Grips Overview

What Are Grips in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?

In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), grips refer to how you hold or control your opponent’s gi (material) or body to establish control, manipulate movement, and set up attacks. Grips are fundamental tools that allow you to control the pace and flow of the match, disrupt your opponent’s Base and posture, and create opportunities for sweeps, submissions, and positional advancements.

Key Characteristics

Control

  • Grips enable you to control specific parts of your opponent’s body, such as their arms, legs, or torso, limiting their ability to move freely.

Leverage

  • By gripping strategically, you can use Leverage to amplify your strength, break posture, or off-balance your opponent.

Connection

  • Grips create a physical connection between you and your opponent, allowing for precise manipulation of their Center of Gravity and movement.

Key Functions of Grips

Control Posture

  • Grips allow you to break or maintain your opponent’s posture, which is crucial for executing sweeps, guard retention, or chokes.

Manipulate Movement

  • Grips can redirect your opponent’s weight or Momentum, making it easier to off-balance them.

Set Up Attacks

  • Many submissions, sweeps, and guard passes begin with a well-placed grip to isolate a limb or control their posture.

Defend and Retain Guard

  • Grips are crucial for preventing guard passes or stalling an opponent’s advances.

Tips for Effective Gripping

Grip Tightness

  • Ensure your grip is firm and eliminates slack in the gi fabric for better control.

Combine with Body Mechanics

Dynamic Transitions

  • Be ready to switch between grips or adjust based on your opponent’s reactions.

Prevent Grip Fatigue

  • Avoid over-squeezing; efficient grip use relies on placement and leverage, not brute strength.

Why Are Grips Important in BJJ?

Grips are foundational to gi-based BJJ because they provide the means to:

  • Control the opponent’s movement and Distance Management.
  • Create openings for offensive techniques.
  • Neutralize or counter your opponent’s attacks.

Grips