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Techniques

BJJ Submissions

BJJ submissions are techniques that force a tap by attacking a joint beyond its range of motion or restricting blood flow to the brain. There are two main families: joint locks and chokes. Whether you train gi or no-gi in Thailand, this guide covers every submission you need to know, from the first technique most beginners learn to the advanced leg locks reserved for higher belts under IBJJF rules.

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What Makes a Submission Work

Every submission in BJJ exploits one of three physiological mechanisms: joint damage (armlocks, leglocks), circulatory restriction (blood chokes), or airway restriction (air chokes). Blood chokes are generally considered the safest in training because they cause a predictable, rapid tap before injury occurs. Joint locks require the defender to tap before the joint reaches its anatomical limit, which is why drilling good tap habits from your first session is essential.

Submissions do not exist in isolation. They work because position creates the leverage needed to apply force. The core principle taught in most Brazilian academies is "position before submission": secure a dominant position such as mount, back control, or side control before attempting a finish. Chasing submissions from disadvantaged positions typically leads to reversal rather than a tap.

The IBJJF (International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation) divides legal submissions by belt level and by gi or no-gi format. Understanding which techniques are permitted at your rank matters both for competition preparation and for safe training practice. The table below outlines the general legality framework across adult belt levels.

For a broader overview of all positions and guards, visit the Techniques hub. For competition rule detail, consult the official IBJJF rulebook directly.

IBJJF Rules

Submission Legality by Belt (Adult, Gi)

Based on the IBJJF General Competition Rules. Always verify the current rulebook before competing, as rules are updated periodically. No-gi divisions have separate legality tables.

Submission Family White Blue Purple Brown Black
Straight armlock (armbar) Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal
Kimura / Americana (shoulder locks) Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal
Blood chokes (triangle, RNC, collar chokes) Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal
Straight ankle lock Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal
Kneebar Illegal Illegal Legal Legal Legal
Toe hold Illegal Illegal Legal Legal Legal
Calf slicer (bicep slicer) Illegal Illegal Legal Legal Legal
Heel hook (outside) Illegal Illegal Illegal Illegal Illegal (gi)
Spinal / cervical locks Illegal Illegal Illegal Illegal Illegal
Scissor takedown Illegal Illegal Illegal Illegal Illegal

Technique Guides

Core Submission Guides

Step-by-step breakdowns of the highest-percentage BJJ submissions, covering setup, mechanics, and common errors.

Kimura

The two-on-one shoulder lock that doubles as a dominant control position. One of the most versatile attacks in the entire grappling system, available from guard, side control, and north-south.

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Armbar

The straight elbow lock taught to virtually every beginner on their first week. Legal at all belt levels under IBJJF rules and available from mount, guard, back control, and many transition points.

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Triangle Choke

A figure-four leg choke applied from guard that targets the carotid arteries. One of the most powerful weapons available to a bottom player and a staple of competitive BJJ at every level.

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Rear-Naked Choke

The mata leao is statistically the most finished submission across BJJ and MMA. Applied from back control, it compresses the carotid arteries and produces a tap within seconds when locked in correctly.

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The Main Submission Families in BJJ

Armlocks

Armlocks attack the elbow, shoulder, or wrist by forcing the joint beyond its natural range of motion. The armbar (juji-gatame) is the definitive straight elbow lock, attacking in extension. The kimura and americana both attack the shoulder in internal and external rotation respectively. Wrist locks (commonly called "bastard locks" in casual training) are permitted at higher belt levels but generally taught with caution due to their speed of application.

Chokes

Chokes divide into two categories. Blood chokes compress the carotid arteries to cut off circulation to the brain, producing a tap (or unconsciousness if held past the tap) within seconds. The rear-naked choke, triangle choke, bow-and-arrow choke, and D'arce choke all function as blood chokes. Air chokes compress the trachea and are generally slower to take effect, producing discomfort and a tap rather than rapid incapacitation. Most BJJ coaches teach blood choke mechanics preferentially for both effectiveness and relative safety in drilling.

Leglocks

Leglock submissions target the ankle, knee, and hip joints. The straight ankle lock (achilles lock) is the entry point taught to beginners and is legal at all belt levels under IBJJF rules. Kneebars and toe holds become legal at purple belt. Heel hooks, which attack the knee via rotational torque, carry a higher injury risk than straight attacks and are restricted in gi competition entirely. In no-gi competition under IBJJF, heel hooks open up only at brown and black belt. Under ADCC rules, leglocks are generally more permissive, which has contributed to their rapid development in the submission grappling community.

Compression Locks

Compression locks such as the calf slicer and bicep slicer apply pressure to a muscle mass or soft tissue rather than a joint. They are permitted from purple belt upwards under IBJJF rules. Their application tends to be position-dependent, arising from specific guard positions and scrambles rather than from dominant control.

Safety Note

All submission techniques carry inherent injury risk if applied at speed without regard for your training partner. Joint locks in particular can cause ligament damage in milliseconds once the mechanical disadvantage is established. Train submissions at controlled speed, communicate with your partner before drilling unfamiliar techniques, and always honour the tap immediately. Your training partner's health determines the long-term quality of your mat environment.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions About BJJ Submissions

A submission is a technique that forces an opponent to tap out (or verbally submit) by applying a joint lock, choke, or compression hold. When your opponent taps, the round stops immediately. In competition, a submission scores an outright victory regardless of the points on the scoreboard.
There is no fixed count, as BJJ continuously evolves. Practically speaking, most practitioners focus on a core set of 15 to 25 submissions that appear reliably in both gi and no-gi competition. Beyond that core, hundreds of variations and advanced techniques exist, many of which are restricted by belt level under IBJJF rules.
The rear-naked choke (RNC) is consistently the most finished submission in both BJJ and MMA competition. The armbar and triangle choke follow closely. In gi BJJ, the collar choke family (including the bow-and-arrow choke) also ranks among the highest-percentage finishes.
Under IBJJF rules, white belts may use straight armlocks (armbar), chokes (triangle, rear-naked choke, cross collar choke, etc.), and the kimura and americana shoulder locks. Leg locks beyond the straight ankle lock, spinal locks, cervical cranks, and heel hooks are not permitted at white belt.
Under IBJJF rules, inside heel hooks are not permitted in gi competition at any belt level. In no-gi, heel hooks become legal at brown and black belt only. Outside heel hooks follow a similar restricted path. Always verify the current IBJJF rulebook before competing, as rules are updated periodically.
A joint lock attacks a specific joint, such as the elbow (armbar), shoulder (kimura, americana), wrist, or knee, by applying force beyond its natural range of motion. A choke restricts blood flow to the brain (blood choke) or air to the lungs (air choke). Blood chokes cause unconsciousness in seconds if not released; joint locks cause injury if the opponent does not tap in time.
The kimura grip is a two-on-one control where you use both hands to secure your opponent's wrist and rotate their arm into an internal shoulder rotation lock. Named after Masahiko Kimura, who used it to defeat Helio Gracie in 1951, the grip also serves as a versatile control tool from a wide range of positions including guard, side control, and half guard.
A triangle choke (triangulo) is applied from guard using your legs to form a figure-four around the opponent's neck and one arm, compressing the carotid arteries. A rear-naked choke (mata leao, meaning 'lion killer') is applied from back control using your arms. Both are blood chokes that cut off circulation to the brain, but they originate from entirely different positions.
Yes, with proper supervision. Learning submission mechanics early helps you recognise danger when you are on the receiving end, which improves your defence. Start with high-percentage, lower-injury-risk techniques such as the armbar, triangle, and rear-naked choke before moving to advanced leg locks or spinal techniques. Always tap early and train with partners who respect the tap.
Most joint locks work in both formats, but the gripping options differ significantly. In gi, collar chokes and lapel-based attacks open up an entire submission family unavailable in no-gi. In no-gi, leg locks tend to be more prevalent because the lack of friction makes guard passing faster, creating more leg-lock entry opportunities. Some positions that are easy to hold with a gi grip become much harder to maintain without the cloth.
Tap early, tap often. The moment you feel a joint lock tighten past a comfortable range or a choke begin to shut off circulation, tap immediately. There is no honour in holding out until injury or unconsciousness. In training, tapping is how you signal to your partner that the technique worked so you can reset and learn. Your long-term health matters more than any single roll.

Train BJJ Submissions in Thailand

Drilling submissions under a qualified black belt coach accelerates learning far faster than solo study. Find a gym near you across Thailand's main training hubs.

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