45+ BJJ Submissions: Chokes, Arm Locks and Leg Locks Explained

Quick answer: BJJ submissions fall into a handful of families: chokes and strangles, arm locks, shoulder and wrist locks, leg and foot locks, hip locks and cranks. If you are new, focus first on the rear naked choke, triangle, armbar, kimura, guillotine and straight ankle lock. These six account for a huge share of finishes at every level, from local tournaments to world championships.

Submissions are what make Brazilian jiu-jitsu different from most combat sports. Instead of winning on damage, you win by forcing a tap with a choke or joint lock, and you can train them at close to full intensity because your partner can tap out safely. This guide lists more than 45 BJJ submissions, grouped by type, with a plain-English explanation of how each works, where you will usually find it, whether it is used in the gi, in no-gi or both, and roughly when in your training it makes sense to start drilling it.

The level tags below are a guide, not a rule. Every coach has their own curriculum, and competition legality depends on the ruleset, so always check with your instructor and with the event you plan to enter. If any terms are unfamiliar, keep our BJJ terms glossary open in another tab.

Contents

• The main types of BJJ submission
• Chokes and strangles (25)
• Arm locks and elbow locks (3)
• Shoulder and wrist locks (8)
• Leg locks and foot locks (7)
• Hip locks and splits (2)
• Neck and spine cranks (2)
• Leg lock and submission rules in competition
• Quick reference table
• How to get better at finishing submissions
• BJJ submissions FAQ

The main types of BJJ submission

Every submission works by attacking one of a few targets. Understanding which one you are attacking helps you finish more often, because it tells you what the pressure should feel like and what your opponent will do to defend.

Type	What it attacks	Examples
Chokes and strangles	Blood flow through the neck (or, less often, the airway)	Rear naked choke, triangle, cross collar choke
Arm and elbow locks	The elbow, by straightening it too far	Armbar, cutting armbar, biceps slicer
Shoulder and wrist locks	The shoulder or wrist, by rotating or bending it	Kimura, americana, omoplata, wristlock
Leg and foot locks	The ankle, knee and lower leg	Straight ankle lock, kneebar, heel hook
Hip locks	The hip and groin, by splitting the legs	Banana split, electric chair
Cranks	The neck or spine directly	Can opener, twister

Compression locks, such as the biceps slicer and calf slicer, are a sub-group worth singling out: they crush a muscle against a bone to pry a joint open, and they are treated as advanced techniques in most rule sets.

Chokes and strangles

Chokes are the most common way BJJ matches end, at every level. Most of them are blood chokes: they compress the carotid arteries at the sides of the neck rather than crushing the windpipe, which is why a well-applied choke feels tight but not painful, and why your partner may have only a few seconds to tap. Gi players get a whole extra family of lapel and collar chokes, which is why the gi list below is longer. For set-ups and finishing details on the most important ones, see our deep dive on 23 essential BJJ chokes.

Guillotine

Used in: Gi and no-gi · Level: Beginner · Common from: Closed guard, standing, front headlock, mount

You wrap an arm around the front of your opponent's neck, lock your hands and squeeze by lifting with the forearm and arching back. It usually shows up when someone shoots in with their head low or postures badly inside your guard. Variations such as the arm-in, high-elbow and ten-finger guillotines change where the pressure lands, so it is worth learning more than one grip.

Rear naked choke

Used in: Gi and no-gi · Level: Beginner · Common from: Back control, body triangle, turtle · Also known as: Mata leão, hadaka-jime, RNC

The signature finish of back control. One arm slides under the chin with the elbow aligned to the centre of the throat, the other hand goes behind the head, and you squeeze by bringing your elbows together. Because the back is worth so many points and is so hard to escape, the RNC is arguably the most important submission in the sport.

Triangle choke

Used in: Gi and no-gi · Level: Beginner · Common from: Closed guard, open guard, mount, back, half guard

A leg choke: you trap your opponent's head and one arm between your thighs, lock your shin behind your knee, and the trapped shoulder does half the work against their own neck. It comes from judo but has become one of the defining BJJ techniques because it can be hit from almost anywhere, including the mounted and rear variations.

Bow and arrow choke

Used in: Gi · Level: Intermediate · Common from: Back control, turtle, side control

From the back, one hand feeds deep into the collar while the other grabs the trouser leg. You then pull the collar and push the leg apart as you swing your body perpendicular, creating the bow-and-arrow shape that gives the choke its name. It is one of the highest-percentage gi finishes from the back.

Ezekiel choke

Used in: Gi and no-gi · Level: Intermediate · Common from: Mount, inside closed guard, back, side control · Also known as: Sode-guruma-jime, sleeve choke

A sleeve choke: one forearm goes across the throat while that hand grips inside your own opposite sleeve, and the free hand blades across the front of the neck. It is one of the few genuine attacks available from inside an opponent's closed guard. It comes from the judo choke sode-guruma-jime, and its BJJ name is widely credited to Brazilian judoka Ezequiel Paraguassú. A no-gi version uses a grip on your own wrist or biceps.

Cross collar choke

Used in: Gi · Level: Beginner · Common from: Closed guard, mount, back · Also known as: Juji-jime, X choke

Both hands grip deep in the collar with the wrists crossed. Pull your opponent towards you, turn the blades of the wrists into the sides of the neck and flare the elbows to finish. It is often one of the very first chokes taught in a gi class and, done properly from mount, is famously hard to stop.

Baseball bat choke

Used in: Gi · Level: Intermediate · Common from: Knee on belly, side control, bottom half guard

Both hands grip the collar on the same side, one thumb in and one thumb out, like holding a baseball bat. You then rotate your body around the opponent's head, which closes the grip on the neck. It is especially effective as a transition from knee on belly and is a well-known counter from bottom half guard.

D'Arce choke

Used in: Gi and no-gi · Level: Intermediate · Common from: Front headlock, turtle, half guard top, side control · Also known as: Brabo choke (in some no-gi circles)

An arm-triangle variation where you thread your arm under the opponent's armpit and in front of their neck, then lock a figure-four grip behind them. Their own shoulder and your biceps close the neck. It catches people who underhook from bottom half guard or turtle with their arm exposed, and it is a no-gi staple.

Clock choke

Used in: Gi · Level: Intermediate · Common from: Turtle

Against a turtled opponent, you feed a deep collar grip, sprawl your weight onto their upper back and walk your legs around their head like the hands of a clock. The walking motion is what tightens the choke, which is why it works even against people protecting their neck with their hands.

Arm triangle

Used in: Gi and no-gi · Level: Beginner · Common from: Mount, side control · Also known as: Kata-gatame, head and arm choke

A head-and-arm choke where your arm wraps around the neck and the opponent's own trapped arm presses into the other side. You usually set it up from mount and slide off to the side to finish, driving your shoulder into their neck. It is a great submission for heavier top players.

North-south choke

Used in: Gi and no-gi · Level: Intermediate · Common from: North-south, side control

From the north-south position, with your chest over your opponent's chest and your heads pointing opposite ways, you wrap an arm around their neck and drop your hips to the mat. The pressure comes from the biceps and your own body weight. The details are fine, but once they click the choke is very tight; Marcelo Garcia is the name most associated with it.

Crucifix choke

Used in: Gi and no-gi · Level: Advanced · Common from: Crucifix (from turtle)

In the crucifix, your legs trap one of your opponent's arms and your arm traps the other, leaving their neck completely unprotected. You can then finish with a one-armed rear choke. The same position also opens up armlocks, so it is a powerful place to attack a turtle from.

Thrust choke

Used in: Gi · Level: Intermediate · Common from: Mount, inside guard, guard passing · Also known as: Tsukkomi-jime

You pull one side of the lapel tight across the neck and drive the knuckles of your other hand into the throat side, using the fabric as a brace. It can appear mid-pass or from mount, and in judo it is known as tsukkomi-jime.

Anaconda choke

Used in: Gi and no-gi · Level: Intermediate · Common from: Front headlock, turtle, sprawl

Like the D'Arce, it is an arm-in head choke, but you thread your arm the other way: under the neck first and then through the armpit. You lock a gable or figure-four grip and roll your opponent over your shoulder to finish. It is a classic counter to a poor shot or a turtle.

Peruvian necktie

Used in: Gi and no-gi · Level: Advanced · Common from: Front headlock, turtle

An arm-in choke from the front headlock that adds your legs. After locking the grip, you sit through and drape your legs over the opponent's head and back, which forces the head down and closes the choke.

Japanese necktie

Used in: Gi and no-gi · Level: Advanced · Common from: Front headlock, turtle, half guard top

Another arm-in head choke, this time finished by sprawling your chest across the back of your opponent's head and neck. Depending on the angle it can act more like a neck crank than a pure choke, so apply it slowly in training.

Loop choke

Used in: Gi · Level: Intermediate · Common from: Open guard, closed guard, against a turtle

One hand takes a deep collar grip and the other arm loops behind the opponent's neck to close the choke as you roll or pull them down. It is a great counter when someone passes with their head low, and it can be finished from bottom or top.

Step-over choke

Used in: Gi · Level: Intermediate · Common from: Side control, knee on belly, turtle

A collar choke that uses your leg as a lever. After securing a collar grip from top position you step a leg over the opponent's head, which tightens the grip and finishes the choke.

Paper cutter choke

Used in: Gi · Level: Beginner · Common from: Side control top · Also known as: Bread cutter choke

From side control, one hand feeds deep into the far collar and your forearm slices across the throat as you lower your weight. It is simple, and because the set-up looks like ordinary grip fighting, it catches a lot of people by surprise.

Gogoplata

Used in: Gi and no-gi · Level: Advanced · Common from: Rubber guard, closed guard, mount

You bring your shin across the front of your opponent's throat, usually from a high guard, and pull their head down onto it with your hand or collar grip. It needs good hip mobility and is far more common in highlight reels than in the average roll, but it is a genuine finish.

Brabo choke

Used in: Gi · Level: Intermediate · Common from: Half guard top, side control

A lapel choke where you pull your opponent's own lapel loose, feed it under their neck and switch grips to tighten it. It is the gi ancestor of the D'Arce and is especially strong from top half guard.

Lapel half nelson

Used in: Gi · Level: Intermediate · Common from: Side control

From side control, one arm wraps the neck to grab the lapel while the other threads under the far arm and behind the head in a half-nelson. The combination closes the choke while also controlling the opponent's shoulder.

Von Flue choke

Used in: Gi and no-gi · Level: Intermediate · Common from: Side control (as a guillotine counter)

When someone holds a guillotine while you pass to side control on the same side as their arm, you drive your shoulder into their neck. Their own arm becomes the other half of the choke. It is named after Jason Von Flue, who used it in MMA.

Bulldog choke

Used in: Gi and no-gi · Level: Intermediate · Common from: Turtle, scrambles, failed back takes

A side headlock from catch wrestling: one arm wraps the neck from the side and you lock your hands while driving your weight into the opponent. Ben Askren famously finished Robbie Lawler with it at UFC 235 in 2019, although the stoppage was debated.

Buggy choke

Used in: Gi and no-gi · Level: Advanced · Common from: Bottom side control

A submission from underneath side control: you trap the opponent's head and arm with your arm, swing your leg up over your own wrist and squeeze. Kade Ruotolo helped make it fashionable. The bottom player's legs can be in a vulnerable position if the top player stands or slams, which is why some gyms are cautious with it.

Arm locks and elbow locks

Arm locks attack the elbow by straightening it past its normal range. They reward precise control of the arm and hips more than strength, and they teach new grapplers how to isolate a limb. For a step-by-step look at the core techniques, read our guide to 11 essential arm and shoulder locks.

Armbar

Used in: Gi and no-gi · Level: Beginner · Common from: Closed guard, mount, S-mount, back, knee on belly, standing (flying armbar) · Also known as: Juji-gatame, straight armlock

You trap the opponent's arm between your legs, pin their shoulder with your hips and lift your hips while pulling the wrist to your chest, hyperextending the elbow. It is one of the first submissions everyone learns and stays effective at black belt because it can be reached from almost any position.

Cutting armbar

Used in: Gi and no-gi · Level: Intermediate · Common from: Mount, side control, closed guard, butterfly guard · Also known as: Reverse armbar

Instead of using your legs, you trap the arm on your shoulder with your head and apply pressure to the back of the upper arm with your forearm or hand. It is useful when the opponent's arm is straight but you cannot get a leg over the head.

Biceps slicer

Used in: Gi and no-gi · Level: Advanced · Common from: Closed guard, side control, armbar defence · Also known as: Biceps crusher

A compression lock: you place your shin or forearm in the crook of the opponent's elbow and fold the arm over it, crushing the biceps and opening the joint. It often appears when someone hides their arm while defending an armbar. Because of the injury risk, IBJJF reserves it for adult brown and black belts.

Shoulder and wrist locks

Shoulder locks rotate the joint rather than straightening it. The two key families are the kimura and americana, with leg-based versions such as the omoplata building on the same mechanics. Apply all of these slowly: the shoulder can be injured before the person feels much pain.

Kimura

Used in: Gi and no-gi · Level: Beginner · Common from: Closed guard, half guard, side control, north-south, back · Also known as: Double wristlock, gyaku ude-garami

A figure-four grip on the opponent's wrist, with their arm bent behind their back. Rotating the hand towards their head forces the shoulder past its range. It is named after Japanese judoka Masahiko Kimura, who used it to beat Hélio Gracie in 1951, and it doubles as one of the best control grips in grappling.

Americana

Used in: Gi and no-gi · Level: Beginner · Common from: Mount, side control, scarf hold, closed guard · Also known as: Keylock, ude-garami, figure-four armlock

The reverse of the kimura: the opponent's arm is bent upwards, palm towards the ceiling, and you slide their elbow towards their hip while lifting it slightly. It is one of the easiest submissions to learn from top side control.

Omoplata

Used in: Gi and no-gi · Level: Intermediate · Common from: Closed guard, spider guard, half guard, mount

A shoulder lock with your legs: you swing your leg over the opponent's shoulder to trap their arm, then sit up and lean forwards so the shoulder rotates like a kimura. Even when it does not finish, it is a reliable sweep. Popular variations include the Marceloplata (after Marcelo Garcia), the baratoplata and the tarikoplata (after Tarik Hopstock).

Monoplata

Used in: Gi and no-gi · Level: Advanced · Common from: Mount, three-quarter mount, failed triangle, spider guard

A leg-assisted shoulder lock where one leg traps the arm across your body while you rotate the shoulder. It often comes when a triangle attempt or mounted position breaks down and the arm is still trapped.

Mir lock

Used in: Gi and no-gi · Level: Intermediate · Common from: Closed guard, open guard

An americana-style shoulder lock from guard, where you overhook the opponent's arm and lock a figure-four grip to rotate the shoulder. It takes its name from former UFC champion Frank Mir, who submitted Pete Williams with it in the UFC.

Hammerlock

Used in: Gi and no-gi · Level: Intermediate · Common from: Turtle, rides from the back, side control

A wrestling shoulder lock where you bend the opponent's arm behind their back and drive the hand upward. In BJJ it often turns up during rides against a turtled opponent.

Scorpion lock

Used in: Gi and no-gi · Level: Advanced · Common from: Back control, north-south

Similar to an americana, but you use your armpit and torso to trap the arm rather than relying only on your hands and the mat. It is a handy back-control option when your opponent grabs your choking arm.

Wristlock

Used in: Gi and no-gi · Level: Intermediate · Common from: Guard, side control, mount, back

Any lock that forces the wrist past its range by bending, extending or twisting it. Wristlocks are fast and need little space, so they appear from many positions. They are generally allowed for adults under IBJJF rules, but they are restricted in kids' divisions and some academies limit them in training, so check first.

Leg locks and foot locks

Leg locks have exploded in popularity over the past decade, especially in no-gi. They attack the ankle, knee and lower leg, and some of them can injure ligaments before pain warns the person to tap. Learn them under supervision, apply them slowly and always respect the tap. The table in the rules section shows where each one is allowed.

Straight ankle lock

Used in: Gi and no-gi · Level: Beginner · Common from: Half guard, single leg X, 50-50, leg drag, standing · Also known as: Achilles lock, straight foot lock

You trap the opponent's leg between your legs, wrap your forearm under their Achilles tendon and arch back to extend the foot. It is the entry-level leg lock and is legal for adults at every belt under IBJJF rules, making it a sensible first leg attack.

Kneebar

Used in: Gi and no-gi · Level: Advanced · Common from: Half guard, guard passing, turtle, X guard

The leg version of an armbar: you hug the opponent's leg to your chest with your hips just above their knee, then extend your hips to hyperextend the joint. Dean Lister is one of the best-known kneebar specialists.

Calf slicer

Used in: Gi and no-gi · Level: Advanced · Common from: Truck, back control, turtle, knee on belly · Also known as: Calf crusher

A compression lock where your shin or forearm sits behind the opponent's knee and you fold their lower leg over it. It is common from the truck position, popularised by 10th Planet, and is restricted to brown and black belts in IBJJF events.

Toe hold

Used in: Gi and no-gi · Level: Advanced · Common from: Open guard, half guard, side control, from a kneebar

A figure-four grip on the foot that twists it inwards, attacking the ankle and putting rotational stress on the knee. The Estima lock, popularised by the Estima brothers, is a tighter variation that often catches opponents who post a foot on your hip while passing.

Heel hook

Used in: Gi and no-gi (mostly no-gi) · Level: Advanced · Common from: Inside sankaku, 50-50, outside ashi, single leg X

A rotational lock that twists the heel and, through it, the knee. The outside heel hook turns the foot outwards while the inside or reverse heel hook turns it inwards. Heel hooks are very effective and very dangerous, with serious ligament damage possible before much pain is felt. John Danaher and his students made the modern heel-hook system famous in submission-only events and ADCC. Under IBJJF rules they are allowed only for adult brown and black belts in no-gi.

Aoki lock

Used in: Gi and no-gi · Level: Advanced · Common from: Straight ankle lock position

Associated with Shinya Aoki, it traps the heel over your ribs when the opponent tries to pull their foot out of a straight ankle lock, adding a twist that pressures the inside of the ankle and the knee. Because it rotates the leg, it can fall foul of rulesets that only allow straight foot locks. Check your competition's rules.

Ham sandwich

Used in: Gi and no-gi · Level: Advanced · Common from: Bottom half guard

A hamstring compression lock from half guard, usually triggered when the opponent resists a sweep. It has been popularised by coach Brandon McCaghren. As a compression lock, treat it like a calf slicer and check whether your event allows it.

Hip locks and splits

Hip locks stretch the legs apart and attack the hip and groin. They are rare outside 10th Planet-style no-gi, but they are worth knowing so you can recognise and defend them. We cover them in more depth in our guide to hip locks inspired by Eddie Bravo and Dean Lister.

Banana split

Used in: Gi and no-gi · Level: Advanced · Common from: Turtle, back, truck

You trap one leg with your legs and the other with your arms, then pull the legs apart to stretch the hips and groin. It is a favourite of Eddie Bravo's 10th Planet system.

Electric chair

Used in: Gi and no-gi · Level: Advanced · Common from: Lockdown half guard

From the lockdown, a half-guard style where your legs trap one of the opponent's legs, you off-balance them, hook the free leg onto your shoulder and stretch them apart. Against flexible opponents it rarely finishes, but you can come up into a sweep or top position from the same grips.

Neck and spine cranks

Cranks attack the neck or spine directly rather than the airflow or blood supply. They can cause serious injury and are banned under IBJJF rules at every level, and many academies do not allow them in training at all. Learn about them so you understand the risk and can defend them, and always follow your instructor's guidance.

Can opener

Used in: Gi and no-gi · Level: Not recommended · Common from: Top closed guard

The top player cups the back of the head and pulls it towards the opponent's chest to force the guard open. It works mainly through pain and neck strain, which is why it is banned in most rulesets and frowned upon in most academies.

Twister

Used in: Gi and no-gi · Level: Not recommended · Common from: Truck, half back control

A spinal crank made famous by Eddie Bravo. From the truck, you trap one leg and pull the head in the opposite direction, twisting the spine. A few submission-only and no-gi rulesets permit it at advanced levels, but it is illegal under IBJJF rules.

Leg lock and submission rules in competition

Rules differ between organisations, belts and age groups, and they do change. The IBJJF ruleset is the most widely used for gi tournaments, so it is a useful benchmark. The table below summarises how the IBJJF treats some commonly asked-about submissions for adult competitors. Treat it as a starting point and confirm against the current rule book and your event's own rules before you compete.

Submission	IBJJF adult status
Straight ankle lock	Allowed at all belts, gi and no-gi
Kneebar, toe hold, calf slicer, biceps slicer	Allowed for brown and black belts only
Heel hooks	Allowed for brown and black belts in no-gi only (since 2021)
Neck cranks and spinal locks (can opener, twister)	Not allowed at any belt
Slamming out of a submission	Not allowed at any belt

Kids' and juvenile divisions are much more restrictive, while submission-only events, ADCC and many no-gi promotions allow heel hooks and other leg locks at advanced levels. If a submission is not listed above, check your competition's rules. Belt level matters too, so it helps to understand how the BJJ belt system and ranks work before you register.

Quick reference table

Every submission in this guide at a glance, in the same order as above.

Submission	Type	Gi / no-gi	Level
Guillotine	Chokes and strangles	Gi and no-gi	Beginner
Rear naked choke	Chokes and strangles	Gi and no-gi	Beginner
Triangle choke	Chokes and strangles	Gi and no-gi	Beginner
Bow and arrow choke	Chokes and strangles	Gi	Intermediate
Ezekiel choke	Chokes and strangles	Gi and no-gi	Intermediate
Cross collar choke	Chokes and strangles	Gi	Beginner
Baseball bat choke	Chokes and strangles	Gi	Intermediate
D'Arce choke	Chokes and strangles	Gi and no-gi	Intermediate
Clock choke	Chokes and strangles	Gi	Intermediate
Arm triangle	Chokes and strangles	Gi and no-gi	Beginner
North-south choke	Chokes and strangles	Gi and no-gi	Intermediate
Crucifix choke	Chokes and strangles	Gi and no-gi	Advanced
Thrust choke	Chokes and strangles	Gi	Intermediate
Anaconda choke	Chokes and strangles	Gi and no-gi	Intermediate
Peruvian necktie	Chokes and strangles	Gi and no-gi	Advanced
Japanese necktie	Chokes and strangles	Gi and no-gi	Advanced
Loop choke	Chokes and strangles	Gi	Intermediate
Step-over choke	Chokes and strangles	Gi	Intermediate
Paper cutter choke	Chokes and strangles	Gi	Beginner
Gogoplata	Chokes and strangles	Gi and no-gi	Advanced
Brabo choke	Chokes and strangles	Gi	Intermediate
Lapel half nelson	Chokes and strangles	Gi	Intermediate
Von Flue choke	Chokes and strangles	Gi and no-gi	Intermediate
Bulldog choke	Chokes and strangles	Gi and no-gi	Intermediate
Buggy choke	Chokes and strangles	Gi and no-gi	Advanced
Armbar	Arm locks and elbow locks	Gi and no-gi	Beginner
Cutting armbar	Arm locks and elbow locks	Gi and no-gi	Intermediate
Biceps slicer	Arm locks and elbow locks	Gi and no-gi	Advanced
Kimura	Shoulder and wrist locks	Gi and no-gi	Beginner
Americana	Shoulder and wrist locks	Gi and no-gi	Beginner
Omoplata	Shoulder and wrist locks	Gi and no-gi	Intermediate
Monoplata	Shoulder and wrist locks	Gi and no-gi	Advanced
Mir lock	Shoulder and wrist locks	Gi and no-gi	Intermediate
Hammerlock	Shoulder and wrist locks	Gi and no-gi	Intermediate
Scorpion lock	Shoulder and wrist locks	Gi and no-gi	Advanced
Wristlock	Shoulder and wrist locks	Gi and no-gi	Intermediate
Straight ankle lock	Leg locks and foot locks	Gi and no-gi	Beginner
Kneebar	Leg locks and foot locks	Gi and no-gi	Advanced
Calf slicer	Leg locks and foot locks	Gi and no-gi	Advanced
Toe hold	Leg locks and foot locks	Gi and no-gi	Advanced
Heel hook	Leg locks and foot locks	Gi and no-gi (mostly no-gi)	Advanced
Aoki lock	Leg locks and foot locks	Gi and no-gi	Advanced
Ham sandwich	Leg locks and foot locks	Gi and no-gi	Advanced
Banana split	Hip locks and splits	Gi and no-gi	Advanced
Electric chair	Hip locks and splits	Gi and no-gi	Advanced
Can opener	Neck and spine cranks	Gi and no-gi	Not recommended
Twister	Neck and spine cranks	Gi and no-gi	Not recommended

How to get better at finishing submissions

Knowing the names of 50 submissions will not make you dangerous. Being able to finish a handful of them against resisting partners will. A few principles that apply across the whole list:

• Position before submission. Most failed finishes come from rushing. Secure the mount, back or side control first and the submission becomes far easier.
• Build chains, not single moves. Pair attacks that feed each other: armbar to triangle to omoplata from guard, or rear naked choke to armbar from the back. When your partner defends one, the next is waiting.
• Isolate before you apply pressure. Whether it is an arm, a leg or the neck, take away the defending hand or limb first. Squeezing before isolation just burns energy.
• Learn the defence at the same time. Drilling escapes from each submission teaches you what a good defender will do, which makes your own attacks sharper.
• Apply slowly and let go on the tap. Your training partners are what make progress possible. A controlled finish is still a finish.

Gi players will notice that lapel chokes depend on the collar staying where you want it, while no-gi athletes rely on wrist and underhook control instead of grips, so it is worth training both. If your academy is sorting out matching kit for the team, our custom BJJ rash guards are built for exactly this kind of hard no-gi training.

BJJ submissions FAQ

What is the most common submission in BJJ?

The rear naked choke is generally considered the most common and most successful submission in BJJ, especially in competition, because back control is so hard to escape. The armbar, triangle, guillotine and kimura are close behind.

What submissions should a BJJ white belt learn first?

Start with the fundamentals: the rear naked choke, cross collar choke (in the gi), guillotine, triangle, armbar, kimura, americana and straight ankle lock. They teach position, control and leverage, and they keep working at every belt.

Are heel hooks legal in IBJJF competition?

Since 2021, IBJJF rules allow heel hooks only for adult brown and black belts in no-gi. They remain banned in the gi and below brown belt. Other rulesets differ, so always check the rules for the specific event you enter.

What is the difference between a choke and a strangle?

Strictly speaking, a strangle compresses the blood vessels at the sides of the neck while a choke restricts the airway. In BJJ, people use the word choke for both. Most effective BJJ chokes are actually blood strangles, which is why they work quickly.

How many submissions are there in BJJ?

There is no fixed number. This guide covers around 50 distinct submissions, but each has many grips, angles and entries, so the true number of variations runs into the hundreds. A small set of fundamentals accounts for most real finishes.

Is it safe to train submissions?

Yes, when you train with control. Apply submissions slowly, tap early, tap often, and let go immediately when your partner taps. Leg locks and cranks need extra care, so learn them from a qualified coach and follow your academy's rules.