Frames

Frames refers to using parts of your body (usually your arms, elbows, hands, or legs) to create a rigid structure that maintains space, supports your body, or controls your opponent. Frames allow you to manage distance, apply pressure, and maintain positional control.

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Why Frames Are Important in BJJ

Creating and Maintaining Space

  • Frames help you prevent your opponent from closing the distance and smothering you, especially when you’re in a defensive position.

Examples

  • Defending side control
  • Placing your forearm across their neck and your elbow against their hip keeps space between their body and yours, allowing you to recover guard.
  • Guard retention
  • Framing with your shins or hands prevents your opponent from smashing or collapsing your hips.
Frames act as structural barriers, making it harder for your opponent to collapse into dominant positions.

Controlling Distance

  • Frames allow you to control how close your opponent gets, giving you the ability to dictate the pace of the fight and set up counters.

Examples

  • Guard control
  • Using your feet on their hips and hands on their shoulders keeps them at a manageable distance.
  • Mount escape
  • Framing against their hips prevents them from dropping weight on you, giving you the space to escape.
Frames give you breathing room to plan your next move, whether it’s an escape or an attack.

Defending Pressure and Weight

  • A strong frame redirects or absorbs pressure, preventing your opponent from overwhelming you with their weight.

Examples

  • Preventing a cross-face
  • Using your forearm as a frame against their neck reduces their ability to pin your head and apply pressure.
  • Dealing with a heavy top game
  • Framing with your arms or elbows against their hips keeps their weight off your chest, making it easier to move.
A properly placed frame lets your skeleton do the work instead of relying on muscular strength.

Setting Up Escapes

  • Frames are often the foundation of effective escapes, as they create the space needed to move your hips or recover guard.

Examples

  • Shrimping
  • Framing against their chest or hips while shrimping allows you to slide your hips out and recover guard.
  • Mount escape
  • Framing their hips helps lift their weight, giving you room to bridge or roll them over.
Frames create angles and leverage, which are critical for effective escapes.

Supporting Submissions

  • Frames can be used offensively to isolate your opponent’s limbs or neck, setting up submissions by controlling their posture and limiting their movement.

Examples

  • Triangle choke setup
  • Using your shin as a frame across their neck while breaking their posture helps control their upper body.
  • Armbar
  • Using your hips as a frame under their arm isolates the joint, making the submission tighter.
Frames allow you to pin and manipulate specific parts of your opponent’s body while attacking.

Enhancing Positional Control

  • Frames are also essential when you're in dominant positions, helping you stabilize and apply pressure while preventing your opponent from escaping.

Examples

  • Top side control
  • Framing with your forearm across their head and neck stabilizes their posture and prevents them from turning into you.
  • Back control
  • Using a leg as a frame across their body stabilizes their movement and prevents them from escaping your hooks.
Frames give you a stable platform to apply pressure and control your opponent’s ability to move.

Redirecting Force

  • Frames can redirect your opponent’s energy and movement, turning their aggression into opportunities for counters.

Examples

  • Dealing with a guard passer
  • Framing against their shoulders redirects their pressure and creates an opening for a sweep or guard recovery.
  • Reversing momentum
  • Using a knee frame while they pressure forward sets up butterfly or scissor sweeps.
Frames turn your opponent's forward momentum into leverage for your attacks or transitions.

How to Build Effective Frames

Use structure, not muscle

  • Let your skeleton support the frame to conserve energy and hold against heavier opponents.

Maintain connection

  • Keep your frames in contact with your opponent to control their movement and weight.

Adjust angles

  • Experiment with different angles to maximize leverage and effectiveness.

Stay active

  • Use your frames dynamically; don’t let them become static barriers.