| BJJ (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu) competitors' stand-up skills | | | | controlled by his lead arm. WHEN ESTABLISHING |
| remain the single biggest and most common | | | | YOUR GRIP, EVERYTHING IS ABOUT LEAD ARM |
| weakness observable within the tournament realm. | | | | CONTROL. Therefore reaching with the rear arm is |
| This article seeks to provide some essential | | | | lower risk, (akin in boxing to leading with the jab). Those |
| fundamentals and a basic strategy for BJJ players | | | | who have experience in alive striking arts will be able |
| embarking on the competition arena. When viewing this | | | | to make some sense of gripping skills by reversing the |
| article, please consider this is written with the context | | | | notions of lead and rear arm theories (the leading arm |
| that BJJ players typically do one of two things within | | | | or jabbing arm in boxing is akin to the reverse arm in |
| the stand-up zone of competition: | | | | Judo and vice-versa). |
| 1) Pull Guard, often the moment they perceive any | | | | Once the opponent's lead arm is controlled with your |
| danger. | | | | rear arm, it will be extremely difficult for your opponent |
| 2) Rush a double leg, where they either achieve the | | | | to initiate any significant attacks. Your next move |
| take down or fail and pull guard. | | | | depends upon whether you wish to: |
| Free Range Movement | | | | 1) CONTINUE FIGHTING IN THE STAND-UP |
| Prior to grips being established, the number one priority | | | | POSITION |
| is to remain in a low, wrestling based stance. The | | | | 2) PULL GUARD |
| square stance, often favoured for its defensive | | | | 1) FIGHTING IN THE STAND-UP POSITION |
| qualities remains akin to a boxer standing square in | | | | Further control can then be achieved by either |
| that both sides remain open to attack. Given that | | | | establishing a second grip on his lead arm with your |
| many Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners lack significant | | | | lead arm, or by gripping the front shoulder in front of |
| stand-up skills, it is recommended that you minimise the | | | | your lead arm (your left arm would grip his right |
| chance of a lucky double leg shot by advancing one | | | | shoulder or vice versa). |
| leg (the lead leg) into a staggered stance and limiting | | | | The former will now allow you to circle to the outside |
| the sides of attack by 50%. It is highly unlikely that you | | | | of the controlled arm, from which back-takes, double |
| will concede a takedown on the blind side. The lead | | | | and single legs, tani-otoshi's, amongst other techniques |
| arm should be placed low, protecting the lead leg and | | | | are all possible. The latter will give you sufficient control |
| the lead arm can quickly be converted to a cross face | | | | over your opponent on which to launch successful |
| should your opponent attempt to force a double or | | | | takedown attempts whilst minimising the opportunities |
| single leg attack. | | | | of your opponent to the negligible or throws should you |
| Ideally, you should continue to move laterally as you | | | | have experience within Judo. |
| attempt to establish your lead grip. This will further | | | | 2) PULL GUARD |
| decrease the likelihood and effectiveness of any | | | | Any spectator at a BJJ competition will quickly witness |
| takedowns - its harder to hit a moving target. | | | | practitioners pulling guard with little or zero control other |
| Establishing Your Grip (regardless of Left vs Left, Right | | | | their opponents. Once we have established lead arm |
| vs Right, Left vs Right) | | | | control over your opponent using your own rear arm, |
| You are now established in the free range, moving | | | | the lead arm should then grip the elbow. With regular |
| laterally in a strong wrestling base. Regardless of the | | | | Judo practice, a grip on the elbow should involve the |
| relative position (i.e. left, right, etc, stance relative to your | | | | gripping hand flexing and then twisting; like turning a |
| opponent), the next key step is to control your | | | | screw. With either a two-one-one grip or "arm drag |
| opponents lead arm, and this is preferably achieved by | | | | grip" established, you are now in a position to safely pull |
| gripping his lead arm with your own rear arm. | | | | guard. Dependent upon stance, you should now be |
| Why the rear arm? | | | | threatening either an arm drag or arm bar, with a host |
| Quite simply, you risk them shooting the double | | | | of potential options dependent upon your opponents |
| underneath your lead arm or your lead arm being | | | | reactions. |