Jiu Jitsu Moves You’ll Want to Learn for Self-Defense

Are you curious about jiu jitsu moves and how to use them for self-defense, fitness, or just a little extra confidence? Jiu jitsu is a unique martial art that lets you turn someone’s strength against them, which makes it effective for people of all shapes and sizes. 

Whether you’re just starting or looking to understand more advanced moves, let’s dive into the basics, defensive techniques, and some powerful submissions that make jiu jitsu such a powerful and practical skill.

Understanding the Basics of Jiu Jitsu

What sets jiu jitsu apart from other martial arts is its emphasis on grappling and ground fighting. It’s not about punching or kicking—this is a martial art that’s focused on controlling and neutralizing your opponent without brute force. 

In jiu jitsu, you’ll learn to use leverage, angles, and technique to control an opponent, which can make a big difference if you’re ever in a self-defense situation.

Here, technique wins over strength, and timing often beats speed. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll understand how these principles allow you to stay calm and in control. 

And with practice, you’ll realize how jiu jitsu is more than just a series of moves—it’s a way to keep yourself centered and balanced both mentally and physically.

Top Foundational Jiu Jitsu Moves for Beginners

If you’re new to jiu jitsu, there are a few basic moves that are essential for your foundation. They’re also incredibly useful in real-life scenarios, making these moves important to master. Here are the main ones you’ll want to know:

The Guard Position

The guard is a key position in jiu jitsu that lets you control your opponent from the ground. Think of it as a “defensive offense” where you’re lying on your back, using your legs and hips to control the other person. 

There are different variations, like the closed guard (where you keep your legs locked around the opponent) and the open guard (where you have one or both legs free). 

Mastering the guard is essential because it helps you maintain control while protecting yourself.

Escape Techniques: Shrimping

Shrimping is a basic movement that helps you create space when you’re on the ground and need to escape a bad position. The technique is simple but effective: you push off with one foot, twist your hips, and move backward. 

This move might feel awkward at first, but it’s something you’ll see and use often in jiu jitsu. Shrimping teaches you how to maneuver on the ground, an essential skill in both training and real self-defense situations.

Defensive Jiu Jitsu Moves

While jiu jitsu focuses on controlling and submitting opponents, mastering defensive moves is key to protecting yourself. Here are a couple of essential techniques:

Basic Sweeps

Sweeps are powerful techniques that help you reverse a bad position, allowing you to go from defense to offense. 

One of the most common sweeps is the scissor sweep, where you use your leg like a scissor blade to shift your opponent’s balance and reverse the position. 

Another is the hip bump sweep, which lets you turn the tables and get on top. These sweeps are handy because they’re straightforward, and once you have them down, you’ll feel more confident and in control.

Guard Retention

Guard retention is all about keeping your guard strong and stable. Think of it as maintaining your defense while waiting for the right moment to switch to an offensive move. 

Guard retention requires controlling the distance between you and your opponent, keeping your legs active, and watching for their next move. 

The goal is to stay calm and ready, preventing your opponent from passing your guard and gaining the upper hand.

Submissions – Turning Defense into Offense

One of the most empowering aspects of jiu jitsu is learning submissions. These moves let you gain control of an opponent without needing brute force. Here are three popular submissions that are both effective and rewarding to learn:

The Armbar

The armbar is a classic submission that targets the elbow joint. By isolating your opponent’s arm and applying pressure, you can force them to tap out. 

To set up an armbar, you’ll position your hips and legs in a way that restricts your opponent’s movement, allowing you to pull back on their arm. Once you’ve got it locked in, there’s not much they can do except tap out or risk injury. 

Practicing the armbar teaches you how to be precise, and it’s one of the first submissions I recommend learning.

Triangle Choke

The triangle choke is another favorite in jiu jitsu. This move lets you use your legs to form a triangle shape around your opponent’s neck, cutting off their blood flow and forcing them to submit. 

While it sounds intense, the triangle choke is very safe when applied correctly, and it doesn’t require a lot of strength. 

The technique is all about positioning and controlling your opponent’s head and arm within that “triangle” space. Plus, it’s a satisfying move to pull off once you get the hang of it!

Rear Naked Choke

If you find yourself in a position where you’re behind your opponent, the rear naked choke is an excellent go-to move. This choke involves wrapping your arm around their neck from behind and squeezing until they tap out. Not only is it effective in jiu jitsu competitions, but it’s also highly practical for self-defense. When executed properly, this move can end a fight quickly and effectively, giving you a great sense of control and confidence.

Advanced Jiu Jitsu Moves for Progressing Students

Once you’re comfortable with the basics, it’s natural to want to learn some advanced moves. Here are a couple that I’d recommend as you move forward in your training:

Kimura Lock

The Kimura lock is a submission that targets the shoulder joint, applying pressure to force the opponent to tap out. 

It’s especially effective because you use your body’s rotation to generate force, making it a powerful move even if you’re smaller or lighter than your opponent. But remember, practice it carefully and with control—Kimuras can be intense.

Guillotine Choke

The guillotine choke is another great submission to have in your toolkit, and it’s versatile since you can apply it from both standing and ground positions. 

The idea is to wrap your arm around your opponent’s neck and squeeze, cutting off their air supply. It’s a quick way to take control of a confrontation, especially in a real-world setting where staying on your feet can be important.

Practicing Jiu Jitsu Moves Safely

Safety should always be your priority when practicing jiu jitsu. Even if the moves feel natural, it’s important to practice with respect for your body and your partner’s.

Partner Drills for Safe Practice

Drills with a partner help you build muscle memory and learn how to perform moves accurately. Good communication with your training partner is essential, so make sure you’re both on the same page. 

Remember, jiu jitsu is all about technique, not aggression. Practicing drills with control helps ensure that you both stay safe and enjoy the training.

Using Protective Gear

In addition to good technique, wearing protective gear can also help prevent injuries. Mouthguards, joint supports, and comfortable, well-fitted gis (jiu jitsu uniforms) all play a role in keeping you safe. 

For beginners, investing in the right equipment is worth it, especially if you plan on making jiu jitsu a regular activity.

Training Tips to Perfect Your Jiu Jitsu Moves

Aside from regular practice, building strength and flexibility will enhance your performance in jiu jitsu. Here are some training tips that work well:

Building Strength and Flexibility for Jiu Jitsu

Exercises that build core strength, flexibility, and endurance are particularly useful. Planks, squats, and yoga stretches, for example, are fantastic for building the type of strength that jiu jitsu demands. 

Flexibility, in particular, is helpful in movements like the triangle choke or any ground position where you need to control your legs.

Importance of Consistency in Training

Consistency is your best friend when learning jiu jitsu. Creating a balanced training schedule allows you to improve faster and prevents burnout. 

Even practicing a few moves each day can help solidify your skills, so you’re ready whenever you step onto the mat.

Take Your Jiu Jitsu Skills Further with Eye2Eye Combat

Jiu jitsu is a powerful and practical skill that can give you confidence in almost any setting. Whether you’re perfecting your guard position or exploring advanced submissions like the triangle choke, the journey of learning jiu jitsu is a rewarding one. 

And if you’re ready to take your skills further, Eye2Eye Combat offers the guidance, community, and expertise you need to reach your goals. Join us and see how Eye2Eye Combat can support your jiu jitsu journey from day one!

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