BJJ Graph

Submission Position | BJJ Position Guide | BJJ Graph

Oct 25, 202513 min read

Submission Position

bjjstatesubmissionoffensivefinishing

State Properties

  • State ID: S221
  • Point Value: 0 (Submissions end match, no points awarded)
  • Position Type: Offensive
  • Risk Level: Medium
  • Energy Cost: Medium
  • Time Sustainability: Short

State Description

Submission Position represents the generic state in BJJ where you have established a submission mechanism with proper control points secured and a direct path to finishing the technique available. This is not a single specific position but rather a category of positions where submission is imminent and your opponent faces serious danger of tapping out. Examples include having an armbar locked, triangle choked secured, or rear naked choke sunk in.

This position is characterized by the transition from positional control to finishing mechanics. You’ve progressed through the positional hierarchy (or found a shortcut) and now have the opportunity to end the match. The submission position requires balancing control with application of finishing pressure - too much focus on control and you may not finish, too much focus on finishing and your opponent may escape.

The submission position is time-sensitive because opponents will use all available energy to escape, making it a high-intensity state for both competitors. Success depends on technical precision, proper positioning, and progressive pressure application. This position represents the culmination of BJJ strategy where all previous positioning has led to this finishing opportunity.

Visual Description

You have secured a submission mechanism on your opponent with all necessary control points in place. Your body positioning varies depending on the specific submission - you might be perpendicular to opponent in an armbar, wrapped around them in a triangle, or attached to their back for a choke. What’s consistent is that you have isolated the target (limb, joint, or neck) from your opponent’s defensive structure.

Your control points are secure - grips are tight, hooks or legs are positioned to prevent escape, and your weight distribution prevents them from creating space or leverage. Your opponent’s body is configured in a way that limits their defensive options, with their movements constrained by your positioning and control mechanisms. The specific submission target is isolated and you’re positioned to apply increasing pressure toward the finish.

Your opponent is actively defending, potentially gripping their own hands together, tucking their chin, or trying to create frames to escape. Their body language shows urgency and distress as they recognize the submission danger. The space between control and finish is being systematically closed as you adjust position, pressure, and angles to complete the technique while allowing safe tapping opportunity.

Key Principles

  • Control Before Finishing: Establish all control points securely before applying submission pressure to prevent escapes
  • Progressive Pressure Application: Apply submission pressure gradually over 3-5 seconds minimum to allow safe tapping
  • Multiple Attack Awareness: Recognize alternative submissions available from position for chaining attacks
  • Balance and Base: Maintain stable positioning even while applying submission to prevent opponent’s escape or reversal
  • Tap Recognition: Watch for tap signals at all times and release immediately when partner taps
  • Technical Precision: Focus on proper mechanics rather than force to achieve submission finish

Prerequisites

  • Understanding of specific submission mechanics
  • Control point identification and maintenance
  • Safe pressure application awareness
  • Tap recognition and immediate release training

State Invariants

  • Submission mechanism established with control points secured
  • Direct path to finishing technique available
  • Opponent’s defensive options limited by positioning

Defensive Responses (When Opponent Has This State Against You)

Offensive Transitions (Available From This State)

Counter Transitions

Expert Insights

John Danaher: “The submission position is where technical precision becomes paramount. The fundamental principle is that submission effectiveness depends on control preceding pressure. Many practitioners make the error of attempting to finish before establishing proper control, which leads to escapes and lost opportunities. The systematic approach is to identify all required control points for your chosen submission, secure them methodically, then apply progressive pressure while maintaining those control points. Understanding submission positions as part of a larger attacking system rather than isolated techniques creates multiple paths to success.”

Gordon Ryan: “In competition, the submission position is where matches are won. I focus on high-percentage submissions that work against elite opponents - rear naked choke, heel hooks, arm triangles. The key is recognizing when you have enough control to commit to the finish versus when you need to adjust or chain to another attack. Don’t force low-percentage submissions when a better option is available. Stay patient, maintain control, and when you feel the submission is there, commit fully and finish it. The worst thing is hesitating when you have a clean submission - that’s when they escape.”

Eddie Bravo: “The submission position in 10th Planet is about creating submission chains where each defense leads to another attack. We don’t just attack one submission and hope it works - we set up sequences where defending the first attack opens the second, and defending that opens the third. From submission positions, always be thinking two or three moves ahead. If they defend your triangle by posturing, you already know you’re switching to an armbar or omoplata. This systematic approach to submissions makes your attacks much more effective because opponents are always reacting to multiple threats.”

Common Errors

  • Error: Applying pressure too quickly

    • Consequence: Risks injury to training partner and doesn’t allow time for safe tap, creating dangerous training environment.
    • Correction: Apply pressure progressively over 3-5 seconds minimum, watching for tap signal at all times during application.
    • Recognition: In training, if partner shows sudden distress or joint sounds occur, you’re applying pressure too fast.

  • Error: Incomplete control points

    • Consequence: Allows opponent to escape or counter the submission, wasting the positional advantage and energy expenditure.
    • Correction: Ensure all control points are secure before applying finishing pressure - check position before committing to submission.
    • Recognition: If opponent escapes easily or you feel them creating space, control points weren’t fully established.

  • Error: Tunnel vision on single submission

    • Consequence: Limits your options when opponent defends, allowing them to escape while you fixate on defended attack.
    • Correction: Recognize multiple submission options from position and flow between them based on opponent’s defensive reactions.
    • Recognition: If you’re stuck trying the same submission while opponent successfully defends, you’ve missed transition opportunities.

  • Error: Losing base or balance

    • Consequence: Compromises submission effectiveness and allows opponent to escape or reverse position entirely.
    • Correction: Maintain stable base with proper weight distribution even while applying submission pressure.
    • Recognition: If opponent is able to roll you or create significant movement, your base has been compromised.

  • Error: Releasing too early

    • Consequence: Gives up submission opportunity and allows opponent to escape when submission was nearly successful.
    • Correction: Maintain submission pressure until clear tap or until opponent has completely escaped the mechanism.
    • Recognition: If you frequently “almost get” submissions but they escape at the last moment, you may be releasing prematurely.

  • Error: Using strength over technique

    • Consequence: Reduces submission effectiveness, increases injury risk, and depletes your energy rapidly without finishing.
    • Correction: Focus on proper positioning, angle, and leverage rather than muscling the submission with pure force.
    • Recognition: If you’re exhausted after submission attempts but not finishing, you’re likely relying too much on strength.

  • Error: Ignoring tap signals

    • Consequence: Causes injury to training partner and creates unsafe training environment, potentially ending their training or competition.
    • Correction: Watch for verbal tap, hand tap, or foot tap constantly during submission application and release immediately.
    • Recognition: Any tap signal requires immediate release - no exceptions in training environment.

Training Drills

  • Submission Entry and Control: Practice entering various submission positions and establishing all control points before applying pressure. Partner provides 0-50% resistance. Focus on position before finish. 10 repetitions per submission type.

  • Progressive Pressure Application: From established submission position, practice applying pressure gradually over 5-second count while partner taps at comfortable point. Focus on smooth pressure increase and immediate tap response. 15 repetitions with various submissions.

  • Submission Chaining Flow: Drill transitioning between related submissions when partner defends primary attack. Practice triangle-to-armbar-to-omoplata sequences and similar chains. 20 total transitions with partner defending realistically at 50% intensity.

  • Positional Submission Sparring: Start with submission nearly locked and engage in specific training where attacker tries to finish while defender escapes. 3-minute rounds with role switching. Focus on maintaining control while pursuing finish.

  • Tap Recognition Drill: Practice various submissions with partner tapping at different stages (early, mid, late) to train immediate recognition and release response. Essential safety drill performed slowly with full communication. 10 repetitions per submission.

  • Mount - Top position with high submission opportunities
  • Back Control - Most dominant submission hunting position
  • Side Control - Controlling position with submission access
  • Top Position - Generic top control with submission options
  • Won by Submission - Terminal state after successful finish

Decision Tree

If submission fully locked with proper control:

Else if opponent defending but position secure:

Else if opponent escaping submission:

Else if submission defended successfully:

Position Metrics

  • Position Retention Rate: Beginner 40%, Intermediate 60%, Advanced 80%
  • Advancement Probability: Beginner 45%, Intermediate 65%, Advanced 85%
  • Submission Probability: Beginner 35%, Intermediate 55%, Advanced 75%
  • Position Loss Probability: Beginner 45%, Intermediate 30%, Advanced 15%
  • Average Time in Position: 30-90 seconds

Optimal Submission Paths

Direct finish path: Submission Position → Finish Submission → Won by Submission Reasoning: When position is perfect and control is complete, direct finish has highest success rate

Adjustment then finish path: Submission Position → Adjust Position → Finish Submission → Won by Submission Reasoning: Small adjustments to angle or pressure often make difference between escape and tap

Chain attack path: Submission Position → Transition to Alternative Submission → Finish Submission → Won by Submission Reasoning: When primary submission is defended, chaining to alternative based on their defense is highly effective

Maintain control then re-attack path: Submission Position → Maintain Control → Top Control → Submission Position → Won by Submission Reasoning: Sometimes maintaining position and waiting for better opportunity yields higher success than forcing defended submission

Graph View

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