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: The John Wayne (Knee Lever) sweep is a fundamental technique in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, particularly effective from the half guard position. This sweep involves using your legs and body position to disrupt your opponent’s balance by targeting their knee. By hooking your opponent’s far leg and simultaneously applying pressure with your knee against their near leg, you create a lever that destabilizes their base. Key elements include maintaining a strong hook and positioning your hips correctly to generate the necessary leverage. The John Wayne sweep is versatile, working well in both gi and no-gi scenarios, and is highly effective against opponents who apply pressure from the top in half guard. This technique not only sweeps your opponent but often allows transitions to dominant positions like side control or mount.

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