BJJ Glossary: Understanding the Language of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a complex martial art with its own language and terminology. Understanding these words and phrases is essential for effective communication and learning. Here is a glossary of some common BJJ terms and their definitions:

# | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

#

2 on 1: In BJJ, "2 on 1" is a grip where one person controls both arms of their opponent with both of their own arms. It is used to limit their opponent's movement and can lead to submissions or transitions. It is commonly used in wrestling and judo as well.
50/50: The 50/50 position in BJJ is when both opponents entangle their legs, resulting in a neutral position where both have equal control over each other's lower body. From this position, various submissions, sweeps, and transitions can be attempted to gain an advantage. It is a complex and technical position that some practitioners avoid while others actively seek it out.

A

Absolute: The "absolute" in BJJ refers to a division in which competitors of any weight class can compete against each other. It's considered the most prestigious division as the winner is often seen as the best overall competitor in the tournament. Competing in the absolute division requires high skill and conditioning, as competitors are likely to face opponents who are significantly larger or smaller than them.
Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC): is an international grappling tournament held every two years in Abu Dhabi, UAE. It features some of the world's top grapplers and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners who compete in a submission-only format. The tournament is considered one of the most prestigious grappling events in the world.
Acai: Acai is a fruit popular among BJJ practitioners for its health benefits. It's consumed to aid in muscle growth and recovery. Acai bowls and smoothies are a common post-training meal due to their nutrient content and energy-boosting properties. It's also associated with BJJ lifestyle and a common social activity after training.
Americana: A submission hold where the BJJ practitioner isolates their opponent's arm and applies pressure to their elbow.
Anaconda Choke: The anaconda choke is a submission hold in grappling martial arts, where one arm is wrapped around the opponent's neck and the other around their torso, creating pressure. It is highly effective and can cause an opponent to quickly tap out or lose consciousness.
Ankle Pick: An ankle pick is a grappling technique where the opponent's ankle is grabbed to cause them to lose balance and fall. It is useful for taking down standing opponents and can be combined with other techniques for a more complex takedown.
Ankle Lock: An ankle lock is a submission hold in which pressure is applied to the opponent's ankle, causing pain and/or injury.

Armbar: A submission in BJJ that hyperextends an opponent's arm. It involves controlling the arm from the guard position with the legs and applying pressure to the elbow joint with the hips and body, resulting in significant pressure and potential injury. The armbar is versatile and can be executed from other positions. It is fundamental in BJJ and often taught to beginners, requiring proper technique and control to avoid serious injury.
Arm Drag: Is a common technique that involves grabbing one of the opponent's arms and pulling it across their body, while simultaneously moving to the side and behind them. This allows the person executing the arm drag to either take the opponent's back or transition into other advantageous positions.
Arm Triangle Choke: The arm triangle choke is a grappling submission hold where the attacker traps one of the opponent's arms while applying pressure to their neck with their own arm.
Ashi Garami: Ashi garami is a leg entanglement technique used in grappling martial arts like BJJ and Judo, where one leg is wrapped around an opponent's leg to control their movements and apply pressure on their knee joint. It can be used for submissions or transitions, but can also be controversial due to the risk of knee injuries.

B

Back Control: Back control in BJJ is a dominant position where a practitioner sits on their opponent's back with their legs wrapped around their waist and their arms around their chest or neck. It allows for various submissions and control over the opponent's movements, making it a highly advantageous position in BJJ.
Back Mount: Back mount is a dominant position in grappling martial arts where one person is on top of the other, controlling them from behind. The person on top has their legs wrapped around the opponent's waist and their arms around their neck or chest.
Baseball Choke: The baseball choke is a submission hold in grappling martial arts that involves using the gi (uniform) to choke the opponent by wrapping it around their neck and applying pressure.
Berimbolo: The Berimbolo is often associated with the Mendes brothers, who popularized the technique in high-level competition. It involves inverting the body while maintaining control of the opponent's leg, rolling over the shoulder, and sweeping the opponent to the ground. From there, the person executing the Berimbolo can either transition to the back or maintain control of the opponent's leg for further attacks. It is a high-level technique can be difficult to defend against, but it requires a significant amount of practice and skill to execute properly.
Bicep Slicer: A bicep slicer is a submission hold in grappling martial arts that targets the opponent's bicep muscle. The technique involves compressing or crushing the bicep muscle between the attacker's forearm and their own body or the ground, causing pain and potentially injury.
BJJ Rash Guard: A type of athletic shirt designed for practitioners of BJJ. It's typically made of stretchy, moisture-wicking fabric and is worn tightly fitted to the body. The purpose of the rash guard is to protect the skin from mat burns, cuts, and to prevent the spread of infections. In addition to its protective function, the BJJ rash guard can also provide some compression and help regulate body temperature during training.
Body Triangle: A body triangle in BJJ is a technique used to control an opponent's body from the back control position. It involves wrapping one leg around the opponent's midsection while the other leg is placed over the first leg and hooked behind the knee. It's highly effective and commonly used in BJJ competitions to dominate and control opponents.
Bow and Arrow Choke: The bow and arrow choke is a submission technique, where one arm wraps around the opponent's neck and the other controls their lapel. It's named after the shape of the body and arms, resembling a person drawing a bow and arrow. This choke can be effective in making the opponent submit or lose consciousness.
Brabo Choke: A Brabo choke is a grappling technique that involves choking an opponent by placing one arm under their neck and the other over their shoulder, forming a gable grip, and squeezing the arms together. It is named after Marcelo "Brabo" Garcia, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and former world champion.
Break Fall: In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a break fall is a technique used to safely land on the ground when thrown or taken down by an opponent. The goal of a break fall is to disperse the impact of the fall over a larger surface area of the body, reducing the risk of injury. The technique involves slapping the mat with the arms and legs while rolling over the back and shoulders to absorb the impact.
Bridge: The term bridge or bridging refers to a movement where you lift your hips off the ground while lying on your back. It is used to create space and escape from your opponent's control or to generate power for a sweep or reversal.
Butterfly Guard: A position where the BJJ practitioner has their feet on the inside of their opponent's thighs and is controlling them from the bottom.

C

Calf Slicer: A calf slicer is a submission technique in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu that targets the lower leg and calf muscles of the opponent, typically performed from the half guard position or from the top position while in the opponent's guard.
Can Opener: A calf slicer is a submission technique in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu that targets the lower leg and calf muscles of the opponent, typically performed from the half guard position or from the top position while in the opponent's guard.
Cartwheel Pass: A cartwheel pass is a technique in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu used to pass an opponent's guard by doing a cartwheel over their legs and landing on the opposite side to establish a dominant position. It requires good timing, balance, and control of the opponent's hips.
Cauliflower Ear: A submission technique that involves grabbing an opponent's collar from within their closed guard and pulling it towards oneself while pushing their legs away. It creates a stretch on the opponent's spine and neck and can be used to open their guard or set up other submissions. However, caution should be taken to avoid injury.
Chicken Wing: A chicken wing is a submission hold that applies pressure on an opponent's shoulder joint. It involves pinning their arm to the ground with a leg and pulling their wrist towards the attacker's back. It can cause injury and is considered a high-risk technique.
Clinch: In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a clinch is a grappling position where two fighters are in close proximity and can be standing or on the ground. It's used to control an opponent's movement and set up takedowns, throws, or submissions.
Closed Guard: A position where the BJJ practitioner has their legs wrapped around their opponent's waist, controlling them from the bottom.
Crank: A crank in grappling is a technique that involves twisting or bending an opponent's joint or limb in an unnatural direction to cause pain or injury, with the aim of forcing them to submit. They can be dangerous and should only be used under the supervision of a qualified instructor in a controlled training environment.
Cross Collar Choke: The Cross Collar Choke is a submission technique in BJJ that involves using an opponent's gi collar to apply pressure to their neck and cause them to submit. It's highly effective, can be executed from different positions, and is one of the most commonly used chokes in BJJ.
Cross Face: A technique used to control an opponent's upper body and head position by applying pressure to their face or neck while driving the shoulder into their chest or neck. It is used to establish a dominant position and set up submissions, but must be used with control and proper technique to avoid injury.
Crucifix: In BJJ, a crucifix is a position where the practitioner controls both of their opponent's arms while straddling their back. It's achieved by taking the opponent's back and then controlling their arms. It's an advanced technique that allows the practitioner to neutralize their opponent's arms, making it difficult for them to escape or defend, and is used to apply submissions or transition to a more dominant position.

D

D'arce Choke: A submission hold where the BJJ practitioner wraps their arm around their opponent's neck and applies pressure with their bicep and forearm.
De la Riva Guard: A position where the BJJ practitioner has their leg hooked behind their opponent's knee and is controlling them from the bottom.
Double Leg Takedown: A double leg takedown is a technique used to take an opponent down to the ground by shooting in and wrapping both arms around the opponent's legs while driving forward with the body. It is a fundamental technique that requires good timing, technique, and explosive power. The double leg takedown can set up a variety of attacks and submissions on the ground. However, it can also be defended against, and BJJ practitioners must be prepared to adapt and transition to other techniques if it fails.
Double-Under Pass: The Double-Under Pass is a guard passing technique used in BJJ and other grappling sports. It involves getting low to the ground, securing an underhook with each arm around the opponent's thighs, lifting their legs off the ground, and driving forward to pass the guard. It can be used to set up submissions or transition to a more dominant position.

E

Escape: An escape in BJJ is a technique used to free oneself from a disadvantaged position. It is important for self-defense and competition purposes, and involves a combination of technical skill, physical strength, and mental focus. There are many types of escapes in BJJ, and they enable a practitioner to defend themselves and regain control of the fight.
Estima Choke: The Estima choke is a submission technique named after Victor Estima, a BJJ black belt who popularized it. It involves wrapping one arm around the opponent's neck while controlling their arm with the other, and applying pressure to both to force a submission or loss of consciousness. It's an advanced technique that can be challenging to execute against experienced opponents.
Ezekiel Choke: A submission hold where the BJJ practitioner applies pressure to their opponent's neck with their forearm while holding their own gi.

F

Fireman's Carry:The Fireman Carry is a takedown technique used in grappling sports like wrestling, BJJ, and Judo. It involves lifting an opponent over one's shoulder by grabbing one of their legs and wrapping an arm around their torso. It's a versatile takedown that can be used in various situations.
Flying Armbar: A flying armbar is a grappling technique used in martial arts where a fighter jumps or dives onto an opponent and applies an armbar submission by trapping one of their arms between their legs and using their arms to apply pressure to the elbow joint. It is a high-risk, high-reward technique that requires skill, timing, and athleticism to execute effectively.
Foot Locks: A submission that targets the foot or ankle of an opponent. Foot locks involve controlling the opponent's foot or ankle and applying pressure to cause pain or induce a tap out. Some common foot locks in BJJ include the heel hook, toe hold, ankle lock, and calf slicer.
Full Guard: A common position in BJJ where the person on the bottom wraps their legs around the opponent's waist or hips to control their posture and movement. It is used to execute techniques such as sweeps, submissions, and transitions. Full guard is fundamental in BJJ and proper technique and control are important.

G

Gable Grip: A gable grip is a hand grip used for control and submissions in grappling. It is formed by interlocking the fingers, creating a strong grip used for techniques such as the guillotine choke and kimura lock. The gable grip is fundamental in BJJ and requires proper technique and control to avoid injury and ensure effectiveness.
Gi: A traditional uniform worn during BJJ training and competition.
Gi Choke: A submission hold in martial arts that uses the opponent's gi to apply pressure to the neck and cause them to submit or lose consciousness. Different types of gi chokes use different parts of the gi.

Gogoplata: A submission hold where the BJJ practitioner uses their shin to apply pressure to their opponent's windpipe while also pulling on their own foot.
Guard: In BJJ, guard is a position where a practitioner is on their back with their legs wrapped around their opponent's waist or hips to control them. It's used to set up submissions or transitions to a more dominant position. There are various types of guards with different techniques and strategies.
Guard Pass: In BJJ, a guard pass is a technique to overcome an opponent's guard (legs and feet) for a better position. Opponents use the guard defensively to avoid submission. By breaking through their guard, a BJJ practitioner can advance to more advantageous positions, like side control or mount. There are various types of guard passes, each with different complexities. Guard passing is crucial for BJJ practitioners to control their opponent and win the match.
Guard Pull: In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, guard pull is a technique used to bring an opponent to the ground and maintain a dominant position on the practitioner's back with their legs wrapped around the opponent's waist or hips. It is a defensive tactic against skilled takedown opponents and a fundamental part of BJJ training.
Guillotine: A guillotine choke is a submission technique in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu that involves wrapping one arm around an opponent's neck and using the other arm to secure the grip, creating compression on the carotid arteries and windpipe. It can be performed from standing or within the guard, and is commonly used in BJJ competitions and MMA fights as a finishing move or a counter to takedown attempts.

H

Half Guard: A position where the BJJ practitioner has one leg wrapped around their opponent's leg and the other leg is free.
Heel Hook: A submission hold commonly used in grappling that targets the ankle and knee joints of the opponent. It involves controlling the opponent's foot and twisting it while applying pressure to the heel and the knee. Heel hooks can be highly effective in disabling an opponent's mobility and forcing them to submit. However, they are also considered dangerous and can be banned in certain competitions due to the high risk of injury if not applied correctly.
High Crotch: A high crotch is a takedown technique in wrestling and BJJ that involves securing a grip on an opponent's leg just above the knee while reaching around their waist with the other arm, lifting them off the ground, and driving them onto their back or side. It is a common takedown and requires good timing, balance, and strength to execute effectively.
Hip Escape: A hip escape is a basic technique in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu used to create space and move your body when you are on the ground and your opponent is in a dominant position. To execute it, you move your hips and legs to the side, push one foot away from your body, pivot your hips, and repeat the movement with the other foot. It allows you to defend against your opponent's attacks and escape from difficult positions.
Hook: In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a hook is a technique used to control an opponent's limb by wrapping a practitioner's leg or arm around it. Hooks are used to restrict mobility, control posture, and set up submission holds or transitions. They are important in BJJ and require technical proficiency to execute effectively.

I

IBJJF: IBJJF is the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation, a governing organization for the sport worldwide. It organizes competitions, sets rules and standards, and hosts major tournaments such as the World Championships. The organization promotes BJJ growth and development with a focus on safety, fair play, and respect for tradition and history.
Imanari Roll: An Imanari roll is a grappling and MMA technique named after Masakazu Imanari that involves a quick spin onto the ground to set up a leg lock submission. The fighter rolls forward and entangles their opponent's leg, which allows them to apply a submission. It is a high-risk, high-reward move that can catch an opponent off-guard and is used as a surprise attack.
Inverted Guard: A position where the BJJ practitioner is upside down and using their legs to control their opponent.
Inverting: Inverting is a technique that involves flipping one's body upside down on the ground to gain an advantage over the opponent. It can be used to escape bad positions, set up submissions or sweeps.

J

Japanese Necktie: The Japanese necktie is a grappling technique that involves wrapping one arm around the opponent's neck while trapping their arm between one's own leg and torso. The practitioner then applies pressure to the neck and arm to force the opponent to submit or lose consciousness. It's named for its origins in Japanese martial arts.
Jiu-jiteiro: (also spelled as "jiu-jitsuero" or "jiu-jitsuka") is a term used to refer to someone who practices Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The term is commonly used in the BJJ community to describe practitioners of the art.

K

Kesa Gatame: Kesa gatame is a grappling hold in Judo and BJJ, also known as the "scarf hold" or "head and arm hold." It involves wrapping one arm around an opponent's neck and the other around their upper arm while lying on one side, immobilizing the opponent and establishing a dominant position. It is a fundamental technique used in grappling competitions.
K-Guard: A BJJ technique used for control and submission from the bottom position. It involves trapping an opponent's leg with one arm and wrapping the other leg over the opponent's thigh, creating a "K" shape. This creates leverage and control, allowing the practitioner to sweep the opponent or set up a submission. The K Guard is a versatile technique that can be used in both gi and no-gi grappling.
Kimono: A kimono, also called a gi, is a traditional Japanese garment worn in martial arts such as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, and Karate. It is a long-sleeved robe made of heavy cotton or canvas and serves as a uniform to represent a practitioner's rank or skill level. It provides a grip for grappling techniques and can be used to execute throws and submissions. The kimono is a significant symbol of martial arts and an essential piece of equipment.
Kimura: A submission hold where the BJJ practitioner isolates their opponent's arm and applies pressure to their shoulder.
Knee Bar: A knee bar is a submission technique commonly used in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, and submission grappling that involves hyperextending the opponent's knee joint with pressure applied by both hands. It is highly effective but also potentially dangerous and banned in some competitions.
Knee on Belly: Knee on belly is a grappling position where one knee is placed on the opponent's stomach or chest while keeping the other leg extended. It's used to control and apply force, making it difficult for the opponent to escape or defend. It can be used for control, submission, or to transition to other positions.
Knee Shield: The knee shield is a guard position in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu that involves placing one foot on the opponent's hip and the other knee between their body and arm to create a shield. It allows the practitioner to control distance, prevent guard passes, and attempt sweeps and submissions. It is a fundamental technique in BJJ training.

L

Lapel Guard: A position where the BJJ practitioner uses the lapel of their opponent's gi to control them from the bottom.
Lasso Guard: Lasso guard is a BJJ guard position where the practitioner loops one leg around the opponent's arm to control their bicep, limiting their movement. It is used to set up sweeps, transitions, and off-balance the opponent. It requires flexibility and control and is typically used by advanced practitioners.
Leg Locks: Leg locks are submission techniques that involve manipulating an opponent's legs to apply pressure to the knee or ankle joint. They can be straight or twisting locks and are highly effective when used correctly. However, they can also be dangerous and are often restricted in grappling competitions.
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M

Mata Leão: Mata Leão is a Portuguese term that translates to "lion killer" in English. It is also known as a rear naked choke and is a submission technique commonly used in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, mixed martial arts, and other combat sports. To execute the Mata Leão, a practitioner positions themselves behind their opponent and locks their arms around the opponent's neck. They then apply pressure to the opponent's carotid arteries with their forearm, causing the opponent to lose consciousness if they do not tap out. The Mata Leão is considered one of the most effective and dangerous submission techniques in BJJ and is often used in self-defense situations.
Mount: A dominant position where the BJJ practitioner is sitting on top of their opponent's torso.

N

Neck Crank: A neck crank is a technique used in combat sports and martial arts that involves applying pressure to an opponent's neck in a way that causes pain or discomfort. Unlike a chokehold, which targets the opponent's airway, a neck crank targets the cervical spine and can cause injury if applied with excessive force or improper technique. Neck cranks are often considered dangerous and are sometimes prohibited in certain grappling competitions.
No-gi: Training and competition without the traditional BJJ uniform.
North-south: A dominant position where the BJJ practitioner is facing their opponent's feet and controlling them with their body weight.

O

Omoplata: A submission hold where the BJJ practitioner isolates their opponent's arm and applies pressure to their shoulder using their legs.
Oss: A word used in BJJ to show respect and acknowledgement.
Overhook: An overhook is a grappling technique where a fighter's arm is positioned over their opponent's arm and wrapped around the opponent's arm and back. This allows the fighter to control their opponent's arm and apply various submissions or control positions such as the guillotine choke, armbar, or triangle choke. The overhook can also be used to transition to other grappling techniques such as sweeps and takedowns.

P

Porrada: A Portuguese term used in BJJ to describe a style of aggressive and physical grappling that involves striking and heavy pressure. It translates to "beatdown" in English and is often associated with a more intense and competitive approach to BJJ training and sparring.
Pull Guard: A technique where a practitioner willingly drops to their back and pulls their opponent into their closed guard. It is often used to avoid takedowns or to initiate ground fighting. From the closed guard, the practitioner can attack with sweeps, submissions, and strikes while controlling their opponent's posture and movements. The strategy of pulling guard is commonly used in BJJ competition and can be effective when executed properly.

Q

Quarter Guard: The Quarter Guard is a BJJ position where the bottom player traps one of their opponent's legs between their own legs, with the top player on their side. It's similar to Half Guard but with less control. The bottom player can sweep their opponent or advance to a better position, and the top player can work to pass the Quarter Guard.

R

Rear-naked Choke: A submission hold where the BJJ practitioner wraps their arm around their opponent's neck and applies pressure. Many variations exist of this move and its known.
Ringworm: Ringworm is a highly contagious fungal infection that can occur in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) and other contact sports. It is characterized by circular, scaly patches of red, itchy, and inflamed skin that can appear on any part of the body. In BJJ, ringworm can spread quickly through close physical contact, so it is important for practitioners to practice good hygiene and avoid training if they suspect they have the infection. Seeking medical treatment and informing training partners and the gym can help prevent further spread of the infection.
Rolling: Rolling is a sparring session in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu where two practitioners simulate a real match, attempting to apply their techniques and submissions while defending against their opponent's attacks. It is an essential part of BJJ training and helps practitioners develop physical conditioning, timing, strategy, and test their skills against different styles and body types.
Rubber Guard: Rubber guard is a BJJ technique popularized by Eddie Bravo that involves holding an opponent in a high guard with one leg wrapped around their back and the other leg holding their arm in place. It allows the practitioner to control their opponent's movements and set up submissions. The technique requires flexibility, control, and proper execution to be effective.

S

Sandbagging: Sandbagging in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) refers to the practice of intentionally competing at a lower skill level than what a practitioner is actually capable of. This can involve falsifying belt rank or competing in a lower division to gain an unfair advantage. It is considered cheating and goes against the principles of fair play and sportsmanship in BJJ. To prevent sandbagging, BJJ tournaments have implemented rules and regulations to ensure fair competition, and belt promotions are awarded based on demonstrated skill over time.
Scarf Hold: The scarf hold, also known as "kesa gatame" in Japanese, is a dominant position in grappling that involves pinning an opponent to the ground with the chest and wrapping one arm around their neck and the other around their waist. It provides the practitioner with a high degree of control over the opponent's upper body and can lead to various attacks and submissions such as the armbar, kimura, or triangle choke.
Scissor Sweep: The scissor sweep is a fundamental Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) technique used to sweep an opponent from the guard position. It involves extending one leg on the hip and the other leg on the knee while pulling the opponent's arm across the body, off-balancing them. The practitioner then scissor kicks their legs, causing the opponent to fall to the side and allowing the practitioner to establish a dominant position. It requires timing, coordination, and leverage to execute successfully.
Seat Belt: In BJJ, the seat belt is a position where the practitioner controls their opponent's back. It involves wrapping one arm around the opponent's waist and the other arm over their shoulder and under their armpit, creating a "seat belt" grip. This position provides a high degree of control and allows for various attacks and submissions such as the rear naked choke or the bow and arrow choke.
Shrimping: Shrimping is a movement used in BJJ to escape from the bottom position by creating space. It involves turning onto one's side and pushing off the ground with the feet and hips. Shrimping is an essential technique in BJJ used to recover guard or escape from the bottom position.
Side Control: A dominant position where the BJJ practitioner is laying on top of their opponent, pinning them to the ground.
Single Leg: A single leg takedown is a wrestling technique where the wrestler takes down their opponent by grabbing and controlling one of their legs. It involves shooting in on the leg and lifting it off the ground while driving the opponent to the mat. It's a highly effective technique used in wrestling, BJJ, and MMA.
Staph: "Staph" in grappling refers to a bacterial infection called Staphylococcus aureus, which can be contracted through skin-to-skin contact. It can cause skin lesions or abscesses and can be prevented by practicing good hygiene and regularly cleaning equipment.
Spider Guard: A position where the BJJ practitioner has their feet on their opponent's biceps and is controlling them from the bottom.
Submission: In BJJ, a submission is a technique used to force an opponent to give up by applying pressure to a joint or restricting their breathing. Examples include armbar, triangle choke, and rear naked choke. It requires securing a dominant position and proper technique, and the opponent may "tap out" to concede. Submissions are a key part of BJJ training and competition.
Sweep: A technique used to reverse the position of the BJJ practitioner and their opponent.

T

Takedown: A technique used in martial arts to bring an opponent from a standing position to the ground. In BJJ, it's used to gain a dominant position or set up a submission. Various techniques can be used, such as a single-leg or double-leg takedown, hip throw, or foot sweep.
Tap Out: Tap out is a term used in combat sports, including BJJ, to indicate submission or the end of a match. It involves tapping the hand or foot against the opponent or mat to signal that the practitioner has been caught in a submission hold or is unable to continue. It is an important safety measure and a way to show respect to the opponent and the sport.
Tatami: A tatami is a type of mat used in martial arts such as judo, jiu-jitsu, and karate. The mats are typically made of compressed layers of foam, covered by a vinyl or canvas material that is designed to be durable and easy to clean. The surface of the tatami is usually textured to provide a better grip and prevent slipping. The size of a tatami can vary, but it is typically around 1 meter by 2 meters and around 5-7 cm thick. The tatami is an important part of martial arts training and is used to provide a safe and supportive surface for practicing techniques and sparring.
Toe Hold: A toehold is a submission technique in BJJ that targets the ankle and foot, causing pain and damage to the ankle joint. It involves twisting the opponent's foot while grabbing it, and can be applied from various positions. The toehold is legal in many BJJ competitions but may have specific rules.
Toreando Pass: The toreando pass is a guard passing technique in BJJ where the practitioner grabs the opponent's pants or legs and pushes them to one side while passing to the other. It requires good timing, technique, and the ability to anticipate and counter the opponent's movements.
Triangle Choke: A submission hold where the BJJ practitioner wraps their legs around their opponent's neck and arm, cutting off their blood flow.
The Truck: In BJJ, "the truck" refers to a grappling position or technique where one person takes the back of their opponent and traps one of their legs with their own. This creates a position where the person in control can apply various submission holds, such as a rear naked choke, or use the position to transition to a more dominant position, such as mount or side control. The truck is commonly used in BJJ competition and has become a popular position in recent years.
Twister: In BJJ, a "twister" is a submission that targets the neck and spine from the back control position. It involves wrapping an arm around the opponent's neck and grabbing their far leg, then twisting their body in the opposite direction.
Turtle Position: The turtle position in BJJ is a defensive posture used when an opponent has taken the practitioner's back. It involves being on hands and knees, with arms protecting the neck and face. The position can be used to defend against attacks, regain a better position, or initiate sweeps and submissions.

U

UAEJJF: The UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation is the governing body for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the United Arab Emirates. It organizes BJJ tournaments and promotes the sport, including the prestigious Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship.
Uke: In martial arts, an uke is a training partner who receives techniques from the person practicing the technique, known as the tori. The uke's role is to provide a cooperative yet challenging partner for the tori to practice their techniques on, and may provide feedback to help the tori improve. The term uke is most commonly used in Japanese martial arts such as Judo and Aikido.
Underhook: an underhook is a grappling technique where a practitioner uses their arm to hook underneath their opponent's arm and around their opponent's back. The underhook is a common technique used in BJJ to gain control over an opponent and can be used to set up a variety of sweeps, takedowns, and submissions. It is often used in conjunction with the overhook technique, where a practitioner uses their arm to hook over their opponent's arm and around their opponent's neck or head.
Upa: The term "upa" refers to a basic bridge and hip escape movement used to escape from the bottom position when an opponent is on top of you. It involves bridging up with your hips while simultaneously turning onto your side and creating space to escape or transition to a better position. The upa is a fundamental movement and is often one of the first techniques taught to beginners in BJJ. It is an important skill to master as it can help you escape from many bad positions in grappling.

V

Von Flue Choke: The Von Flue choke is a BJJ and MMA submission technique used to counter a guillotine choke. It involves securing an opponent's head and arm in side control, applying shoulder pressure to the opponent's neck while maintaining control. The technique is named after Jason Von Flue, a former UFC fighter who successfully used it in multiple fights.

W

Whizzer: A whizzer is a wrestling technique used to counter an opponent's takedown attempt by wrapping one's arm over the opponent's arm and around their back while driving the elbow down into the opponent's shoulder. It can be used to prevent a takedown or transition to a dominant position.
Windshield Wiper: Windshield wiper is a movement used in BJJ to transition between guard positions. It involves sweeping one's legs in a fluid motion to create space and change angles. This technique is used to move from closed guard to butterfly guard or to transition to the other side of the opponent's body. The windshield wiper is essential in BJJ for maintaining control and advancing position on the ground.
Worm Guard: Worm guard is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu guard position and technique that was popularized by BJJ black belt Keenan Cornelius. In worm guard, the BJJ practitioner uses their legs to wrap around the opponent's leg and secure the lapel grip, creating a sort of "wormhole" between the two practitioners. From this position, the BJJ practitioner can use various sweeps, submissions, and transitions to take control of the match and secure a victory.

Wrist Locks: A submission hold that targets the wrist joint. It involves applying pressure to the wrist in a way that causes pain and discomfort, forcing your opponent to submit or risk injury. They are often used as a surprise attack or to control an opponent's movement, making it easier to transition to a more dominant position or to finish the fight.

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X-Guard: A position where the BJJ practitioner has one leg inside and one leg outside of their opponent's legs, controlling them from the bottom.

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Z-Guard: A position in BJJ that involves placing one leg across your opponent's hips, while the other leg is bent and placed on the ground, creating a "Z" shape with your legs. This position allows you to control your opponent's posture and movement, making it difficult for them to pass your guard and allowing you to set up various attacks and submissions.

This glossary is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the vast terminology used in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. As the art continues to evolve and new techniques are developed, this glossary will always be expanding. Whether you're a beginner just starting to learn the basics or a seasoned practitioner looking to expand your knowledge, this glossary is a great resource to help you navigate the terminology used in BJJ.