Grapple Academy
BJJ positions library
Study the core Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu positions by family, from open-guard variants through dominant top control and transitional positions.
- Guard
- Top
- Back
- Trans.
- Stand.
Open Guard variants
Mobile guard shapes that create angle, distance, and off-balancing threats.
- Open GuardButterfly Guard0 techniques · Open Guard family
Learn butterfly guard in BJJ, including seated hooks, off-balancing, gi and no-gi grip options, and beginner class signals.
Explore position - Open GuardDe La Riva Guard2 techniques · Open Guard family
Learn De La Riva guard in BJJ, including the outside hook, gi and no-gi differences, key attacks, and beginner class cues.
Explore position - Open GuardSpider Guard1 technique · Open Guard family
Learn spider guard in BJJ, including sleeve grips, feet-on-biceps control, gi limitations, attacks, mistakes, and class cues.
Explore position - Open GuardX-Guard0 techniques · Open Guard family
Learn X-Guard in BJJ, including how the leg entanglement works, why it matters, common mistakes, and class selection cues.
Explore position - Open GuardCollar Sleeve Guard0 techniques · Open Guard family
Learn collar sleeve guard in BJJ — the two-handed grip that controls the opponent, creates off-balance, and opens sweeps and back takes.
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Bottom Control
Guard positions where the bottom player can retain structure and attack.
- Bottom ControlClosed Guard7 techniques · Bottom Control family
Learn what closed guard is in BJJ, why it matters for beginners, and which attacks, sweeps, and class details to look for.
Explore position - Bottom ControlHalf Guard1 technique · Bottom Control family
Learn half guard in BJJ, including the bottom-player priorities, top-player passing goals, common mistakes, and class cues.
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Top Control
Pinning positions that let the top player control, progress, and submit.
- Top ControlSide Control1 technique · Top Control family
Learn side control in BJJ from top and bottom, including pins, escapes, common mistakes, and what beginners should ask for.
Explore position - Top ControlMount1 technique · Top Control family
Learn the mount position in BJJ, including top control, bottom escapes, key attacks, common mistakes, and class cues.
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Standalone
High-value positions that sit outside the main guard and pin families.
- Back Control1 technique · Standalone family
Learn back control in BJJ, including hooks, seatbelt control, rear naked choke threats, escapes, and beginner class cues.
Explore position - Turtle2 techniques · Standalone family
Learn the turtle position in BJJ, including bottom survival, top attacks, gi and no-gi differences, and class selection cues.
Explore position - Standing / Takedown4 techniques · Standalone family
Learn the standing and takedown phase of BJJ, including stance, grip fighting, safe entries, common mistakes, and class cues.
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