Specific training – This is a more involved form of drilling. Occasionally you can do a drill without a partner but it depends on the drill (ie. This is usually done in class with a partner and no resistance. A common usage, “Nice takedown” in this case someone might be complementing you on using proper technique to bring some to the mat.ĭrill – Training a technique repeatedly. Take down – This is when you force someone down from a standing position to the ground or the mat. The details in jiu jitsu matter and professors will commonly remind you to “practice the basics” or “don’t get sloppy”. A common usage is “Always practice proper technique in class,” in this case a professor might be reminding you to pay attention to all the details of a techniques that you have learned. Proper technique – I hear this term all the time. A common usage “Let’s head to the mat” in this case you might be hanging out in the changing area and someone asks you to go towards the mat area. Like a gymnastic mat it’s softer than the ground so training and competing is safer. Mat – This is the big soft cushioning thing that you roll on. A common usage is “Do you want to roll?” this means “Do you want to do jiu jitsu with me?” Roll – This basically means to do jiu jitsu. I’m calling this my Brazillian Jiu Jitsu Dictionary for First Timers.

Here’s my best stab at creating an ongoing list of definitions for noobs (aka newbies, new people, white belts, first timers). Have you ever wondered how to speak jiu jitsu? In addition to learning the etiquette when I first started jiu jitsu I also wanted to learn the terminology so I didn’t sound like a fool.

Jiu jitsu terms