Jiu Jitsu Move Names

Jiu jitsu is a martial art that was brought to Brazil in 1914 by a Japanese judo master, Mitsuo Maeda. He taught the art to the sons of Brazilian politician, Gastao Gracie, and now jiu jitsu is practiced throughout the world. There are a wide range of moves that students of jiu jitsu must learn; some are taught more frequently than others.

  1. Armbar

    • The armbar is performed on the ground and involves pinning your opponent's arm to his chest with your left arm and holding his elbow against your hip with your right hand, said Ricardo Almeida, a retired mixed martial artist and jiu jitsu grappler. When you raise your hips up and the elbow is not allowed to move, you'll have gained control over your opponent, necessitating that he tap out to show he can't move.

    Triangle Choke

    • The triangle choke should be done tightly enough with your hips that the opponent can't maneuver his way out of it, says Marcio Cruz, a third-degree black belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu. Achieving the choke requires circling your leg around your opponent's neck, wrapping your leg with your other leg in a figure-4, and constricting the other side of the neck with your arm. The move constricts the carotid arteries on both sides, so it can render an opponent unconscious if he does not tap out. Do not attempt this move without the guidance of an expert jiu jitsu trainer.

    Sweep from the Ground

    • A sweep from the ground is essentially a movement executed with your leg, when you are at the bottom of a grappling fight, that takes your opponent off balance and reverses positions so you are now on top. Xande Ribeiro, a four-time World Black Belt Pro Division Champion, explains that this is done by kicking at your opponent's armpit while your other foot is on the ground close to your opponent's shin.

    Kata Guruma Takedown

    • Jiu jitsu matches start with both opponents on their feet, until one takes the other down to the ground. The kata guruma move is a favorite takedown of Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza, who has a black belt in judo and jiu jitsu. A kata guruma involves getting under the opponent, so he is leaning against both your shoulders, and then throwing him forward. It can work with many different grips, Souza says, as long as you fall on the ground next to your opponent right away.