What is a Seatbelt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu? Should You Learn It?

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a martial art that is full of techniques such as submissions, traps, throws, etc. We all know technique always wins over power and force. But learning and focusing only on the techniques is not enough. You also need to focus on the strategies, and one of the most important and effective strategies you can use in BJJ is the grip. It allows you to keep your opponent in control and restrict any of their movements. The grip, which is very effective but very little discussed among BJJ practitioners, is the seatbelt grip. The article is focused on its importance and the steps to take to make its execution perfect. Let’s discuss this in detail.

You might be confused about why control is the most important thing in BJJ and why we need to discuss it as a Jiu Jitsu grappler. So let's discuss it.

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced grappler, you should know, and even if you might have experienced this many times, that one of the most important things in BJJ is control, the word ‘control’ can have many meanings, which depend on the context,i.e., the situation of the match. But here we are referring to only the two meanings. The first one is the control over yourself, the movements and techniques you use throughout the match against the opponent. The second meaning is the control over your opponent, which enables you to restrict their movements and counter their attacks and techniques that they execute in the match against you.

For controlling your opponent, the best way is to establish the grips on them. During the match, your opponent keeps trying different techniques and traps to get dominance against you. So you need a way to stop your opponent from doing that and meeting their objectives. The best way here is to get control over them by grips such as the seatbelt grip.

Another thing that makes it so crucial is that you are able to execute the techniques better and effectively. With proper control over your opponent, you are benefiting yourself in two ways. You are restricting your opponent from making a move, and at the same time, you are creating a golden opportunity for yourself to execute any technique you want. Because your opponent is in your control and finding it very difficult to make moves, it comes a lot easier for you to execute the attacks and techniques against your opponent.

The name of the grip ‘seat belt’ is given because of the technique’s nature. You are grabbing the torso of your opponent just like you are in a car, fastening your seat belt. This fastening keeps you close to the seat, and this prevents you from falling forward in case of any accident. Just like that in BJJ, the seat belt grip keeps your opponent closer to you, and they will not be able to escape from your trap or turn to attack or execute any technique easily.

In the seat belt grip, you are using both of your arms to grab and control your opponent. It is particularly done on the opponent’s upper body. Both arms are connected to each other strongly, usually in front of the opponent’s stomach. But you can also keep them a little bit upward in front of the chest. You need to move your one arm over the shoulder of your opponent and the other arm under it, usually the armpit, and therefore, you are controlling them from both up and down sides, and this creates a very strong grip which can help in the execution of many other techniques.

Just like the seat belt in the car, the upper and lower portion has different functions. The upper part keeps you closer, and the lower one prevents you from falling forward. In the same way, the upper arm in the seat belt grip in BJJ serves as the choking arm, and the lower one helps you to prevent your opponent from escaping your trap. Both arms overall generate a very strong force and power enough to keep your opponent in your trap if you have done it accurately.

Let's discuss its working in detail.

The main mechanism by which a seat belt works in BJJ is that it restricts the free movement and rotation of your opponent. They are no longer able to move freely, and this creates a space for you to make attacks on them. Moreover, you are dominating them completely in the context of position. They are less able to make moves, and you are in a much better position to execute further techniques. Also, your mobility, which means the ability to create any movement, is much better than that of your opponent when you have your opponent in a seat belt grip.

Another thing that you get is the connection between you and your opponent. When they remain connected to you, and that too when they are trapped, then it helps you to prevent them from escaping, and therefore, the path to submission becomes much easier.

The lesser known benefit of the seat belt grip is that you can change your side with your opponent for executing a number of attacks, including the chokes. The choke in the seat belt grip becomes much easier for you.

In the seat belt grip, when your opponent is trying to spin, rotate, or roll themselves, you can control yourself and your opponent and maintain the balance. This is a great advantage that you have over your opponent when you are in the seat belt grip.

And the last thing you get is the versatility. You can execute a number of attacks, chokes, and submission techniques just because of this grip. So this is an easy way to submit your opponent, and therefore it serves as a connection or transition point in Jiu Jitsu from control to submission.

The following discusses the step by step approach to executing the seat belt grip.

To get the grip perfectly, you need to get yourself at the back of your opponent. You can do this in many ways, such as by transition, scrambling, or any other way, depending on the position or situation you are in during a BJJ match.

The second step you need to do is to move your arms toward your opponent’s torso to get a grip. Move both your arms in the same direction as stated above,i.e., one arm above their shoulder and the other arm under their armpit. Both arms must be grabbing your opponent from opposite sides. The upper arm must be near the neck of your opponent.

Now, the third step is to connect your arms strongly from opposite sides. Actually, you are making a lock that will be across your opponent’s torso. So, for this move, both your hands toward each other and connect them strongly. Keep it above the chest or stomach of your opponent. Also, your arms must be very close and tight to the back of your opponent.

The fourth step is to apply pressure on your opponent. Do this by keeping your chest attached to the back of your opponent. This will maintain your upper body in contact with the back of your opponent and therefore the stronger grip. This will avoid creating any space for your opponent to escape or turn towards you to attack or execute the technique.

Now, the last step is considered optional, but you must do it because it will improve your seat belt grip a lot better. So, for this, you can use your hooks to establish even more control over your opponent and therefore make the grip even more effective. Get your legs in to and this will get you complete control over your opponent’s back. At this stage, they will find it a lot difficult to escape or make any other techniques or moves. So even if they try, the control you have established due to the seatbelt grip will make it easy for you to follow them and keep them under your trap.

The following discusses the most common mistakes that BJJ practitioners usually make during the execution of the seat belt grip.

The first common mistake BJJ practitioners make is that they do not keep their hands locked in the right position on their opponent. The correct position is on the belly, the stomach, and the chest. You can only keep your hands on any one of these sites. This keeps your control strong. If you keep too high or too low, the control will be very weak, and your opponent will find it very easy to escape from your trap. Also, lock and keep your hands in the center, not on the sides.

The second thing you must ensure is that your hips are closer and apply pressure during the seatbelt grip. If you are not involving the pressure generated from the hips, then your opponent can escape by moving backward. So keep your hips connected and tight.

The third mistake is the incorrect technique for crossing your arms around your opponent. As discussed previously, both arms serve different functions. The upper arm will be the choking arm, and the lower one will be used to prevent your opponent from escaping. So don’t reverse the roles otherwise, you can get yourself trapped instead of having the grip on your opponent.

The fourth mistake most BJJ beginners make is that they do not align their head with their upper choking arm. Aligning is very important to keep your opponent in control.

The fifth mistake is that the BJJ fighters don’t make transitions, or if they do, they do it too late, so it's not very effective. So you must make transitions as soon as possible after securing the grip.

The following are the transitions and attacks you can make from the seat belt grip:

• Back Transitions

• Body Triangle Setup

• Rare Naked Choke

• Bow and Arrow Choke

The seat belt grip is one of the most effective methods to control your opponent and establish grips on them. This control can serve you in multiple ways. You always try to control your opponent during the match. The seatbelt grips provide you with the best way to do that. So, try to practice this grip and implement this in your daily sparring sessions.