X BJJ Submissions That Always Work (And Why They Do)

[BigArvin]

Hey, it's Arvin. Let's be real: the best BJJ finishes come from being in the right position and being precise, not from being strong. Once you have control of the back, the Rear Naked Choke is deadly. The Triangle turns your legs into a gas pedal on the carotids. The Kimura can lock up shoulders from half-guard to turtle. An Armbar from mount becomes an inescapable lever when you pin the hips. The Heel Hook destroys the knee when you rotate the heel with surgical intent. If you learn these five submissions and practice them from the right positions, you'll finish more fights on the mats quickly.

The Rear-Naked Choke: The Best Way to Submit Someone in a Position​

Jiu-jitsu is a type of grappling where you hold someone's back. From this position, the rear-naked choke is still the best way to finish. Why? Because it depends on being in the right place instead of being strong.
To do this move correctly, put your bicep and forearm against opposite sides of your opponent's neck and slide your arm under their chin. Your second arm keeps everything in place behind their head. It makes a blood choke that cuts off the carotid arteries, not the airway.
Most failed attempts happen because they rush to the end without enough control. Before you try the choke, make sure you have your hooks in place, keep control of your back, and cut off all escape routes. It is the most reliable submission in BJJ because even the strongest opponents have to tap out or pass out when it is done right.

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Triangle Choke: The Perfect Balance of Geometry and Leverage​

The triangle choke is one of the most beautiful submissions in BJJ. It turns your legs into powerful choking tools. If you do it right, your legs will make a deadly triangle that squeezes both carotid arteries with your opponent's shoulder.
Success depends on getting the right angles: lock your ankles behind their neck, pull down on their head, and raise your hips. Pinching your knees while keeping your body perpendicular to theirs gives you leverage. Don't make the mistake that many people do and stay flat on your back.
Keep in mind that submission comes after control. Before you try to finish, make sure your opponent is in a safe position by controlling their arm and head. After a while, you'll be able to catch triangles from almost any guard position because you'll be more flexible and have better timing.

Kimura: The Joint Lock That Works in Many Ways​

This deadly shoulder lock has become a basic weapon for all grapplers. The kimura lock works by putting pressure on your opponent's shoulder joint and controlling their wrist and elbow.
The fact that you can use this submission from almost any position, guard, half-guard, side control, or even standing, is what makes it so effective. To do a good kimura, you need to know how to move your joints correctly instead of just using brute force. First, get a good grip on your figure four, making sure that your opponent's thumb is pointing up. Then, hold their head or torso down and slowly turn their arm behind their back to control their body. Don't let their elbow get too far away from their body until you're ready to finish.

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Armbar From Mount: The Unavoidable Lever​

The armbar from mount is probably the most powerful submission from the top position. It uses your better position to create an unbreakable lever against your opponent's elbow joint. If you do it right, your opponent won't have many ways to get away because you have control of their upper body.
To submit someone, you have to isolate one arm and use your legs to put precise pressure on it. You will make a fulcrum by putting your hip against their elbow and extending their arm straight out from their body. This hyperextension is what makes the tap happen.
The control you keep during the attack is what makes this armbar so effective. Even if your opponent sees the danger, they can't do much to defend themselves because of how you spread your weight and how your knees are pinching their torso.

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The Modern Game-Changer: Heel Hook​

By turning the heel, these devastating leg locks put pressure on the knee, making it a strong submission that doesn't need much strength.
The secret to good heel hooks is putting the right amount of pressure on them. Before you apply rotational force to the heel, you need to keep your opponent's hip still. It stops escape while giving you the most leverage.
The unique angle of attack that heel hooks have makes them so effective. Most defenders don't know how to defend against this submission as well as they do against other types of attacks. Even the smallest amount of pressure will cause an immediate tap if done right.
Always practice heel hooks with control and respect for your training partners. As you get better at understanding how they work, you can make them harder.

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Frequently Asked Questions​

How long does it take to get really good at these high-percentage submissions?​

You can get good at these submissions in 2–3 years, but it will take 5–10 years of regular practice to really master them. Keep practicing them on a regular basis, and you'll see steady progress in how well you do them.

Can smaller grapplers use these submissions against bigger opponents?​

Yes, you can definitely use these submissions well against bigger opponents. They are great equalizers in BJJ when you're smaller because they don't rely on strength but on leverage and technique.

What Submission Should I Learn First?​

The rear-naked choke is the first thing to do. It works for everyone, doesn't depend on strength, and works for people of all skill levels. It will be helpful for you whether you are training or competing.

Are these submissions allowed in all BJJ competitions?​

Most of the time, submissions like the rear naked choke, armbar, Triangle, and Kimura are allowed in all BJJ competitions. But you'll have to look up the rules for heel hooks and neck cranks in your division.

How can I link these submissions together to make them more likely to work?​

When they defend, switch from armbar to Triangle or from Kimura to guillotine during scrambles to chain submissions. Always stay in control and stay two moves ahead of your opponent's defense.