BJJ Inversion System β Upside Down Guard Mastery
β°Contents
- Foundation: The Basic Inversion
- Berimbolo System
- Tornado Guard
- Inversion to Leg Locks
- Defensive Inversions
- Athletic Requirements and Development
- π‘ Key Takeaways
- Frequently Asked Questions
- How long does it take to learn Inversion System?
- Is Inversion System effective for beginners?
- How often should I drill Inversion System?
- What positions connect to Inversion System?
Master BJJ inversions and upside-down guard techniques. Learn berimbolo, tornado guard, and inversion-based back takes and sweeps.
Inversions in BJJ involve rotating your body upside down to create angles, evade guard passes, and access unique attack positions. Pioneered by the Mendes brothers and refined by competitors like Cobrinha and Michael Langhi, the inversion system allows smaller, more flexible grapplers to neutralize larger opponents and access back takes from seemingly impossible positions.
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Foundation: The Basic Inversion
Before attempting complex inversion sequences, master the basic inversion movement. From seated guard, as the opponent attempts to pass to your right, post your right hand behind you and roll your left shoulder toward the mat, bringing your legs overhead. This creates the inverted position β hips above shoulders, feet pointed toward the ceiling. Practice this movement drill daily until it becomes reflexive.
Berimbolo System
The berimbolo is the most famous inversion-based technique, transforming a De La Riva guard into a back take. Establish DLR hook on the opponent's lead leg. Off-balance them forward. As they step to pass, invert underneath them β roll your inside shoulder to the mat. Use your DLR hook to spin under their base, coming up behind them for the back take. Berimbolo sequences can chain from multiple guard positions.
Tornado Guard
Tornado guard uses rotation without fully inverting. From spider guard or collar-sleeve, as the opponent steps to pass, use momentum to rotate your body, keeping one foot posted for base. The rotation creates sweeping leverage and confuses guard-passers expecting static resistance. Tornado guard transitions naturally into berimbolo and back take attempts.
Inversion to Leg Locks
Modern competitors use inversions to enter leg lock positions. As the opponent passes, invert underneath them β rather than taking the back, come up into ashi garami or single leg X positions. This creates leg entanglement entries from seemingly defensive positions, catching opponents who focus entirely on completing their guard pass.
Defensive Inversions
Use inversions defensively to survive guard passing attempts that would normally succeed. When caught in a stack pass, invert to relieve pressure and create escape angles. Against a pressure pass, inverting changes your body angle and removes the passer's leverage. Defensive inversions buy time to reestablish guard or create scramble opportunities.
Athletic Requirements and Development
Inversions require spinal flexibility, core strength, and neck awareness. Begin with basic shoulder rolls and handstand drills to build comfort being upside down. Hip flexibility training specifically targeting hip internal rotation improves inversion range. Practice inversions from positions where you are safe (against a wall, in controlled drilling) before attempting in live sparring.
π‘ Key Takeaways
- Drill basic inversion movement daily β make it reflexive before applying in sparring
- Learn berimbolo with a cooperative partner before adding resistance
- Strengthen your neck and core specifically for inverted positions
- Start inversions from De La Riva guard where the movement feels most natural
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to learn Inversion System?
Most practitioners develop functional competency with Inversion System within 3β6 months of consistent drilling. Mastery β the ability to execute reliably in live rolling against resisting opponents β typically takes 1β2 years.
Is Inversion System effective for beginners?
Yes. Inversion System is part of the core BJJ curriculum and taught at all belt levels. Beginners should focus on the fundamental mechanics and concepts before refining advanced entries.
How often should I drill Inversion System?
3β5 times per week is ideal for rapid skill acquisition. Even 10 focused repetitions per session compounds over time β consistency matters more than volume.
What positions connect to Inversion System?
BJJ is a linked system. Inversion System flows naturally to and from related positions. Study transitions in both directions to build a complete positional game.
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More Questions
What are the fundamental principles of a BJJ inversion system?
A BJJ inversion system is built on the principle of using your hips and legs to create angles and momentum, allowing you to escape bad positions or transition to dominant ones. Key elements include hip escape, bridging, and shrimping to generate the necessary space and leverage.
How do inversions help with escaping submissions?
Inversions are crucial for escaping submissions by disrupting the attacker's structure and creating space to relieve pressure. By inverting, you can often break grips, shift your weight, and use your legs to push off or reposition yourself out of danger.
What are common mistakes beginners make when learning inversions?
Beginners often rely too much on upper body strength instead of hip and leg drive, leading to inefficient and predictable movements. Another common mistake is not committing to the movement, resulting in a lack of power and an inability to generate sufficient space for escape or transition.
Common BJJ Problems & FAQ
Neck strain during inversions often occurs because you're allowing your head to make direct contact with the mat, creating a pivot point. To avoid this, focus on tucking your chin tightly to your chest and initiating the roll using the rounded surface of your upper back and shoulders, keeping your head elevated off the mat.
When escaping side control with inversions, the key is to create space by driving your hips towards your opponent's hips and simultaneously framing with your arms to push their weight away. Then, execute a powerful shrimp motion to move your hips out of their control, followed by a technical stand-up to regain your base.
To prevent giving up your back during a guard recovery into an inversion, maintain tight hip control by keeping your knees tucked and your heels close to your glutes. As you initiate the technical stand-up, drive your hips forward and up, creating a strong base with your feet on the mat while keeping your chest close to your opponent's body to prevent them from circling to your back.