BJJ white belt cheat sheet
Everything a new white belt needs on one page: mat rules, positions, first moves and class words.
Mat rules
- Clean gi or training clothes every class. Short nails, no jewellery.
- Shoes off on the mat. Shoes on when you leave it.
- Tap early, and let go at once when your partner taps.
- No slams, no neck cranks, no bending fingers.
- Follow the coach's calls to start and stop.
The ladder of positions
| Rank | Position (top player) | Points (IBJJF) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Back control | 4, with both hooks in |
| 2 | Mount | 4 |
| 3 | Knee on belly | 2 |
| 4 | Side control | 3 for the guard pass |
| 5 | Half guard, on top | None |
| 6 | Inside the guard | None |
Learn these first
| Type | First moves |
|---|---|
| Movement | Bridge, shrimp, breakfall, technical stand-up |
| Escapes | Upa, elbow escape, back escape |
| Sweeps | Scissor sweep, hip bump sweep |
| Passes | Knee Cut Pass, toreando pass |
| Submissions | Rear naked choke, armbar, kimura, triangle |
Words you will hear
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Roll | Sparring: free training with a partner who resists |
| Drill | Repeating a move many times with a partner who does not resist |
| Tap | Tapping your partner or the mat, or saying tap, to say stop |
| Oss | A greeting that also means yes or thank you |
| Professor | The coach who teaches the class |
| Gi | The jacket, trousers and belt worn for training |
More words are in the BJJ glossary.
Train it on the Path
The Before you roll unit turns this into short lessons: you see a position and pick the best move.