In this chapter, we will delve into the various ground-fighting positions in jiu-jitsu, exploring their defensive and offensive aspects. Please note that this is a broad overview, as each position has its own intricacies and complexities. However, this chapter aims to provide a solid foundation for further study, catering to both beginners and advanced students seeking crucial yet often overlooked details.

1. Back Mount – The Ultimate Positional Goal

Back mount reigns supreme as the king of all positions in Jiu Jitsu. Achieving back mount involves positioning yourself behind your opponent, hooking both legs around their waist. This grants you exceptional control and numerous attacking opportunities. From an attacker’s perspective, the objectives are to submit the opponent, while defenders aim to escape to a safer position.

Strengths:

• Exposes the opponent’s neck, making them vulnerable to chokes and strangles.
• Renders the opponent limited in their offensive capabilities due to your position behind them.
• Grants significant control over both the upper and lower halves of their body.

Weaknesses:

• While there are no inherent weaknesses, it is important to avoid crossing your feet, as a skilled opponent can exploit this with a foot-lock.

Offensive Tips:

• Maintain control over your opponent’s hips and shoulders, taking your time to secure a submission.

Defensive Tips:

• Protect your neck at all times, ensuring at least one hand is guarding it.

2. Mount – A Formidable Position

Mount holds a strong position in jiu-jitsu, ranking second only to back mount. To achieve mount, you sit on your opponent’s torso. From an attacker’s perspective, the objectives are to submit the opponent and, if possible, transition to back mount. On the other hand, defenders strive to escape to a safer position.

Strengths:

• Excellent control aided by gravity, making it challenging for the opponent to resist.
• Abundance of attacking options, particularly chokes and armlocks.

Weaknesses:

• Beginners may experience a sense of imbalance in this position.

Offensive Tips:

• Keep your feet tucked against your opponent’s body at all times.
• Maintain balance by centering your head over your hips.
• Apply pressure by keeping your knees wide and hips low.

Defensive Tips:

• Guard your neck diligently, as it remains the primary vulnerability in this position.
• Keep your elbows close to your body to prevent being caught in an armlock.

3. Side Mount – The Beginner’s Choice

Side mount is often favored by beginners due to its stability and relative ease of control. Achieving side mount entails being perpendicular to your opponent, with your chest against theirs.

Attacker’s Objectives:

• Transition to mount, back mount, or knee-on-belly positions for positional improvement.
• Submit the opponent.

Defender’s Objectives:

• Escape to a safer position.

Strengths:

• Provides stability and versatility, allowing easy adjustments to your opponent’s movements.

Weaknesses:

• Submissions can be challenging to execute, particularly against defensive opponents.

Offensive Tips:

• Pin your opponent’s shoulders to the mat, preventing them from turning towards or away from you.
• Keep your legs and feet away from their legs and feet to avoid being pulled into their guard.

Defensive Tips:

• Place your forearms and elbows between your torso and your opponent’s, creating a base to create space and push them away.

4. Knee on belly – Enhanced Mobility

Knee on belly distinguishes itself from other control positions by offering greater mobility to the attacker. With good balance, this position allows you to dominate your opponent and set up various attacks.

Attacker’s Objectives:

• Submit the opponent.
• Improve your position.

Defender’s Objectives:

• Escape or reverse the position.
• Defend against submission attempts.

Strengths:

• Greater mobility compared to other control positions.
• Ability to transition quickly to submission attacks.
• Opportunities to improve position and advance to more dominant positions.

Weaknesses:

• Vulnerable to sweeps and reversals.
• Requires good balance and control to maintain the position.
• Skilled opponents can counter it.

Offensive Tips:

• Maintain balance and weight distribution.
• Control your opponent’s movements with grips and pressure.
• Look for openings to apply submissions or transition to more dominant positions.
• Use mobility to keep your opponent off balance and create opportunities.

Defensive Tips:

• Focus on creating space and disrupting your opponent’s balance.
• Look for openings to escape or reverse the position.
• Defend against submission attempts by protecting vulnerable areas and maintaining good posture.
• Use frames and hip movement to create leverage and create opportunities for escape.

5. Conclusion

Remember, the positions I’ve discussed here are just a starting point. Jiu-jitsu is a complex martial art with countless variations and possibilities. As you progress in your training, you’ll encounter different positions and develop your own preferences.

It’s important to remain open-minded and continue learning. Explore different positions, experiment with new techniques, and study the intricacies of each position. This will not only expand your knowledge but also enhance your ability to adapt and react in various situations.

Additionally, I want to emphasize the importance of understanding both the defensive and offensive aspects of each position. Whether you’re in a dominant position or defending against an opponent’s attacks, being well-versed in both aspects will significantly improve your overall jiu-jitsu game.

Lastly, while positional dominance is essential, don’t overlook the significance of transitions. Jiu-jitsu is a dynamic art that requires fluid movement between positions. Mastering smooth transitions will enable you to maintain control, surprise your opponent, and seize opportunities for submissions or improved positions.

In conclusion, the positions I’ve covered here are fundamental in jiu-jitsu, but they are just the tip of the iceberg. As you delve deeper into your jiu-jitsu journey, continue to refine your understanding of each position, explore new variations, and strive for a balanced and adaptable game. By doing so, you’ll become a well-rounded and skilled jiu-jitsu practitioner.