04/28/2026
The Fundamentals of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu — And Why They'll Change Your Life
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu isn't just a martial art. It's a tool for becoming the best version of yourself — stronger, more confident, and part of something bigger than you. At Hero Jiu Jitsu, we've watched it transform teenagers, dads in their 40s, and everyone in between. It doesn't matter where you're starting from. What matters is that you start.
BJJ is built on a simple, beautiful idea: technique and leverage beat size and strength every time. You don't need to be the biggest guy in the room. You need to understand the game. And that starts with the fundamentals.
Here's a breakdown of what we cover in our 8-Week Adult Beginner Course — and why each piece matters more than you might think.
1. THE GUARD — Your Best Friend on the Bottom
The guard is what separates BJJ from every other martial art. When you're on your back with your legs controlling your opponent, you're not losing — you're fighting. Whether it's the closed guard, open guard, or butterfly guard, this is your launchpad for sweeps, submissions, and survival. Most beginners are terrified of being on the bottom. By Week 2, our students start to love it.
2. GUARD PASSING — How to Move Through Chaos
Passing the guard means getting past your opponent's legs and into a dominant position. It's all about timing, pressure, and reading your partner's reactions. The knee cut, torreando, and leg drag are classics — and we drill them until they feel natural, not forced.
3. MOUNT — The Position That Ends Fights
When you're mounted on top of your opponent, you control the fight. From here, submissions open up and your opponent runs out of options fast. Learning to hold a solid mount — and attack from it — is one of the most empowering feelings in all of BJJ.
4. SIDE CONTROL — Pressure That Does the Work for You
Side control puts you chest-to-chest with your opponent from the top. You don't need to be strong to make this position miserable for someone — you just need good weight distribution, hip control, and patience. It's one of the first dominant positions we put beginners in, because it builds confidence fast.
5. ESCAPES — The Secret Weapon Nobody Talks About Enough ❤️
Here's the thing most gyms skip over: if you can escape anything, you'll try everything.
When you're not afraid of being stuck in a bad spot, you become a completely different grappler. You take risks. You go for submissions. You're not paralyzed by the fear of getting caught because you know how to get out.
This is why escapes are the heartbeat of our 8-Week Beginner Course. The bridge and roll from mount, the shrimp escape from side control, the hip escape — we drill these obsessively. Not because we want you to be defensive, but because confidence on the bottom unlocks everything on top.
Escapes are the foundation of freedom in Jiu Jitsu.
Once you own them, the whole game opens up.
6. SUBMISSIONS — The Goal Everyone's Working Toward
Armbars. Triangle chokes. Rear naked chokes. Kimuras. These are the finishes that make BJJ famous — and they're more accessible than they look when you understand the leverage behind them. Submissions aren't about being aggressive. They're about being precise. And that's something anyone can learn.
7. SWEEPS — Turning the Tables
Getting swept feels like magic the first time it happens to you. One second you're on top — the next you're on the bottom wondering what just happened. Scissor sweeps, flower sweeps, butterfly sweeps — these are how you flip the script from defensive to dominant, using your opponent's weight against them.
8. TAKEDOWNS — How the Fight Gets to the Ground
BJJ lives on the ground, but you still have to get there. Double-leg, single-leg, hip throw — these are the tools that put you in the driver's seat from the moment a fight or match begins. We cover the basics so you're never lost standing up.
This Is Exactly What We Cover in Our 8-Week Beginner Course
Whether you're 16 or 60, have never grappled a day in your life, or just want to finally try something that's been on your mind — this course was built for you.
You'll start with other beginners (no getting thrown to the wolves here). You'll get a peer mentor by your side from day one. You'll have access to our full video library for life. And you'll leave 8 weeks later with a real foundation — and a community that has your back.
"I've trained at a lot of spots over the years and Hero is my favorite by a long shot. Friendliest crew I've ever trained with... If you're a middle-aged guy like me that just wants to roll and work out or you want to be a serious competitor, they've got something for everyone." — Bryan White, Hero Student
The mats are waiting. Egos are checked at the door.
All you have to do is show up.
👉 Schedule Your Free Class at Hero Jiu Jitsu — No pressure. No obligation. Ever.
(603) 815-2465
3 Holland Way, Exeter, NH
