Did you know that 95% of fights end up on the ground? That’s why mastering essential jiu jitsu techniques is crucial for every practitioner.
In this article, we will delve into the five techniques that will elevate your jiu jitsu game to the next level. From the hip escape to basic submissions, these techniques will give you the edge you need to dominate on the mat.
So, let’s dive in and explore the must-know techniques in the world of jiu jitsu.
The Hip Escape (Shrimping):
Mastering the hip escape, also known as shrimping, is a crucial technique for any Jiu Jitsu practitioner. The hip escape is a fundamental movement that allows you to create space, escape from bad positions, and set up various attacks. There are different variations of the hip escape that you should be familiar with, as they can be applied in different situations.
To improve your hip escape, it’s essential to practice hip escape drills regularly. These drills help to develop the proper hip movement, coordination, and timing required for an effective escape. By incorporating specific movements and engaging your core muscles, you can enhance your hip escape technique and make it more efficient.
It is important to be aware of common mistakes in hip escaping to avoid them during training or in a self-defense situation. Some common errors include not creating enough space, using only the arms to push, and failing to maintain proper alignment. By addressing these mistakes and focusing on proper technique, you can maximize the effectiveness of your hip escape.
The hip escape isn’t only useful in a sports setting but also in self-defense situations. It allows you to create distance from an attacker on the ground, giving you the opportunity to escape or execute a counter-attack. By mastering the hip escape, you can increase your chances of defending yourself effectively in real-world scenarios.
For advanced practitioners, there are advanced hip escape techniques that can be incorporated into your game. These techniques involve variations in timing, angles, and transitions that can surprise and confuse your opponents. By adding these advanced techniques to your arsenal, you can continue to evolve your hip escape and stay one step ahead of your opponents.
The Guard:
To effectively utilize the guard in Jiu Jitsu, you must develop a strong understanding of its principles and techniques. The guard is a fundamental position where you use your legs to control and neutralize your opponent, while also creating opportunities for attacks and sweeps. Mastering the guard requires precise execution and a deep knowledge of various strategies and techniques.
Sweeps from guard are essential offensive maneuvers that allow you to transition from the bottom position to the top. By using your legs and hip movement, you can destabilize your opponent and create openings for sweeps. These sweeps often involve leveraging their weight and balance against them, using techniques such as the scissor sweep, flower sweep, or pendulum sweep.
On the other hand, guard passing strategies are crucial for the top position. Your objective is to overcome your opponent’s guard and establish a dominant position. Various guard passing techniques, such as pressure passing, speed passing, or leg drag, can be employed to achieve this goal. It’s important to remain patient, maintain control, and capitalize on any mistakes your opponent makes.
When attacking from the closed guard, you have a range of submission options at your disposal. Techniques like the armbar, triangle choke, or omoplata can be executed from this position. It’s crucial to control your opponent’s posture and create opportunities to isolate and attack their limbs.
Open guard variations, such as spider guard, butterfly guard, or De La Riva guard, provide you with different options to control and attack your opponent. These guards allow for increased mobility and versatility, enabling you to set up sweeps, submissions, or transitions to other positions.
Lastly, guard retention techniques are essential to prevent your opponent from passing your guard. By maintaining a strong grip, utilizing hip movement, and using defensive techniques like framing, pummeling, or the knee shield, you can make it difficult for your opponent to establish a dominant position.
Developing a strong guard game requires dedicated practice, technical precision, and a deep understanding of the principles and techniques involved. By mastering sweeps, guard passing strategies, closed guard attacks, open guard variations, and guard retention techniques, you’ll be able to effectively utilize the guard to control and dominate your opponents in Jiu Jitsu.
Mount Escape:
To effectively escape the mount position in Jiu Jitsu, you need to develop a strong understanding of the techniques and principles involved. When your opponent has achieved mount control, it’s crucial to have a solid arsenal of mount escape techniques at your disposal. Here are five key aspects to consider when working on your mount escape game:
- Escaping the mount: The first step in escaping the mount is to create space between you and your opponent. You can do this by bridging and shrimping, using your hips to create leverage and create enough space to escape.
- Mount retention techniques: Prevention is better than cure. It’s important to learn mount retention techniques to avoid getting mounted in the first place. Techniques such as framing, hip mobility, and grip fighting can help you maintain your position and prevent your opponent from establishing a dominant mount.
- Countering mount submissions: When your opponent has mounted you, they’ll likely look for submissions such as armlocks or chokes. Understanding how to defend against these submissions is crucial. Techniques such as hand fighting, posture control, and proper positioning can help you counter and escape potential submissions.
- Mount transitions and sweeps: Escaping the mount isn’t just about getting out from underneath your opponent; it’s also about gaining a dominant position. Learning mount transitions and sweeps can help you reverse the situation and end up in a more advantageous position.
- Mount control: To effectively escape the mount, it’s important to understand the mechanics of mount control. By studying and analyzing the techniques used by your opponents to maintain mount, you can develop effective strategies and counters to escape their control.
Side Control Escape:
When facing side control in Jiu Jitsu, your ability to escape and regain a dominant position is crucial. Side control is a very dominant position in which your opponent has you pinned on your back, with their chest and hips controlling your upper body. It’s important to have a solid understanding of the techniques required to escape side control in order to avoid being submitted or controlled for extended periods of time.
One of the first things you need to be aware of when attempting to escape side control is the potential submissions your opponent may attempt. Common submissions from side control include the armbar, kimura, and Americana. By recognizing these potential submissions, you can anticipate your opponent’s movements and work to counter their attacks.
Escaping the scarf hold is a common challenge when trying to escape side control. The scarf hold is a variation of side control in which your opponent has your head and arm trapped under their shoulder, making it difficult to move and escape. To escape the scarf hold, you can use bridge and hip escape movements, combined with framing techniques to create space and regain a better position.
Another position you may encounter when trying to escape side control is the knee on belly position. This is when your opponent places their knee on your belly, putting pressure on your diaphragm and making it difficult to breathe. To counter this position, you can use frames and leverage to create space and escape.
Utilizing frames and leverage is essential in side control escapes. By using your arms, legs, and hips as frames, you can create space and disrupt your opponent’s control. Leveraging your opponent’s weight and movements against them will also aid in your escape.
Lastly, escaping the reverse scarf hold position, where your opponent has your head trapped and your body twisted, can be a challenge. To escape this position, you can use similar techniques as escaping the regular scarf hold, focusing on creating space and regaining a better position.
Basic Submissions:
As you continue to navigate the world of Jiu Jitsu, mastering basic submissions becomes an essential component of your training. These fundamental techniques won’t only help you control your opponent but also provide you with opportunities to secure a victory.
Here are five basic submissions that every practitioner should strive to master:
- Triangle Choke: This powerful submission involves using your legs to trap your opponent’s head and arm, applying pressure to their neck and cutting off their blood supply. It requires precise positioning and flexibility to execute effectively.
- Armbar: One of the most common submissions in Jiu Jitsu, the armbar involves hyperextending your opponent’s elbow joint by securing their arm between your legs and applying pressure. It’s a versatile submission that can be executed from various positions.
- Rear Naked Choke: This submission is executed from the back mount position, where you wrap your arms around your opponent’s neck and apply pressure to their carotid arteries. It’s a highly effective technique that can quickly render your opponent unconscious if applied correctly.
- Kimura Lock: This submission targets the shoulder joint, applying torque to it by leveraging your opponent’s arm behind their back. It’s a versatile and powerful technique that can be used from a variety of positions.
- Guillotine Choke: This submission involves trapping your opponent’s head in the crook of your arm and applying pressure to their neck. It can be executed from various positions and is particularly effective against opponents who shoot for takedowns.
Mastering these basic submissions will provide you with a solid foundation in Jiu Jitsu. Remember, precision and technique are crucial when attempting these submissions, so practice them diligently and focus on perfecting your execution. With time and experience, you’ll be able to apply these submissions with confidence and effectiveness.
Conclusion
In conclusion, mastering the essential jiu jitsu techniques is crucial for every practitioner.
The hip escape, guard, mount escape, side control escape, and basic submissions are the building blocks of a solid foundation in this martial art.
Remember the wise adage, ‘Practice makes perfect,’ as you continue to refine your skills.
With dedication and experience, you’ll become a formidable force on the jiu jitsu mat.
Keep pushing forward and never stop learning.
