Beginner path
A suggested order for someone in their first six months. Survive first, then play closed guard, then pass, pin and take the back. Each step opens the public lessons we have for that topic.
A soldier teaches BJJ on Camp Bondsteel. U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Cheryl Madolev. Public domain. Source
Step 1
Learn to move
The shrimp, bridge and technical stand-up are in every escape and sweep you will ever do. Ten minutes a day pays off for years.
Open this topic →Step 2
Survive mount
You will be mounted constantly as a beginner. Learn the elbow-knee escape and the upa so that mount is uncomfortable rather than terrifying.
Open this topic →Step 3
Escape side control
The second most common bad position. Frame, shrimp, recover guard. This one escape will change how rolling feels.
Open this topic →Step 4
Protect your neck from the back
Learn to hand fight and get your shoulders to the mat before you learn any attacks. Defence first keeps you rolling.
Open this topic →Step 5
Play closed guard
Closed guard teaches posture breaking, hip movement and the classic attack chain of armbar, triangle and hip bump sweep.
Open this topic →Step 6
Sweep from closed guard
The hip bump and scissor sweep are your first ways to get on top. Pair each with a submission so every reaction is covered.
Open this topic →Step 7
Open the guard and pass
Learn one standing guard break and one pass (the knee cut) and drill them until they are automatic.
Open this topic →Step 8
Hold side control and mount
Getting on top is only useful if you can stay there. Learn crossface, underhook and weight distribution before attacking.
Open this topic →Step 9
Win the underhook in half guard
Half guard is where every roll gets stuck. Getting onto your side with an underhook is the foundation of both sweeping and passing it.
Open this topic →Step 10
Attack from mount
Armbar and cross collar choke from mount reward everything you learned about control.
Open this topic →Step 11
Take and keep the back
The seatbelt and hooks are the safest way to finish anyone. Learn to maintain before you learn to choke.
Open this topic →Step 12
Finish with the rear naked choke
The highest-percentage submission in grappling, and a reason to want the back in every roll.
Open this topic →Step 13
Learn how to train
Positional sparring, tapping early and picking one thing to work on each week will get you further than any single technique.
Open this topic →