The Language of BJJ

The Language of BJJ: A Simple Glossary for New Students and Parents

Welcome to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu! Like any specialized sport or community, we have our own language. At first, it can sound confusing. You might hear coaches yelling things like "He's in your guard!" or "You've got to pass the half!" or "Nice sweep!"

For parents listening from the sidelines or new students trying to follow instructions, this can feel like drinking from a firehose.

We've put together this simple glossary of the 50 most common terms you'll hear on our mats. It's designed to help parents connect with their child's training and to help new students understand the concepts and positions more quickly. You don't need to memorize them all, but it will help you start to make sense of the "physical chess game" you're watching.

Basics & Gym Etiquette (基本術語與道館禮儀)

1. Jiu-Jitsu: 巴西柔術 (Bāxī Róushù)
2. Gi (Uniform): 柔術服 / 道服 (Róushù fú / Dào fú)
3. No-Gi: 無道服 (Wú dào fú)
4. Belt: 道帶 (Dào dài)
5. Tie your belt: 綁道帶 (Bǎng dào dài)
6. Mat: 墊子 (Diànzi)
7. Tap / Tap Out: 拍（認輸） (Pāi)
8. Roll / Spar: 對練 (Duì liàn)
9. Drill: 練習 (Liànxí)
10. Coach: 教練 (Jiàoliàn)
11. Partner: 夥伴 (Huǒbàn)
12. Warm up: 熱身 (Rèshēn)
13. Line up: 排隊 (Páiduì)

Key Positions常見位置 - Top (上位)

1. Mount (Full Mount): 騎乘 (Qíchéng)
2. Side Control: 側控制 (Cè kòngzhì)
3. Knee on Belly: 膝浮固(Xī fú gù)
4. North-South: 南北 (Nánběi)
5. Back Mount / Take the Back: 拿背 (Ná bèi)
6. Posture: 挺身 (Tǐngshēn)

Key Positions常見位置 - Bottom (下位)

1. Guard: 防禦 (fángyù)
2. Closed Guard: 全防禦 (Quán fángyù)
3. Open Guard: 開放式防禦 (Kāifàng shì fángyù)
4. Half Guard: 半防禦 (Bàn fángyù)
5. Butterfly Guard: 蝴蝶防禦 (Húdié fángyù)
6. Spider Guard: 蜘蛛防禦 (Zhīzhū fángyù)
7. De La Riva Guard: 德拉里瓦防禦 (Dé lā lǐ wǎ fángyù)
8. Turtle: 烏龜防禦 (Wūguī fángyù)

Core Actions (核心動作)

1. Pass (the Guard): 過位（過防禦） (Guò fángyù)
2. Sweep (from Guard): 掃技（翻轉） (Sǎo jì / Fānzhuǎn)
3. Submit / Submission: 降伏 (Xiángfú)
4. Escape: 逃脫 (Táotuō)
5. Takedown: 摔技 (Shuāi jì)
6. Pull Guard: 拉進防禦 (Lā jìn fángyù)
7. Grip: 抓 (Zhuā) / 握 (Wò)
8. Frame: 框架 (Kuàngjià)
9. Bridge: 橋式 (Qiáo shì)
10. Shrimp / Hip Escape: 蝦式 (Xiā shì)

Types of Submissions (降伏種類)

1. Armbar: 十字固 (Shízì gù)
2. Kimura: 木村鎖 (Mùcūn suǒ)
3. Americana / Keylock: 美國鎖 (Měiguó suǒ)
4. Choke: 絞技 (Jiǎo jì)
5. Rear Naked Choke (RNC): 裸絞 (Luǒ jiǎo)
6. Guillotine: 斷頭台 (Duàntóutái)
7. Triangle (Choke): 三角絞 (Sānjiǎo jiǎo)
8. Heel Hook: 足跟鎖 (Zú gēn suǒ)
9. Leg Lock: 腿（腳）鎖 (Tuǐ (jiǎo) suǒ)

Competition & Concepts (比賽與概念)

1. Leverage: 槓桿 (Gànggǎn)
2. Pressure: 壓力 (Yālì)
3. Points: 分數 (Fēnshù)
4. Disqualification (DQ): 判輸 (Pàn shū)
5.