Submission Chains is a high complexity BJJ principle applicable at the Intermediate level. Develop over Intermediate to Expert.
Principle ID: Application Level: Intermediate Complexity: High Development Timeline: Intermediate to Expert
What is Submission Chains?
Submission Chains represent the systematic linking of multiple submission attempts into cohesive offensive sequences where each defensive response opens a new attacking opportunity. Rather than viewing submissions as isolated techniques, chain thinking creates a web of interconnected attacks where the opponent’s escape from one submission feeds directly into the setup for another. This conceptual framework transforms submission attempts from binary win-lose scenarios into continuous offensive pressure systems that compound defensive errors and create submission inevitability.
The fundamental principle underlying submission chains is that defensive actions are predictable and can be systematically exploited. When an opponent defends an armbar by pulling their arm out, they create specific mechanical opportunities for triangle attacks. When they posture up to escape a triangle, they expose their arms for kimura grips. This action-reaction relationship forms the basis of all effective chain systems, where the attacker maintains initiative by staying one step ahead of defensive responses.
At the highest levels of competition, submission chains represent the difference between occasional submission success and systematic finishing ability. Elite grapplers like Gordon Ryan and Garry Tonon don’t hunt for single submissions—they create submission ecosystems where every defensive option leads to another attack. Understanding and developing chain-based offensive systems is essential for advancing beyond intermediate-level grappling and achieving consistent submission success against skilled opponents.
Building Blocks
- Every defensive action creates specific offensive opportunities that can be systematically exploited
- Submission attempts should be viewed as positional improvements even when they don’t finish, as they force reactions that open new attacks
- Chain effectiveness increases exponentially with the number of linked submissions in your system
- The attacker must maintain superior position and control throughout the chain to prevent counter-attacks
- Timing transitions between submissions is more critical than the strength of any individual attack
- Defensive patterns are predictable and can be studied to build opponent-specific chain systems
- Energy efficiency in chains comes from using opponent’s defensive movements to facilitate transitions rather than fighting against them
- The threat of submissions creates positional opportunities, and positional improvements create submission opportunities in a continuous cycle
Prerequisites
Recognition of Defensive Patterns: The ability to identify and categorize opponent defensive responses in real-time. This includes recognizing when an opponent is pulling their arm out versus stacking, posturing versus turning, or using specific grip patterns that indicate their defensive strategy. Pattern recognition allows the attacker to anticipate the next move in the chain before the defender fully commits to their escape.
Positional Retention During Transitions: Maintaining dominant position and control while moving between submission attempts. This skill involves keeping key control points (hooks, grips, weight distribution) even as you release one submission to attack another. Losing position during transitions negates the entire chain concept by allowing the opponent to escape or counter-attack.
Grip Management and Reconfiguration: The technical ability to release, adjust, and reestablish grips smoothly during chain transitions without telegraphing your next attack or losing control. This includes understanding which grips can be maintained across multiple submissions and which must be abandoned and re-acquired. Elite chain attackers can transition grips so smoothly that opponents feel constant pressure without clear breaks.
Tempo Control and Pace Variation: Controlling the speed and rhythm of chain attacks to prevent defensive anticipation while managing your own energy expenditure. This includes knowing when to explode through a transition versus when to maintain steady pressure, and how to use pauses strategically to bait defensive movements that open new attacks.
Multiple Submission Mechanics Mastery: Deep technical proficiency in at least 4-6 submissions that can be linked together based on their mechanical relationships. This goes beyond knowing how to finish each submission in isolation—it requires understanding the transitional mechanics that connect them and being able to execute each one from compromised positions during active chain sequences.
Contingency Planning and Adaptive Sequencing: The strategic ability to adjust chain sequences based on opponent responses, including having backup options when primary chains are defended and being able to restart chains from different entry points. This skill separates rigid chain followers from creative chain builders who can improvise new connections in real-time.
Distance and Angle Management: Controlling the spatial relationship with your opponent throughout the chain to optimize each submission setup while preventing escapes. This includes understanding how to close distance for chokes, create space for joint locks, and adjust angles to maximize mechanical advantage at each transition point in the sequence.
Psychological Pressure Application: Using the relentless nature of chains to create mental fatigue and panic in opponents, forcing rushed defensive decisions that create larger offensive opportunities. This skill involves maintaining composure and systematic pressure even when individual submissions fail, demonstrating to the opponent that escaping one attack only leads to another.
Where to Apply
Mount: Classic mount submission chains include armbar-to-triangle-to-armbar sequences where arm extraction leads to triangle setups, and triangle defense via posturing opens opposite-side armbars. The mounted attacker maintains head and hip control throughout transitions.
Back Control: Back attack chains typically center on rear naked choke-to-armbar-to-triangle sequences, with each hand-fighting defensive response opening new submission angles. Maintaining hooks and seat belt control throughout the chain is essential.
Closed Guard: Guard chains often flow through triangle-kimura-omoplata-armbar sequences, using opponent’s posture changes and arm positioning to determine the next attack. Hip movement and angle creation drive the transitions between submissions.
Triangle Control: From triangle position, chains typically include armbar when opponent pulls arm out, omoplata when they turn into the choke, and kimura when they attempt to posture and push. The triangle position itself serves as a control platform for multiple finishing options.
Armbar Control: Armbar chains include triangle when opponent pulls arm free, omoplata when they roll, and kimura when they attempt to stack. Maintaining leg control on the shoulder and head is critical for all transitions.
Kimura Control: Kimura chains from top positions flow to guillotine when opponent turtles, to armbar when they try to roll out, and to back take when they turn away. The kimura grip serves as both submission and steering wheel for position advancement.
North-South: North-South chains typically involve kimura-to-armbar-to-north-south choke sequences, with opponent’s defensive turns and arm movements dictating the transition path. Weight distribution and shoulder pressure maintain control between attacks.
Side Control: Side control chains include kimura-to-armbar-to-triangle-to-crucifix sequences as opponent attempts various escapes. Maintaining chest-to-chest pressure and controlling the far arm creates the control base for chain attacks.
Crucifix: Crucifix chains flow between rear naked choke and various armbar variations as opponent defends their neck or arms. The crucifix’s inherent control allows for methodical chain progression with minimal position risk.
Omoplata Control: Omoplata chains include triangle when opponent rolls out, sweep to mount when they post, and wristlock or armbar when they attempt to pull their arm free. Hip control and weight distribution enable smooth transitions.
S Mount: S-mount provides an ideal platform for armbar-triangle-armbar chains with exceptional control. The high position and leg configuration allow for rapid transitions between submissions with minimal position loss risk.
Turtle: Defensive chains from turtle include transitioning between guillotine defense, darce defense, and back exposure based on opponent’s attack choices. Understanding the relationship between these attacks allows systematic defensive sequencing.
Half Guard: Half guard bottom chains link kimura-to-triangle-to-armbar sequences when opponent’s passing attempts expose arms. From top half guard, chain pressure passing with guillotine-darce-anaconda threats based on opponent’s head position.
Ashi Garami: Leg entanglement chains flow between heel hooks, kneebars, and toe holds based on opponent’s defensive leg positioning and hip rotation. Maintaining ashi control while transitioning between leg attacks creates continuous submission threats.
Front Headlock: Front headlock chains include guillotine-darce-anaconda sequences determined by opponent’s defensive hand positioning and shoulder direction. The front headlock position serves as a hub for multiple choke variations.
How to Apply
- Assess current position and available primary submission entries: Identify your strongest 2-3 submissions from current position based on opponent’s current posture, grip configuration, and defensive awareness level
- Initiate primary submission with position retention focus: Execute first submission attempt while maintaining critical control points that will be needed for secondary attacks—do not overcommit to the finish if it requires sacrificing position
- Monitor opponent’s defensive response pattern: Identify which defensive category opponent employs: arm extraction, posture recovery, rotation/rolling, or stacking—this determines your next attack in the chain
- Execute chain transition at peak of defensive movement: Release primary submission and transition to secondary attack at the moment of maximum defensive commitment when opponent has the least ability to counter your transition
- Reassess position integrity during transition: Verify that you maintained dominant position during the transition—if position was compromised, prioritize position recovery over continuing the chain
- Evaluate submission viability of secondary attack: Determine if secondary submission has high-percentage finish potential or if it should be used to force another defensive reaction that opens a tertiary attack
- Continue chain or consolidate position: If opponent shows signs of panic or exhaustion, push for immediate finish—if they remain composed and defensive, use current submission to improve position before continuing chain
- Reset or recycle chain sequence: When chain reaches its natural end or position becomes compromised, either reset to primary submissions or transition to a different chain family based on new positional context
Progress Markers
Beginner Level:
- Can recognize basic defensive patterns (arm pull, posture, roll) after they occur but struggles with real-time anticipation
- Successfully executes 2-submission chains in drilling contexts with cooperative partners but chains break down under moderate resistance
- Frequently abandons chain attempts to reset position when first submission fails, reverting to single-attack mentality under pressure
- Understands intellectually which submissions connect but lacks smooth mechanical transitions between them
Intermediate Level:
- Anticipates common defensive patterns before they fully develop and begins transitions proactively rather than reactively
- Regularly completes 3-4 submission chains in live sparring against similarly skilled opponents
- Maintains dominant position throughout most chain transitions, demonstrating improved control point management
- Has developed 2-3 go-to chain sequences from each major position and can execute them reflexively
Advanced Level:
- Creates custom chain variations in real-time based on opponent-specific defensive patterns observed during match
- Successfully executes 5+ submission chains with smooth transitions that opponents struggle to identify and defend
- Uses failed submission attempts as intentional position improvements rather than true submission attempts, demonstrating advanced strategic thinking
- Demonstrates opponent-specific chain selection, adjusting sequences based on pre-match scouting or in-match pattern recognition
- Can restart chains from multiple entry points when primary sequences are defended, showing deep chain system understanding
Expert Level:
- Creates entirely new chain connections spontaneously during matches by recognizing novel transitional opportunities
- Submission attempts create such relentless psychological pressure that opponents make defensive errors even when individual attacks aren’t perfectly executed
- Successfully executes chains across position changes (e.g., guard chains transitioning to mount chains), demonstrating mastery of position and submission integration
- Teaches and articulates sophisticated chain concepts to others, including creating opponent-specific chain gameplans for teammates