Beginner’s course

Your first six months, in order: survive, play closed guard, then pass, pin and take the back.

1. 1

   Step 1

   Learn to move

   The shrimp (hip-escape), bridge and technical stand-up power every escape and sweep.

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2. 2

   Step 2

   Survive mount

   You will be mounted a lot early on. The upa (bridge) and knee-elbow escape make it survivable.

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3. 3

   Step 3

   Escape side control

   Frame, shrimp, recover guard. One reliable escape changes how rolling feels.

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4. 4

   Step 4

   Protect your neck from the back

   Hand fight and get your shoulders to the mat before you learn any attacks.

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5. 5

   Step 5

   Play closed guard

   It teaches posture breaking, hip movement and the classic attack chain.

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6. 6

   Step 6

   Sweep from closed guard

   The hip bump and scissor sweep are your first ways on top. Pair each with a submission.

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7. 7

   Step 7

   Open the guard and pass

   Drill one standing guard break and the knee cut until they are automatic.

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8. 8

   Step 8

   Hold side control and mount

   Getting on top only matters if you can stay there. Learn the crossface, underhook and weight distribution first.

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9. 9

   Step 9

   Win the underhook in half guard

   Most rolls get stuck here, and the underhook decides who sweeps and who passes.

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10. 10

    Step 10

    Attack from mount

    The armbar and cross collar choke reward good control.

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11. 11

    Step 11

    Take and keep the back

    Learn to keep the seatbelt and hooks before you learn to choke.

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12. 12

    Step 12

    Finish with the rear naked choke

    The highest-percentage submission in grappling.

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13. 13

    Step 13

    Learn how to train

    Positional sparring, tapping early and one focus a week will take you further than any technique.

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