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Technique Library

The Academy

Breakdowns of core Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu techniques taught in our classes — the fundamentals, the setups, and the mistakes that cost you position.

Takedowns

The Duck Under

One of the cleanest takedown entries in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu — use wrist control and level change to slip under your opponent's arm and take the back.

Key Points

  • 1Wrist grip + underhook feint to open the angle
  • 2Explosive level change — drop hips, not head
  • 3Post with far hand, shoot deep underhook
  • 4Elevate back, transition to rear body lock

Common Mistakes

  • ×Dropping the head instead of the hips — exposes the neck
  • ×Going for the duck without setting it up — telegraphed
  • ×Not taking the back after the duck — losing the advantage
Passing

Neutralize the Guard Player

Most guard passing failures come from engaging too quickly. The goal before passing is always to kill the guard — control the hips and shut down the frames.

Key Points

  • 1Break posture control first — collar or sleeve
  • 2Kill the legs: staple a shin, trap an ankle, pin the hamstring
  • 3Smash the guard before trying to pass around it
  • 4Keep pressure forward — any backward movement re-opens the game

Common Mistakes

  • ×Standing up too early — gives the guard player grips
  • ×Trying to pass with space — always connect before moving
  • ×Forgetting the far-side hand position — gets swept
Principles

Balance: Speed vs. Pressure

Every BJJ exchange is a dial between speed and pressure. Younger/stronger players over-index on speed; high-percentage grapplers over-index on pressure. The best adjust per position.

Key Points

  • 1Pressure wins exchanges when positions are established
  • 2Speed wins exchanges during transitions
  • 3Read your opponent's structure — where are they frameless?
  • 4Slow down in dominant positions; speed up in neutral ones

Common Mistakes

  • ×Being all-speed — burns cardio, loses position
  • ×Being all-pressure — passive, gets swept by dynamic players
  • ×Not matching tempo to the position

Want the full breakdown?

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