white Belt Curriculum

Foundational 12-week roadmap to build posture, base, escapes, and core guard skills.

Typical timeframe: 12 weeks

Learning Objectives

  • Develop posture, base, and guard retention fundamentals.
  • Learn high-percentage escapes from every major position.
  • Introduce core submissions with safe mechanics.
  • Build training consistency and mat awareness.

Weeks 1-4: Survival Fundamentals

Focus on defensive posture, base, and escapes to stay safe and regain guard.

Hip Escape (Shrimp) Series

beginner
fundamentals

Work hip escapes from mount, side control, and seated guard entries.

Bridge and Roll Escape

beginner
positions

Learn the Upa escape against mount with proper trapping sequence.

Closed Guard Posture

beginner
positions

Maintain upright posture, break grips, and start stand-up guard break.

Weeks 5-8: Guard Building & Attacks

Construct offensive guard with sweeps and primary submissions.

Scissor & Hip Bump Sweeps

beginner
transitions

Chain fundamental sweeps from closed guard using angles and timing.

Straight Armbar from Guard

beginner
submissions

Learn safe mechanics for the armbar plus posture breaking setups.

Triangle Choke Fundamentals

beginner
submissions

Finish triangle choke with angle adjustments and grip fighting.

Weeks 9-12: Top Control & Passing

Transition to dominant positions and finish with positional control.

Knee Cut Pass Sequence

beginner
transitions

Establish grips, cut the knee across, and stabilize side control.

Side Control Pressure & Switches

beginner
positions

Hold side control with hip switches, frames clearing, and step-over mount.

Back Control Basics & Rear Naked Choke

beginner
submissions

Maintain hooks, attack hand fighting, and finish the RNC safely.