The map of positions
BJJ is a fight for positions. This tutorial shows the main positions, who is winning in each one, and which way to move from each.
The top positions
Four positions are very good for the top player. In each one, the top player is past the legs and holds the other person down.
| Position | What it looks like | Points (IBJJF) |
|---|---|---|
| Back control | Chest on their back, both feet hooked inside their thighs | 4 |
| Mount | You sit on their chest or belly, knees pinched | 4 |
| Knee on belly | Your shin across their stomach, other foot on the mat | 2 |
| Side control | Chest to chest, past their legs, lying across them | 3 for the pass that gets there |
Back control is the best position in the sport. From behind, you can attack the neck and both arms. The other person cannot see you and has almost no attacks.
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Your chest is on their back, and both your feet hook inside their thighs. Back Control in the library ›
Guards, half guard and turtle
- Closed guard: the bottom player's legs wrap the top player's waist, ankles locked.
- Open guard: any guard without the ankles locked.
- Half guard: the bottom player traps one of the top player's legs.
- Butterfly guard: the bottom player sits up with both feet hooked inside the top player's thighs.
- Turtle: on elbows and knees, head tucked. It is a defensive position.
Being on your back is not the same as losing. In closed guard, the bottom player controls posture and can sweep or submit.
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Your legs wrap their waist, and your ankles lock behind their back. Closed Guard in the library ›
Your partner has mount. They walk their knees up into your armpits and trap one arm. This is high mount. High knees make the armbar easier for them.
Which way to move
Every position has a direction. On top, you climb to a better position. On the bottom, you survive first, then escape.
- Side control: move on to knee on belly, mount or the back.
- Knee on belly, top: watch for a straight pushing arm. It opens the armbar.
- Closed guard, bottom: break the top player's posture first.
- Turtle, top: take the seatbelt grip first (one arm over the shoulder, one under the arm), the hooks after.
- Under mount: survive first, then escape.
Classic errors
- Pushing with straight arms under mount. A straight arm is easy to armbar.
- Turning onto your belly under side control. They take your back.
- Posting a hand on the mat inside closed guard. It opens the kimura and sweeps.
- Reaching back from turtle. The reaching arm opens space for the seatbelt.
- Pushing the knee with straight arms under knee on belly. It sets up the armbar.
You are under side control and it feels heavy. You turn onto your belly to crawl out. Your partner follows, locks the seatbelt and puts in the hooks. You traded a bad position for the worst one.
Positions connect
Positions are steps in a chain. The top player climbs, and scores at each step.
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Side control is the first step: you are past their legs, chest across their chest. Side Control in the library ›
- Pass the guard to side control: 3 points.
- Move to knee on belly: 2 points.
- Move to mount: 4 points.
- Take the back: 4 points.
Under mount, the bottom player's order is: survive, escape, get back to guard, then attack.
Which of these is the best place to be for the bottom player?
Train it on the Path
Reading is the first step. The map of positions unit has 5 short lessons: you see a position and pick the best move.
The Path goes in order: start free from lesson one and you reach The map of positions on the way. With Rolla Plus you can jump straight here.