5 Jiu Jitsu Moves To Avoid

There are so many ways to win a fight in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, but there are also some very obvious ways to lose one. Even though BJJ is a very technical and strategic martial art, we’ve all seen competitors lose a match by making some obvious errors. Illegal moves, for example. Illegal Jiu Jitsu moves are high on that list when it comes to avoiding the most common ways of losing in BJJ.

Avoiding these five illegal moves in BJJ will help you win your next fight much faster and with less risk of injury from that move in particular. If you want to up your game even more than you already have, avoid these moves and keep reading…

Jumping the Closed Guard

Jumping the closed guard is a common illegal jiu jitsu move that happens way too often. When you jump the guard, you place your opponent’s legs on top of their torso. This is a 100% non-sportive move that no referee in their right mind will let you get away with. The only time you can jump the guard is when you are transitioning from a standing position to a seated position, such as when you are trying to take your opponent down to the floor. If you try to jump the guard for any other reason, you will lose your match quickly. There are much better moves to use in BJJ, so avoid this one.

Spinal Locks

The spinal lock is a jiu jitsu move that we see in the Olympics from time to time. It’s a very cool move that is highly effective when done correctly. It’s also a very dangerous move that can cause severe damage to your opponent if you don’t execute it flawlessly.

The spinal lock locks your opponent’s legs up very tightly and is usually used when you are trying to finish them off with a submission. Some spinal locks are extremely dangerous and can give your opponent some permanent damage if they are not careful. Avoid doing spinal locks in any BJJ matches and at least try to save them for Olympic wrestling.

Heel Hooks

Heel hooks are another dangerous illegal jiu jitsu move that can cause severe injuries if not done correctly. Most of the time, heel hooks are done when transitioning from standing to seated. However, you might see these in a match sometimes if both competitors get tied up and try to pull each other toward the ground.

Heel hooks are great when done correctly, but they can be dangerous if your opponent does not tap out. If your opponent is not careful, a heel hook can cause severe damage to their knees and their ligaments. Be careful when applying a heel hook to your opponent, and ensure you know how to tap out if caught in one.

Backward Finger Bending

We’ve all seen it happen. One competitor will try to pull the fingers back of their opponent, which is a classic jiu jitsu move. Bending your opponent’s fingers backward is a great way to break their grip when you are tied up with them in a match. You can also use this move to break a wrist lock and escape an excruciating position. Bending your opponent’s fingers backward is a very effective way to break a wrist lock, but it’s also a very dangerous move. Bending your opponent’s fingers back can be extremely painful for them and cause serious and permanent damage. Avoid bending your opponent’s fingers backward.

Suplex Takedowns

We’ve all seen this happen. One competitor will try to slam their opponent to the ground when they are standing up. This is a 100% illegal and non-sportive jiu jitsu move that seldom works. A takedown is a move when you stand up and try to take your opponent to the ground. A slam is when you lift your opponent off the ground and slam them to the ground using your momentum.

This is a dangerous move that can cause severe damage if you don’t do it properly. It can also happen accidentally if you are not careful. Avoid takedowns, but if you have to slam your opponent to the ground, ensure it’s on their back and not on their head or neck.

Avoiding These Jiu Jitsu Moves Can Save You

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a very technical sport with many different ways to win. However, there are also many ways to lose as well. These are the five worst ways to lose a match. Jumping the closed guard, spinal locks, heel hooks, backward finger bending, and super suplex takedowns are some of the worst ways to lose a match. If you want to win more matches and be a better BJJ practitioner, avoid these five moves at all costs.

If you’re interested in learning more about BJJ, including what moves you should and shouldn’t use against an opponent, come learn with us at Granite Bay Jiu jitsu! We have classes for all ages and skill levels. You can even try out a free week to get a feel for the mat.