Why would I end up here?
Everything starts from standing so we start with this. Basically you have about three options. Try to go for a submission right away, try to take your opponent down or try to pull guard.
Terms
- Pulling Guard – The act of purposely sitting down to the ground with your opponent instead of doing a takedown where you are on top.
- Why would we do this?
- Sometimes people do not feel confident in their takedowns so they choose to pull their opponent down.
- Another reason might be because they feel a “Guard” they have is their best offensive weapon.
- Why would we do this?
- Guard – This is a very complex word in BJJ, but basically it usually means that you are on your but with some form of leg entanglement on your opponents body.
- What are some examples?
- “Closed” Guard is where you have your butt on the mat and your legs are wrapped around your opponents waist.
- “Half” Guard is where you have your butt on the mat and your legs are wrapped around your opponents one leg. Essentially on half of their lower body.
- What are some examples?
- Sprawl – This is when you are trying to stop a takedown by bringing your legs backwards
Guillotine from Standing

Single Leg Takedown

Guard Pulls
(This should only be done if you don’t feel confident in your takedowns and you have a decent guard)
