Glossary

Forty plus terms used in the studies, the atlas and the mat, defined in plain words.

42 terms, in the order a reader would find them. Where a term names something this app does not show, the entry says so; the what this app is not page explains why.

Base

A position from which you can resist being moved. Standing base, seated base, combat base and hands-and-knees are the four this app rehearses.

Back control

Holding the other person from behind with the chest on their back, usually with both feet hooked inside their thighs.

Breakfall

A way of landing that spreads the impact: a rounded back, a tucked chin and an arm slapping the mat. The back breakfall is a study here.

Bridge

Driving the hips up off the mat through the heels, with the upper back and head staying down. Also called an upa when it turns a person over.

Butterfly guard

A seated guard with the feet hooked inside the other person's thighs. Not shown in this app.

Chain

Two or more movements in the order they happen in a match, rehearsed as one line. The Chains group of studies.

Closed guard

Guard with the legs wrapped and the ankles crossed around the other person's waist.

Combat base

Kneeling on one knee with the other foot posted forward and the rear toes tucked. A study here.

Escape

Any movement that leaves an inferior position. The hip escape and the reverse hip escape are the two rehearsed here.

Frame

A bone structure, usually a forearm or a shin, placed between you and the other person to hold distance so the hips can move.

Gi

The jacket, trousers and belt worn in gi classes. A rule set may call it a kimono.

Granby

A rolling inversion across the shoulders. Not a study here; the shoulder-stand rock is the preparation for it.

Guard

Any position on the bottom where your legs are between you and the other person.

Guard pass

Getting past the legs to side control, knee on belly or mount. Defined by the legs being passed, so not shown by a solo model.

Guard retention

Keeping the legs between you and a passer. The hip swivel study is the hip pattern only.

Half guard

Guard with one of the other person's legs trapped between yours.

Heel hook

A leg lock that twists the knee through the heel. Illegal in many rule sets and not shown here.

Hip escape

Posting a hand or an elbow, turning onto a shoulder and pushing the hips away from the other person. Also called a shrimp.

Hip heist

From seated, driving the hips up over a posted hand and landing on the knees facing the post.

Hooks

The feet placed inside the other person's thighs from the back. A rule set usually requires them for back control to score.

Inversion

Any position where the hips are above the shoulders. The shoulder-stand rock is the first shape.

Knee on belly

Top position with one knee across the other person's abdomen and the other foot posted.

Knee shield

A half guard frame made with the shin across the other person's chest or hip.

Mount

Sitting astride the other person's hips or chest with both knees on the mat.

No-gi

Training or competing without the gi, in a rash guard and shorts.

Post

A hand, elbow, foot or head placed on the mat to take weight. The word is used in most studies here.

Posture

The alignment of the spine and the head, usually meaning upright with the head up, inside someone's guard or in a base.

Reverse hip escape

Both feet push so the hips slide along the mat toward the head. A study here.

Rolling

Sparring; free practice against a resisting partner under agreed rules. This app times rounds and does not prescribe them.

Scramble

A moment between positions where neither person has control.

Shrimp

The same movement as the hip escape, named for the shape of the body at the drive.

Side control

Top position across the other person's chest at right angles, with the legs passed.

Sit-out

From hands and knees, posting a hand and swinging a leg under to sit facing the other way. A study here.

Sprawl

Throwing the hips back and down to defend a takedown attempt, with the legs long behind. A study here, without the attempt.

Submission

A hold that makes the other person tap: a choke, a joint lock or a pressure hold. Not taught here.

Sweep

Reversing from the bottom of guard to the top. Scores in most rule sets; not shown by a solo model.

Takedown

Bringing a standing opponent to the mat and finishing on top.

Tap

The signal that ends a submission attempt: tapping the mat or the other person, or saying so. It is always honoured.

Technical stand-up

Standing from seated with a hand and the opposite foot taking the weight and the free hand in front. A study here.

Turtle

On hands and knees with the elbows and knees tight, usually defending the back.

Upa

The bridging escape from mount that turns the other person over. The bridge study is its shape without the person.

Whizzer

An overhook used to stop a takedown or a sweep.