THIS section covers a balance of foundational skills, drills, and resources for deeper study. we Encourage our students to practice these techniques and review the content regularly.

  • Goal: Learn the fundamentals of BJJ, including basic positions, submissions, and escapes.


    Study Areas:


    • The Guard: Closed Guard, Open Guard, Half Guard
    • Mount: Full Mount, Back Mount, Side Control
    • Submissions: Armbar, Triangle Choke, Rear-Naked Choke, Kimura
    • Escapes: Mount Escape, Side Control Escape, Guard Recovery

  • Closed Guard: Control your opponent from the closed guard and learn to sweep or submit.

    Mount Position: How to achieve and maintain top position in mount.

    Back Control: Learning to control the back and apply the rear-naked choke.

  • Shrimping (Hip Escape): Essential movement for escaping bad positions and improving guard retention.

    Video: Shrimping Drill

    Bridging: Important for escaping mount and side control.

    Video: Bridging Drill

  • Brazilian Jiujitsu has multiple different competitive rules set, the most frequently used of these rulesets is as follow:

    • Takedowns: 2 points

    • Knee on Belly: 2 points

    • Guard Pass: 3 points

    • Mount: 4 points

    • Back Control with Hooks: 4 points

    • Submission Attempts: Vary based on the submission (change per ruleset)

    • Various Penalties and advantage point (change per ruleset)

    • Submission Only: no points, 10-40 minute or unlimited time match often resulting in a draw or double elimination if not submission, however some rulesets has over time rules with specifics methods of victory

  • Differences in rulesets, uniform requirements, techniques available

    • No-Gi and Gi: Differences in clothing means that it involves grips, speed, and technique differences

    • Penalties: Stalling, illegal grips, and slamming and prohibited techniques

    • Time: Matches usually last between 5-10 minutes depending on the competition, 10-40 and sometimes unlimited for submission only matches

    • Submission are often limited to the proficiency or belt level of the individual competitor

      Submission Rules

      White Belt (beginner)

      Jumping to guard, spine locks, slamming, neck cranks, toe holds, heel hooks, knee reaping, wrist locks and "flying scissor" takedowns and other techniques are generally illegal in various competitions.

      Blue Belt (intermediate)

      By this belt level you should have an intermediate knowledge of submissions and can now jump to guard and introduce wrist locks into your game but all other prohibited moves are not available in majority of competitive rule sets.

      Purple Belt (experienced/advanced)

      By now you are an experienced grappler and can begin to introduce more advanced leg locks, however some competitive rulesets will vary .

      Brown / Black Belt (expert)

      All submissions and techniques are generally legal depending on the specific rulesets.

    Penalties for illegal moves

    • Competitors who use illegal moves for their belt level may receive a penalty or be immediately disqualified.

    • Taunting, Foul Language and any behaviour regarded as disrespectful may also result in disqualification from various competitions.

    Other rules

    • Competitors must compete at the belt level awarded to them by their instructor, some competitions will require you to complete in a bracket of years trained.

    • A submission is a technique that forces an opponent to tap out.

    • Points are awarded for obtaining advantageous positions, passing the guard, or carrying out successful sweeps 

    You can consult the IBJJF rules document for more information. 

    https://ibjjf.com/books-videos

  • • BJJ Fundamentals: BJJ Fundamentals Guide
    • How to Improve Your Guard:     Guard Control Guide
    • Common Mistakes for Beginners:     Mistakes in BJJ

  • Advanced No-Gi BJJ Class: Front Headlock & Arm-In Chokes

    Class Focus: Developing high-percentage front headlock submissions, emphasizing control, mechanics, and transitions.

    Warm-Up (15 min)

    Mobility Drills: Neck, back, shoulder mobility warm up drills

    Partner Drills: Hand fighting and chin lifting from front headlock

    Technical Instruction (40 min)

    1. 10-Finger Guillotine

    Set-Up: Cup and lift chin, second hand cups the first

    Finish: Walk hips in, pull hands back to chest for the choke

    2. Gator Roll Anaconda Choke

    Set-Up: Pull opponents arm back and shoot hand through to their armpit

    Finish: Lock arm against lat, tuck head into the gap, roll, and apply a big squeeze

    3. Turtle Break Darce Choke

    Set-Up: Shoot arm deep into the Darce position from turtle

    Breakdown: Use a half-Nelson gable grip to flatten opponent

    Finish: Adjust for a tight Darce grip, drive hips forward, and squeeze

    4. Arm-In Guillotine

    Set-Up: Similar to the gator roll, but unable to get the arm deep

    Finish: Palm-to-palm grip, step outside foot wide, shoot inside knee into the gap, and lock legs over the top for the finish

    5. Peruvian Necktie

    Set-Up: Darce-like grip but with an overhook

    Finish: Step over with the inside leg, sit down, throw the outside leg over, and squeeze

    6. Arm-In Bulldog Choke

    Set-Up: Standard bulldog position with the opponents arm trapped

    Finish: Lock hands, kick forward with leg to break posture, and apply squeeze

    Positional Sparring (15 min)

    Front Headlock Rounds: One partner works to finish, the other defends and escapes

    Live Situational Rounds: Start from turtle or front headlock position

    Live Rolling (15 min)

    Focus on chaining front headlock attacks into each other

    Encourage transitions if opponent defends (e.g., guillotine to Darce to anaconda)

    Q&A and Cool Down (5 mins)

    Address key details or troubleshooting

    Stretching and breath work for recovery

  • How We Teach Kids BJJ at Ronin Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & MMA

    At Ronin Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & MMA, our kids program is designed to build strong fundamentals, confidence, and discipline in a fun and engaging way. We create a positive training environment where kids learn through structured techniques, interactive drills, and teamwork.

    What We Do:

    Make Training Fun

    We use games, challenges, and movement-based drills to keep kids engaged while reinforcing key BJJ skills.

    Keep It Simple & Clear

    Our instructors give short, easy-to-follow instructions and focus on hands-on learning, ensuring kids grasp techniques quickly.

    Encourage Effort Over Winning

    We prioritise learning, improvement, and perseverance, teaching kids to focus on progress rather than just competition.

    Promote Teamwork & Respect

    Kids train together in a supportive environment, learning to help and respect their teammates while building confidence on and off the mats.

    Through this approach, our students develop strong BJJ fundamentals along with essential life skills like discipline, problem-solving, and resilience all while having fun!

  • MMA Training at Ronin Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & MMA

    Our MMA program is built for fighters and enthusiasts who want to develop elite striking, grappling, and fight strategy in a structured, high-intensity training environment. Our MMA program is two hours long, split into focused technical training and live application through sparring.

    Recommended Equipment

    Boxing Gloves

    Shin Guards

    MMA Sparring Gloves

    Gum Shield

    Groin Guard

    Hand Wraps

    Class Structure:

    Hour 1 - MMA Striking Techniques

    Boxing & Muay Thai Fundamentals, Footwork, Head Movement & Striking Combinations

    Kicking & Knee Techniques, Efficient setups and defensive counters

    Clinching & Striking Transitions, How to strike effectively from the clinch

    Takedown Setups with Striking, Integrating wrestling into striking for MMA

    Hour 2 - Live Sparring & Application

    Technical Rounds, Controlled sparring to sharpen timing and accuracy

    Positional Sparring, Fight-specific scenarios (cage control, clinch, ground-and-pound)

    Full MMA Sparring, Applying techniques under pressure with structured rounds

    Our classes are designed for all levels, from beginners learning fundamentals to fighters preparing for competition. Whether you’re training for the cage or just want to sharpen your skills, Ronin Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & MMA provides the perfect environment to push your limits.