Issue 060

March 2010

To neutralize a BJJ fighter it is important to understand submission attacks before they can begin. Preventing the jiu-jitsu fighter from achieving the holds and tie-ups necessary to attack with their arsenal of submissions and sweeps is a far more effective strategy than attempting to escape once they have been applied.

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE HIPS AND GRIPS

Movement of the hips is critical in the execution of jiu-jitsu techniques. The hips will advise the top man of the intentions of the jiu-jitsu player, as will his selection of tie-ups. Recognizing which attacks are associated with which types of control is critical when attempting to counter those possibilities. 

SAFETY POSITION

Pete is in Ryan’s closed guard. Pete is using inside controls, also known as the ‘safety position’. Pete’s hands are inside Ryan’s arms, his elbows and knees are sensing and limiting Ryan’s hip movement. Placing the hands in the armpits is acceptable, but here Pete has folded his fingers over Ryan’s shoulders, limiting Ryan's ability to move away – if his grip were any further over the shoulder he would leave his arms vulnerable to submissions.

CLEARING THE COLLAR TIES

Step 1: Pete has inside control, but Ryan is keeping Pete’s posture low with strong collar ties. With Peter in a low position, Ryan has a far greater chance of being successful with a submission attack, while Pete cannot properly see his striking targets. If Pete simply commences punching here he will leave himself open to being tied up. 

Step 2: Pete lifts his power leg, encroaching on the hips and limiting Ryan’s movement. 

Step 3: Pete lifts with his elbow, clearing the collar tie off his head.

SQUARING UP

Step 1: Tracking the guard is very important in order to neutralize armlock attempts before they happen. The jiu-jitsu fighter will first attempt to cut an angle before climbing with the legs for the armlock. 

Step 2: Ryan moves his hips out to the side, rotating his body. Pete’s left arm was safe in inside control, but is now dangerously exposed due to the shift in Ryan’s hips. 

Step 3: Pete drives forward with his left leg, pulling elbow and knee close together again, squaring his hips up with Ryan’s and returning to the safety position.  

POSTURING UP

Here Pete pins the biceps, a variation of inside control. The bicep ties will prevent Ryan from achieving an effective grip. Pete has postured up, making armbar, omoplata and triangle attacks virtually redundant in most cases. Should Ryan attempt a submission attack without an appropriate tie-up while Pete has good posture, he will most likely find his guard will be passed.

COUNTERING THE OPEN GUARD

Effective control of the hooks is necessary to prevent sweeps or leg attacks from the open guard.

SQUASHING THE HOOKS

From here Ryan’s offense is severely limited. He cannot sweep, submit or execute a stand up. With his legs squashed down he can generate very little power to up-kick and will find it difficult to re-pummel his hooks.

STANDING IN THE OPEN GUARD

Ryan has an open guard, so Pete has taken control of Ryan’s hooks, holding the legs on the shins just above the ankle. With this grip Pete neutralizes the up-kick and also receives feedback from Ryan’s hips, which will enable him to predict where Ryan intends to move next. 

STANDING UP

By standing Pete will find it easier to pry open the locked guard. Pete stands with a split stance; should he stand square he'll be vulnerable to a double ankle-pick sweep.  

Note: Pete has wedged Ryan’s leg with his elbow, making it difficult for him to transition to an open guard. Pete has forced Ryan to stay in the closed guard where it is very difficult to execute sweeps or submissions on a standing opponent.  

HANDS ON SHINS

Pete grips over the shins just above the ankle. Pete can prevent Ryan from putting the hooks behind his knees or pushing on his hips.  

TOE GRIP

Pete’s hands are right over Ryan’s toes. From here he can feel any attempt at an up-kick in advance by sensing the movement of the hips. This position offers Ryan no opportunities to sweep or submit.  

LEG KICKS

Pete could elect to punch down at Ryan, but when dealing with a superior jiu-jitsu fighter this runs the risk of throwing oneself back into the guard or, even worse, directly into a submission. Instead Pete disengages a little and, using the ankle grips to lift the shin, exposes the thigh to a leg kick.  

Note: Pete is careful to maintain his guard and sufficient distance to avoid receiving an up-kick under the chin.