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In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, no matter how much of a submission hunter you may be – or want to be – the fact is: positional dominance is crucial. In this Kingz blog series, we’re delving into some of the key positions in the world of jiu-jitsu. Up on base: the back control.

Back control is one of the most – and for some, the most – dominant positions in BJJ… as you’ll see in the “hierarchy of BJJ positions” charts, back control reigns supreme. When you secure your opponent’s back, you put your opponent in an incredibly vulnerable and defensive position, increasing the likelihood that he/she will get desperate and make a mistake that will ultimately secure you the win, either via points or by submission.

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Brazilian jiu-jitsu isn’t just about all that fancy stuff on the ground… You have to get there in the first place. And while many of you might prefer to go the easy route and pull guard – but, why?? – a better bet is to start the match off in a more dominant position.

But not all takedowns are created equal. And if you don’t have a strong wrestling and judo background – where you’ve honed your takedown and throw games over years of incessant, mind-numbing drills – you don’t have a collection of options to choose from for different scenarios and reactions from your opponent. For those of us who are amateurs – at best – on our feet, I highly encourage you focus on just 3-4 simple, high percentage takedowns.

So, where do you start? There are many, many takedowns out there… some are great for jiu-jitsu, and some might put you in a more compromising position. Never fear, here are a few “BJJ friendly” takedowns to add to your arsenal...

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As the excitement of the 2024 Summer Olympics in France winds down, I’ve been getting a lot of questions – both from people on and off the mat – about why Brazilian jiu-jitsu isn’t an Olympic sport. Considering breakdancing and badminton are on the roster, why not jiu-jitsu?

The answer lies in a combination of factors related to the sport's governance, structure, and the complex criteria for Olympic inclusion. I am certainly not an expert on this, but I can summarize some of the major information and arguments out there in the jiu-jitsu community today.

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In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, no matter how much of a submission hunter you may be – or want to be – the fact is: positional dominance is crucial. Yes, you might be able to throw a hail Mary submission and get it… but that’s going to be relatively rare. In our new Kingz blog series, we’ll be covering some of the more basic positions and techniques in the world of jiu-jitsu. Starting with the “mount.”

The mount is one of the most dominant positions in BJJ. If you’ve ever seen one of the “hierarchy of BJJ positions” charts, you’ll see that mount is right up there at the top, just underneath back control.

So, learning how to effectively control and attack from this position is fundamental to improving your overall jiu-jitsu game. In this blog post, we will cover the essentials of mastering the mount in BJJ, including key principles for controlling the position, how to transition into other positions, and a few common submissions.

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If you’re reading this, you’re either thinking about starting Brazilian jiu-jitsu, or you’ve just recently started, become hooked – as we all do – and want to know more about how to advance though this amazing martial art you’ve found. In either case, welcome. You’ve found the right place. 

The world of jiu-jitsu is wide and varied. There’s no “one” jiu-jitsu. Not only are there differences between the gi styles and the no-gi styles, but there can also be differences between various academies, from the techniques they focus on to their internal cultures and values. However, one thing that provides structure throughout the discipline is the belt ranking system. Understanding this system can provide insights to help you in your own progression through the art, no matter where you are.

In this blog, we’ll delve into the key elements of the BJJ belt ranking system, exploring its significance, its structure, and what it means for practitioners at different stages of their journey. 

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