30 Must-Know Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Terms, Phrases and Slang

Step onto the mats and arm yourself with the ultimate lexicon of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu!

From the sneaky ‘heel hook’ to the tenacious ‘triangle choke,’ these 30 terms will transform you from a BJJ newbie to a mat-savvy warrior.

Get ready to choke out the confusion and tap into knowledge—your BJJ slang starts now!

Must-Know Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Terms, Phrases and Slang:

1. Americana
2. Belt
3. Berimbolo
4. BJJ
5. Choke
6. Drill
7. Gi
8. Guard
9. Heel hook
10. Kimura
11. Leg lock
12. Mat
13. No-gi
14. Pass
15. Roll
16. Sparring
17. Submission
18. Sweep
19. Tap out
20. Triangle choke
21. Armbar
22. Back mount
23. Closed guard
24. Collar choke
25. Ezekiel choke
26. Half guard
27. Open guard
28. Rear-naked choke
29. Side control
30. Spider guard

#1 Americana

An armlock submission that hyperextends the elbow and shoulder by trapping the opponent’s arm and applying pressure with a figure-four grip. Frequently used in BJJ and MMA, it can result in a tap out due to pain or risk of injury.

#2 Belt

A colored waistband representing a practitioner’s rank and experience in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Ranging from white (beginner) to black (expert), belts are earned through skill demonstration, knowledge, and time spent training.

#3 Berimbolo

A dynamic and acrobatic type of guard inversion used to sweep or take an opponent’s back. The berimbolo involves spinning underneath the opponent while controlling one of their legs, often leading to advanced positions.

#4 BJJ

Short for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a martial art and combat sport focused on ground fighting and submission holds. BJJ emphasizes technique and leverage, allowing a smaller practitioner to defeat larger opponents.

#5 Choke

A grappling technique designed to stop the blood flow or air supply to an opponent’s brain by compressing the neck. A successful choke can cause unconsciousness or submission, and is a staple of BJJ submissions.

#6 Drill

A repetitive practice of specific BJJ techniques or movements designed to improve muscle memory, timing, and technical proficiency. Drilling is a fundamental part of training and skill development in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

#7 Gi

The Gi in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a traditional martial arts uniform consisting of a jacket, pants, and a belt that signifies the wearer’s rank. The gi is designed to withstand the rigorous grappling and pulling that characterizes BJJ training.

#8 Guard

The guard is a fundamental position in BJJ where one practitioner has their back on the ground while using their legs to control an opponent who is on top. This defensive position allows various techniques to attack or sweep (reverse) the opponent.

#9 Heel Hook

A submission attack targeting the knee and ankle by turning the heel outward, which can cause significant joint damage. It leverages the leg’s natural range of motion against itself, often banned in gi competitions for safety reasons.

#10 Kimura

A shoulder lock submission that twists the arm behind the opponent’s back, leveraging pressure on the shoulder joint. Named after judoka Masahiko Kimura, who famously defeated Hélio Gracie with this technique.

#11 Leg Lock

A general term for any submission technique that targets an opponent’s leg joints, such as the knee or ankle. Leg locks include heel hooks, knee bars, and ankle locks, aiming to either control or submit the opponent.

#12 Mat

The padded flooring used in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training and competition to provide a safer surface for practice. It’s essential for reducing the risk of injury when practicing throws, falls, and groundwork.

#13 No-gi

A style of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu where practitioners wear shorts and rash guards instead of the traditional gi. No-gi promotes a faster-paced and more dynamic grappling experience, often focused on leg locks and athleticism.

#14 Pass

Also called passing the guard, it’s a technique to bypass an opponent’s legs and move from a less dominant position to a more advantageous one, like side control or mount. Essential for positional advancement and scoring in competition.

#15 Roll

In BJJ, “roll” refers to free-form sparring where practitioners apply their techniques in a controlled, often competitive setting without set objectives like points or time limits. Rolling helps students test and refine their skills, build endurance, and learn to adapt techniques against resisting opponents.

#16 Sparring

Sparring in BJJ is a form of training where practitioners fight against each other using the techniques they have learned. It is a key component of training because it allows students to practice techniques in real-life scenarios within the safety of controlled conditions and rules.

#17 Submission

A technique that forces an opponent to surrender due to a lock or choke that could cause pain or injury if not released. It’s the primary method of winning a match in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, emphasizing the art’s focus on control and technique.

#18 Sweep

A maneuver that reverses the position, allowing the practitioner on the bottom to transition to the top. This technique is fundamental in BJJ for gaining advantage and moving into more dominant, offensive positions during a match.

#19 Tap out

A physical gesture, often tapping the opponent or mat, used to concede defeat, indicating that the person can no longer defend themselves from a submission. It’s a sign of respect and understanding of one’s limits on the BJJ mat.

#20 Triangle choke

A submission move executed from the guard by encircling the opponent’s neck and one arm with the legs, forming a shape similar to a triangle. This technique demonstrates the strategic use of leverage and positioning in BJJ.

#21 Armbar

A submission technique that hyperextends the opponent’s elbow joint using leverage, where the practitioner’s hips are placed close to the opponent’s shoulder, with the opponent’s arm trapped between their thighs. A fundamental move in BJJ, the armbar is effective and widely practiced.

#22 Back Mount

Back mount is a dominant position where one fighter secures their position on the opponent’s back, often with both hooks in. From here, they have significant control to apply chokes like the rear naked choke, scoring high in BJJ competitions.

#23 Closed Guard

A fundamental defensive position in BJJ where the bottom grappler has their legs wrapped around the opponent’s waist with their ankles crossed. It allows for various sweeps, submissions, and control of the adversary.

#24 Collar Choke

A submission technique where a practitioner uses the opponent’s gi, gripping the collar with one or both hands, to apply pressure on the neck. This choke can be executed from multiple positions and is highly effective.

#25 Ezekiel Choke

A versatile chokehold applied using the practitioner’s own sleeve or wrist to press against the opponent’s throat. It can be performed from various positions, including inside their guard, catching opponents off-guard.

#26 Half Guard

A position where one combatant has control over one of their opponent’s legs, typically with their own legs entwined. It serves as a transitional phase between full guard and more dominant positions.

#27 Open Guard

An umbrella term for any guard position where the legs are not closed around the opponent’s body. Variations include spider, butterfly, and de la Riva guards, allowing for numerous offensive and defensive maneuvers.

#28 Rear-Naked Choke

A powerful submission move performed from behind the opponent, where the attacker’s arm encircles the neck, using a forearm to apply pressure to the carotid arteries, often securing a tap out.

#29 Side control

Side control is a dominant position in BJJ where one practitioner is lying perpendicular across the opponent’s chest, controlling them from the side. This position limits the bottom practitioner’s ability to move or escape and allows the top practitioner to apply various submissions or transition to other dominant positions.

#30 Spider Guard

The spider guard is a type of guard in BJJ where the practitioner on the bottom uses their feet placed on the opponent’s biceps or forearms, controlling them using grips on the sleeves. This guard is particularly effective for managing the distance, setting up sweeps, and creating openings for submissions.

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