The Basics First Flowchart: From Standing To Submission

Breaks down fundamental BJJ journey from standing to ground, like in those 'basics first' YouTube tutorials

Flow outline

  1. The Basics First Flowchart

    • Key detail: most of the time starting point, like hitting play on that foundational youtube playlist

  2. Standing

    • initial engagement, where you're looking for those takedown entries, just like in those stand-up basics videos

  3. On Ground Not Engaged

    • You've hit mat but haven't settled into a guard or top position yet. It's that scramble phase everyone talks about

  4. Closed Guard

    • Once set, if it shows up, classic bottom position. lock those legs and start working your sweeps and attacks, like in old-school tutorials

  5. Half Guard

    • If they frame, that in-between game. you're controlling one leg, looking for sweeps or to recover full guard, just like in those half-guard deep-dive videos

  6. Quarter Guard

    • Even shallower than half guard. It's a tricky spot, often a transition point you see in modern passing sequences. Don’t force it

  7. Side Control

    • A dominant top position. You're pinning them, looking to advance or submit, like in those pressure-passing highlights

  8. Kesa-Gatame

    • Key detail: most of the time scarf hold. a super controlling top position where you can attack submissions or transition, just like in those judo-for-bjj videos. don’t force it

  9. Knee On Belly

    • If they frame, that mobile, pressure-heavy top game. great for setting up attacks and controlling a squirmy opponent, like in those competition breakdowns

  10. Back Control

    • Once set, money position! you've got hooks in and are hunting for choke, just like in every back-attack tutorial ever. switch if it stalls

  11. De La Riva

    • From here, a modern open guard. you're using that leg hook to off-balance and sweep, like in those fancy guard retention videos. timing over strength

  12. Mount

    • From here, ultimate top control. you're sitting heavy, looking for submissions or to take back, like in those mount mastery series

  13. Butterfly Guard

    • An active open guard. You're using your hooks to elevate and sweep, just like in those butterfly sweep compilations. Timing over strength

  14. Kata Gatame Head And Arm Choke

    • That head-and-arm control from top side. It's a solid pin and a submission threat, like in those 'basic submissions from side control' videos

  15. Wizza Overhook

    • You've got that overhook control from top side. It's a great setup for attacks, just like in those overhook tutorials

  16. Front Headlock Or Darce

    • If they frame, you've caught front headlock position. from here, you can attack darce or anaconda, like in those front-headlock series videos. angle matters

  17. Americana

    • classic shoulder lock from mount or side control. You see it all time in fundamentals classes

  18. Armbar With Leg

    • If they frame, setting up or finishing an armbar, often using your leg for control. a fundamental submission from various positions

  19. Americana

    • often another opportunity for americana shoulder lock, time from a specific scramble or transition. angle matters

  20. Kimura

    • Key detail: versatile shoulder lock. you can hit it from guard, side control, or during scrambles, like in every kimura trap video. switch if it stalls

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