Judo for BJJ
Judo brings throws and grip fighting to BJJ: the foot sweeps, hip throws, and shoulder throws that put an opponent flat on their back from gripping range. Adapted for BJJ, it has to deal with a ruleset where the opponent can pull guard and the action continues on the ground.
Throws built on grips
Judo's strength is the grip game: controlling the sleeve and lapel to set up throws like osoto gari, uchi mata, and seoi nage. In the gi, those grips and throws translate almost directly and can score big from standing.
Adapting judo to BJJ
BJJ removes some judo constraints and adds others: there is no penalty for working on the ground, but opponents pull guard and attack legs in ways judo does not. The best BJJ judoka pick throws that leave them in a strong top position rather than a scramble.
Community flows for Judo for BJJ
- Top Five No-Gi Takedowns Adapted from Judo — A system of five takedowns for no-gi grappling that minimize risk of front headlock exposure.
- Kuzushi to Kansetsu: the Judo Player's Ground Transition — Apply judo's throwing principles to ground fighting, focusing on creating kuzushi (off-balancing) from standing engagements to secure dominant positions. It…
- Kuzushi to Kansetsu: the Groundwork Progression — My notes on applies judo's core principles of kuzushi (off-balancing) & tsukuri (positioning) to brazilian jiu-jitsu groundwork! Disrupt the opponent's base…
- The Standup Submission Hunter's Takedown Arsenal — My guide to hunt for the tap from the feet with relentless aggression
- The Groundwork Kuzushi Breakdown — Exploring the application of judo's kuzushi (balance-breaking) principles to brazilian jiu-jitsu groundwork. Focuses on creating and exploiting off-balancing…
- Judo to Groundwork — Judo's throwing principles applied to BJJ. Kuzushi through takedowns and guard passes, into osaekomi pins, and on to submissions.
- The Groundwork Kuzushi Concepts — My notes on often how to apply judo's principle of kuzushi (balance breaking) to ground positions. Focuses on creating unbalancing actions from half guard to…
- Kuzushi to Kansetsu — Standing balance-breaking into ground technique. Judo's throwing principles applied to BJJ groundwork.
- THE GROUNDWORK KUZUSHI GAME — The principles of breaking balance & establishing control from the ground, applying judo's throwing concepts to groundwork. Focuses on creating kuzushi through…
- Kuzushi To Kansetsu: The Judo Player's Ground Flow Drills — How to apply judo's throwing principles, kuzushi (breaking balance), tsukuri (fitting in), & kake (execution), to ground grappling. Focuses on maintaining…
- Kuzushi To Ne-Waza: The Judo Player's Ground Flow Setups — Apply judo throwing principles to ground fighting, focusing on creating kuzushi (off-balancing) from standing positions to secure dominant ground control. It…
- The Groundwork Kuzushi Drills — Principles of of disrupting balance and maintaining positional advantage in groundwork, applying Judo's throwing concepts to ground fighting
Frequently asked questions
Is judo useful for BJJ?
Yes, especially in the gi. Judo's grip fighting and throws give you a strong standing game that lands you on top, where BJJ rewards you.
What judo throws work best in BJJ?
Foot sweeps, osoto gari, uchi mata, and seoi nage translate well because they build on the same lapel and sleeve grips used in the gi.
How is judo different in BJJ?
BJJ has no rush to stand back up and allows leg attacks and guard pulling, so you choose throws that secure a top position and avoid handing the opponent your back or legs.
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