What Is Half Guard in BJJ? Half guard is a ground position where you’re on your back. You have one of your opponent’s legs trapped between both of your legs. Think of it like a sideways hug, but with legs instead of arms. Your bottom leg goes under their trapped leg. Your top leg hooks over their thigh or calf. Meanwhile, your opponent is on top, trying to pass your guard or control you. Most beginners see half guard as a bad spot. They think…  Read More

What Is the North South Position in BJJ? The north-south position in BJJ is when you’re on top, facing your opponent’s head, with your chest over their face or upper body. Your knees or hips pin their shoulders, keeping them stuck.  It’s like sitting on their chest but turned 180 degrees. In BJJ, it’s a dominant spot, sitting between side control and full mount in the control hierarchy. Why do I love it? It’s a position I stumbled into during a sparring session years ago,…  Read More

Understand the Open Guard in BJJ? Open guard in BJJ is when you’re on your back or seated, using your legs and arms to control your opponent without locking your ankles around their waist.  Unlike closed guard, where your legs are tightly wrapped, open guard gives you freedom to move, attack, and defend. It’s like playing a game of chess with your body, every grip and angle sets up your next move. I remember my first time trying open guard as a white belt. I…  Read More

Hey there, fellow grappler! If you’re new to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, or even if you’ve been rolling for a while, you’ve probably found yourself on your back with someone’s legs wrapped around your waist. That’s the closed guard, and believe it or not, it’s one of the most powerful positions in BJJ. You might think being on your back is a bad spot, and sure, sometimes it is, but in BJJ, position beats strength. And when you know what you’re doing in closed guard, you can…  Read More

What if I told you that the difference between winning and surviving in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu often comes down to one thing: position? BJJ isn’t just about submissions or flashy moves. It’s about where you are and what you can do from there. When I first started training, I used to focus only on submissions. But my coach drilled one thing into my head: “Position before submission.” I didn’t fully get it until I was stuck under the mount for the hundredth time, gasping for air,…  Read More