Mastering the Bottom Game: The Art of Building Effective Frames in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
When you find yourself on the bottom in a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) match, it can feel like the weight of the world is pressing down on you—literally. Operating underneath your opponent, you’re at a natural disadvantage, and effective movement becomes a critical survival skill. But how do you create the space you need to move freely under your opponent’s body weight and pressure? The answer lies in mastering the art of building frames.
What Are Frames in BJJ?
Frames are structural barriers you create using your arms, legs, elbows, and knees. They serve as the scaffolding that keeps your opponent from collapsing entirely onto you, providing the vital space needed for movement. Without these frames, you’re more likely to get stuck, crushed, or even submitted.
The Role of Frames in the Bottom Game
The bottom game in BJJ revolves around the concept of framing. Whenever you’re operating underneath your opponent, your ability to move effectively is directly tied to how well you can create and maintain these frames. Your torso, which houses most of your core strength and agility, needs to move freely. To do this, you must create pockets of space, and that’s where your frames come into play.
How to Build Effective Frames
Use Your Arms and Legs: Your arms and legs are your primary tools for building frames. For example, your arms can be used to push against your opponent’s shoulders or hips, while your legs can create barriers between their body and yours. These frames help maintain the distance and create leverage.
Focus on Knees and Elbows: Your knees and elbows are particularly crucial when framing. They allow for finer adjustments and more nuanced control. Your knees can be used to create space between your opponent’s hips and your torso, while your elbows can push against their arms or chest, giving you room to maneuver.
Adaptability is Key: One of the biggest challenges in using frames effectively is their dynamic nature. A frame that works well in one scenario might be entirely ineffective in another. As your opponent shifts their body positioning, you need to adapt your frames accordingly. This means constantly adjusting and re-positioning your frames in response to the moment-by-moment changes in your opponent’s posture.
Building the Habit: Just like any other technique in BJJ, building effective frames is something that comes with practice. Make it a habit to think about your frames whenever you’re in the bottom position. Over time, it will become second nature to instinctively place your frames and adapt them as needed.
Why Framing Matters
Effective framing is the cornerstone of a solid bottom game. Without frames, your movement is restricted, and you’re at the mercy of your opponent’s pressure. With well-placed frames, you gain control, create opportunities for sweeps, submissions, or even escapes, and turn a seemingly disadvantaged position into one of strength and strategy.
The next time you find yourself operating underneath an opponent, remember the importance of building and adapting your frames. Your ability to create space and maintain movement is what will keep you safe, give you control, and ultimately allow you to execute your bottom game effectively. Practice framing diligently, adapt your frames to your opponent’s movements, and watch as your bottom game transforms into a powerful aspect of your Jiu-Jitsu arsenal.
At Ocean Jiu-Jitsu, we emphasize the fundamentals, including the art of framing, to help you build a strong and effective BJJ game. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced practitioner, honing your framing skills will set you on the path to success on the mats.
Related Posts
