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Submission Control Position | BJJ Position Guide | BJJ Graph

Oct 25, 202512 min read

Submission Control Position

bjjstatesubmissioncontrolfinishing

State Properties

  • State ID: S216
  • Point Value: N/A (Terminal position leading to submission)
  • Position Type: Offensive/Finishing
  • Risk Level: Low (for attacker)
  • Energy Cost: Medium
  • Time Sustainability: Short (finish or release)

State Description

Submission Control Position refers to the moment when a practitioner has successfully isolated a specific body part (arm, leg, or neck) and has established the mechanical structure necessary to force a tap. This is distinct from merely attempting a submission - it’s the point where the submission is “locked in” and the defender must either tap or risk injury. Examples include having a fully extended armbar with hips elevated, a deep rear naked choke with proper hand positioning, or a heel hook with the leg isolated and control established. This represents the final stage before victory via submission.

This position is the culmination of positional dominance, technical precision, and tactical setup. Modern BJJ emphasizes “position before submission,” meaning you should only find yourself in true submission control after establishing dominant positions and proper setups. The key distinction is between submission attempts (which can be countered or escaped) and submission control (where escape is extremely difficult or impossible). Understanding this difference prevents practitioners from abandoning good positions for low-percentage submission attempts.

Visual Description

The specific configuration varies dramatically based on the submission type, but common elements exist. The attacking practitioner has isolated a specific target (an arm in armbars/kimuras, the neck in chokes, a leg in leg locks) and established multiple points of control that prevent escape. Their body positioning creates mechanical leverage that applies pressure to a joint, blood vessels, or airway. The defender’s body part is extended, twisted, or compressed beyond its normal range. The attacker’s grips are secure and properly positioned for maximum effect. For chokes, hands are around the neck with proper depth. For armlocks, the joint is controlled and extended. For leg locks, the leg is isolated and trapped between the attacker’s legs or arms. The defender typically shows signs of distress and is attempting defensive measures or preparing to tap. The attacker maintains close control with core and hips, not relying solely on arm strength. Escape paths are blocked through proper positioning and pressure.

Key Principles

  • Mechanical Advantage: Body positioning creates leverage that overwhelms strength
  • Multiple Control Points: Never rely on single point of control
  • Steady Pressure: Apply pressure progressively, not explosively (except where appropriate)
  • Position Maintenance: Control the position first, then increase submission pressure
  • Respect the Tap: Release immediately when partner taps - safety is paramount
  • Backup Plans: Know alternative submissions if primary is defended

Prerequisites

  • Dominant position established (mount, back control, side control, guards)
  • Target limb or neck isolated
  • Proper setup and entry completed
  • Understanding of submission mechanics and safety

State Invariants

  • Target body part isolated and controlled
  • Mechanical structure for submission established
  • Attacker has positional control preventing escape
  • Pressure can be applied to force tap
  • Defender must tap, escape, or risk injury

Defensive Responses (When Opponent Has This State Against You)

Offensive Transitions (Available From This State)

Finishing Options

Alternative Submissions

Position Maintenance

Counter Transitions

Expert Insights

  • John Danaher: “The submission control position represents the endpoint of systematic progression. You’ve established position, broken their structure, isolated the target, and now you’re applying the mechanical finish. The key is patience - don’t rush the finish once you have control. Many submissions are lost in the final 10% when students rush. Set the position perfectly, then apply steady, inexorable pressure. The tap will come.”

  • Gordon Ryan: “Once I have submission control, I’m extremely patient. I’d rather hold perfect control for 30 seconds and guarantee the tap than rush it and lose position. The key is feeling when they’re truly stuck versus when they still have defensive options. If they can move significantly, you don’t have true control yet - adjust first, then finish.”

  • Eddie Bravo: “Submission control is where creativity meets mechanics. Sometimes the standard finish doesn’t work on certain body types or defensive styles. That’s when you need your backup submissions ready. I teach students to always have Plan B and Plan C from submission control. If the armbar isn’t finishing, switch to triangle. If the triangle is defended, switch to omoplata. Keep them in submission jail until something works.”

Common Errors

Error: Rushing the finish without proper control

  • Consequence: Opponent escapes during your rushed finishing attempt, often reversing position or at minimum recovering to defensive position. Premature pressure application without solid control structure allows defensive escapes.
  • Correction: Establish all control points first, ensure position is secure, then begin applying pressure gradually. If they can move significantly or create space, control is insufficient. Perfect the position before perfecting the finish.
  • Recognition: If opponent frequently escapes your submission attempts at the last moment, you’re rushing the finish.

Error: Relying on arm strength instead of body mechanics

  • Consequence: Fatigue sets in quickly, opponent can muscle through defense, and submission lacks finishing power. Arm-based submissions are weak against determined defense and don’t scale with opponent size.
  • Correction: Use hips, legs, and core to generate submission pressure. Arms position and guide, body provides power. For chokes, shoulder and chest create pressure. For armlocks, hips extend the joint. For leg locks, legs and hips control and finish.
  • Recognition: If your arms get tired before getting the tap, or if you can’t finish on bigger opponents, you’re using too much arm strength.

Error: Single point of control allowing escape

  • Consequence: Opponent focuses all defensive effort on that one control point and breaks free. Single-point control is always vulnerable to focused escape attempts regardless of how strong the control feels.
  • Correction: Establish multiple control points before finishing. Armbars need hip pressure, leg squeeze, and wrist control. Chokes need body control plus the choke grip. Leg locks need multiple points on the leg. Redundant controls prevent escape.
  • Recognition: If opponent escapes by defeating one specific control element, you lacked redundancy.

Error: Ignoring opponent’s defensive hands

  • Consequence: Defender uses hands to create frames, strip grips, or prevent full extension/compression. Hands are the last line of defense - if you allow them to work, submissions often fail.
  • Correction: Deal with defensive hands as part of submission control. Pin them, trap them, or position your body so they can’t effectively intervene. Many submissions have specific hand-trapping components that must be executed.
  • Recognition: If opponent’s hands are free and active during your submission attempt, and this allows their defense, you didn’t control their hands.

Error: Not respecting the tap or applying pressure too fast

  • Consequence: Training partner injury, damaged trust, removal from training environment, serious harm to joint or consciousness. Some submissions can cause permanent damage in under a second if applied explosively.
  • Correction: Apply pressure steadily and progressively. Give partner time to recognize danger and tap. Release IMMEDIATELY upon tap - no delayed releases. Safety is more important than ego. For joint locks especially, control the pace.
  • Recognition: If partner tells you you’re going too hard or fast, or if they get injured, you’re not applying proper safety standards.

Training Drills

Drill 1: Submission Control Establishment

Start from dominant positions (mount, back control, side control). Work to establish submission control positions without finishing. Once control is established (proper structure, multiple control points), hold for 5 seconds, then release and reset. Partner provides moderate resistance (60%). 5-minute rounds. Focus: Clean entries, proper positioning before pressure, recognizing when true control is achieved versus just attempting submission. Quality over speed.

Drill 2: Finishing Mechanics Practice

Partner allows you to establish submission control positions (armbar, RNC, triangle, kimura, etc.) with light resistance. Practice the final finishing mechanics: hip extension for armbars, squeeze and arm positioning for chokes, rotation for shoulder locks. Start with minimal pressure (20%), gradually building to realistic finish pressure (80%) while partner taps appropriately. 4-minute rounds alternating. Focus: Proper body mechanics for finishing, using core and hips not arms, progressive pressure application, immediate release on tap.

Drill 3: Submission Chain Flow

Establish first submission control. Partner defends (60-70% resistance). Based on their defense, immediately transition to alternative submission. Example: Armbar defended → Triangle → Omoplata chain. Practice multiple submission chains from various starting positions. 5-minute rounds. Focus: Reading defensive movements, smooth transitions between submissions, maintaining overall control while switching attacks, not abandoning position for low-percentage submissions.

Drill 4: Positional Submission Sparring

Start from specific dominant positions. Attacking partner works to achieve submission control and finish. Defending partner works to prevent submissions and escape position. If submission is achieved (tap), reset in same position. If position is escaped, reset. Live resistance (85-90%). 5-minute rounds. Focus: For attacker - systematic progression to submission control, proper setups, patience. For defender - defending without giving position, recognizing when to tap, realistic resistance.

Drill 5: Escape Recognition Drill

Partner establishes submission control position. Defending person has 30 seconds to escape if possible, using 100% effort. After attempt (successful or not), discuss what defensive options existed and what made escape possible or impossible. Repeat with different submission controls. 4-minute rounds. Focus: Understanding difference between submission attempts and true submission control, recognizing point of no return, developing escape awareness, knowing when to tap.

  • Mount - Common position before achieving submission control
  • Back Control - Highest percentage position for establishing submission control
  • Side Control - Position with numerous submission control entries
  • Triangle Control - Specific submission control position from guard
  • Armbar Control - Specific submission control position with extended arm
  • Kimura Control Position - Specific shoulder lock control position

Optimal Submission Paths

Note: This position IS the endpoint - paths show how to reach it from dominant positions

From Back Control: Back Control → Establish Collar Grip → Sink Choking Arm → Submission Control Position → Won by Submission Reasoning: Back control offers highest percentage submission control setup. RNC from back is most reliable finish in BJJ.

From Mount: Mount → Isolate Arm → S-Mount Transition → Submission Control Position → Won by Submission Reasoning: Mount allows arm isolation. S-Mount perfects armbar control before finishing.

From Side Control: Side Control → Isolate Near Arm → Kimura Grip → Submission Control Position → Won by Submission Reasoning: Side control nearside arm is vulnerable to Kimura. Proper control makes finish inevitable.

From Guard: Closed Guard Bottom → Break Posture → Triangle Setup → Submission Control Position → Won by Submission Reasoning: Broken posture allows triangle entry. Proper control locks triangle before finishing.

Decision Tree

If submission control is perfectly established:

Else if opponent defending specific aspect of submission:

Else if position is weakening or losing structure:

Else if opponent is close to tapping but not yet:

Position Metrics

  • Success Rate: 88% finish rate once true control established (competition data)
  • Average Time in Position: 5-15 seconds before tap
  • Escape Probability (opponent): Beginner 12%, Intermediate 8%, Advanced 5%
  • Finish Probability: Beginner 65%, Intermediate 80%, Advanced 92%
  • Position Loss Probability: Beginner 20%, Intermediate 12%, Advanced 5%
  • Most Common Outcome: Tap (85%), Release without tap (12%), Escape (3%)

Graph View

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