Essential Fundamentals - Module 1

WHAT:
Ready position for defense.

IMPORTANT:
• Knees bent and weight evenly distributed.
• Feet shoulder-width apart.
• Feet positioned on opposite corners of a square.

WHAT:
Footwork to control distance for defense or attack.

IMPORTANT:
• Short steps.
• Heels slightly off the ground. • Do not cross your feet.

WHAT:
Movement to maintain distance when the opponent advances quickly.

IMPORTANT:
• Legs parallel.
• Heels slightly off the ground.
• Slight knee bend.
• Return to base stance when you stop moving.

WHAT:
Safe control of the opponent with the goal of de-escalating a conflict.

IMPORTANT:
• Proper base.
• Arms extended.
• Hang on to the opponent (do not push).

WHAT:
One of the most important principles in Jiu-Jitsu: managing distance both standing and on the ground.

IMPORTANT:
• If I’m far, the opponent cannot strike me.
• If I’m clinched, strikes become less effective.
• Mid-range is dangerous due to the power of strikes.

Partner moves and I move, maintaining the same distance.

Partner moves away and I follow, trying to close the gap.

Partner tries to close the distance while I move away. Eventually, the partner puts their hands behind their back and rushes toward me. I should use circular footwork to escape and return to base once the partner stops.

WHAT:
Controlling the opponent at close range.

IMPORTANT:
• Keep your hands up.
• Maintain hips connected and a solid base.
• Use the correct grip around the waist (palms down or ten-finger grip). • Do not cross your legs.

WHAT:
Defensive entry to control an aggressive opponent.

IMPORTANT:
• Protect your head and close the distance (don’t try to block punches).
• Move forward with proper footwork and posture.
• If you're facing an opponent in the opposite stance (orthodox vs southpaw), place your foot outside their lead leg.

WHAT:
Control an opponent who is threatening but not attacking directly.

IMPORTANT:
• Jab while stepping with your lead leg, followed by adjusting with your rear leg.
• After adjusting your base, advance into the clinch.
• Keep your head turned to the side of your rear leg, glued to the opponent’s chest.
• If you're facing an opponent in the opposite stance (orthodox vs southpaw), place your foot outside their lead leg.

WHAT:
Takedown following the cinturada.

IMPORTANT:
• Lower your shoulder level.
• Drive forward with your head for pressure.
• Release your arms just before hitting the ground.

CAUTION:
• Partner should not post their hands on the mat during the fall.

Control the waist with a cinturada for 10 seconds (without completing the takedown), while the partner tries to break the grip (50% resistance).

The partner moves passively and raises an open hand to cue the jab + cinturada. Alternate with a timed cinturada entry when the partner switches to an aggressive attitude and advances with punches.

WHAT:
Control from the mounted position.

IMPORTANT:
• Hooks pointing upward.
• Keep legs bent.
• Stay level with the opponent.
• Hands posted on the mat above the opponent’s head level, with stiff arms.
• To defend the arm wrap, rotate the forearm and keep the elbow away from the body.

CAUTION:
• Avoid tensing the hooks or straightening your legs to prevent knee injury.

WHAT:
Defense against a push to the chest while mounted.

IMPORTANT:
• Underhook one arm at a time, rotating your torso.
• Return to low mount if you need more control.

WHAT:
Defense against a push to your lower torso (ribs) while mounted.

IMPORTANT:
• Close your knees when being pushed.
• Keep your big toes connected.
• Use a hook grip behind the opponent’s neck. • The post hand should stay far from your body.

WHAT:
Defense against a side headlock while in mount.

IMPORTANT:
• Place your foot on the floor on the side the opponent tries to turn.
• Bring your other knee close to the back of the opponent’s neck.
• Shift your weight onto your grounded knee.
• To break the choke grip, keep your arm extended at a right angle and open the opponent’s armpit.
• When taking the back, adjust your level to avoid sliding forward.

Variations of all mount controls without resistance.

Mount stabilization (partner reacting with 50% resistance).

High mount with both arms extended diagonally, elbows on the mat + hooks.

WHAT:
Shoulder lock applied when the opponent keeps their arms in a defensive position after mount control.

IMPORTANT:
• Keep the opponent’s wrist on the mat and drag it downward. • Use a palm grip, avoiding finger-only control.
• Insert your hooks.

CAUTION:
• Avoid hitting your partner’s face with your elbow. • Apply the Americana slowly.

WHAT:
Shoulder lock from low mount, wrapping the opponent’s head.

IMPORTANT:
• The initial wrist control should be done using a thumb-in grip.

Drill the Americana to both sides without finishing (standard and variation positions). Focus on technical control, not on completing the submission.

Side mount to back transition and leveling.

Mount to side mount

Shoulder roll.

WHAT:
Control the opponent when they turn to their back after being dominated in mount.

IMPORTANT:
• When the opponent starts turning to their knees, transition to side mount.
• After inserting the hooks, step back using hands and feet on the mat to level yourself relative to the opponent.

CAUTION:
• Keep forearms on the mat while turning to knees (don’t extend the arms) to avoid losing balance and hurting the knees.
• Don’t cross the feet to prevent foot locks.

WHAT:
Position yourself safely when the opponent manages to stand up after back control.

IMPORTANT:
• Switch the attacking arm to the controlling arm, trapping the opponent from behind.
• Remove the hooks and control the opponent while standing, maintaining a low base.

CAUTION:
• The partner should stand up slowly to avoid falling, supporting elbows on their own thighs.
• If there's a significant weight difference, only demonstrate standing with hooks or standing with feet on the mat.

WHAT:
Control when the opponent is on all fours with the intention to stand up.

IMPORTANT:
• Open your knees and force the hips to the ground.

CAUTION:
• Apply the technique slowly and carefully to avoid injuring the partner’s lower back.
• Keep the top of the foot on the ground to prevent knee twisting.

WHAT:
Transition from back control to mount when the opponent misaligns their hips and removes one hook, putting their back on the mat.

IMPORTANT:
• Pass the top hook over the opponent’s belly and extend the bottom leg. • Anchor your hand on the opponent's neck to climb.
• Pull your elbow and turn your chest to the mat as you climb.

WHAT:
Concepts of back control.

IMPORTANT:
• Top control = control arm and attacking arm.
• Bottom control = leg hooks, triangle, and variations.

WHAT:
Principles of back control.

IMPORTANT:
• Level = leveling yourself relative to the opponent.
• Alignment = aligning your hips with the opponent’s hips.
• Connection = connecting your chest to the opponent’s back.

Start in the mount and transition to all back controls based on the partner’s reactions, with no resistance.

Back control aiming for submission (partner reacts with 50%-70% resistance).

Mata Leão on your own leg (simulation).

WHAT:
Choke from the back.

IMPORTANT:
• Control the opponent’s wrist with your control arm while the attacking arm wraps around the neck.
• Place hand over hand and slide the top hand behind the opponent’s neck.
• Apply pressure to the sides of the neck (don’t push the opponent’s head forward).

CAUTION:
• The partner must tap or verbally submit when feeling the choke.
• If you feel the partner go limp, release the choke immediately.

WHAT:
Choke from the back when the opponent falls to the side of your attacking arm.

IMPORTANT:
• Use your whole body to apply pressure - arms, head, hips, and legs.

WHAT:
Choke from the back when the opponent falls to the side of your control arm.

IMPORTANT:
• Convert the attacking arm into the new control arm.
• Extend the bottom arm and reposition it over the opponent’s shoulder.
• Switch your head to the other side.

WHAT:
Mata Leão using a palm-to-palm grip.

IMPORTANT:
• Anchor the attacking hand behind the opponent’s trapezius.
• Use your chin to protect the attacking hand.
• Connect hands using monkey grip (palm of attacking hand facing down, other palm facing up).
• Close your elbow behind the opponent’s back.

Control hand + Attack hand

WHAT:
Key principles for back submissions.

IMPORTANT:
• Prioritize attacking the neck to limit escape attempts.
• Hand fight: control the opponent’s arms with your hands.
• Head positioning: your head should assist your arms in applying pressure. The opponent’s head must be trapped between your attacking arm and your head.

Attempt Mata Leão while the partner defends using only one hand.

Attempt Mata Leão while the partner cannot use either hand to defend.

Bridge over the shoulder.

Bridge + turn to all fours + stand up.

Move north + recover leg position + bridge + turn to all fours + stand up.

WHAT:
Defense and reversal when the opponent is mounted holding my neck.

IMPORTANT:
• Control one wrist of the opponent (monkey grip) with a cross grip and close the elbow.
• The other hand holds the opponent’s triceps (thumb grip).
• Trap the opponent’s foot on the same side as the controlled arm.
• Bridge over the top of the shoulder (on the controlled side).

CAUTION:
• The partner should turn their head to the side of the free arm when the upa is applied, to avoid neck injury.

WHAT:
Defense and reversal when the opponent is in low mount hugging the head.

IMPORTANT:
• Trap the opponent’s arm with the weight of my head.
• Extend the leg to remove the opponent’s hook on the opposite side of the trapped arm and keep the heel close to the buttocks to avoid re-inserting the hook.
• The hand hugging the opponent’s back moves to the hip before bridging.

CAUTION:
• Partner should not keep hooks’ feet tense or legs straight.

WHAT:
Defense and reversal when the opponent in high mount tries to control or attack me with punches.

IMPORTANT:
• Lift the hips to force the opponent to put hands on the mat.
• Wrap the triceps with a thumb grip while the other arm hugs the back.
• Move north.
• The arm hugging the back extends during the bridge movement.

CAUTION:
• Partner should not support the palm of the wrapped arm on the ground.

WHAT:
Defense and reversal when the opponent in mount holds my wrists to the ground.

IMPORTANT:
• Belly bump and move north while moving my arms down.
• After freeing the arms, hug the opponent’s torso and start the arm-wrapping movement.

Controlling arm and leg + upa (partner reacting with 50%-70% resistance).

Variations against all controls (partner reacting with 50% resistance).

Basic Baiana (double leg) simulation

Jab with Baiana (double leg) entry.

WHAT:
Takedown by grabbing the opponent’s legs.

IMPORTANT:
• Lower your level.
• Keep head on the same side as rear leg.
• Keep spine aligned.
• Extend arms to reach legs.
• Control opponent’s arms to prevent punches or standing.
• Keep head centered on torso.
• Stay aligned; follow hips if needed.

CAUTION:
• Partner should not post hands when falling.
• Bend legs to absorb impact.

WHAT:
Baiana (double leg) takedown when the opponent walks toward you to strike.

IMPORTANT:
• Close the distance and protect your head with your arms at the same time (do not try to block the punch).
• Lower your level.
• After the entry, adjust your base by moving the rear foot.

CAUTION:
• Same as in the basic Baiana (double leg).

WHAT:
Baiana (double leg) takedown when the opponent threatens aggression but is cautious and does not advance.

IMPORTANT:
• Jab with a step from the lead leg, followed by adjustment of the rear leg.
• During the rear leg adjustment, lower your level and use it as propulsion into the clinch.
• Extend the arms to reach for the legs.

CAUTION:
• Same as in the basic Baiana (double leg).

Baiana (double leg) entry without finishing the takedown.

Baiana (double leg) takedown.

Partner moves passively and lifts open hand for jab + Baiana (double leg), alternating with timing-based Baiana (double leg) when the partner switches to an aggressive posture and advances with punches.

Simulation of the beginning of the guard pass using the knee staple.

WHAT:
Low guard pass to mount using the shin for control.

IMPORTANT:
• Lift one knee and place your forearm outside your leg.
• Push down the opponent’s knee on the same side as your posted leg.
• Use your foot as a hook to trap the opponent’s leg.
• Flare your stapling knee outward for stability.
• Hug the opponent’s head and extend your free arm for balance.

CAUTION:
• Press their knee carefully and slide over with control.

WHAT:
Low guard pass to side control using the shin for control.

IMPORTANT:
• Lift one knee, forearm outside your leg.
• Push down the opponent’s knee on the same side as your posted leg.
• Hook their leg with foot, toes, and knee on the ground.
• Flare stapling the knee outward for a strong base.
• Release the hook only after the other leg clears.

CAUTION:
• Press their knee gently and slide over with control.

Low guard pass, without standing up. Partner defends the pass (using 50%– 70% resistance) without being allowed to close the guard.

WHAT:
Side control.

IMPORTANT:
• Hips connected to the opponent's hips. • Weight on top of the opponent.
• Keep an underhook on the far arm.

WHAT:
Switching base when the opponent initiates a hip escape.

IMPORTANT:
• Keep an underhook on the far arm.
• Keep your head low.
• Top leg in an open base, bottom leg bent.

WHAT:
Switching base when the opponent pushes with a hand on your neck.

IMPORTANT:
• Switch your arms to the opposite side.
• Keep your head tight to the opponent’s body to avoid knee strikes. • Shift your weight toward the shoulder farthest from the opponent.

CAUTION:
• Your partner should extend the arm controlling the hips to avoid elbow hyperflexion.

WHAT:
Advancing from side control to mount.

IMPORTANT:
• Place your top knee under the opponent’s arm.
• Position your bottom knee on the opponent’s belly and post with the same side arm.
• Kick the floor with the top of your foot and rotate your hips and head to the opposite side.

Practice different variations of the cem-quilos control for about 20 seconds while the partner attempts to escape (50%-70% resistance). After 20 seconds, transition to low mount.

From side mount, drop the high leg, switch sides, and return to mount.

Armlock simulation from mount + shoulder roll, finishing back in mount.

WHAT:
Mount control when the opponent turns to the side.

IMPORTANT:
• Backside knee slides close to the opponent’s neck.
• Most of the weight stays on the kneeling leg.

WHAT:
Straight armlock from side mount.

IMPORTANT:
• Lean your body toward the opponent’s thighs when swinging the leg over their head.
• Keep knees tight and legs bent when applying pressure.
• Make sure the opponent’s thumb points away from your torso.
• Only swing the leg after the opponent stops exploding to avoid being rolled forward.

CAUTION:
• Don’t hang on your partner’s wrist when falling.
• Let hips touch the ground first, then pull the wrist and apply pressure slowly

WHAT:
Straight armlock from mount.

IMPORTANT:
• Place hands near opponent’s shoulder—one over, one under their arm.
• Move into side mount on same side as the under arm.
• Lean your body toward opponent’s thighs when swinging the leg over head.
• Keep knees tight, legs bent, and thumb pointing away.
• Adjust hips if you fall too far from opponent.

CAUTION:
• Don’t hang on wrist; hips touch ground first, then pull wrist and apply pressure slowly.

Armlock to both sides, reacting to the partner pushing or turning sideways.

Final armlock control, holding the wrist for 10 seconds while the partner tries to escape by getting on top, opening your knee, or pulling their elbow (partner reacting with 80% resistance).

WHAT:
Control from mount.

IMPORTANT:
• Push opponent’s elbow, pressing it against their own chest.
• If needed, push the other hand to the mat to trigger a reaction and facilitate control.
• Press your torso onto opponent’s triceps.
• Transition to side mount by posting one hand on the mat while controlling opponent’s wrist with the other.

WHAT:
Transition from mount to back control as opponent, trapped in gift wrap, turns belly-down to escape.

IMPORTANT:
• Release grip and post hands on ground as opponent turns.
• After inserting hooks, move backward with hands and feet to level position relative to opponent.

CAUTIONS:
• Partner should keep forearms on mat when turning to knees, avoid

straightening arms to prevent loss of balance backward and knee injury. • Do not cross feet in back control to avoid foot lock submissions.

WHAT:
Submission starting from gift wrap control.

IMPORTANT:
• Use Kimura grip on trapped arm.
• Rotate arm wrapped around opponent’s head while maintaining grip.
• Open top knee outward, toward opponent’s legs to create space for armbar.

Partner attempts to escape (using 50% resistance). Focus on maintaining control; if partner turns, do a transition to the back.

Start in the Gift Wrap position with a Kimura grip and transition to the armbar. From the armbar, maintain control while the partner attempts to defend (with 50% resistance) by coming on top, pushing the knee, or pulling the elbow. Do not finish the submission, focus only on control.