Without a doubt when it comes to hobbies and sports these days, Brazilian jiu-jitsu is one of the best options out there for those people who want to challenge themselves while getting fit. A grappling based sport that is done close to the ground using full contact, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, often times has complex maneuvers and different ways to get out of certain types of holds. With such holds like ‘the mount’, one of the most dominant holds to get out of, the sport really challenges those who want something a bit more out of their exercise. Here are the top holds that you can expect to encounter in this type of grappling so you can get an idea of the types of holds used in this varied sport.
The Mount
This is probably the most difficult position to get out of as the opponent will be sitting atop the practitioner’s chest using their knees to pin them harder into the floor, reducing arm movements and restricting the ability to get out of the hold. This can be a great move to get a stronger opponent into as it does give a slight upper hand to the person on top. When moving into most positions such as this, it’s imperative to have decent equipment that can withstand the movements involved with Brazilian jiu-jitsu, many of which can cause a lot of wear and tear on uniforms causing rips and the like. Elite Sports is a great one stop shop for all your Brazilian jiu-jitsu needs, featuring high quality clothing to wear while you’re taking on advanced moves like the mount.
Chokes/Strangles
These types of holds are more intense and can help neutralise an opponent in as little as three to five seconds if done correctly. Applying pressure to both arteries and the windpipe, these holds should only be used by those who have been trained in their proper application and execution so as to keep from causing damage to throats and necks.
Side Control
In this hold, the practitioner pins their opponent to the ground using the side of their body, usually with weight applied to the opponent’s chest to keep them flat on the floor. Further control can be achieved by applying more pressure using elbows and knees against the opponent’s shoulders or hips. This move can also sometimes be referred to as the side mount, which allows the practitioner the ability to move between positions and into more dominant mount-based positions that will help neutralise the opponent further. This is a hugely popular move in other grappling sports like MMA due to its general flexibility but strength.
So if you’ve been looking for a great hobby to take up, why not consider looking at some of the various forms of MMA such as Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Sports are a great way not just to burn calories but also to burn stress as well. Taking up a sport like these can really help develop self confidence and esteem as well as provide a great way to build muscle mass, lose weight and also tone up. So what are you waiting for? Check out how Brazilian jiu-jitsu can be the next great option for you.
