If you’re looking for common BJJ slang terminology, then this may be the article for you. However, this article is about BJJ terms that have various, other names that are also used to describe them. One example of this could be the Toreando Pass, which other people call the Bullfighter Pass. Ultimately, they mean the same thing…but the point is there are different names out there so this may be a good guide for newcomers to look through. If you are confused or unsure about a particular term, then this may be ideal.
Table of Contents
The Saddle
Also known as the Inside Sankaku, 411, Outside Ashi, Game Over and Honey hole position. This is when you have a leg entanglement on the floor where your legs wrap above the knee line of the opponent.
Williams Guard
Also known as the Nino guard or Melanson knot. This is when you wrap your leg over the opponent’s shoulder which re-enforcing it with your hands and arms. It creates a tight lock on the shoulder.
Z Guard
Also known as the Knee Shield or 93 guard, this is a variation of half guard where your knee is placed as a high frame to avoid the opponent dominating the inside space and crushing your body flat onto the mat.
Rear Naked Choke
Also known as the RNC for short, Sleeper hold or Mata Leao (Lion killer in Portuguese). This is a strangle from the back mount position which squeezes the blood on the arteries of the opponent.
Straight Ankle Lock
Also known as the Achilles lock or Botinha, this is when you place the foot of the opponent under your armpit and lean back, creating pressure on the bones of their foot.
Double Unders Pass
Also known as the Stack pass, this is when you get both hands on the hips of the opponent and stack the opponent to pass their guard.
The Kimura
Also known as the Double Wristlock or Figure Four grip. This is called the Double Wristlock in Catch Wrestling and is a submission hold which attacks the shoulder.
The Toreando Pass
Also known as the Bullfighter Pass. This is when you grab the hips or knees of the opponent and quickly turn the legs away and step passed them in the style of a bullfighter.
Scarfhold
Also known as Kesa Gatame. The term Kesa Gatame is from Judo where it is commonly used. This is a form of side control which has the top player on their side, pinning their opponent.
Professor
Also known as Instructor, Teacher, Coach. This translates to ‘teacher’ in Portuguese and is a common title given to black belts whilst teaching a class.
Closed Guard
Also known as the Full guard. This is when the guard player has their legs wrapped around their opponent. The legs are kept closed by crossing the feet.
Banana Split
Also known in wrestling as a Spladle and the Electric Chair in 10th Planet. This is when you control the opponent’s legs and split them apart, sometimes resulting in a submission.
Hip Escape
Also known as Snakes or Shrimps. This is when you plant your feet on the floor and use your arms to push away from your legs. It is used to create distance when defending.
