🥋 The Most Common Submissions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu — From White Belt to Black Belt
In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), submissions are the ultimate goal — the art of forcing your opponent to “tap” through precise technique, timing, and leverage. Every belt level brings new tools, setups, and layers of understanding, but certain submissions remain timeless.
Let’s break down the most common BJJ submissions, categorized by belt level, so you can see what to focus on as you progress on the mats.
White Belt Submissions: The Foundations of Control
At white belt, the key is learning control, positioning, and how to safely apply pressure. The goal isn’t to collect flashy submissions — it’s to master the basics with solid mechanics.
1. Rear Naked Choke (RNC)
The king of submissions. Simple, effective, and usable at every level. The RNC teaches back control, the most dominant position in BJJ.
2. Cross Collar Choke (from Guard or Mount)
One of the first gi chokes you’ll learn. It’s a great way to understand grip fighting, posture breaking, and leverage using the opponent’s lapel.
3. Armbar (from Guard or Mount)
Perfect for learning hip movement and angle creation. The armbar teaches how to isolate a limb and finish with control rather than strength.
4. Triangle Choke (from Guard)
A staple in every grappler’s arsenal. It combines choke mechanics and arm isolation, teaching balance between control and submission.
5. Americana (from Mount or Side Control)
A straightforward shoulder lock that helps beginners understand how to control the upper body and apply gradual torque.
Blue Belt Submissions: Building Traps and Transitions
By blue belt, you’ve learned to flow between positions and begin to chain submissions together. This is where setups and counters start to shine.
1. Kimura Lock
A versatile attack that appears from guard, side control, and north-south. It’s both a submission and a positional tool.
2. Guillotine Choke
A powerful front-headlock attack that works both in gi and no-gi. Blue belts start learning the nuances — arm-in vs. high-elbow guillotine.
3. Arm Triangle (Kata Gatame)
A combination choke that teaches shoulder pressure and control from top position. Commonly used as a transition from side control or mount.
4. Ezekiel Choke
A sneaky gi choke that works from mount or even inside closed guard. It teaches control of space and surprise timing.
5. Omoplata
A shoulder lock from guard that doubles as a sweep if the submission fails — excellent for developing hip dexterity.
Purple Belt Submissions: Creativity and Precision
At purple belt, creativity comes into play. You’ve learned enough fundamentals to create your own combinations and adapt your game to your body type and style.
1. Bow and Arrow Choke
One of the most effective gi chokes — a combination of control, leverage, and precision. It’s the go-to finisher from the back.
2. Loop Choke
A quick and dynamic choke from standing or guard, great for punishing sloppy posture.
3. D’Arce Choke / Anaconda Choke
Front-headlock variations that test your ability to apply tight pressure and capitalize on scrambles.
4. Wrist Lock
A subtle but powerful submission that can be found in multiple positions. It demands timing, not strength.
5. Triangle-Armbar Combo
At this level, you start blending submissions — transitioning from triangle to armbar or omoplata fluidly.
Brown & Black Belt Submissions: Mastery and Flow
At these advanced levels, BJJ becomes less about individual moves and more about creating a web of constant threats. Submissions come from transitions and reactions.
1. Lapel Chokes and Worm Variations
Advanced gi specialists use lapels to set up endless traps — from worm guard to squid guard — leading to devastating chokes.
2. Heel Hook (No-Gi)
A powerful leg lock that has revolutionized modern grappling. Requires control, precision, and respect — mistakes can lead to injury.
3. Calf Slicer & Bicep Slicer
Compression locks that advanced practitioners use when opponents over-defend standard attacks.
4. North-South Choke
A high-level choke that relies on perfect shoulder pressure and positioning. Subtle, suffocating, and technical.
5. Leg Entanglement Systems (Ashigarami, Inside Sankaku)
Black belts flow through leg control systems, chaining submissions and sweeps while maintaining complete control.
The Real Secret: Submission Is About Control, Not Force
No matter the belt colour, the goal is always the same — to control your opponent and apply pressure safely and efficiently. The best submission isn’t the flashiest; it’s the one you can hit on anyone, anytime, under pressure.
Focus on perfecting your fundamentals, understanding mechanics, and building transitions. The more you refine your timing and control, the more effortlessly submissions will come.