The Day I Realized. Submissions Are The Ultimate Weapon in BJJ!
Allow me to tell you about the day I fell in love with submission hunting. It was during a casual roll at the gym, but it seemed like I had unlocked a superpower.
Do you remember that “aha!” moment when everything suddenly clicks? Yes, it was one of those. So imagine this: I’m riding with my friend Mark. Mark is a formidable opponent, possessing strength, speed, and an uncanny ability to dodge obstacles. However, that day, I set out on a mission.
I made the decision: “I’m going for the submission no matter what.” And you know what? It works. We’ll get there eventually. Here are the five moves I tried (and failed at first) that taught me why submissions are at the heart of BJJ.
1. The Armbar
Oh, the traditional armbar. It’s the gateway submission that everyone learns, but believe me, there’s a reason it’s so popular.
Mark had me under his guard, but I managed to switch to side control. That’s when I noticed the opening—his arm was begging to be attacked.
I flung my leg over, grabbed his wrist, and BOOM! I locked it in. Okay, kind of. He battled fiercely, and I realized I wasn’t keeping his thumb pointed up. A rookie mistake. But what happened once I adjusted? The tap.
The armbar introduced me to the concept of leverage, demonstrating how a slight shift in pressure can make someone twice your size tap like a drum.
2. The Rear-Naked Choke.
Let me tell you that this is my favorite. It’s very nice to slip around to someone’s back and lock in a choke.
With Mark, I waited until he became overly aggressive in an attempt to escape my side control. As he twisted, I slipped around, hooks in place, seatbelt grasp secure.
Then the struggle began. Mark tucked his chin as if his life relied on it. But I remained calm, lifted his chin, and sank the choke in deeply.
Pro tip: Get your hand behind their head for the optimum squeeze. When you feel the “gurgle,” you know it’s over.
3. The Triangle Choke.
What about the triangle choke? Pure magic. I swear it’s like doing a puzzle with your legs. Mark was alert, attempting to push through with the force of a bulldozer.
A big mistake. I grabbed his wrist, pushed it across, and shot my legs up. The triangle was locked, although it wasn’t particularly tight. After some tweaks (such as pulling down on my shin rather than his head—game-changer), I felt the pressure sink in.
Watching someone get purple and tap is strangely pleasant. Please do not judge me.
4. The Kimura.
The Kimura lock serves as a formidable tool for persistent opponents. Mark was turtling up, so I slid to his side and grabbed his arm away. The trick here is to keep their elbow close to their side while cranking the wrist. It’s basic physics: twist and they’ll tap.
Fun fact: the Kimura works from a variety of positions, including guard, side control, and mount. Once you’ve learned it, you’ll notice possibilities everywhere.
5. Guillotine.
Okay, I know I said five, but this one needs recognition. Mark was going for a sloppy double-leg takedown, and I spotted an opportunity. I wrapped his neck, stretched hard, and cranked. The guillotine is the submission equivalent of the Swiss Army knife—it may be used in a variety of scenarios.
What I Learned That Day?
By the end of the roll, Mark was sweaty, exhausted, and possibly annoyed with me.
But I learned something important: submissions are the lifeblood of BJJ. They are about more than just winning; they are also about knowing control, timing, and patience.
Each action has a unique rhythm and tale, and once you start chasing submissions, you won’t want to stop.
My Advice To You!
If you’re just getting started with BJJ, pay attention to these submissions. Drill them, rehearse them, and, most importantly, have fun doing them.
Nothing beats the feeling of hitting a clean submission. So, what is your go-to strategy for submission hunting? Let me know—I’m always looking to expand my arsenal! 👊
