Course Content
Movement Techniques
Introduction to the core body mechanics required for all techniques in Jiu-Jitsu.
0/8
Shrimping (Hip Escape) – Create space and recover guard by pushing off the ground and shifting hips.
02:16
Bridging – 💥 Explosive movement to elevate hips and disrupt an opponent’s balance or escape control.
02:34
Breakfalls – 🦴Safety technique to disperse impact and protect head, spine, and limbs during a fall.
13:03
Technical Stand-Up (Sitting on the Beach) Safe and controlled method to return to standing while protecting against attacks.
04:17
Granby Roll – An inversion movement used to escape and recover guard from bottom positions.
05:20
Sit-Through: A transition from turtle or all-fours position to regain positional control.
05:24
Forward Roll – Used to train safe falling and guard retention transitions.
03:57
Backward Roll – A safe way to redirect backward momentum and regain defensive positioning.
04:27
Core Concepts in Jiu Jitsu
Core concepts and philosophies that will guide your success
0/11
Posture – Maintaining spinal alignment and base to resist sweeps and submissions.
36:29
Framing – Using your limbs to create structure and distance under pressure.
06:20
Base – Brief Summary: Stability and balance that prevents sweeps and supports movement.
08:53
Hip Movement – The ability to move and rotate your hips freely to escape or attack.
05:21
Distance Management – Controlling the range between you and your opponent for safety or engagement.
00:49
Timing – Knowing when to act — not just what to do.
06:06
Leverage – Using mechanics to apply force efficiently and overcome strength differences.
05:22
Positional Hierarchy – Understanding which positions are better and why they matter strategically.
09:57
Pressure – Applying your weight in a way that limits your opponent’s movement or breathing.
13:04
Hygiene, Etiquette, and Ego – Clean bodies, respectful behavior, and an open mindset are non-negotiables in jiu-jitsu.
White Belt Rolling Guidelines – Rules and strategies for safe, effective sparring as a beginner.
Key Positions and Control
Understand fundamental positions for control and submission opportunities.
0/7
Mount – A dominant top position offering strong control and high submission potential.
13:25
Side Control – A controlling top position that pins the opponent’s upper body and limits mobility.
06:37
Back Control – A dominant control position from behind your opponent with hooks and seatbelt grip.
02:33
Turtle Position – A defensive posture on all fours that prevents scoring but requires tight control.
05:26
North-South Position – A top control position with your chest over the opponent’s torso, facing their legs.
08:20
Knee on Belly – A mobile top control position used to pressure, strike, or transition to submissions.
06:07
Kesa Gatame (Scarf Hold) – A control hold from side position using head and arm control, adapted from judo.
14:26
Guards, Guard Retention, and Guard Passing
Understand key guard types, retention, and essential passing strategies.
0/11
Closed Guard – A fundamental guard with legs locked around the opponent to control and attack.
11:57
Open Guard – guard where your legs are uncrossed, used to manage distance & control opponents.
06:58
Butterfly Guard -An open guard using hooked feet to control and elevate opponents for sweeps and transitions.
04:50
Half Guard – A guard variation that controls one of your opponent’s legs to neutralize top pressure.
07:09
Knee Shield Half Guard (Z-Guard) – A defensive half guard using a shin frame to maintain distance and block pressure.
04:23
Williams Guard – closed guard variant w overhook control and a high leg position
08:31
Toreando Pass – A fast guard pass using lateral movement to bypass the legs.
15:16
Double Under Pass – pressure-based pass involving stacking the opponent and passing around their legs.
06:09
Over-Under Pass – A hybrid pressure pass using one arm over and one under the opponent’s legs to control the hips.
06:44
Knee Cut Pass – A slicing pass using your knee as a wedge to split and bypass the opponent’s guard.
07:35
Combat Base – A stable in-between position used to pass guard or defend sweeps.
05:02
Escapes and Defensive Movements
Build resilience through high-percentage escapes from dominant positions.
0/8
Mount Escape (Elbow-Knee Escape) A hip-driven escape from bottom mount by framing and recovering guard.
06:44
Mount Escape (Upa / Bridge and Roll) – An explosive reversal from mount using bridging and momentum to roll your opponent.
07:02
Side Control Escape (Elbow Push Escape) – A technical escape that uses frames and hip movement to recover guard from side control.
05:00
Side Control Escape (Hip Escape Frame & Shrimp) – A frame-based escape using hip motion to recover space and regain guard.
03:22
Back Escape (Hand Fighting + Bridge) – escape from back control using grip breaks and hip movement.
02:23
Back Escape (Seatbelt Escape) – An escape from back control that targets the seatbelt grip to initiate a turn-in or hip slide.
03:19
Kesa Gatame Escape – from scarf hold using bridging or inside leg hook techniques.
06:08
North-South Escape – An escape from top control where your opponent is facing your legs; uses frames and shrimping.
05:17
Sweeps & Reversals
Reposition and reverse opponents using leverage and timing.
0/8
Scissor Sweep – sweep from closed guard using leg positioning and grips to off-balance your opponent.
05:14
Elevator Sweep (Pendulum Sweep) – using your leg as an elevator to lift and reverse your opponent from guard.
07:05
Flower Sweep (Pendulum Sweep Variation) from closed guard using a hook under the leg and strong grips.
04:54
Hip Bump Sweep – Sweep from closed guard that uses an explosive hip drive.
10:41
Butterfly Sweep – A guard sweep using leg elevation and an underhook to off-balance and roll your opponent.
05:41
Tripod Sweep – from open guard that targets the opponent’s base by attacking the leg and foot.
04:13
De La Riva Sweep – using a hook around the opponent’s leg, common in modern open guard systems.
05:41
John Wayne (Knee Lever) Sweep – utilizing leverage against the opponent’s knee, effective from the half guard position.
04:57
Takedowns
Establish dominant positions by learning essential takedowns from both gi and no-gi scenarios.
0/7
Single Leg Takedown – A foundational technique where you secure and finish using control of one leg.
09:43
Double Leg Takedown – An explosive entry and lift targeting both legs to drive your opponent to the mat.
09:43
O Goshi (Hip Throw) – adapted from judo using a strong grip and tight rotation.
04:01
Arm Drag to Back Take – A slick technique to create angles and transition to dominant control.
06:39
Collar Drag – A 🥋gi-specific takedown that pulls the opponent off balance using their own collar.
04:24
Ankle Pick – A quick takedown that targets the ankle while controlling the upper body posture.
08:06
Snap Down to Front Headlock – A movement that pulls the opponent forward to establish dominant head control.
04:44
Core Submission Techniques
Learn the most fundamental submissions for white belts from dominant positions and guard.
0/12
Americana – A shoulder lock from mount or side control using a figure-four grip.
02:02
Kimura – A shoulder lock applied with a figure-four grip, often from guard or top position.
05:01
Cross-Collar Choke from Guard – 🥋 Gi choke using the opponent’s collar from closed guard.
02:59
Cross Collar Choke From Mount – Gi choke using deep collar grips from the top mount position.
04:43
Rear Naked Choke – blood choke from back control using arm positioning.
07:42
Straight Ankle Lock – A lower-body submission to know at the white belt level
08:44
Ezekiel Choke – A sleeve-based gi choke from various top or bottom positions.
04:26
Baseball Bat Choke – A gi choke using a bat-style grip, effective from top or bottom guard.
05:18
Armbar From the Guard – Fundamental submission
04:45
Armbar from Mount – Or from top – Stepwise progression
04:45
Triangle Choke – Versatile and powerful submission
Omoplata – A submission, a sweep, and more
05:02
Kids’ Class BJJ Terms – The Language of Jiu-Jitsu: Kids’ Terms to Adult Techniques
Glossary of popular terms
0/2
The Language of Jiu-Jitsu: Bridging the Terminology Gap
Understanding the Points Scoring System in BJJ: A Fun Guide for Parents
Jiu-Jitsu Foundations: Beginner’s Guide for Kids & Parents/Adults Who are Brand New to This
About Lesson

Extended Summary:
Half guard is a position where you control one of your opponent’s legs between both of yours, creating a powerful defensive position that also offers numerous offensive opportunities. This versatile guard has evolved from a transitional position to one of the most technical aspects of modern jiu-jitsu. Proper half guard involves maintaining hip mobility, fighting for the underhook, and preventing crossface control. Half guard teaches critical concepts like creating frames, inside position management, and countering pressure.

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