This week on Gracie Barra Blog we are looking at some techniques for reversing from bottom to top by some Gracie Barra’s most experienced black belt instructors from Gracie Barra schools throughout the GB Network.

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When we think of reversing the match from bottom position to taking top position, we perhaps think first of sweeps. That is true. Sweeps are one of the key speciality areas that distinguish jiu-jitsu from other styles of grappling.

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But if we look at the idea of reversals differently, we can see there are numerous ways in which we use reversals in jiu-jitsu – escaping positions, takedowns in addition to sweeps.

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Let’s take a look at some reversal techniques as taught by top Gracie Barra black belt instructors.

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1) Double Leg from Bottom

Most of us think of the double leg takedown from standing position, but as Prof. Flavio Almeida shows, it is often there when you have ended up on bottom turtle position – especially when escaping bottom side mount.

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2) Turtle Position Sit Out

This reversal (aka Sit Out in wrestling) as taught by Prof. Ulpiano Malachias can be a real fight changer, reversing your bottom position to take the opponent’s back.

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3) Headlock Escape

Moving from bottom to top position and escaping the pin is another way we execute a reversal. Professor Philipe Della Monica teaching a headlock escape during the GB1 / Fundamentals Class.

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4) Knee on belly escape: Stiff arm to ankle pick sweep

This technique is a positional escape, a sweep and a takedown all at once. Prof. Draculino shows us how he moves from disadvantaged bottom position to turning the tables in the match using a wrestling ankle pick adapted to jiu-jitsu a position.

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5) De la Riva Guard Sweep / Raspagem partindo da De La Riva

The DLR Guard is one of the most powerful sweeping positions when your opponent is standing and looking to pass your guard. Sweeps are perhaps the most common path to competition victories by scoring 2 points.

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See also on Gracie Barra : GB Technique : Attacking the Turtle

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Credits: Mark Mullen

Gracie Barra Black belt based in Asia