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Submissions 🚧

The Ultimate Goal​

Submissions are the greater objective of the fight. They occur most commonly:

  • After immobilizations - When the opponent has difficulty using their whole body to defend
  • From the guard - Where the bottom player can threaten using their legs
  • During transitions - Catching opponents between positions

💡 Key Insight: A submission can occur at any moment, even without clear positional dominance, creating possibilities for both the dominant and dominated player.

Two Categories of Submissions​

1. Joint Locks​

Attacks on the joints targeting:

  • Arms - Armbar, kimura, americana
  • Shoulders - Omoplata, shoulder locks
  • Knees - Kneebar
  • Ankles - Straight ankle lock, toe hold
  • Spine - Twister (advanced)

How They Work: Apply pressure beyond the joint's natural range of motion, forcing a tap before injury occurs.

2. Strangulations​

Cutting off blood or air supply through:

  • Blood Chokes (Vasoconstriction) - Restrict carotid arteries
    • Rear naked choke
    • Triangle choke
    • Guillotine variations
  • Air Chokes - Compress the windpipe
    • Less common in sport BJJ
    • Often painful before effective

How They Work: Blood chokes cause unconsciousness in 3-8 seconds if properly applied. Air chokes take longer and are less reliable.

Fundamental Submissions​

Strangles (Blood Chokes)​

Rear Naked Choke 🚧

  • Most dominant submission
  • From back mount
  • Highest finish rate

Triangle Choke 🚧

  • Guard player's weapon
  • Uses legs for power
  • Leads to armbars

Guillotine 🚧

  • Standing and ground
  • Takedown defense
  • Quick finish

Arm Triangle 🚧

  • From side control/mount
  • Uses opponent's shoulder
  • Very tight when locked

Joint Locks (Arms & Shoulders)​

Armbar 🚧

  • Most versatile submission
  • Works from every position
  • Hyperextends elbow

Kimura 🚧

  • Shoulder lock
  • Works top and bottom
  • Great for sweeps

Americana 🚧

  • From side control
  • Figure-4 shoulder lock
  • Beginner-friendly

Additional Submissions (Coming Soon)​

Leg Attacks​

  • Straight Ankle Lock
  • Kneebar
  • Heel Hook
  • Toe Hold

Advanced Chokes​

  • Bow and Arrow
  • Loop Choke
  • Ezekiel Choke
  • Baseball Bat Choke

Shoulder Attacks​

  • Omoplata
  • Tarikoplata
  • Monoplata

Training Concepts​

Submission Mechanics​

  • Breaking Defensive Grips - Hand fighting strategies
  • Isolation Principles - Separating the limb from the body
  • Leverage Points - Using your whole body vs their limb
  • Finishing Details - Small adjustments that ensure success

Position-Specific Attacks​

  • From Mount - High percentage submissions
  • From Back - Choke dominance
  • From Guard - Bottom attacks
  • From Side Control - Pressure submissions
  • From Transitions - Catching in between

Submission Defense​

  • Early Recognition - See attacks coming
  • Defensive Postures - Preventive positioning
  • Escape Sequences - Getting out of deep attacks
  • "Hitchhiker" Escapes - Last resort movements

Advanced Concepts​

  • Submission Chains - Connecting multiple attacks
  • Dilemma Creation - Defend this, expose that
  • False Submissions - Using attacks to advance position
  • No-Gi Adaptations - Adjustments without the gi

In The Meantime​

Available Resources​

✅ Immobilizations - Master positions before submissions ✅ Guard System - Many submissions start here ✅ Body Reading - Recognize submission opportunities

Training Priority​

While waiting for detailed content:

  1. Master ONE submission from each position first
  2. Learn the defense before the offense
  3. Drill the entry more than the finish
  4. Practice on both sides for balanced development

Safety First​

⚠️ Important: Always tap early in training. Submissions cause real injury if applied fully. Your training partners' safety is your responsibility.

💡 Quick Tips​

The Submission Formula​

Position + Isolation + Leverage = Submission

  1. Secure dominant position
  2. Isolate the target limb/neck
  3. Apply leverage using your whole body

Common Beginner Mistakes​

  • Hunting submissions without position - Control first, submit second
  • Using strength over technique - If you're muscling it, the technique is wrong
  • Giving up position for submissions - Never sacrifice mount for a low-percentage attack
  • Not letting go after the tap - Release immediately when partner taps

Want to Contribute?​

If you're experienced with submission techniques and want to help complete this section, please contribute on GitHub or contact us.

🔗 Related Resources​