While there are ways to attack and approach an opponent but remember that the basic purpose of BJJ is to defend yourself. So it is important to learn BJJ self-defense techniques. These are not only for the sake of BJJ and fights. These will come in handy in real life situations where you have to defend yourself. The best thing about BJJ is that it is a non-aggressive self-defense technique. So are you ready? Get your Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Gis on and to get started with the self-defense techniques you should know. 

Punch Defense

The first instinct is a punch and most of the time it is to the face. With framing technique you learn how to protect your face and head. This is when you would have the chance to get close to the opponent and take control. Connecting with the opponent and getting the grip to take control over can be a deciding factor. Being unable to grab or get control over the opponent, your BJJ knowledge will be a waste. 

Takedown

Once connected with the opponent now you have to take them down because BJJ teaches ground focused techniques and there you would have leverage over the opponent. Tai Otoshi, OuchiGari, Single Leg Takedown, Arm Drag and KouchiGari are the BJJ takedown. You should be proficient at least two of them and you should know how to execute all of these. Once the opponent is down now is your chance to get control with different techniques. 

Arm Bar

Pulling an arm bar is an easy solution if taking the opponent down seems like a problem or not right at the moment. Or you can perform an arm after taking the opponent down. This is one of them soft, versatile moves. Its effectiveness is the reason its popularity and extension far exceeds BJJ. There are a few forms like standing, flying, lying, and arm bar from clinch. 

To perform a standing arm bar, grab your opponent’s wrist like you would grip a baseball bat. Then twist it, grab their arm from the knee in your armpit and face the opposite side. Make sure there is no space in your armpit. Fling armbar is the same, but instead of turning the opposite side you drop down on your back and positioning into a laying arm bar. There are plenty of methods to perform an arm bar, but the core is to grab, straighten, and hyperextend the opponents. 

Don’t rush for the arm bar because if the opponent has weight and power advantage over you, this could be turned against you. It is beneficial to stay in mount position and wear the opponent out before executing this move. But what if you are not in control and are pressured by your opponent. If the opponent is holding you for strikes, wrapping his hand around you, or has hands near your face as you are laying down. You can grab and take advantage of the extended arm to execute armbar. In such a situation , move quickly and wisely to protect yourself. 

Guillotine Choke

The fight starts on foot, and with the Guillotine choke you can take control right there and even end the fight there. Regardless of the bad reputation for this choke, which is just because amateurs cannot execute it successfully, this is a powerful choke. If you want to know how successful or effective it would be to defend yourself watch it being executed by MMA professionals. The effectiveness would not be affected by size or power, you just have to be able to do it properly. This is only possible when you learn its mechanics.

Due to the increased popularity of MMA, it is becoming increasingly likely that if you are to be attacked on the street, your assailant is familiar with the grappling aspects of fighting. If they are going to try to take you down, you will have to be prepared. This is why the Guillotine Choke is so important. If someone is attempting to attack with a shoddy double or single leg takedown, you are in the perfect position to initiate a Guillotine and end the fight quickly. It should be noted that the guillotine does not require you to fall back into your guard. It can be applied while standing, keeping the fight on the feet and you off of your back. Remember, while it may seem like it is only effective if it is being applied by a bigger, stronger individual, athletes like Uriah Faber and Marcelo Garcia have shown that if applied correctly, the Guillotine Choke can be equally effective from a smaller individual.

Americana Shoulder Lock

BJJ sure does teach how to defend and attack from a submissive and even when your back is down. But you don’t have to give up a dominant position if you have it, for instance, mount or side control. Instead, you should be trying to maintain that position as long as you can. Of course, maintaining such a position without gaining control is not possible. This is especially important in self-defense situations. So, this is the reason you should learn the Americana shoulder lock as a self-defense technique.

This is the self-defense technique for which you don’t have to give up a dominant position for gaining control. This is very important if the opponent is stronger and bigger than you. To execute the Americana shoulder lock, grab the opponent’s arm with one hand and place your other arm behind their bicep. Now apply pressure and use the torque until they submit. The benefit of this position and lock is you don’t have to give up the dominant position, if the lock fails you can try it again, and try another submission, and strike.

Getting Back Up

Getting back up is essentially important with your eyes open and still in defense position. If not, you are giving the attacker another chance to get back to you.