We have devised a categorization system that groups all BJJ positions into seven families based on their shared functions and strategic objectives during a match. With thousands of positions and various names, storing and accessing them in database with no categorization would be extremely challenging and inefficient for application. By establishing such family systems, we can efficiently and effectively map techniques based on its strategic nature and presumed hierarchy, even if they’re a relatively new technique.
1. Standing & Takedowns Family: This family encompasses all positions and states related to stand-up grappling and takedowns. It includes techniques that involve initiating grappling engagements such as clinches, securing control from a standing position, and executing takedowns. The shared strategic elements in this family focus on disrupting opponents balance (or Kuzushi / 崩し), executing throws or trips, and transitioning to a dominant ground position.
2. Guard Family: Often regarded as the essence of BJJ, positions within the Guard Family include all forms of guard play, where the practitioner uses their legs to control, neutralize their opponent, and submit from the bottom position. The strategic focus here is on controlling the opponent’s movements, preventing the opponent from passing your legs, and setting up submissions or sweeps in you guard. This family covers Closed Guard, Open Guard, Half Guard, and their variations.
3. Guard Passing Family: The Guard Passing Family includes all positions and movements aimed at passing the opponent’s guard or legs from the top player’s viewpoint. The strategic elements focus on breaking through the opponent’s leg defenses to secure a dominant position. The legs are the most powerful tool available to the bottom player for stopping the movement of the top player. It is the most advantageous for the top player to effectively maneuver around, under or over the legs towards a more favorable dominant position over the bottom player. This family covers various guard passing techniques like stack passes, Knee Slice passes, and Toreando passes.
4. Dominant Positions Family: This family consists of positions where one practitioner has a significant control advantage over their opponent usually past their legs and hips. Positions like Mount, Side Control, and Back Control are included, with strategic elements focusing on maintaining control, applying pressure, and setting up submissions. This family of positions are often perceived as the most dangerous and imposing, opening up multiple submission opportunities to end the match.
5. Defensive Maneuvers Family: This family groups together positions and techniques that are primarily reactionary and defensive in nature, aimed at escaping or reversing dominant positions imposed by the opponent. Techniques like sprawling, shrimping, and bridging fall under this category, sharing the common goal of creating space, escaping control, and transitioning to a more favorable position. Mirroring the Dominant Positions Family, the Defensive Maneuvers Family covers positions where your back is taken by the top player, mounted, or on the bottom of someone’s side control and other unfavorable positions.
6. Leg Entanglements Family: While similar to the Guard Family, Leg Entanglements differ from traditional guard plays in several key ways. Leg entanglements focus primarily on lower body control rather than upper body manipulation in guard plays, and are more submission-oriented, often targeting leg locks. While offering high-reward opportunities, Leg Entanglements often come with increased risk, because Leg Entanglements can create neutral positions between two players, unlike the typically defensive nature of traditional guards. They represent a more recent evolution in BJJ strategy, contrasting with the long-established traditional guard techniques. Techniques like Ashi Garami, Inside Sankaku, and 50/50 Guard are included in this family.
7. Dynamic Positions Family: This family includes positions that are highly transitional and involve rapid movements and adjustments. Scrambles, Crab Rides, and Dogfight positions are characterized by their dynamic nature, with strategic elements focusing on maintaining fluidity, reacting to the opponent’s movements, and seizing control in transitional moments.