Often in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, practitioners will get blindsided by learning flashy moves and techniques. Whilst these moves may look great for highlight reels, they’re not always the most optimal or efficient submissions to learn. Like everything in life, BJJ is no different and just because something looks good, it doesn’t mean it is good.
The same goes for submissions and it’s also true that some submissions are better than others. In short, if you’re a new or experienced grappler, you should try focussing on submissions that can work at every level.
This includes black belt and beyond. With this said, there are certainly specific moves and submissions that are fundamentally better than others. Remember, just because it’s considered basic, it doesn’t mean you should disregard it.
If anything, basic in BJJ is often good as it doesn’t overcomplicate things. Before continuing, always try and remember the mantra of position before submission. Whilst these are all great moves, they’re nothing if you don’t understand the hierarchy of positions in how to get to them. Anyway, here are the five best submissions for everyone to learn in BJJ.
Table of Contents
Armbar
The armbar is one of the first moves that is often taught in BJJ. Obviously, you’ll have seen it in MMA as well as countless BJJ matches. Whether it’s performed at high levels such as ADCC or in local competitions, it’s fair to say that the armbar is very common.
One reason for this is that the armbar can be performed from almost anywhere. In any dominant top position such as mount or side control, you can do an armbar. From most bottom guard positions, you can do an armbar. Even further, you can sometimes get them from bottom-side control if you hit it right.
Because of this, it’s incredibly versatile and well-rounded. Unlike certain moves, the armbar doesn’t require too much strength either which means it’s universally good for everyone. If you learn the initial movements and entries, knowing the armbar will serve you for years to come.
Triangle Choke
Similar to the armbar is the triangle choke. In fact, the two are often very connected, meaning you can switch between them. This creates a multi-layered attack which is good to submit your opponent as it will break through their counters and keep them guessing.
Like the armbar, the triangle can be hit from practically everywhere – regardless of the position. It’s also good for practically all body types (except for those with short legs) and compared to certain other submissions, it’s also pretty easy to learn. Countless world titles have been won by the triangle choke and it’s not surprising considering its versatility.
Rear Naked Choke
Moving on to the back, the rear naked choke is often seen as the most dominant submission in all of BJJ. Simply put, if you get to the back position then you’re already in a controlling spot. From there, if you know the rear naked choke then you can start attacking your opponent with a high chance of success.
Like all submissions, there are lots of nuances to the rear naked choke such as grip fighting, hiding your choking hand, and creating angles. Nonetheless, this is certainly a beginner-friendly move as performing a sleeper hold strangle also comes quite naturally for most people.
Not only this but in learning a good rear naked, you’ll also start to get better back control as well as it will force your opponents to defend as opposed to thinking about escaping. This will further improve your BJJ and add another layer of attack.
Guillotine
Often seen as a giant killer move, the guillotine is perfect for smaller grapplers but it can also be adopted by bigger people too. Like many of the other submissions, this is a well-rounded attack that can be got from almost anywhere. However, it also has lots of variations. Most likely, newcomers will learn the standard version but there’s also the high-elbow guillotine, arm-in guillotine, marcelotine, and much more.
What’s brilliant about the guillotine is that is often stops people from charging through you head-on. If someone shoots a takedown, you may be able to counter by turning a front headlock into a guillotine. If someone is passing with poor posture, then a guillotine may be there yet again.
In other words, it acts as a deterrent and can even shut down top wrestlers. Furthermore, by learning the guillotine, it will open up your world to more front headlock chokes such as the darce, anaconda, necktie, and more.
Kimura
Over the years, many people have viewed the kimura as a big guy’s move. In fairness, there is some truth to this statement. That is because it’s far easier to finish a kimura if you’re stronger than your opponent. Here, the kimura is performed by getting your two arms on one arm of the opponent and bending their arm behind their back. This is a shoulder lock that can cause significant damage.
Having said this, to claim it’s just a strength move does the kimura a huge injustice. It has also been described as a standalone position were sweeps, back-takes, passes and other submissions can spring from.
Put simply, the kimura isn’t just a submission and it can be used as an ultimatum to open up other attacking moves. So, even if you’re too weak to finish a kimura, if yoku use it wisely enough then you can also use it as a tool to advance your position. MMA legend Kazushi Sakuraba would often use the kimura on heavier opponents to win his fights in style. In doing so, he changed the perspective on how it can be used.
Summary
If you learn these submissions as your main BJJ attacks then you can’t go wrong. Of course, there are plenty of other solid submissions to learn but these provide a great foundation. Generally, most grapplers will start adding the fancier stuff years down the road. Nonetheless, there’s a lot to be said for focusing on a core set of reliable, basic moves…just ask Roger Gracie!
On a separate note, you could also include the straight ankle lock on the aforementioned list. This is because it teaches you to control the legs and opens the door to more advanced leg locks. Nonetheless, you could still become an elite grappler without learning the offensive side of leg locks, so we haven’t included this in our main submissions list. Of course, it’s all perspective though, and learning straight ankle locks certainly won’t harm your progression.
In conclusion, the submissions mentioned are great for all levels and body sizes. Just remember, BJJ is never easy and even though these submissions are fundamentally sound, mastering them is very different compared to learning them as a beginner.
