Best BJJ Moves: The Ultimate Guide to Mastering Essential Techniques

Welcome to Martial Boss,  your go-to spot for real-deal martial arts wisdom. Whether you’re tying your first white belt or prepping for black belt stripes, we’ve got your back. No fluff. No filler. Just battle-tested advice from folks who’ve rolled, tapped, and trained through it all.

I’m Steve Marlin, a BJJ brown belt, lifelong martial artist, and your guide today. I’ve been choked, swept, and submitted more times than I can count ,  and I’m here to make sure you learn faster, train smarter, and avoid my rookie mistakes.

Today? We’re diving into the best BJJ moves ,  not just flashy Instagram tricks, but the real, reliable, high-percentage techniques that work in class, competition, and even on the street.

Let’s get you rolling.

Why the Best BJJ Moves Matter

Ever rolled with that one person who doesn’t look strong… but somehow always ends up on your back?

Yeah. That’s not magic.

That’s leverage. That’s timing. That’s knowing the right moves,  not the most moves.

BJJ isn’t about brute force. It’s chess with sweatpants. The “best” moves? They’re the ones that work even when you’re tired, scared, or getting smashed by someone twice your size.

I still remember my first triangle choke “success.” I thought I had it. My training partner patted me… on the shoulder. Not the tap. The shoulder. He was being nice. I didn’t even know I’d done it wrong.

That’s why this guide exists.

We’re not just listing moves. We’re breaking down why they work, how to drill them, and when to use them,  whether you’re a total newbie or eyeing that next stripe.

And yes,  “best BJJ moves” is our keyword. But don’t worry. This isn’t SEO spam. It’s your new training bible.

What Makes a BJJ Move “The Best”?

Not all moves are created equal.

Some look cool on YouTube but fall apart under pressure. Others? They’re boring. Simple. And they win tournaments.

So what separates the wheat from the chaff?

Criteria for Effectiveness

A “best” move checks these boxes:

✅ Works in live rolling,  not just drilling.
✅ Doesn’t need Hulk strength,  uses leverage, angles, timing.
✅ Fits multiple body types: tall, short, stocky, lanky.
✅ Sets up other moves,  think chains, not single tricks.

Example? The rear naked choke. Doesn’t matter if you’re 120 lbs or 220 lbs. Get the hooks in, sink the choke, and it’s lights out. Simple. Reliable. Deadly.

Skill Level Considerations

What’s “best” for a white belt isn’t always best for a purple.

White belts need control. Purple belts need chains. Black belts? They make simple moves feel impossible to escape.

Your game should grow with you.

Don’t try a flying armbar in your first month. (Trust me. I did. I ate mat. Twice.)

Start with the basics. Master them. Then layer on complexity.

Context Matters: Sport vs. Self-Defense vs. MMA

Let’s be real,  BJJ isn’t one thing.

In sport BJJ? You’ve got time. You can work a berimbolo for 30 seconds. You can fish for heel hooks.

On the street? You don’t. You need fast control. Fast submissions. No gi. No rules.

In MMA? You’ve got strikes coming. You need moves that work while someone’s trying to punch your head off.

So we’ll flag which moves fit where.

Rear naked choke? All three.
Berimbolo? Sport only.
Heel hook? Sport ,  and only if you know how to apply it safely.

Know your context. Train accordingly.

Best BJJ Moves for Beginners (White to Blue Belt)

If you’re new,  breathe. You don’t need 50 techniques. You need 5 good ones.

Master these. Everything else will build on them.

Essential Submissions

Closed Guard Armbar

This is your bread and butter.

Lie on your back. Trap their arm. Swing your leg over their head. Squeeze.

Sounds easy? It is,  once you fix these mistakes:

❌ Not controlling the wrist,  they’ll pull out.
❌ Hips too low,  you won’t get extension.
❌ Rushing the finish,  slow is smooth, smooth is fast.

Pro tip: Practice the setup more than the finish. If you can trap the arm, the rest follows.

Triangle Choke

You’ll see this everywhere. And for good reason.

Wrap your legs around their neck and arm. Angle your hips. Squeeze.

Common hiccup? They don’t tap. Why? You didn’t cut the angle. Your hips were flat. Or you didn’t lock your legs tight enough.

Fix: Lift your hips like you’re doing a crunch. Pull down on their head. Now squeeze.

Cross Collar Choke (Gi Only)

The king of gi chokes.

Slide one hand deep into their collar. Other hand on top. Pull one side toward their ear, the other toward their hip. Boom.

Mistake? Shallow grip. If your fingers aren’t past their spine, it won’t work.

Drill this 100 times. Your future self will thank you.

Fundamental Sweeps

Scissor Sweep

From closed guard. One leg pushes, one leg pulls. Roll them over.

Timing is everything. Wait until they post a hand or lean too far.

Follow-up? Mount. Always go to mount.

Flower Sweep

Grip their sleeve. Plant your foot on their hip. Kick and roll.

Works great if they’re posturing up. Also sets up the kimura if they defend.

Hip Bump Sweep

Great for smaller folks. Use their momentum against them.

They stand up? Bump your hips, roll, end up on top.

Bonus: Often sets up a guillotine if they turtle.

Core Escapes & Movement

Hip Escape (Shrimp)

This isn’t a “move.” It’s THE move.

Every escape. Every guard recovery. Every survival situation starts with shrimping.

Practice it daily. Even at home. On your couch. (Yes, really.)

Bridge & Roll (Mount Escape)

Trapped under mount? Bridge hard. Roll to your side. Regain guard.

Key: Frame with your hands. Don’t let them settle their weight.

Side Control Escape

Elbow to knee. Create space. Turn toward them. Re-establish guard.

If you only learn one escape,  make it this one.

Positional Control Basics

Mount Dominance

Once you’re on top,  stay there.

Knees wide. Hips heavy. Head low.

Submissions? Americana. Armbar. Ezekiel choke.

Don’t rush. Control first. Submit second.

Back Control

Hooks in. Seatbelt grip. Chest glued to their back.

Then, rear-naked choke. Slow. Squeeze. Sleep.

This position wins more fights than any other. Period.

Side Control Pressure

Chest to chest. Head low. Shoulder pressure on their face.

Goal? Make them miserable. Then transition to mount or submit.

Americana and Kimura live here. So does the north-south choke,  sneaky and brutal.

Intermediate BJJ Moves That Elevate Your Game (Blue to Purple Belt)

You’ve got the basics down. Now it’s time to link them.

Think combos. Think chains. Think “if they do this, I do that.”

Guard Passing Systems

Torreando Pass

Also called the “bullfighter.”

Grip their pants. Step around. Smash knee to belly.

They’ll try to recover guard. Don’t let them. Stay heavy. Stay moving.

Knee Slice Pass

Knee cuts across their thigh. Shoulder drives into their hip.

Pressure is key. If you’re light, they’ll shrimp out.

Pro tip: Combine with torreando. Fake one. Hit the other.

Submission Chains & Traps

Armbar → Triangle Flow

Miss the armbar? Don’t panic. Shift your angle. Lock the triangle.

One setup. Two finishes. Zero wasted motion.

Kimura Trap System

From half guard. Grab the kimura grip. They defend? Sweep them. Or take the back.

This isn’t just a submission. It’s a whole game plan.

Guillotine Variations

Standing. Sprawled. Marcelo Garcia style.

Works in GI. Works in no-gi. Works in street clothes.

Grip high. Pull down. Sit back. Squeeze.

Advanced Sweeps & Reversals

De La Riva Sweeps

Hook behind their leg. Off-balance. Sweep.

Works against standing opponents. Sets up X-guard. Deadly in competition.

X-Guard Sweeps

Get under their leg. Lift. Sweep.

Requires flexibility,  but once you get it, you’ll sweep giants.

Electric Chair / Deep Half

Stuck in half guard? Go deeper.

Underhook their leg. Elevate. Roll them over.

Modern. Effective. Annoying (for your opponent).

Positional Dominance

Knee-on-Belly

Painful. Mobile. Sets up passes or submissions.

Stay light on your knee. Keep your head safe. Transition fast.

North-South Choke

From side control. Slide up. Lock hands under their neck.

Sneaky. Hard to defend. High finish rate.

Bow and Arrow Choke (Gi)

From the back. Grab the collar. Pull like you’re drawing a bow.

One of the most reliable gi chokes in competition.

Advanced BJJ Moves for Competition & Mastery (Purple to Black Belt)

Alright, purple belts and hungry blues,  this is where things get spicy.

You’ve got the fundamentals. You can sweep, submit, and escape like a boss. Now? It’s time to play 4D chess on the mat.

These moves aren’t just “advanced” because they’re flashy. They’re advanced because they demand control, timing, and responsibility.

Mess these up? You’ll hurt someone. Or get smashed. Or both.

Let’s level up,  safely.

Modern Guard & Inversion

Berimbolo System

Yeah, the spinny thing you see on Instagram.

It’s not magic. It’s mechanics.

You invert, spin under their leg, and come out on their back. Sounds wild? It is,  until you drill it 200 times.

Who’s it for? Flexible, athletic grapplers. Not for everyone. And that’s okay.

Pro tip: Start from De La Riva or spider guard. Don’t try this from closed guard unless you’ve got springs for hips.

Worm Guard / Lapel Guards

Tie their gi up like a Christmas present. Then sweep or choke.

Worm guard? You feed their lapel under their leg. Control. Sweep. Submit.

It’s sneaky. It’s technical. And if you’re a GI player? You need to know it,  or you’ll get tied up like a burrito.

Leg Lock Systems (Caution: Advanced Only)

Listen up.

Leg locks are like power tools. In the right hands? Amazing. In the wrong hands? Hospital visits.

Start here,  and ONLY here:

Straight Ankle Lock

Safe. Simple. Effective.

Control their foot. Hug the ankle. Fall back. Squeeze your knees.

Works in all rule sets. Great entry point into leg attacks.

Heel Hook (Inside / Outside Ashi Garami)

This is the big gun.

Control their leg. Align your hips. Twist the knee,  not the foot.

SAFETY FIRST: Apply pressure SLOWLY. Let them tap before damage happens. If you crank this like a wrench, you’re not a grappler,  you’re a menace.

Best for: No-gi, advanced IBJJF divisions, and experienced training partners.

Banana Split / Calf Crusher

Competition favorites.

Banana Split? You trap both legs and stretch them apart. Looks wild. Feels worse.

Calf Crusher? Pressure on the calf muscle. Painful. Legal in most no-gi comps.

Use wisely. Tap early. Train with respect.

High-Level Submissions & Setups

Omoplata

Shoulder lock from guard. Looks like a triangle gone sideways.

Missed your triangle? Switch to omoplata. They defend? Sweep them.

It’s a submission. It’s a sweep. It’s a trap.

Loop Choke (Gi) / Anaconda (No-Gi)

Loop Choke: Reach under their armpit, grab your own collar, pull down.

Anaconda: Same concept, no gi ,  trap their head and arm, roll through.

Both work from sprawls, front headlocks, or failed takedowns.

Marcelo Garcia made the anaconda famous. You can too.

Twister / Crucifix

From turtle? You sneak one arm under their armpit, the other over their head. Twist.

It’s a neck crank. It’s rare. It’s brutal.

Crucifix? You trap both arms. Rain down elbows (in MMA) or go for the choke.

Advanced. Unorthodox. Devastating.

Pressure Passing & Control

Leg Drag System

You control their leg. Drag it across your body. Smash. Pass.

Used by pressure monsters like Rodolfo Vieira. Heavy. Relentless. Hard to stop.

Over-Under Pass

One arm over their back. One arm under their leg. Drive your shoulder in. Pass.

Wrestling roots. No-gi gold. Works on everyone.

Toreando to Knee Cut Combos

Fake the bullfighter pass. When they react,  slice the knee through.

Chain your passes. Keep them guessing. Stay one step ahead.

Best BJJ Moves by Position,  Your Positional Playbook

Forget memorizing 100 moves.

Master these,  based on where you are. That’s how champions think.

From Guard

✅ Closed Guard: Armbar, Triangle, Scissor Sweep
✅ Open Guard: De La Riva Sweeps, Spider Guard Chokes
✅ Half Guard: Kimura, Electric Chair, Deep Half Sweep

Guard isn’t “bottom.” It’s your weapons platform. Use it.

From Top

✅ Mount: Armbar, Americana, Ezekiel Choke
✅ Side Control: Kimura, North-South Choke, Transition to Mount
✅ Back: Rear Naked Choke, Bow and Arrow, Body Triangle

Top position = your time to shine. Control. Advance. Submit. Don’t rush.

From Bottom

✅ Under Mount: Bridge & Roll, Elbow-Knee Escape
✅ Under Side Control: Shrimp, Regain Half or Closed Guard
✅ Turtle: Granby Roll, Sit-Out, Hand Fighting to Stand

Being on the bottom isn’t losing. It’s surviving until you reverse.

From Standing

✅ Takedowns: Double Leg, Hip Throw, Ankle Pick
✅ Clinch: Guillotine, Snap Down, Body Lock to Pass

Don’t just pull guard. Learn to take them down. It changes everything.

How to Train & Master These Moves,  Pro Methodology

Knowing moves ≠ mastering them.

Here’s how to make them stick,  without burning out.

Solo & Shadow Drilling

No partner? No problem.

→ Shrimp across your living room floor.
→ Practice bridging before bed.
→ Shadow roll,  visualize the move, step by step.

Your body learns through repetition. Even without a partner.

I used to drill shrimps while watching Netflix. Now I drill them while my kid builds LEGO. Multitasking, BJJ style.

Partner Drills & Positional Sparring

Live rolling is gold. But it’s messy.

Try this:

🔹 Start in a position (e.g., closed guard).
🔹 Only work 1 move (e.g., triangle).
🔹 Reset after each attempt.
🔹 Add resistance slowly.

This is how you build muscle memory,  without getting smashed every round.

Building Chains & Personal Game

Don’t collect moves. Build systems.

Example chain:

Failed Triangle → Switch to Omoplata → Sweep → Mount → Armbar

Pick 2–3 chains. Drill them for a month. Own them.

Then build your identity:

→ Tall? Spider guard + triangle.
→ Stocky? Pressure passing + mount chokes.
→ Explosive? Takedowns + back takes.

Your game should fit YOU.

Avoiding Common Mistakes

Here’s what I did wrong,  so you don’t have to.

❌ Rushing submissions → You lose control. Slow down.
❌ Ignoring escapes → You’ll stay stuck under mount forever.
❌ Technique collecting → 100 half-learned moves = 0 finishes.
❌ Poor grips → Submission fails? Check your hands first.

Fix the small stuff. The big wins follow.

Best BJJ Moves for Self-Defense & Real-World Scenarios

BJJ isn’t just for tournaments.

It’s for walking home late. For dealing with bullies. For protecting yourself and others.

Here’s what works when there’s no referee.

Standing Clinch & Takedown Defense

Someone grabs you? Sprawl. Underhook. Control their head.

Don’t let them take you down unless YOU choose to.

Guard Retention = Survival

On your back in a street fight? Bad? Not if you know BJJ.

Keep them trapped between your legs. Create space. Sit up. Escape,  or submit.

Street-Effective Submissions

✅ Rear Naked Choke,  silent, fast, works in jeans
✅ Guillotine,  from standing or sprawl
✅ Kimura,  control the arm, crank the shoulder

Forget flying triangles. Stick to what works,  fast, simple, safe (for you).

Modifications for Clothing / No Gi

No gi? No problem.

→ Replace lapel chokes with head-and-arm chokes.
→ Use overhooks instead of collar grips.
→ Focus on body locks, not fabric.

Legal & Safety Considerations

Don’t break joints on the street unless your life depends on it.

Goal: Control. Escape. Get away.

Not: “Look how cool my heel hook is.”

Train for survival. Not for Instagram.

FAQs About the Best BJJ Moves

Let’s answer the questions I get asked after every class.

Q: What’s the easiest BJJ move to learn first?
A: Closed guard armbar. Simple mechanics. High success. Teaches control + finish.

Q: What are the best BJJ moves for self-defense vs. competition?
A: Self-defense: RNC, guillotine, clinch control. Competition: berimbolo, heel hooks, lapel chokes.

Q: Are leg locks safe for beginners?
A: Nope. Start with straight ankle locks,  under supervision. Heel hooks? Purple belt minimum. Seriously.

Q: How many moves should a white belt focus on?
A: 3–5. Example: 1 escape, 1 sweep, 1 submission, 1 pass. Drill them until they’re automatic.

Q: What’s the best BJJ move for smaller practitioners?
A: Triangle choke, guillotine, De La Riva sweeps. Leverage > strength. Always.

Q: Can I learn BJJ moves without a partner?
A: Yes,  for movement, flexibility, and visualization. But live rolling? Non-negotiable. Find a gym. Or a very patient friend.

Q: How long to master a BJJ move?
A: 100 reps to learn. 500 to feel natural. 1000+ to chain it under pressure. Mastery? That’s forever. And that’s the fun part.

Building Your Personal BJJ Game,  Style, Chains & Identity

BJJ isn’t about copying the pros.

It’s about building YOUR game.

Step 1: Identify Your Natural Style

Are you:

→ A pressure monster? → Focus on top control, passing, mount chokes.
→ A guard wizard? → Spider, De La Riva, triangle systems.
→ A sneaky submission hunter? → Omoplata, guillotine, leg locks.

Play to your strengths.

Step 2: Adapt Moves to Your Body

Tall? Use your legs,  spider guard, triangle.
Short? Pressure, underhooks, back takes.
Stocky? Smash. Just smash.

Your body is your tool. Use it wisely.

Step 3: Create 2–3 Go-To Chains

Example:

“My A-Game: Double Leg → Side Control → Kimura → Back Take → RNC”

Write it down. Drill it. Refine it.

Own your system.

Step 4: Track Progress

Keep a training journal.

→ What did you drill?
→ What worked in rolling?
→ What failed,  and why?

Review weekly. Adjust. Improve.

Step 5: Avoid “Technique Collector” Trap

You don’t need 50 moves.

You need 5 that you can hit from 10 positions.

Depth > breadth. Always.

Conclusion

Look,  nobody taps on day one.

I sure didn’t. I got armbarred by a 14-year-old girl in my third class. (She was awesome. I was humbled.)

But here’s the secret: BJJ rewards consistency.

Not talent. Not strength. Not how many YouTube videos you’ve watched.

It rewards showing up. Drilling the shrimp. Try the move again after you failed.

The “best BJJ moves” aren’t the flashiest.

They’re the ones you can hit when you’re tired. When you’re scared. When you’re losing.

Master the fundamentals. Build your chains. Train with respect.

And one day,  you’ll be the one they can’t escape.