BJJ mastery, especially for beginners who need to internalize foundational movements.
Understanding the language of etiquette and culture in BJJ is essential to integrate seamlessly into a gym environment. Respect, safety, and communication are key components of BJJ culture.
Many BJJ gyms observe bowing or saluting upon entering or leaving the mats. This shows respect for instructors, training partners, and the martial art itself. While not universal, understanding this practice demonstrates humility and appreciation.
Your training partners are essential in BJJ. Respect, communication, and mutual support make rolls productive and safe. Beginners should learn to ask questions, provide feedback when appropriate, and maintain a positive attitude toward their partners.
Spotting refers to assisting a partner during drills or ensuring safety during techniques. Beginners benefit from being attentive to spotting, especially during advanced submissions or when practicing transitions that could risk injury.
An open mat is a time when students can train freely without a structured class. Open mats allow for sparring, drilling, or refining techniques. Beginners can use this time to practice learned skills under less formal supervision, building confidence and independence.
BJJ competitions may be Gi or No-Gi, each with unique rules and strategies. Beginners interested in competing should familiarize themselves with the scoring, point system, and specific legal techniques for each type of competition.
Now that you have a foundation in BJJ terminology, the next step is applying it practically. Understanding vocabulary enhances your ability to absorb instruction, communicate during rolls, and engage meaningfully in your BJJ journey.
Ask Questions: Do not hesitate to ask instructors or senior students to clarify terms. Most BJJ practitioners are welcoming and enjoy helping beginners.
Label Techniques: When drilling, silently name the positions, submissions, and transitions in your mind. This reinforces vocabulary and improves mental mapping of movements.
Visual Learning: Watch instructional videos and competitions, paying attention to terminology. Seeing terms applied in action enhances comprehension and retention.
Practice Communication: During rolls, use terms to describe intentions or clarify movements with your partner. This builds confidence and fosters effective collaboration.
Journal Your Progress: Keep a training journal where you write down new terms, techniques, and observations. Journaling strengthens memory and creates a personal reference for future learning.
Learning BJJ terminology can feel overwhelming at first, but consistent practice and engagement make it manageable. Here are some practical tips:
Start with the basics: Focus first on positions, guard types, and fundamental submissions.
Use repetition: Repeating terms during drilling and rolling helps solidify understanding.
Integrate into conversation: Discuss techniques with partners using the proper vocabulary.
Leverage resources: Books, online tutorials, and BJJ forums often have glossaries and detailed explanations.
Be patient: Vocabulary acquisition is a gradual process, much like learning the art itself.
By combining these strategies, beginners can gradually develop fluency in BJJ language, making training more productive and enjoyable.
For those interested in competing, vocabulary is not just helpful; it is essential. Understanding scoring rules, position hierarchies, and legal techniques relies on a solid grasp of terminology. Competitors need to:
Recognize positions quickly: Identify whether you are in mount, side control, or guard during fast-paced matches.
Communicate with coaches: Use correct terms when seeking advice during breaks or reviewing matches.
Strategize effectively: Plan attacks, defenses, and transitions using proper terminology to simplify mental processing.
Even casual competitors benefit from familiarity with competition vocabulary, as it enhances situational awareness and tactical decision-making.
BJJ is more than a martial art; it is a community. Understanding cultural and social terminology fosters inclusion and connection with peers.
Rolling etiquette: Respect your partner’s skill level, control intensity, and acknowledge taps.
Seminars: Special training sessions led by higher-ranked practitioners or visiting instructors. Seminars are opportunities to learn new techniques and terminology.
Academy names and affiliations: Many gyms belong to larger teams or affiliations. Knowing the lineage and terminology helps understand style differences and training philosophies.
Being conversant in these cultural terms demonstrates respect for BJJ traditions and enhances your sense of belonging within the community.
If you are starting your BJJ journey, exploring local gyms and programs is a great way to immerse yourself in the language and practice. For example, brazilian jiu jitsu huntsville al offers classes for beginners, advanced practitioners, and competitive athletes. Attending a local academy provides hands-on experience, access to instructors, and the opportunity to practice vocabulary in real-time. Beginners are encouraged to visit, participate in trial classes, and observe live instruction to reinforce terminology and techniques.
Mastering BJJ vocabulary is more than memorizing words; it is a tool for understanding, confidence, and growth in the martial art. From positions and techniques to strategy, etiquette, and culture, the language of BJJ enables beginners to navigate the mats with clarity and purpose. The journey of learning BJJ is ongoing, and vocabulary acquisition is a lifelong process that deepens with experience.
Start by focusing on foundational positions and basic techniques, integrate vocabulary into your training, and gradually expand your knowledge. Consistency, practice, and engagement with the community will make you fluent in BJJ terminology while improving your performance and enjoyment of the sport.