Standing

The neutral start. Establish grips, then take them down or pull guard.

NeutralFundamental
Lesson video · 1 of 38

BJJ Fundamentals: Grip Fighting

Report a problemErnest Chavez · on YouTube
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Essentials

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Both of you are on your feet. Every match starts here. You fight for grips, set up a takedown, or pull guard, and whoever wins the grips usually decides where the match goes next.

Your goals
  • Win the grip fight
  • Set up your takedown with movement and a level change
  • Or pull guard on your terms
What they want
  • Get their own grips
  • Take you down or snap you down
Key principles
  • Win the grips
  • Change levels before you shoot
Common mistakes
  • Standing with no grips
  • Standing tall with your head down

Techniques to learn

Each one opens its own page and video.

Submissions
GuillotineChoke · Fundamental
Takedowns
Double legWrestling · FundamentalSingle legWrestling · FundamentalAnkle pickWrestling · IntermediateSnap downWrestling · FundamentalStanding arm dragWrestling · IntermediateBody lock takedownWrestling · IntermediateMajor outer reap (Osoto Gari)Judo · IntermediateMajor inner reap (Ouchi Gari)Judo · IntermediateMinor inner reap (Kouchi Gari)Judo · IntermediateShoulder throw (Seoi Nage)Judo · AdvancedHip toss (O Goshi)Judo · FundamentalCircle throw (Tomoe Nage)Judo · AdvancedCollar dragWrestling · IntermediateImanari rollLeg entry · AdvancedGuard pullGuard pull · FundamentalDuck underWrestling · IntermediateFireman’s carryWrestling · IntermediateInner thigh throw (Uchi Mata)Judo · AdvancedKnee tapWrestling · FundamentalAdvanced foot sweep (De Ashi Barai)Judo · IntermediateHigh crotchWrestling · FundamentalSweeping hip throw (Harai Goshi)Judo · IntermediateMinor outer reap (Kosoto Gari)Judo · IntermediateCorner reversal (Sumi Gaeshi)Judo · IntermediateValley drop (Tani Otoshi)Judo · IntermediateDrop seoi nageJudo · IntermediateRussian tie to single legWrestling · Intermediate
Escapes
Guillotine escapeSubmission escape · FundamentalFront headlock escapeTurtle escape · Fundamental

Where it leads

Moves from here
Closed guardClosed guard (top)Side control (Yoko Shiho Gatame)Seated open guardFront headlockBack controlClinch (collar tie)Sprawl (shot defense)
Escapes
Escape the guillotine
In courses
Foundations VI: Standing, front headlock & back
Seminars

If this happens…

  1. they grab your collarBreak the grip and take your own
  2. they shoot a double legSprawl
  3. you get an underhookUse it for a body lock or a trip

Seminars

All seminars →

Longer seminars, classes and masterclasses that teach this. Free on YouTube.

Class recordingTopSubmissions

Quick Kills

Daniel Bertina

Fast finishes straight from standing grips

Daniel Bertina (Carlson Gracie Team) teaches four quick finishes: Russian two-on-one to a rolling reverse kimura, lapel drag and arm drag to the bow and arrow choke, and an outer reap straight into an armbar.

YouTube ↗
Advanced detailsTransitions, threats, reactions, troubleshooting and a sparring drill

1. Overview

The neutral start. Establish grips, then take them down or pull guard.

Key controls

  • Collar-and-sleeve or collar-tie grips
  • Knees bent, balanced
  • Choose takedown or guard pull

In this position

9 transitions · 0 sweeps · 1 submissions · 27 takedowns · 3 reactions · 2 troubleshooting fixes · 1 sparring exercise · 6 techniques

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