One of the most important concepts in Brazilian jiu jitsu is something every student must learn early:
👉 Position comes before submission.
If you don’t understand positional hierarchy in Brazilian jiu jitsu, your progress will always feel inconsistent. You might catch submissions here and there, but your overall control, confidence, and effectiveness will suffer.
When you understand it, everything starts to make sense.
What Is Positional Hierarchy in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu?
In Brazilian jiu jitsu, positional hierarchy is the idea that not all positions are equal.
Some positions give you:
- More control
- Better striking opportunities
- Higher submission success
- Greater safety
The goal in Brazilian jiu jitsu is not just to attack—it’s to improve your position step by step until you reach the most dominant positions possible.
Position Before Submission
A common mistake in Brazilian jiu jitsu—especially for beginners—is chasing submissions too early.
They might:
- Go for a submission from a weak position
- Rush attacks without control
- Lose position trying to finish
But in Brazilian jiu jitsu, this is backwards.
The correct mindset is:
✔ Gain control
✔ Improve position
✔ Then attack
When you follow this structure, your submissions become higher percentage and more consistent.
The Mountain Analogy
When I teach Brazilian jiu jitsu, I simplify positional hierarchy with one concept:
👉 You are always climbing the mountain.
At the bottom of the mountain, you have:
- Defensive positions
- Neutral positions
As you improve your position, you move higher:
- Escaping a bad position
- Takedown or sweep
- Guard pass
Each step brings you closer to the top.
The Summit: Mount and Back Control
In Brazilian jiu jitsu, the summit of the mountain is always:
👉 Mount
👉 Back control with hooks
These are the two most dominant positions you can achieve.
Why Mount Is So Powerful
From mount in Brazilian jiu jitsu, you have:
- Strong control over your opponent
- The ability to strike (in a real fight)
- Multiple submission options
Your opponent is pinned and under pressure, making it difficult for them to escape or defend effectively.
Why Back Control Is the Ultimate Position
Back control with hooks is often considered the most dominant position in Brazilian jiu jitsu.
From here:
- You are behind your opponent
- You are relatively safe from strikes
- You have direct access to submissions
The highest percentage submission in Brazilian jiu jitsu from this position is:
👉 Rear naked choke (no gi)
👉 Back collar choke (gi)
This is why so much emphasis is placed on taking the back.
Why This Keeps Your Jiu Jitsu Honest
When you train Brazilian jiu jitsu with positional hierarchy in mind, your game becomes:
- More structured
- More efficient
- More effective
You stop relying on:
❌ Random submissions
❌ Strength-based attacks
❌ Desperation moves
And instead focus on:
✔ Climbing to dominant positions
✔ Maintaining control
✔ Finishing with precision
This approach works in:
- Gi Brazilian jiu jitsu
- No gi Brazilian jiu jitsu
- Real-world self-defense situations
Build Real Skill Through Position
At its core, Brazilian jiu jitsu is about control, not chaos.
When you consistently aim for:
👉 Better position
👉 Stronger control
👉 Higher percentage finishes
You develop real skill that holds up under pressure.
That’s what separates someone who just trains from someone who truly understands Brazilian jiu jitsu.
Learn Brazilian Jiu Jitsu the Right Way
If you want to improve faster in Brazilian jiu jitsu, focus on:
- Structured progression
- Positional understanding
- Step-by-step skill development
That’s how you build a game that works in any situation.
👉 To learn more about our Brazilian jiu jitsu program, visit:
Final Thought
Always remember:
👉 Climb the mountain.
Because in Brazilian jiu jitsu, the students who consistently work toward the summit—mount and back control—are the ones who develop the most complete and effective skill.
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