How To Do The Marcelotine Submission Traditional guillotines often use a low-elbow or arm-in position with the choking arm wrapped loosely around the neck, relying on arm strength or pulling the head down. The Marcelotine shifts to a high-elbow configuration where the choking arm's elbow is positioned much higher—often near or above the opponent's shoulder level. This creates: Extremely tight carotid artery compression with minimal space for escape. Better mechanical advantag

Why Your Guard Keeps Getting Passed — And the 3 Habits That Will Fix It It's one of the most frustrating feelings in BJJ. You're on your back, working your guard, and then — before you even know what happened — your training partner is in side control. Sound familiar? You're not alone. Guard is one of the most unique aspects of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu — the idea that you can be effective, even dominant, from your back is what separates BJJ from almost every other martial art. But

Attacks From Half Guard: How to Turn a Defensive Position Into a Weapon Half guard has an identity problem. For a long time it was considered a position of last resort — something you ended up in when your closed guard got passed, a desperate attempt to prevent full side control. A holding pattern. A survival mode. That reputation is now thoroughly, definitively obsolete. Modern half guard — built on the foundations laid by masters like Bernardo Faria, Lucas Leite, Tom DeBlas

BJJ Training Tips: How To Retain Back Control Long Enough To Start Attacking Taking someone's back in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu feels incredible — right up until the moment they escape and you're left wondering what went wrong. Back control is widely considered the most dominant position in grappling, yet it's also one of the most commonly lost. You spend energy getting there, and then within seconds your training partner has turned into you, nullified your hooks, and you're back t

How to Build an Unstoppable Closed Guard: The Fundamentals That Actually Matter There's a reason the closed guard has been a cornerstone of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu since Hélio Gracie was refining the art in Brazil. It is one of the most positionally dominant positions in all of grappling — when used correctly. The problem is that most people treat closed guard like a holding pattern. They lock their ankles, hang on, and wait for something to happen. Then they wonder why their gua

Mastering the Ezekiel Choke in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: A Comprehensive Instructional Guide Among the vast array of submissions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), few carry the deceptive simplicity and high-percentage reliability of the Ezekiel Choke. This gi-based technique, known for its ability to surprise opponents from seemingly dominant positions, uses the practitioner's own sleeve as leverage to compress the carotid arteries and trachea, forcing a quick tap or unconsciousness.

Mastering the Asylum Choke in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: An Instructional Guide In the intricate and ever-expanding universe of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), where grapplers constantly seek edges through innovation and technique, the Asylum Choke stands out as a testament to creative problem-solving on the mats. This submission, often overlooked in mainstream curricula, combines elements of control, leverage, and surprise to force an opponent into an uncomfortable and inescapable posi

Mastering the Peruvian Necktie in BJJ: A Comprehensive Guide In the dynamic world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), submissions come in all shapes and sizes, but few combine raw power, technical finesse, and a touch of flair quite like the Peruvian Necktie. This choke, a staple in modern grappling arsenals, targets the opponent's neck with a vise-like grip, often leaving them no choice but to tap or risk unconsciousness. Originating from the front headlock position, it's particul

Mastering the Donkey Guard in BJJ: An Unorthodox Approach In the ever-evolving world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), where guards like butterfly, De La Riva, and X-guard dominate discussions, there exists a quirky outlier that turns heads—literally. The Donkey Guard, a position that defies conventional wisdom by presenting your back to the opponent while inverted, has sparked both admiration and controversy since its debut. Created by the innovative Jeff Glover, this guard isn'

Overcoming Claustrophobia in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: A Guide to Gradual Exposure Therapy Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a martial art that demands close-quarters combat, where practitioners often find themselves in positions of extreme physical constraint. From being mounted by a heavier opponent to enduring side control or knee-on-belly pressure, the sport inherently involves situations that can trigger feelings of entrapment and panic. For many, this manifests as claustrophobia—

Mastering the Cross Collar Choke: Your Ultimate Guide to Dominating in BJJ Hey there, BJJ enthusiasts! If you're rolling on the mats and looking to level up your submission game, few techniques pack as much punch—or should I say squeeze—as the cross collar choke. Also known as the "juji jime" in its judo roots or simply the "cross choke" in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu circles, this gi-based submission is a staple for white belts learning the fundamentals and black belts refining thei

Mastering the K Guard: A Comprehensive Guide to This Dynamic BJJ Position   In the ever-evolving world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), guard positions are the foundation of a strong bottom game. Among the myriad options available to practitioners, the K Guard stands out as a versatile and powerful tool that blends control, offense, and defense seamlessly. Whether you are a beginner looking to expand your open guard arsenal or an advanced competitor seeking new ways to unbalance

The Berimbolo: A Twisting Path to Dominance in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Hey there, fellow grapplers and BJJ enthusiasts! If you've ever watched a high-level Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu match and wondered how those slick athletes end up on their opponent's back in the blink of an eye, chances are you've witnessed the magic of the berimbolo. This technique has become a staple in modern BJJ, especially in the lighter weight classes, where agility and inversion reign supreme. In this blog pos

The De La Riva Guard in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu: The Mother of Modern Guards   In Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ), few positions have had as profound an impact on the evolution of the sport as the De La Riva Guard (often abbreviated as DLR). This open guard variation, characterized by an outside hook on the opponent's lead leg, has become a foundational tool for guard players worldwide. It revolutionized how smaller practitioners handle larger, aggressive opponents and served as the l

The Worm Guard in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu: Revolutionizing the Guard Game   In the ever-evolving world of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ), few innovations have sparked as much debate, admiration, and frustration as the Worm Guard. This gi-specific position, which cleverly utilizes an opponent's lapel to create unprecedented control, has transformed how practitioners approach open guard play. Whether you're a seasoned black belt or a white belt just starting out, understanding the Worm

The Complete Guide to Collar‑and‑Sleeve Guard in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu How to Enter It, What to Attack With, and Who It Works Best For   Collar‑and‑Sleeve Guard is one of the most fundamental and effective gi‑based guards in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. It offers a perfect blend of control, off‑balancing, and attacking potential, making it a staple for beginners and a powerful weapon for advanced competitors. The simplicity of the grips hides a surprising depth: with just two points of

The Complete Guide to Z Guard in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu How to Enter It, What to Attack With, and Who It Works Best For   Z Guard, sometimes called Knee Shield Half Guard, is one of the most versatile and reliable guards in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. It offers a blend of distance management, defensive structure, and attacking potential that makes it a favourite among both hobbyists and elite competitors. Whether you prefer a slow, methodical game or a dynamic, off‑balancing style, Z G

The Complete Guide to Lasso Guard in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu How to Enter It, What to Attack With, and Who It Works Best For   Lasso Guard is one of the most reliable, frustrating, and strategically rich guards in the gi. It slows down aggressive passers, creates powerful off‑balancing angles, and gives you a high degree of control with minimal risk. For many practitioners, it becomes a foundational guard that anchors their entire bottom game.   This guide breaks down the essenti

The Complete Guide to K Guard in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu How to Enter It, What to Attack With, and Who It Works Best For   K Guard has become one of the most important developments in modern Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, especially in no‑gi. It offers a safe, structured way to enter leg entanglements, disrupt passing, and create off‑balancing opportunities without exposing yourself to heavy pressure. For many practitioners, it acts as a bridge between traditional open guard and the leg‑lo