To start:

If you want to have the many various Jiu-jitsu techniques work for you, your going to have to know how to let go of everything you think you know about fighting.
If you read my history page on this site, remember that Helio Gracie formed the techniques that became Brazilian Jiu-jitsu by not having any strength or speed to aid him.
All of the moves you will learn will depend greatly on your executing them with technique, and not strength or speed. I’m not saying that while training that you should move like a turtle,
and go limp; but there is a huge difference between moving a boulder with a lever, and trying to force it into place with mere strength. Gracie style Jiu-jitsu will teach you how to make your entire body the lever, and the boulder you manipulate will be the stronger and faster opponent. Or to put it another way, the Gracie fighter, is the man holding the jackhammer, while the all other martial artist is the guy holding the mining pick.
When comparing, there is no competition between the two different ways of fighting. One you use your brain, the other everything else. You tell me who wins.
Now there are certain moves in Jiu-jitsu that will teach you the proper way to execute all the moves and techniques. When beginning a move, every step I tell you is absolutely vital to performing the techniques correctly.
Every move is compiled from several smaller moves that must be performed in perfect sequence, and sometime in unison in order to pull off the move.

How to win a fight in under 3 minutes

Jiu Jitsu Tips

Finding it hard to pull off your armbars? Most people are not aware that in order to pull off any arm bar you have to have the shoulders pinned. If you dont securley pin the shoulders, you will not be able to keep an oppoent there long enough to pull off the armbar. You may have gotten lucky a few times, but the truth is, unless you securley pin the shoulders-whether it be on your back or in the mount-your opponent will be able to wiggle out of it. For example: There is a basic armbar that you can get from the guard position. Most people cant seem to keep there opponent in this arm bar long enough to submit them. The trouble is-more often than not- their not pinning the shoulder of the arm their trying to break. Remember to squeeze the knees and feet so that pressure is constricting around the said shoulder. If you do it correctly you opponent should not be able to move out of it at all no matter how much he struggles or shakes, giving you ample time to apply the lock and submit him. In Practice play around with your armbars, see if you can figure out how to squeeze a little more. When your partner cant move out of it, you know you have it right. So let me just reiderate one more time... If you dont have the shoulder of the arm your trying to lock, 9 out of ten times you will never get lock it.
Tip Instead of cranking on the arm, and trying to lock it right away, exhert all that energy to securly pin the shoulder of the arm you want to break first. By doing this, you'll begin to submit more people by armbar, and increase your own power over an opponent. Besides... There is no better feeling then seeing the look on your partners face when you secure the pin around their shoulder, and watch them freak out as they realize their about to get their arm snapped.

Jiu Jitsu Tip

Ever go for a Triangle choke, and you partner just seemed to be able endure, and pull out of it before you could submit him. Don't start saying to yourself that they dont work because they do! While you profecting it, here is a trick that can help you get them to submit a little for you-Even if your Triangle is kinda weak-
TIP: When you have the choke the best you can get it, and your partner just wont submit, try grabbing his/her head and pulling it toward the ground. This will increase the pressure of what you already have rapped around his neck-and Maybe- you'll get him to tap out this time.
KEEP IN MIND This is not part of the actual choke, but a trick to get your opponent to feel it a little more. Good luck!

Let’s take a look at the Cross Choke. Now the Cross Choke is probably one of the more disregarded moves in ground fighting because most people find that they can’t get it to work.
Nine timed out of ten the reason their not getting it, is because they are not using the correct techniques, and there are several which you must do at the same time.

Cross Choke:

Recommend practiced with two people; one to watch and give input, the other two to practice.
This move is most easily explained from the Guard position, so I’ll explain it from there.
First: Take one hand and grab the collar of your opponents Gi, or coat, or whatever they may be wearing. (This move does require them to be clothed in some way or another.)
Now slip this hand up the around the collar until you think your finger nails have past the back of their neck, and grip the cloth leaving the back of your hand flesh against the neck.
Second: Do the same with the other hand, but make sure you pass it underneath the first arm. If not your choke can be stopped very easily, you must make sure the second hand passes under the first.
Note: Once you have this position down, play with it. Make it as tight as possible without doing anything but gripping. When you have it really good, your opponent should be uncomfortable with the choke slightly constricting his air. (Secret: Both hands must be completely against the neck while gripping the collar. Don’t force them there! They should rest there easily if you have it right.)
Third: Pull your elbows toward the floor, to the sides of your hips. If you cant for whatever reason get your elbows all the way to the ground, that’s ok. Just make sure the pull is taking them that direction.
Again, don’t try and force them into the position you think they should be in, but have a firm pull taking them to the sides of your hips. This is taking the tension you have already places around the neck and multiplying it.
Note: You’re not taking your elbows and trying to pull your arms apart while gripping the collar. This will deaden the squeeze you’re creating.
You must relax your arms, and pull your elbows toward the floor, to the sides of your hips.
Fourth: Put your shoulders back toward the ground if possible. This move will make it feel like your working against the other. This isn’t the case, by doing this you increase the tension greatly.
Fifth: Stick your chest out, or arch your back. This move will flow nicely with putting your shoulders back. You should look like your trying to show off your chest muscles when doing this. This too adds to the tension of the choke.
Sixth: Roll your wrists. This is a very vital move, as if it is done incorrectly can deaden the choke. You must roll your wrists in a way where it increases the tension around the neck.
I can’t tell you how to roll them, as every person is different in this regard. But play with it so that it helps the choke, not kills it. Your partner will be able to help you out with this, telling you if it’s constricting or not.

All the steps to this move must be done in order, and eventually at the same time if you want to be effective with it. Practice this until it works for you. Without someone experienced in Gracie Jiu-jitsu, it will be difficult.
When you’ve mastered this move the choke should come to the opponent instantly. My record is a Three second blackout. You’re probably saying, “Yeah right, no one can pass out that quickly.”
Well the fact is that they can if you do the choke right. The way this choke was designed was to not only constrict the air passage, but to also block off the blood flow to the head.
Just constricting one of these would take you a long time to choke your opponent unconscious, but together the affect is instantaneous! I have been choked both ways, and I can tell you, that when someone doesn’t have it right, it’s basically painless. But, when someone trained gets their grasp around you, it will make you feel as if your head will explode.

Jiu Jitsu Technique

Half Guard Escape
1. Turn on to your side and take your top knee and wedge it in the chest of opponent near the outside shoulder, to prevent smashing, and to for him back a bit. Have the inside, or both wrist of your opponent controlled.
2. While pushing your knee off his chest, take the inside arm and shoot underneath it wrapping your outside arm around his head. Should have hold of the inside wrist still.
3. Take your head and lay all the way back forcing him to his stomach. You should have your arm wrapped around the front of the neck.
4. When you have him pinned; Let go of the wrist and hold his shoulder down with your upper body, take your free hand, and grab the knee trapping your leg.
5. Pull your leg free, and you should now be in the guard.
6. Take the back after this if possible.

Jiu Jitsu Tip

Many people wonder if kicks above the belt are effective. It is true that professional fighters do land them from time to time, and can do severe damage if they do. But in general, a kick above the belt is slow, weak, and very tricky to land. I say tricky because more often then not, people land them by ticking their opponent in to opening themselves up for a sure hit. But even then, the chance for landing one solid is not too likely.
The Theory: Sometime, have a friend throw a basic kick to your chest. As he throws the kick, try taking a big step into it as soon as he commits himself to it. You will be surprised to see him be knocked down for trying to kick you time and again. I did this to a friend once who was a 2nd degree black belt in Taekwondo. He did his best to really hurt me, as was agreed upon, but I knew a true principal here about “high-kicks” that he did not. If you move just a few inches in any one direction after your opponent commits all balance to a kick, you deplete the power of the kick by 50% or more. If you move in anyone direction by a foot or so: You effectively kill the kick. Remember, when someone commits to a kick above their belt they give up almost all of their balance, and like a dog lunging for your throat, it cannot change directions in the middle of this type of attack. A simple side step in any direct can overcome such a careless feat.