Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has always had a strange connection with the animal kingdom. Since the early days of BJJ, guards and positions have been named after certain animals of which they vaguely resemble. In more modern times, even more positions have been created with even more homage paid to animals. Not only this, but certain animals such as gibbons and snakes also use grappling in real life in the wild which may be where some of the names originate from.
You may sometimes hear coaches telling you to drill movements fluidly like an animal or to reenact the style or flow of certain animals. Elsewhere, it’s common to find various BJJ clothing brands use animals such as sharks and gorillas to represent black belts and status within the community. Often this is a subtle compliment to animals and how their movements and behaviors can be used by humans when it comes to grappling.
For the record, we will also be listing a number of submissions and other positions that are also named after animals which will be listed at the bottom of the article. After reading this comprehensive guide, you should be well versed with the history of animals within BJJ and you should be well on your way to finding your spirit animal in a grappling sense.
- Spider guard – This guard is exclusive to the gi and involves grabbing the sleeves of your opponent and putting your feet on their biceps. This mimics the long legs of a spider and the name may also have something to do with the move representing a spider web. Basically, on the bottom you can dictate the pace and movement of the opponent who is stuck to you, much like the prey of a spider is whilst trapped in their web.
2. Worm guard – This guard involves threading your leg through the lapel of your opponent to create a tight connection with the gi. Here, your leg resembles a worm digging in and out of the ground which is done by going in and out of the opponent’s lapel. There are similar submissions such as the worm hat choke which has the arm thread through the lapel, once again representing the animal.
3. Anaconda guard – Also known as single leg X, the anaconda is a position used where your leg starts on the inside of your opponent’s leg and curls around towards the outside of their leg. In this sense, it is similar to the way an anaconda wraps around its prey and creates a wrapping motion.
4. Koala guard – This guard involves sitting down and hugging the leg of the opponent, much like a koala does whilst sitting on a tree. From this seated position, you can use it to sweep the opponent and is mechanically similar to a single leg takedown cross between shin-on-shin guard.
5. Squirrel guard – These days, this position is more commonly called the K-guard. However, it was originally referred to as the squirrel guard. This involved hanging on your side whilst having your foot sitting just past the hip of your opponent. Visually, it’s kind of similar to when a squirrel hangs from a tree.
6. Octopus guard – This is a variation of half guard which is done to counter the hip switch of the opponent. Sitting upwards, you somewhat resemble the body of an octopus whilst tangled up with your opponent. This position was popularized by Eduardo Telles who was also a big fan of the turtle position.
7. Turtle guard – Possibly the most common guard on the entire list, this move is when you curl up into a tight ball to defend a guard pass or escape a bottom position. Visually it looks very similar to a turtle with its shell sticking outwards. Similar to a turtle, it’s also hard for the opponent to try and crack and get into the shell. With this said, the turtle is seen primarily as a slow, defensive position that mimics the speed and mentality of the animal that it is named after.
8. Mantis guard – Another animal guard named by Keenan Cornelius, this is a variation of the de la riva position. Here, the practitioner hooks their arm behind the leg of the opponent and grabs their own shin. This may be the inspiration behind the move as the underhooked arm vaguely resembles the hook of the praying mantis.
9. Krab guard – Again…another entry by Cornelius. This is a variation of half guard which involves moving your head position and changing your feet in a similar way to hitting the John Wayne sweep. Honestly, we have no idea why this is called the krab guard.
10. Butterfly guard – Perhaps the most mainstream guard on the list, this is a seated guard with your feet sitting below the opponent. Your arms are meant to pre-occupy the upper body of the opponent at the same time. Physically, your body represents the same shape of a butterfly whilst in this position. Here, your knees are pointed outwards like butterfly wings, whilst your elbows are doing a similar position with regards to the upper body.
11. Monkey tail guard – Used by Andre Galvao, this position is a lapel-based technique. Here, you grab the opponent’s lapel and keep your feet on it to create tension. This move is similar to an animal grabbing onto the tail of a monkey and causing mischief whilst doing so.
12. Donkey guard – Created by Jeff Glove, this involves turning away from the opponent and balancing on your hands. From here, you want to jump your legs onto the opponent’s body around the hips. Visually, this looks like a donkey that kicks backward. To enter the position, you need to use your legs to kick back to attach to the waist of your opponent.
13. Tarantula guard – A variation of the spider guard, this has one leg planted on the opponent’s bicep with the other posted on their hip or floating near the floor. This name was probably given as a homage to the original spider position.
14. Panda guard – Designed by Priit Mihkelson, this is a variation of the turtle guard that involves sitting up like a panda. It is used to stand from the bottom position to avoid getting passed or your back taken. This involves setting up grips on your opponent’s hands so they can’t attack you.
15. Rat guard – This is a form of closed guard which is designed for self defense and MMA. The idea is to get your opponent in a headlock or clinch whilst immobilizing their arms. Ideally this is done to stop strikes from the opponent whilst killing their posture.
Submission, sweeps and various moves named after animals
Kiss of the dragon – This is when you spin under your opponent from de la riva. No one really knows the origins of the move as it doesn’t really resemble a dragon in any way.
Bear trap – This is used to sweep opponents and also to enter the saddle. Here, you elevate the opponent’s leg upwards with one leg, then trap it with both your legs and swing their leg towards the ground. This looks like a bear trap when the leg of a bear is caught.
Worm hat choke – Briefly mentioned earlier, this resembles a worm digging through the lapel and is when your arm punches through the lapel into the throat. Mechanically, it is similar to an Ezekiel choke.
Bulldog choke – This is a choke from the front head lock position. Here, you can sprawl to finish and it looks similar to how you may choke out a dog.
Gator roll – This is used to escape or attack from certain positions. Here, you roll like an alligator. It is also known as a barrel roll.
Anaconda choke – Similar to the darce, the anaconda is completed by strangling the opponent and pushing their neck downwards with your chest. Simultaneously, you bring the knees of the opponent towards their neck which mimics the crushing motion of an anaconda.
Dog fight – This is a position from half guard where the bottom player has the underhook. It can be a physically tiring position to attack or defend from, hence the name of the dog fight.
Dragon sleeper – This is a reverse guillotine from the back mount position. The only reason why it may be called dragon sleeper is because it’s a very dominant position.
Chicken wing – The chicken wing is a move where you wrap the opponent’s arm in their lapel. Visually this is similar to a chicken wing as their arm looks the same. Practically speaking, it’s a good form of arm control too.
The Mermaid sweep – Ok, so technically this isn’t an animal, however the mermaid is half fish so it kind of counts. The mermaid sweep is done from half or closed guard and is when you trap the opponent’s legs together with your own and sweep them due to removing their base. Visually their legs look together like a mermaid whilst hitting the sweep.
Grilled chicken – This is a guard retention concept popularized by Priit Mihkelson. The idea is to keep your limbs tight and close together to avoid getting passed. This tenuously resembles the body of a grilled chicken.
Bear hug – Whilst this term is known outside of BJJ, it’s also known and used within the BJJ community. This is basically a body lock position from standing and can also lead to body slam takedowns.
The bullfighter pass – This is another name given to the toreando pass. It looks similar to a bullfighter when using both your hands to move their legs as it resembles a bullfighter quickly moving both hands to move the red rag away from the bull.
The Rhino choke – Similar to the shoulder of justice, the idea is to pressure your shoulder downwards into the neck or throat of the opponent. This cuts off their blood supply and looks similar to a rhino charging its horn into prey.
