BJJ SUBMISSIONS GUIDE

WHAT IS A SUBMISSION?

A submission is any technique that puts your training partner or opponent in a position where they must concede — either by tapping out, verbally submitting, or going unconscious (in the case of chokes). The goal of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is not to strike an opponent but to control them and apply a submission that leaves them no choice but to acknowledge defeat.

Submissions fall into two broad categories: chokes and joint locks. Each has distinct mechanics, entry points, and defensive considerations. Leg attacks — heel hooks, ankle locks, and knee bars — form a third category that is increasingly emphasized in modern competition BJJ.

CATEGORY 1: CHOKES

Chokes work by restricting blood flow to the brain (blood chokes) or by blocking the airway (air chokes). Blood chokes are more effective and safer — they cause unconsciousness in 8 to 12 seconds but leave no lasting injury when released promptly. Air chokes are less efficient and more uncomfortable; most practitioners learn to avoid them.

Common choke setups include the rear naked choke (back control), triangle (guard), bow and arrow (back control with gi), Ezekiel (mount), and guillotine (front headlock). The gi fabric opens up an additional world of collar chokes unavailable in no-gi grappling.

CATEGORY 2: JOINT LOCKS

Joint locks apply force in the opposite direction of a joint's natural range of motion. When the technique is applied correctly the joint reaches its limit and pain signals the person to tap — or risk ligament or tendon damage. The most targeted joints in BJJ are the elbow (armbar, kimura, americana), shoulder (kimura), and wrist (wrist lock).

Tapping early is critical with joint locks. Unlike chokes, which must be held for several seconds to cause unconsciousness, a joint lock can cause ligament damage in a fraction of a second if you delay. Experienced practitioners tap the moment they feel a lock tighten — ego is the most common cause of joint injuries on the mat.

CATEGORY 3: LEG ATTACKS

Leg attacks target the ankle, knee, and hip joints. Straight ankle locks and heel hooks are the primary weapons. Heel hooks in particular — both inside and outside heel hooks — are considered advanced submissions because they apply rotational force to the knee without the defender feeling much pain until damage has occurred. For this reason many gyms restrict heel hooks until practitioners reach a higher level.

TOP 10 SUBMISSIONS EVERY PRACTITIONER SHOULD KNOW

HOW TAPPING WORKS

Tapping is the universal signal to stop. You can tap your partner's body twice, tap the mat twice, or verbally say "tap." Any of these signals must be respected immediately and without hesitation by your training partner. There are no exceptions — in a healthy training environment, the tap is law.

If for any reason you cannot use your hands — because both arms are trapped — you can tap with your foot, slap the mat with any body part, or shout "tap." Coaches at reputable gyms watch rounds and will call stop if they see a submission fully locked in and the tapping response is delayed.

In competition, tapping to a submission concedes the match to your opponent. In training, tapping simply resets the round — there is no shame and no consequence. Experienced practitioners tap hundreds of times in a week of training. The tap is what makes it safe to train submissions at full intensity.

WHEN DO BEGINNERS LEARN SUBMISSIONS?

Most BJJ curriculums introduce submissions in the first few weeks of training — usually starting with the most mechanically simple techniques: the rear naked choke, the americana, and the basic armbar. The sequence typically follows position-before-submission logic: you learn how to get to a dominant position first, then the submissions available from that position.

Beginners practice submissions through repetitive drilling — doing the technique on a compliant partner hundreds of times before attempting them in live sparring. Once a student has the basic mechanics and an understanding of when to apply them, submissions become a natural part of their sparring game.

More advanced submissions — heel hooks, flying triangles, wrist locks, and advanced collar chokes — are introduced progressively as the practitioner's positional awareness and defensive instincts develop. There is no rush. The foundational ten submissions above will serve a practitioner through every belt level.