Must Know Core BJJ Beginner Positions

BEgin Module 1

In Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, position is everything.
Before submissions, before escapes — you must understand where you are and what your goal is. Module 1 breaks BJJ into two major categories: top positions and bottom guard positions. From there, we focus on the three dominant top controls — side control, mount, and back — and the three core guards — closed, open, and half. These six positions are the roots of everything else in BJJ.

What You’ll Learn in Module 1

Build Positional Awareness from the Ground Up:

  • Learn the difference between top control and guard positions

  • Understand the goals of dominant positions: pin, pressure, and control

  • Understand the goals of guard positions: distance, frames, and attack setups

  • Explore the three foundational variations of both dominant and guard positions

  • See how all advanced Jiu Jitsu stems from these core six positions

Weekly Lessons

Dominant Position | Weeks 1 - 6

BJJ Side Control Top | Week 1
BJJ side control for beginners instructional graphic for Module 1 of the White Belt Jiu Jitsu program
Bjj SIde Control Bottom | Week 2
Week 2 BJJ bottom side control escape for beginners – learn defensive framing and survival
Bjj Mount Top | Week 3
Module 1 – Week 3 BJJ Mount Control training for white belt beginners
BJJ Mount Bottom | Week 4
BJJ bottom mount escape module 1 white belt guide with defensive framing and survival tips
BJJ Back Top | Week 5
White Belt BJJ Module 1 – Learn the fundamental positions and escapes in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
BJJ Back Bottom | Week 6
Module 1 Week 6 graphic for BJJ back control defense, showing key tips for surviving and escaping.

Guard | Weeks 7 - 12

BJJ Closed Guard Top | Week 7
BJJ closed guard top position basics — posture and base for white belts
BJJ Closed Guard Bottom | Week 8
White belt learning basic BJJ positions and escapes in Module 1 training
BJJ Open Guard Top | Week 9
Text graphic for White Belt BJJ Module 1 showing lesson title in bold white font on a solid background
BJJ Open Guard Bottom | Week 10
Beginner BJJ student practicing open guard fundamentals as part of Module 1: Fundamental Goal of Major Positions.
BJJ Half Guard Top | Week 11
White belt BJJ student practicing top half guard control as part of Module 1 fundamentals.
BJJ Half Guard Bottom | Week 12
BJJ white belt practicing fundamental goals of major positions with half guard recovery and framing techniques

Why These Positions Matter for White Belts

When you’re just starting Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, every roll can feel like chaos. You’re unsure whether you’re doing well, in danger, or just surviving. That’s why learning positions before techniques is essential.

Module 1 gives you a framework — so instead of reacting randomly, you’ll begin to recognize:
🟢 “I’m in a dominant position — now I hold or advance.”
🔵 “I’m in a guard — now I frame, recover, or attack.”

This mindset shift builds confidence. You’ll stop panicking, start planning, and begin to roll with purpose — even against higher belts.

Every submission you learn later will make more sense… because you’ll know where you are, why you’re there, and what your goal is.

Related Blog Posts and Resources

Next Steps for Your Progress

🎯 You’ve just built your foundation — now it’s time to level up.
Where you go from here depends on your goals:

  • Want to learn how to control your opponent, not just hold position? → Move to Module 2

  • Want to test your progress in real rolls? → Get Your Roll Analyzed

  • Want to read more beginner-friendly strategy? → Browse Our Blog Topics

Choose your next step:

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