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Ezekiel Choke: BJJ Technique Explained

With UFC fighter Aleksei Oleinik going on a ridiculous streak of submitting opponents with an ezekiel choke it’s popular again. Thanks to Oleinik more people than ever are wanting to add the Ezekiel choke to their Jiu Jitsu games. The ezekiel choke is a powerful choke that can put your opponent to sleep in less […]

The ezekiel choke is a powerful choke that can put your opponent to sleep in less than a second. It is usually considered a Gi move, but can be done No-Gi as we saw Oleinik do multiple times.

Let’s take a moment and tell you everything about the ezekiel choke. We’ll detail everything from how it was invented, how it works, and breakdown various ezekiel choke techniques.

When was the ezekiel choke invented?

Just like most of the techniques in Jiu Jitsu, the ezekiel choke was first invented in Judo. It’s original name is the sode-guruma jime.

The name ezekiel choke wasn’t used by Jiu Jitsu practitioners until 1988. A famous Brazilian Judoka named Ezequiel Paraguassú wanted to tighten up his ground game before the Seoul Olympics.

So he began his preparation for the Olympics at Carlson Gracie’s Jiu Jitsu Academy. He would routinely use the sode-guruma jime in training.

Paraguassú was such an expert at this submission, the Jiu Jitsu practitioners referring to the move as the Ezequiel. The name was given out of respect and homage for the Judoka and the name stuck. Now all Jiu Jitsu practitioners refer to the submission as the ezekiel choke.

How does the ezekiel choke work?

There’s different types of Ezekiel chokes either involving the Gi and No-Gi. The feeling of each type is sort of similar to putting your opponent’s neck in a vice.

This choke gets tighter and tighter compressing the opponent’s neck until they tap or go to sleep.

It’s supposed to be more of a blood choke, but they can also be partially air chokes. Especially when you lock on an ezekiel choke from the front of your opponent.

Basic Ezekiel From Mount

Probably the most common place to set up an ezekiel choke is from the mount. When you’re on top from mount and your opponent is hugging you, they’re basically giving your set up. Either way if they don’t do this, the steps for the mounted ezekiel choke are the same.

Slide one of your hands behind the opponent’s neck. While you’re doing this keep your head on the mat next to theirs. Make sure to also have your free hand based on the mat to defend if the opponent tries to reverse you.

Next bring your free hand next to the hand under their neck to grab the sleeve of your free hand. The proper grip you need to use for the choke to work is inside the sleeve.

Once you grab the sleeve, turn your arm and slide it under the opponent’s chin across their neck. To lock in the pressure scissor your arms together to close the space and force them to tap.

You will also need to pull your arm across their neck using them sleeve grip, while taking a slight angle.

Ezekiel choke from guard

To do an ezekiel choke from closed guard, you’ll first need to take a collar grip. Get it deep, but not too deep like you’re going for an x choke.

Next step is you sit up and reach around your opponent’s neck and grab your opposite sleeve. For this technique, you grab your sleeve on the outside and pull it outward.

When you come back down, you finish the choke by bringing your elbow inward to close space around their neck. It creates a lot of pressure and they only have moments to tap.

Ezekiel choke from inside guard

The ezekiel choke is one of the very few submissions you can pull off when you’re inside an opponent’s guard. If your opponent has a tough guard, you can do this either to attempt to submit them or open their guard.

When you’re in guard, you set it up by letting the opponent get underhooks. You could also leap forward and put to get your arms next to their head.

Once you do this, the steps are basically the same as a mounted ezekiel choke. Hook an arm behind their head, grab your sleeve, and sit up to lock in the choke.

Ezekiel from back mount #1

The first ezekiel choke we’ll detail is really simple to pull off. It is basically the same movements as an rear-naked choke, but it involves having a sleeve grip.

First step is to get your arm under their chin and cup the shoulder blade with your hand. In No-Gi, this is how you would set up an RNC, but in Gi you have the option of doing an ezekiel.

Grab the sleeve of your free hand and slide your hand behind their neck to finish. It also doesn’t matter if the opponent is blocking their neck with their hand. The choke is strong and will work just the same if they’re protecting their neck.

Ezekiel from back mount #2

This ezekiel choke variation from the back is when you have a seat belt grip and can’t grab the collar. The opponent is blocking you from getting the grip, so this opens up this ezekiel choke variation.

From the seat belt grip, slide your bottom arm under the opponent’s arm further. Then connect your hands with a Gable grip, take your hook out, and pull them to their side.

Now you scoot up a little further to put more pressure on their neck and set up your sleeve grip. Either a 3 or 4 finger grip will do from here, so do whichever you prefer.

After you take your grip, slide your hand behind their neck. For the last step bring your knee towards their head, sit down and finish the choke.

No-Gi ezekiel choke from mount/half guard

This No-Gi ezekiel choke technique works the same way whether you have mount or in top half guard.

The first step is to swim your arm behind the opponent’s head and get in deep. Do it with force so that you make them start turning their head.

Next step is you put your head next to your opponent’s. You’re going to push on the side of their head with yours to move their head. This is to make space for your top arm.

To get your top arm in, raise your head up, slide it in, and clamp your arms together. Bring your head back down and start sinking in the pressure.

The Oleinik Ezekiel

We couldn’t do an article on ezekiel chokes and not cover Aleksei Oleinik’s ezekiel chokes. It is highly unlikely you’ll get this choke when you’re mounted, but his set up from standing is solid.

When he fought Anthony Hamilton, Oleinik let Hamilton get double underhooks from standing. This opened the opportunity for him to get the ezekiel choke grip around his neck.

Oleinik then allowed himself to be taken down just so he could lock in the choke and finish it.

Tips for doing the ezekiel choke

If you want to have good success at locking in the ezekiel choke remember all of these tips below.

Head Control: No matter which type of ezekiel choke you’re going for this remember to have head control. This move begins and ends with having head control, so if you don’t have it there is no choke.
4 Finger Sleeve Grip: When you go the ezekiel choke in gi remember to use a 4 finger grip inside the sleeve. This is the proper grip that you’ll need to pull off the sub.
Slide Hand Under The Chin: This is tip is extremely important for every type of ezekiel choke. You have to slide your hand under the opponent’s chin. If you try to chop down where they can see your hand, they’re definitely going to defend it.
Pull Your Arm: To set in the Gi ezekiel choke, you have to pull your top arm across using your sleeve grip. This movement closes the small space between their neck and your arms allowing you to set in the choke.
Make An Angle: Once you set in the choke, you need to make a slight angle to get optimal pressure. This tip goes for every type of ezekiel choke.
Break Their Posture: When you go for the ezekiel from a bottom position, you must break the opponent’s posture. You have to bring their head down towards your body to get the choke. It is near impossible to get an ezekiel choke if the opponent is postured up.
Base Out: If you’re attempting an ezekiel from mount remember to base out with your head and free hand. This will help prevent your opponent from reversing you.

Kimura: BJJ Technique Explained

If you were forced to choose only one submission when grappling, the kimura may be the best one. The kimura may be the most diverse submission in all of Jiu Jitsu. You can land it from almost anywhere from nearly any position and it is incredibly powerful. Even just being able to get a kimura […]

If you were forced to choose only one submission when grappling, the kimura may be the best one. The kimura may be the most diverse submission in all of Jiu Jitsu.

You can land it from almost anywhere from nearly any position and it is incredibly powerful. Even just being able to get a kimura grip can work to your advantage.

Taking a kimura grip can even allow you to hit sweeps and hit takedowns. This is why grapplers have built entire games around this sub including the effective kimura trap system.

It is a phenomenal submission and we’re going to tell you everything about the kimura. Detailing its history, how it works, and a few of the various techniques involving this submission.

When was the kimura invented?

Before Jiu Jitsu was ever invented, the kimura was used within submission wrestling systems like catch as catch can. Within these submission wrestling systems, they referred to this submission as a double wrist lock.

Judo also used this submission and called it the ude-garami. In BJJ, the move wasn’t used or popularized until after the famous bout between Masahiko Kimura and Hélio Gracie.

When Kimura was visiting Brazil, he was challenged to a grappling match by Hélio. After the two agreed to terms, they had the match in front of thousands of people.

Kimura dominated the smaller Gracie in the match and ended by locking in the ude-garami. Gracie refused to tap and got his arm broken twice.

As an homage and respect to Kimura, Jiu Jitsu practitioners started referring to the move as the kimura.

How does the kimura work?

The mechanics of how the kimura work are actually very simple. It is a basic lever system, where immense pressure is put on the opponent’s shoulder and elbow joint.

Grabbing hold of the opponent’s wrist, while connecting your wrists together forcing their arm behind their back. Once the kimura gets locked in, the opponent only has moments to tap or get their arm broken.

Basic kimura from guard

You first learn how to do the kimura as a beginner within your first few Jiu Jitsu lessons. Generally the kimura from guard being the most basic and simple variation.

You start by placing the opponent’s hand on the mat to make the opening for the sub. First you grab the opponent’s wrist close to their hand.

It’s fine to use a normal grip, but the strongest grip to use is probably a 5 finger grip. But as a beginner don’t worry too much about grips and just focus on the movements.

Then you do a side ab crunch and sit up towards the arm you’re controlling. Loop your free hand over the opponent’s shoulder and go through their arm to lock your hands together.

Now for the finish push the opponent’s arm behind their back as you fall to your back. Be sure to scoot your hips out a little to give yourself more space to crank the arm.

Kimura from side control

A kimura from side control is a classic go to submission for many grapplers. First you want to be mindful of weight placement. Keep your weight centered on top of your opponent, so not to worry about getting swept.

After you make sure your weight is centered take wrist control on the opponent’s far arm. Then take your under that arm and grab your wrist connecting your hands together.

For the steps to finish, you have two options. The first option is to pull the opponent onto their side and put their arm behind their back.

But sometimes for tough opponents that won’t work. So you may need to pull them up and step over their head for better control over them. To finish, bring their elbow to your chest and then crank their arm toward their back.

Near side arm kimura from side control

A different variation of a kimura from side control involves attacking their arm closest to you. It can open up if they turn away and expose their arm.

When they do this quickly take your kimura grip. From here you have a variety of different options. You can either take the kimura in a few different ways and even take their back or grab an armbar.

Kimura From Mount

It isn’t the most used submission from mount, but you can definitely hit a kimura when you have mount.

Take a kimura grip on the arm you want to attack and drop your head on the same side. It’s kind of hard to get the angle to finish the kimura from here, so you’ll probably need to roll. Bring your far leg over the opponent’s head and do a front roll to your back and get the finish.

Kimura from standing

There’s a great kimura technique from standing when the opponent has back control made famous by the legendary Kazushi Sakuraba.

When the opponent is hugging your back from standing, you have to attack the top arm and get kimura control. Be sure to drop your weight down or you risk your opponent suplexing you.

After you break your opponent’s grip, turn into them and do a back roll, while keeping the kimura grip. You’ll end up on top in side control, so it’ll be your choice for how you want ro finish it.

The power kimura

When you’re going against a really strong opponent, there is another grip you can go to that’s really powerful. Some call this the power kimura.

The power kimura is basically a rear naked choke grip on the opponent’s arm. How you do it is slide your grip hand to the opponent’s elbow and grab your bicep with the other.

This move is best used when you’re in side control and isolated one of the opponent’s arms.

Half Guard Kimura Trap Series

There have been numerous systems built around the kimura and one of the most popular is the kimura trap. Here are two kimura trap techniques from half guard.

The first is the sweep from half guard. When you have a knee shield from half guard take a kimura grip and press it towards the opponent’s hip. Then you bait them to pass by taking your knee shield away.

All you do is push their arm into their hip, rotate, and sweep them over on their back. Very simple.

Next is if they don’t take the bait to pass. When they don’t pass, swing your legs to north/south. Use that momentum to place your foot on the opponent’s hip. This gives you a perfect angle to take a kimura.

Tips for doing the kimura

The kimura is very simple to do, but there are some small details you need to remember. If one of these details is missing it could lead to you losing the sub, so remember these tips.

Side Ab Crunch: As you sit up to lock your hands together be sure to remember to do a side crunch. Sitting straight up limits your space to do the move and may impede you from locking your hands together. Doing a side crunch will give you the space you need to lock your hands and get the kimura.
Arm Over The Shoulder: It is very important to loop your arm over the opponent’s shoulder. For the kimura to work successfully, you need to have control of the opponent’s wrist, elbow, and shoulder.
Scoot Your Hips Out: After you get your kimura grip and are falling back be sure to scoot your hips out. This will ensure you have enough space and get angle to get a good torque on their arm.
Grab Near The Opponent’s Hand: As you go to get your grips make sure you grab the opponent’s wrist closer toward their hand. If you try grabbing closer to their forearm, you don’t have much control and are less likely to get the kimura.
Don’t Lean Too Far Over: When you’re going for a kimura from side control make sure you don’t lean your weight too far forward. The opponent could easily sweep you, so try to stay on the centerline.
Bring Their Arm Into You: Before you put the opponent’s arm behind their back, you have to bring their arm to your chest. This will ensure the kimura is tight and you have good control over the arm.
Attack The Top Arm: When the opponent has your back and you go for the Sakuraba style rolling kimura grab the top arm. You always attack the top arm when doing this move or it won’t work.
Use Your Whole Body: A kimura is not just using 2 arms against 1. Use your whole body to attack their arm and you’ll be way more successful getting the sub.

Triangle Choke: Everything Explained

When you first begin your training in Jiu Jitsu, there are a group of basic submissions you always learn first. One of the most efficient and diverse submissions of the group is the triangle choke. The triangle choke out of all of the basic submissions may be the best out of the bunch. This is […]

When you first begin your training in Jiu Jitsu, there are a group of basic submissions you always learn first. One of the most efficient and diverse submissions of the group is the triangle choke.

The triangle choke out of all of the basic submissions may be the best out of the bunch. This is because there are so many different ways to hit a triangle choke, which makes it difficult to defend. Many high level Jiu Jitsu athletes have based their entire games around getting a triangle choke for this reason.

If you wanted to know everything about the triangle choke this is the article for you. We’re going to cover everything from it’s history, the mechanics behind the sub, and details various triangle choke techniques.

Whether you’re a Jiu Jitsu beginner or a seasoned grappler, you can learn something from this article.

When was the triangle choke invented?

Like many of the techniques in BJJ, the triangle choke originated within Judo. The name for a triangle choke in Judo is “sankaku-jime” that roughly translates to figure 4 choke.

When early Jiu Jitsu practitioners were developing the martial art, they acknowledged the effectiveness of this technique. So naturally like many of the moves they adopted it, they innovated and perfected it.

How does the triangle choke work?

While many know how to perform a triangle fewer know the actual mechanics of how the submission works. The science behind the functionality of the choke is very cool and interesting.

The first thing you need to know is that the triangle choke is what you call a “blood choke.” Meaning that it puts pressure on the carotid arteries of your neck blocking blood flow to the brain.

How it works is you need your legs wrapped out your opponent’s neck with one arm stuck between them. Your top leg puts pressure on one side of their neck, while you push their own arm into the other. Subsequently using their own arm to strangle them.

The shape you have your legs around the opponent’s neck looks exactly like a triangle. Which is why it was given the name triangle choke.

Basic Triangle Choke

The basic triangle choke from guard is pretty straightforward. First you have to control their arms. Grab an overhook on one arm and either have wrist control on the other or cup around their bicep.

For the next step, you have to do a small hip escape and get on your side. You’ll never land a triangle choke laying flat on your back.

With you controlling one of their arms with an overhook, you have to bypass their other arm. Push it away as you bring your leg in while lifting your hips and placing your leg on their neck. Be sure to place it down with force to break their posture or you’ll be less likely to get it.

Then grab your ankle to keep their head down and angle slightly to the side to get maximum pressure.

Now for the last few steps. Lock it up by placing your knee over your ankle, squeeze your knees together to apply pressure. If they’re tough, you can apply extra pressure by pulling their head down or hooking their leg or arm.

Triangle From Spider Guard

Spider guard offers a lot of different entries into the triangle choke. Here are the details for an easy setup from spider guard.

You have a normal spider guard with sleeve grips and your feet on the opponent’s biceps. Choose a side to shoot your leg past their arm by pulling the sleeve and doing a push kick motion.

Now take that leg and place it down with force on their back to break their posture. With them in place for the triangle shoot your other leg on top of their neck with force. Then cut an angle and lock it up.

Triangle From Lasso Guard

Lasso guard also has quite a few great techniques for landing a triangle choke. Here is one basic one for you to try.

Grab your lasso grip by holding the opponent’s sleeve and loop your foot inside their arm behind their tricep. You’ll be controlling their other arm with a classic spider guard grip on their bicep.

Kick the spider guard grip off their arm and place it with force on their neck. Then all you need to do is kick through on your lasso guard grip and take the triangle.

Triangle Choke From De La Riva Guard

Here is a good option to get a triangle if you like using the De La Riva Guard. Take your

De La Riva hook behind the opponent’s leg with a near collar grip. You’ll be controlling their other arm with a classic spider guard control.

Break their posture with the collar grip, while holding them in place with your DLR and spider grips.

Kick your foot off their bicep and place it down on their neck. At the same time you break their posture down with the collar grip.

For the finish take your De La Riva hook off the opponent’s leg and lock up your triangle.

Triangle Choke Off Scissor Sweep

If an opponent starts to get savvy to your scissor sweep and keeps blocking it, you have a triangle available.

When they sit their weight down to defend the sweep, they leave themselves open for a triangle. Take your knee shield off their chest and use it to pin the opponent’s arm to their body.

Then just simply rotate your leg and place it down on their neck and lock up the choke.

Triangle Off Hip Bump Sweep

Scissor sweep isn’t the only sweep you can get a triangle off of. You can also get one off a defended hip bump sweep.

Either you tried the hip bump and failed or feel their base is too good to land the sweep. Hook the opponent’s head and lift your hips up like you’re going for the sweep.

But this is just a fake, when in reality you’re going to climb up the opponent’s back. Just pass their arms, pull their head down, and lock in your triangle.

Triangle From Mount

While it isn’t usually the go to submission from mount. There are a couple different options available for a triangle from mount.

If the opponent hooks under your leg you can easily land a triangle. But if you want to set it up. There’s a few more steps.

When the opponent is protecting their neck take wrist control on both arms. Pull one down as you pull their neck up and loop your leg under.

For the finish it is up to you if you want to lock it in from mount or roll to your back and finish the sub.

Tips for doing the triangle choke

While the triangle choke is pretty simple, there are still small details you need to remember. Forgetting one of these details could result in you losing the choke.

Top Leg Heavy: When you put your top leg on the back of the opponents neck make sure to do it with force. If your top leg isn’t heavy, the opponent can easily defend.
Hips Off The Ground: You have to get your hips off the ground when you go for the triangle choke. The choke is really difficult to pull off if you don’t do this detail.
Arm Between The Legs: Don’t forget to have one of the opponent’s arms between your legs. It won’t work without their arm between your legs.
Knee Over Ankle: Make sure when locking the triangle choke up to lock your knee over your ankle. This will ensure it is locked in and avoid locking over your foot to avoid injuring it from the pressure.
Cross Your Legs Next To Their Arm: A mistake a lot of beginners do is crossing their legs on the wrong side. Remember to cross your legs on the same side of the arm you have between your legs.
Cut Angle: You need to cut an angle to the opposite side of the trapped arm to apply sufficient pressure. Staying on the center line with your opponent may not be enough pressure to submit them.
Bring Knees Together: After you get the triangle locked in bring your knees together to put on the pressure and get the tap.
Pull Their Arm Over: Don’t forget to pull the opponent’s arm across your body, If you don’t control that arm and pull it across, they have a better chance at defending the choke.
Methods To Finish: If your opponent is tough, you’re going to need to do a little extra to finish them. Either pull their head down, hook their arm/leg, or put your fist in their throat if you’re mean.

The Top 10 Best Jiu Jitsu Schools

With Jiu Jitsu continuing to explode in popularity it has become even more easy to find a place to train. No matter where you are in the world or what city, there is probably a BJJ school to train at. But among these schools, there are a special few that stand out from the rest. […]

But among these schools, there are a special few that stand out from the rest. These academies are where the world’ best Jiu Jitsu athletes train.

Here are our choices for the top 10 best Jiu JItsu schools in the world. Be sure to remember this list whenever you travel. You don’t want to miss your chance of having the opportunity of training alongside the best in the world.

#10 Six Blades BJJ Austin, TX

After a two year layoff from competition, multiple time world champion Xande Ribeiro returned with a huge announcement. With his return to competition, Xande announced he would be opening his very own academy and affiliation. Six Blades BJJ in Austin, Texas.

It seems odd to start a top 10 best BJJ schools list with a brand new gym. Although if you know anything about Xande Ribeiro no one will argue with us about this pick.

Xande has been one of the best BJJ athletes and coaches of the last 20 years. He and his brother Saulo built the phenomenal affiliation Ribeiro BJJ and now Xande is looking to create another team.

This team led by Xande already has the potential to be among the world’s best schools. You won’t want to miss a great opportunity to train under a world champion.

You can find out more about Six Blades here : https://sixbladesbjj.com/

#9 Checkmat BJJ HQ Long Beach, CA

Checkmat BJJ under the leadership of Ricardo and Leo Vieira have become quite the powerhouse since its creation in 2008. After being highly decorated competitors, the Vieira brothers opened their own affiliation to share their BJJ with the world.

These brothers are highly respected instructors that have innovated Jiu Jitsu with their phenomenal style and technique. Their method has been proven very effective and Checkmat rarely goes a year without a student becoming world champion.

Among their students are some of the best BJJ athletes in the world. Including Lucas Leite, Michelle Nicolini , Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida. Nicolini and Almeida are even considered by many the best athletes ever in their divisions.

This Jiu Jitsu school is definitely worth checking out if you find yourself in Long Beach, CA.

https://checkmatbjj.com

#8 Roger Gracie Academy London, England

Since retiring from competition, Roger Gracie now makes his home in London, England and opened his very own BJJ school. Roger Gracie Academy.

Gracie is one of the best and most respected grapplers ever. He dominated the sport Jiu Jitsu scene for over a decade. Winning multiple world champions in almost every year that he competed, except for one.

His style is old school classic Jiu Jitsu that focuses on basic techniques and heavy pressure. Roger believes old school is the best school and he has proven it many times in competition.

Since retiring, he has also become a great instructor and you should definitely train with him whenever you’re in London. https://rogergracie.com

#7 GFTeam Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

In the city where BJJ was born lies some of the toughest academies in the world. Easily one of the toughest in the world being GFTeam.

Led by Juilo Cesar Pereira, GFTeam has produced some of the best grapplers in the world. Champions like Rodolfo Vieira and Ricardo Evangelista grinded for years in the scorching heat of Rio de Janeiro.

The main GFTeam BJJ school is located in the barra of Meier, which is where training camp for Worlds takes place. But honestly, you can find world class training at any of the affiliate schools within the city.

There can be over 50 people on the mat at a 10am class at an affiliate like GFTeam Merck. Full of world class grapplers that live and breathe Jiu Jitsu. https://www.facebook.com/gfteamoficial/

#6 Gracie University Torrance, CA

Now this pick at number 6 is more for historical purposes than being one of the best Jiu Jitsu schools. With Gracie Jiu Jitsu opening up shop in Torrance, CA, BJJ may not have exploded like it did.

As practitioners of Jiu Jitsu, we have to give credit and respect to the Gracie family for spreading BJJ. The Gracie school in Torrance was one of the very first Jiu Jitsu schools in the US. Founded by Rorion Gracie, they arguably started the first Jiu Jitsu boom in popularity outside of Brazil.

Today the school is run by Rener and Ryron Gracie and they are still teaching classic Gracie Jiu Jitsu. During a trip to LA, you should definitely consider taking a trip to Gracie HQ in Torrance and pay respects. https://www.gracieuniversity.com/

#5 Tristar Gym Montreal, Quebec(Canada)

Up in the great white north of Canada lies one of the best MMA/BJJ schools in the world. Head coach Firas Zahabi is a mastermind and one of the most respected minds in martial arts.

He is most known coaching elite MMA fighters like Georges St Pierre and Rory MacDonald. But he is also without a doubt one of the best Jiu Jitsu coaches in the world.

Zahabi is a blackbelt under John Danaher and thousands of fighters and grapplers travel to Tristar to train with him. Going to Montreal to train with Firas would do wonders for your BJJ game and how you approach the art. https://www.tristargym.com/

#4 Marcelo Garcia Jiu Jitsu New York, NY

Marcelo Garcia is considered by many to be the GOAT in Jiu Jitsu. How he beat athletes double or triple his size with seemingly effortless technique was amazing to watch.

Now since retiring from competition, he opened up his very own Jiu Jitsu school in the heart of NYC. Once he first opened his doors, Marcelo was swarmed with students wanting to train under. He now has thousands of students training under him and thousands of others that travel there every year.

People that go there glow about the positive atmosphere that Marcelo created. Not only is he considered a Jiu Jitsu GOAT, but Garcia is also considered the nicest person in BJJ

At Marcelo Gracie Jiu Jitsu, you’re going to get world class Jiu Jitsu in the fantastic atmosphere. You can’t ask for much more than that. https://marcelogarciajj.com/mgjj/

#3 Gracie Barra TX Houston, Texas

In the southern suburb of Houston, Texas lies Gracie Barra Texas. GB Texas is run by Vinicius “Draculino” Magalhaes. Draculino has over 4 decades in Jiu Jitsu and created a powerhouse of a gym in Houston.

Under the coaching of Draculino, he has promoted over 100 students to black belts. Many of which have won major championships in BJJ. Magalhães is one of the most decorated coaches in BJJ with numerous world championship athletes who train under him.

If you ever make the trip to his school in Houston his classes are packed with students. Also on any given day you could be training with multiple world champions. Professor Draculino is one of the most respected instructors in the world and you can learn so much from him. https://graciebarratx.com/

#2 Atos Jiu Jitsu HQ San Diego, California

Number two on our list is none other than Andre Galvao’s Atos Jiu Jitsu school in San Diego, California. Galvao himself is one of the greatest competitors of all time and becoming one of the world’s best coaches.

San Diego is a city full of world class Jiu Jitsu, but Atos arguably stands as the city’s best. Not only the city, but is arguably the best Jiu Jitsu school in the world.

There are literally too many world champions to name that have come out of Atos in the last decade. They have made their mark as one of the strongest schools in the world and for many years to come. https://atosbjjonline.com/

#1 Renzo Gracie Academy New York, New York

Coming in at #1 on our top 10 best Jiu Jitsu schools in the world list is Renzo Gracie Academy. Renzo has one of the most storied careers in BJJ and MMA. But arguably the greatest thing he has ever done was open his very own Jiu Jitsu school.

Countless world champions in BJJ and MMA have trained under Renzo. From Matt Serra, Ricardo Almeida, Georges St Pierre, and John Danaher.

Renzo’s school is so packed with world class instructors and talent that there are different fight teams within the school. Which brings us to one of the reasons why we gave Renzo the top spot. The Danaher Death Squad.

In the basement of Renzo’s is where the Danaher Death Squad trains led by mastermind John Danaher. Under the leadership of Danaher, DDS have become the best squad of Jiu Jitsu athletes in the world. Including reigning ADCC double champ Gordon Ryan considered by many the current best in the world.

Being loaded with so much talent, Renzo’s academy in NYC was the clear choice for the world’s best BJJ school. https://renzogracieacademy.com/

Check out this video of Firas Zahabi talking about the best jiu jitsu schools in the world

Jiu Jitsu Belt System Explained

The art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a fantastic martial art that provides a litany of positives to your life. Many know BJJ is a grappling based self defense system, but there’s one thing that can confuse potential students. The BJJ ranking system and jiu jitsu belt rankings. New students usually have a lot of […]

New students usually have a lot of questions about the BJJ ranking system. Everything from what are the ranks, how long does it take to get promoted, how do I get my jiu jitsu belt promoted?

Well new students don’t have to ask anymore, because we’re going to explain the BJJ ranking system for you. We’re going to breakdown every BJJ rank for adults, and detail everything you need to know about each belt. After reading our breakdown, you will fully understand the BJJ ranks and what you need to do to get promoted.

What are the BJJ ranks?

Before we detail each belt in Jiu Jitsu, here are the ranks of BJJ for adults.

White Belt
Blue Belt
Purple Belt
Brown Belt
Black Belts

These are the 5 colored jiu jitsu belts you progress through on your BJJ journey. White being the beginning of your journey and black belt signifying that you completed the color belts of BJJ. For the next section we will be breaking down each rank, what they signify, and how you get promoted.

Jiu Jitsu White Belt

The white belt is one of the most special belts in Jiu Jitsu. It marks the beginning of your journey into BJJ and has the potential to become a passion in your life.

At white belt, you are basically a baby. Everything is new to you and you are just trying your best to try and absorb everything you can.

What do you learn as a white belt?

As a white to get promoted to blue belt, you will be primarily working on one aspect of Jiu Jitsu. Basics.

At white belt, you spend all of your time learning the basics of the martial art. These basics are the foundations of your game that you will later develop at higher BJJ belt ranks.

What you’ll learn includes:

BJJ Positions: guard, half guard, side control, back mount, etc.
Basic Submissions: All of the basic submissions including, armbar, triangle, kimura, rear naked choke(RNC), guillotine choke, and americana.
Basic Guard Passes: Basic guard passes that include traditional guard break, knee slide, double under pass, and standing pass.
Basic Sweeps: Hip bump, scissor sweep, butterfly sweep are must know basic sweeps for white belts.
Takedowns: Basic double leg and single leg takedowns, as well as simple Judo throws are also must know techniques.

What to expect at white belt?

As a white belt, there is one thing you need to expect and that is losing. Since you’re a beginner, you will lose and you will lose often when you roll with your more experienced teammates.

It is an important part of your progression and something that you must accept. Everyone that has gone through this phase of Jiu Jitsu lost frequently before they started winning rolls. Losing is very important as it shows you what you need to work on and it makes you better.

How long does it take to get promoted?

Generally most BJJ academies have a timetable between 100 classes to 130 classes before being promoted to blue belt. So if you train consistently, you should earn a blue belt in about a year at most Jiu Jitsu schools.

Jiu Jitsu Blue Belt

The blue belt is your first promotion in BJJ. Blue belt is the equivalent of going into your teen years. You developed a base in BJJ and now this is where you start forming an early version of your game.

What do you learn at blue belt?

At blue belt you will be learning the following:

Continue Training The Basics: You will continue drilling the basics, while adding on to what you learned at white belt. Learning new variations of basic submissions and different ways to get them for example.
Gi Techniques: At many BJJ schools, they put more emphasis on the use of the Gi for their blue belt students. Gi techniques that include submissions and sweeps, where you use your Gi or the opponent’s Gi.
Learn New Guards: As a white belt, you learned basic guards and at blue belt you learn the basics of more advanced guards. Those guards will include spider guard, De La Riva, and butterfly guard.

What to expect at blue belt?

Within the BJJ ranking system, the blue belt is where most Jiu Jitsu students quit. This is because many blue belt students go through a phase that some call “the blue belt blues.”

Basically what happens is after a student gets their first colored belt, they can get a bit of an ego. They get a sense of confidence that they’re awesome at Jiu Jitsu and going to start smashing people.

But a lot of the time that doesn’t really happen. They continue to lose, when they thought they’d start beating everyone.

When they get their confidence shattered by purple and brown belts it makes a lot of them quit. It is an unfortunate reality, but if you keep yourself grounded and focus on getting better you’ll be fine.

How long does it take to get promoted?

Going from blue belt to purple belt generally takes double the amount of time than your first promotion. A year and a half to three years is the usual timeline for a student that trains consistently.

Basically double the amount of time it takes to earn your blue belt. With the prerequisite of attending at least 200+ classes and show that your abilities are up to par.

Jiu Jitsu Purple Belt

When you are a purple belt, you are right in the middle of the BJJ rankings. It is a very important belt for a number of reasons.

At this belt is when you really start to come into your own as a grappler. This is where you begin honing your BJJ game and make improvements. Black belt is just over the horizon, but you still have a few more years of work to do.

What do you learn at Purple Belt?

There are really only two things you do at purple belt, but they are extremely important. You develop your BJJ game and continue training.

Your BJJ Game: At blue belt you have sort of a game, but not really. You have a few go to submissions and sweeps you go to, but not really a solid BJJ game. Purple belt is really when you start to develop your game and find out what kind of grappler you’re going to be.
Keep Training: The only other thing that you do at purple belt is you keep training. You have to keep working until you’re ready for a brown belt.

What to expect at purple belt?

At purple belt you really start to understand Jiu Jitsu more. It’s like you’re a teen about to become an adult. You’ve gotten pretty good, but you still need more training before get to the higher level belts.

How long does it take to get promoted?

Going from purple belt to brown belt usually takes between 2-4 years of training or attending around 300 classes.

Jiu Jitsu Brown Belt

Brown belt is the second highest color rank behind black in the BJJ ranking system. At this belt, you’re basically an unpolished black belt that just needs a little more work to get there.

What do you learn at brown belt?

The only thing you really do at brown is prepare for your black belt and sharpen your skills. Just putting in your time training adding little missing pieces to your game and tightening your skills up.

What to expect at brown belt?

The brown belt carries almost as much responsibility as a black belt. At this belt lower belts will look to you for guidance and it is your duty to help them. As for your training, you have to be consistent with your training and try to be on the mat everyday.

How long does it take to get promoted?

Being promoted from brown belt to black belt can take anywhere from 1-3 years on average. To earn each stripe before black belt most schools require you to attend 100 clases per stripe.

Jiu Jitsu Black Belt

After nearly a decade or more of dedication and training you earn the rank of BJJ black belt. It takes immense passion and dedication to get to black belt.

As a black belt you’re now a high ranking representative of Jiu Jitsu and must represent it with honor and respect.

What do you learn at black belt?

It’s not really what you learn at black belt, but more about what you learned along the way. Almost a decade or more of dedication with thousands of hours of blood, sweat, and tears you reached this pinnacle.

What to expect at black belt?

Many think black belt is the end of the journey, but it is actually the beginning of a new journey. As Jiu Jitsu Brotherhood founder Nic Gregoriades said, “the journey never ends and you can alway make your Jiu Jitsu better.”

Jiu Jitsu Belt System Explained

Belts are a unique aspect of many martial arts. They serve to demonstrate the ability of a student as well as their dedication to the art itself. Belts vary from sport to sport and different aspects are required of each. In BJJ (Brazilian Jiu Jitsu), there are 5 primary jiu jitsu belt colors for adult competitors (16+) with a 6th (Red Belt) reserved for the very highest level practitioners in the jiu jitsu world. There are different methods to promotion in BJJ. Some gyms test their students before promotion, others will promote based on the thoughts of the coach. Some academies promote a stripe system on every belt. Stripes represent smaller increments of progression before receiving your next belt. The International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) have determined a jiu jitsu belt progression time for each colored belt.

Jiu Jitsu White Belt

White belt is the starting point for almost every martial art. White belts are true beginners of the sport. The goal of this level is to gain a basic understanding of the fundamentals of BJJ. This includes positions such as the mount, side control, closed guard and controlling the back. A set of submissions is taught from all of these positions. Basic sweeps and an understanding of guard passing is required to progress to the next level. An advanced white belt will have a core understanding of the sport and should be able to hold their own against brand new students. There is no time limit required to progress to blue belt by the IBJJF. Every jiu jitsu student from Gordon Ryan to Joe Rogan to Ashton Kutcher started out as a white belt.

Jiu Jitsu Blue Belt

Blue jiu jitsu belts are essentially advanced beginners. Throughout progression, blue BJJ belts should be developing strong defenses to attacks from higher levels. The goal of blue belt is to expand your understanding of BJJ in both attack and defense. Your escapes from bad positions should develop to a strongly competent level whilst your attacks against lower level belts should begin to develop and strengthen. Jiu jitsu blue belts should focus on developing one solid open guard which will focus their attention whilst progressing through the ranks. The IBJJF recommend at least two years training before progressing to Purple belt. You could be safe to assume that jiu jitsu belt demotions do not exist. As a result, when you achieve your blue belt in jiu jitsu, you have left your white belt days behind forever.

Jiu Jitsu Purple Belt

Purple belts are often referred to as experts of defence. Purple belts should be able to negate threats from those ranked below them as well as understand the attacks from those ranked above them. Purple BJJ belts should have at least one very strong guard from which they can launch attacks and advance their positions. Purple belt is also generally where students begin to approach more advanced techniques like the berimblo and other inverted techniques. The IBJJF recommend 1.5 years of training at Purple belt before progressing to Brown. Purple belt is also unofficially the rank at which many MMA fighters seek to achieve. A Purple belt has a truly deep understanding of jiu jitsu without necessarily understanding it all. Without a doubt, any purple belt would be able to protect themselves against an untrained aggressor in a self-defense situation. Statistically, purple belts are also highly likely to progress to black belts. If you maintain your training through blue belt, you will likely have the dedication required to achieve the highest BJJ belt.

Jiu Jitsu Brown Belt

Conversely to Purple belts, Brown belts are often considered experts of attack. Jiu jitsu brown belts are generally an inexperienced black belt. Their guard should be close to impenetrable to lower levels. They should possess an excellent passing game and should be challenging those at their own level and even above. With regard to previous levels, brown belts should be very competent in each of the requirements at each level. The ‘beginner black belt’ tag is reflected in the IBJJF recommendation of 1 year training at brown before promotion. In my experience, brown belts are the most intimidating opponents on the mat. Unlike black belts who have an excellent understanding and control of their technique, brown belts are often highly experienced and unremitting.

Jiu Jitsu Black Belt

Black belts are experts of the sport. Given their deep understanding, they often train with others based on instinct as opposed to a set game plan. Jiu Jitsu black belts are highly knowledgeable at both attack and defense. They are almost always able to negate the attack or penetrate the defense of a lower belt. Although true experts of the martial art, black belts will often meet their match against other black belts or even those of superior grading. The IBJJF requires at least 3 years of training before advancing further. Contrary to what many people think, I find that black belts are some of the best sparring partners in BJJ. Even as a white belt, I would find that black belts were patient of my ability and always willing to pass on advise when I asked for it. Given their understanding of the sport, black belts are slow and very measured. There is no urgency when you are sparring. It is all about what is the most efficient way to achieve your goal.

Jiu Jitsu Red Belts

Also known as the 9th or highest degree of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, the red belts are reserved for true masters of BJJ. These students understand the fundamentals of the sports beyond expert level. The Gracie family explained that a red belt was only awarded to those whose “influence and fame take them to the pinnacle of the sport”. Their technique is so precise that they rarely break a sweat when rolling with others. Strength becomes an afterthought because of their deep understanding of the fundamental aspects of the sport. It is difficult to explain a level of Red belt BJJ comprehension. Instead, it is easier to look at two examples of red belts and their accomplishments in the sport. Pedro Hemeterio was the first recipient of the red belt under Hello Gracie. He had been teaching and competing at the highest level in Brazil for over 30 years. Relson Gracie was the son of Helio Gracie and was the Brazilian national champion for over 22 years(!!). It should be noted that the Brazilian National Championships are often regarded as more difficult than the World Championships.

BJJ Promotion

Promotions vary from academy to academy. Some coaches promote their students when they feel the student is ready to progress. This is often done in smaller gyms where the coach has a deep understanding of their students and what their true ability level is. As mentioned, some gyms operate on a stripe system. Students are given stripes on their belt to indicate their degree of ability within a belt color. Sometimes stripes are given after a certain amount of time but most often, stripes are seen as a ‘mini-promotion’. Stripes are a much easier way of keeping track of students in a larger environment. Coaches can clearly see the ability of their students without having to keep detailed notes on everybody. It is also a good way for students to choose their sparring partners depending on the experience level they are seeking. Stripes garner a different meaning on black belts. Often you will hear of a 2nd or 4th degree BJJ black belt. These stripes are almost valued as a new belt color for black belts as they indicate a truly deep knowledge of the sport.

Other academies have a more formal promotion system. Some gyms have a quasi-curriculum from which students have to learn and preform the techniques. Whilst this certainly works in terms of quantifying ability, I think that it may formalize the process too much. Personally, I feel as though a jiu jitsu ranking should be interpreted broadly as opposed to literally. Another interesting form of promotion where the student will spar with one or several people in front of their coach. This allows the coach to see how you fair against partners of varying ability and skill. Although you may have an off-day, this means of jiu jitsu belt promotion is certainly representative of your own skill level. There are some infamous examples of students sparring for hours at a time or sparring everybody in the gym before they are promoted. Regardless of the system however, most coaches take their time when promoting a student. If you are promoted too early, you will be way out of your depth when you come across somebody of the same level. This is part of the reason why the IBJJF introduced the set time to spend at each BJJ belt ranking. When promotion comes around, many gyms perform the gauntlet on newly upgraded students. This involves the students making a tunnel and whipping the new promotion with their own belts. Roberto ‘Cyborg’ Abreu describes this as essential. In his opinion, you must suffer in order to achieve the next level, otherwise the belt doesn’t carry the same respect.