BJJ position
Stand-up
Stand-up covers everything that happens before the fight goes to the ground: stance, grip fighting, breaking the opponent's balance and the takedown or guard pull that decides who starts on top. In jiu-jitsu competition every match starts here, and a good takedown scores points and puts you in a strong position to pass. You don't need a wrestling background to have a solid stand-up game: a sound stance, a few grip sequences and one or two reliable takedowns or guard pulls go a long way.
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Attacking
- Win the grip fight before you commit to anything
- Break your opponent's balance first, then attack
- Have a plan: one takedown, one guard pull, one defence
Defending
- Keep a balanced stance with your hips under you
- Defend takedowns by controlling the head and keeping your hips back
- Follow a successful takedown straight into a pass or a pin
Key details
- Off-balancing (kuzushi) makes every takedown easier
- Grip the collar and sleeve in the gi, the head and wrists in no-gi
- Move in angles rather than straight back and forward
- Land on top in a strong position, not just on top
Common mistakes
- Standing upright and square, which makes you easy to take down
- Reaching for grips without protecting your own
- Pulling guard without a grip, which gives the opponent a free pass
Techniques from stand-up
In the BJJ Navigator library, each with a video clip.
O uchi takedownSloth Head Takedown takedownSasae Ashi Sweep otherBasic Foot Sweep Principle not to forget takedownArm Drag takedownAnkle pick with block takedown
Related positions
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