TECHNIQUES:

1- MOUNT UPA ESCAPE: The “upa”, or bridge escape, is a foundational escape strategy of jiu-jitsu. By utilizing the power of the hips, you will be able to lift and escape against a much heavier opponent even while under duress.
2- MOUNT ELBOW ESCAPE: The mount elbow escape works well ...

TECHNIQUES:

1- MOUNT HIP ESCAPE: This mount escape deals with an opponent attempting a high mount control in a typical daily grappling scenario. For this position to be effective you should focus on framing against the hip to limit his mobility and to set you up for the following elbow escape gu...

TECHNIQUES:

1- AMERICANA LOCK FROM MOUNT: The Americana lock is a strong submission that can be executed from any controlling top position. Here, the lock is performed from the mount. Be sure to keep your elbow on the mat right next to his ear to keep him from pushing your triceps to escape.
2- ...

TECHNIQUES:

MOUNT HEADLOCK ESCAPE: An inexperienced opponent will often reach for a headlock, thinking it will secure you. Even after you take him to the ground, he will keep his grip on your neck as a Hail Mary to try to control you. The good news is, not only do you have an easy route to e...

TECHNIQUES:

1- MOUNT CROSS CHOKE: The mount cross choke works exactly the same way as the closed guard cross choke. Make a strong, deep grip on your partner’s collar and then sneak your other hand under your arm to make a grip on his other collar. Finish with your head touching the mat to keep y...

The mount is an exceptional position for control in jiu-jitsu. You can set up many submissions here, as well as maintain a dominant position over your opponent. You can’t do any of that, though, unless you know how to keep the mount! At Atos Jiu-jitsu Online Academy you will know how to use these...

TECHNIQUES:

1- PASSING THE CLOSED GUARD KNEELING: This is one of the first passes that beginners are exposed to. This pass is a fast, strong pass that new students can use in self-defense scenarios and also has the building blocks of posture, passing, and defense. Have the student focus on stro...

TECHNIQUES:

1- ANKLE SWEEP: The ankle sweep in jiu-jitsu is a great basic sweep that will work over and over again for you. When your opponent stands up to open your closed guard, he often steps close to your hips to keep his balance, and when he does, you just have to grab his ankles and pinch...

TECHNIQUES:

1- SCISSOR SWEEP: The scissor sweep is a basic sweep that works even at the black belt level. The key is trapping one arm so your opponent cannot post it for balance, and then loading him up onto your knee to make his leg feel weightless and easy to sweep.
2- HOOK SWEEP: The hook swe...

TECHNIQUES:

1- HIP THRUSTING SWEEP (PORTUGUESA OR BARRIGADA): The hip thrusting sweep, or hip-bump sweep, is a high-percentage move that also sets up submissions like the kimura shoulder lock and the guillotine. You must use your partner’s momentum against him for this to work. Do not try to swe...

TECHNIQUES:

1- ARM-LOCK STEPPING OVER THE HEAD: Today we revisit the straight armlock, but this time from closed guard instead of mount. This is a great example that many of the submissions you do from mount can also be executed from THE closed guard. This time, your partner will have one arm e...

TECHNIQUES:

1- ARMBAR FROM CLOSED GUARD: The armbar from closed guard is a great submission to attack when your opponent lifts one of his legs in base. Reach under his leg to bring yourself close to him, and then swing your hips out and throw them up to finish the armbar. Your top leg remains h...

TECHNIQUES:

1- STRAIGHT ANKLE LOCK: The straight ankle lock is a great submission for finishing a downed opponent. For this example, we will begin in a downed position. Be sure to keep his toes under your armpit so he can’t make his foot into a “boot” and push it through to escape. Your foot on ...

TECHNIQUES:

1- UPA ESCAPE – SIDE MOUNT ATTACKING MOUNT: When your opponent has you trapped in side control, he will often switch his hips toward your legs transitioning to attack the mount. When he switches his hips, make an underhook on his flank and prepare to upa him off you as he steps over ...

TECHNIQUES:

1- KIMURA FROM SIDE CONTROL: The kimura from side control is a dominant submission. Once you sink the grips into the figure-four lock, it is very hard for your opponent to escape it. The kimura grip is also an excellent control that you can keep as you transition to other positions.
...

TECHNIQUES:

1- STRAIGHT ARMLOCK: The straight armlock from side control can catch your opponent off guard. When he extends his arm close to your left side, take advantage of his mistake and swing your leg over his head for a quick armlock that he won’t see coming!
2- ARMLOCK FROM KNEE ON BELLY: ...

TECHNIQUES:

1- STRAIGHT ELBOW LOCK FROM SIDE CONTROL: The straight elbow lock from side control is a great combination submission that works well with the key lock and kimura. Keep a grip on your opponent’s wrist and you can transition between the submissions seamlessly.
2- NORTH-SOUTH KIMURA: ...

TECHNIQUES:

1- PAPER CUT CHOKE: The paper cut choke is a tight submission you can find when your partner tries to hug around your back from north-south. The way your elbow cinches down under his chin acts as a paper cutter, slicing down like a blade. By the time your partner realizes there is a ...

TECHNIQUES:

1- SIDE HEADLOCK ESCAPE ARM FRAME: The side headlock, or kesa gatame, is a move often seen in judo. It is a strong control from the top, but it also opens up your opponent to armbars and back takes. This example uses a frame on your partner’s neck to make space and push him away from...

Professor Galvao’s mission is to share the lessons, techniques, and experience he has acquired over his 20+ years of experience as a BJJ practitioner, professor, and world-class competitor.

This is a very common situation in jiu jitsu and self defense. Let’s learn on how to defend a tight headlo...

TECHNIQUES:

1- BACK MOUNT ESCAPE: When an opponent has strong back control, it can be daunting to escape. It is best to take control of the situation before he makes his grips or you will be in for some trouble defending a choke. In this example, you will work to move your head away from his ch...

TECHNIQUES:

1- REAR NAKED CHOKE (MATA LEAO): The rear-naked choke is probably one of the most famous jiu-jitsu submissions because it is often executed in MMA. For this example, you will start in the back mount on your opponent. Make sure you are under his chin when you slide your arm around his...

TECHNIQUES:

1- COLLAR CHOKE FROM BACK: The collar choke from the back is a very strong submission. Once you have your grips, it’s very hard for your opponent to escape. Remember your top hand is the choking hand so always try to bring your opponent to that side to keep the choke tight. This exam...

TECHNIQUES:

1- BOW-AND-ARROW CHOKE FROM BACK: The bow and arrow choke is named for its appearance once you’ve sunk in the choke. You grip the collar and the leg and extend your partner so that it looks like you’re pulling back the string on a bow. Once you have your hand in the collar and you c...