Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a martial art built on the principles of leverage, technique, and control. Unlike striking-based disciplines, BJJ allows smaller or less athletic individuals to overcome larger opponents through smart positioning and well-practiced submissions. If you're just starting out in BJJ, mastering the fundamental submission techniques can provide both confidence and a tactical advantage on the mats. These techniques are not only effective in sport but also crucial for self-defense situations. And as you begin your journey, remember that Bravo is offering Personalized jiu jitsu gi in different colors and styles—helping you stand out with a gi that reflects your unique style and commitment to the art.
Why Beginners Should Learn Submissions Early
For many newcomers, learning submissions early is a game-changer. Submissions are not just about ending a match—they teach control, timing, and sensitivity. By focusing on submissions, beginners gain a deeper understanding of how to manipulate their opponent's body, create openings, and maintain dominant positions. These skills build a strong foundation for every other aspect of BJJ. Moreover, submissions allow practitioners to stay calm under pressure. Instead of panicking when caught in a bad position, you’ll learn to breathe, defend, and look for counters. This calmness is one of the hallmark traits of a seasoned BJJ player. Submissions also make drilling fun and engaging. While it’s important to learn escapes and guard retention, executing a clean armbar or triangle choke keeps motivation high. It gives beginners tangible goals to work towards, adding excitement to the journey. As a beginner, prioritizing submissions gives you both defensive and offensive tools early on.
1. Rear Naked Choke (RNC)
The rear naked choke is one of the most effective and iconic submission techniques in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. It’s a staple in both self-defense and competitive settings due to its simplicity and efficiency. This choke targets the carotid arteries on either side of the neck, cutting off blood flow to the brain and forcing a quick tap-out when properly executed. For beginners, it’s often the first submission learned from back control—a dominant position in BJJ. What makes the RNC so appealing is that it doesn’t rely on the opponent’s gi or clothing, making it equally useful in gi and no-gi training. The proper application involves wrapping one arm around your opponent’s neck, locking it in with your other arm, and squeezing while tucking your elbows. Beginners often make the mistake of squeezing horizontally instead of tightening the elbows inward. Consistent drilling and focus on positioning will help refine this submission. The RNC is a perfect example of BJJ’s philosophy—using leverage and strategy over brute strength.
2. Guillotine Choke
The guillotine choke is a front-facing submission that catches many opponents by surprise, especially during takedown attempts. It is a fantastic choice for beginners because it can be executed from standing or on the ground, particularly when your opponent leaves their neck exposed. To perform it, you trap the opponent’s head under your arm and apply pressure by lifting your elbow while pulling up with your grip. It’s especially useful when an opponent shoots for a double-leg takedown with poor posture. One of the most important elements for beginners to remember is the position of the wrist and forearm. Improper placement can lead to ineffective chokes or injury. When applied correctly, the guillotine can end matches swiftly and leave a lasting impression. This submission is often taught early because it introduces key concepts like front headlock control and choke leverage. With time, you'll also learn variations such as the high-elbow guillotine or arm-in guillotine, expanding your attacking options.
3. Triangle Choke
The triangle choke is a classic submission that utilizes your legs to choke your opponent by encircling their neck and one arm. It’s an essential technique in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and is particularly effective when you’re playing from the guard position. The triangle teaches control, timing, and awareness of limb placement. While it might feel awkward at first, it becomes a powerful weapon with practice. From a closed guard, you isolate one arm and shoot your legs up around the opponent’s neck, locking your shin behind your opposite knee. With the right angle and squeeze, you apply pressure on the carotid arteries, similar to the rear naked choke. The triangle is perfect for smaller practitioners because it doesn’t require overwhelming strength. In fact, using proper angles and tight leg positioning is far more important than squeezing power. Bravo is offering Yellow gi options for those looking to train in unique, standout gear that mirrors their creative flair on the mats.
4. Armbar from Guard
The armbar from guard is one of the most fundamental submissions in BJJ. It teaches the importance of hip movement, grip breaking, and proper alignment. When executed correctly, it hyperextends the opponent’s elbow, forcing a tap or serious risk of injury. This move is perfect for beginners because it flows naturally from a variety of positions, especially closed guard. To perform the armbar, isolate one of your opponent’s arms by gripping the wrist and controlling their posture. You then pivot your hips, place your leg across their face, and secure the arm between your thighs. Lifting your hips and pulling the arm straight causes immense pressure on the elbow joint. Beginners should focus on controlling posture and angling their hips—two keys to making this submission work. Drilling the armbar also helps you build fluidity and transition awareness, setting up more advanced techniques later in your journey.
5. Kimura Lock
The Kimura lock is a shoulder joint submission that’s named after the legendary judoka Masahiko Kimura. It’s versatile, powerful, and works from various positions including guard, side control, and mount. For beginners, the Kimura is often introduced from the closed guard position. You start by controlling your opponent’s wrist, sitting up to grab your own wrist (creating a figure-four grip), and then torqueing the arm behind their back. This rotational pressure puts immense stress on the shoulder joint. One of the great things about the Kimura is that it also acts as a powerful control mechanism. Even if the submission fails, you often gain a positional advantage or create opportunities for sweeps. The technique helps beginners understand leverage and body mechanics. It’s important to apply it slowly during training to avoid injuries, especially when working with new partners. Learning the Kimura early provides a strong offensive and transitional toolset that you’ll return to again and again.
6. Americana Lock
The Americana, also known as the keylock, is another shoulder submission often taught early in BJJ. It’s usually executed from the mount or side control position, making it an excellent tool for teaching positional control and finishing mechanics. The setup involves isolating the opponent’s arm on the mat, creating a figure-four grip, and then cranking the arm backward in a U-shaped motion. This movement targets the rotator cuff and shoulder joint. For beginners, the Americana reinforces the concept of tight control before attempting a submission. It also emphasizes the importance of pressure and base while on top. What makes the Americana so beginner-friendly is its straightforward mechanics and the dominant position it's executed from. Practicing it improves your ability to maintain mount and side control, and it's often paired with transitions into armbar or kimura attacks. When applied with proper technique, it becomes a reliable and powerful submission.
7. Ezekiel Choke
The Ezekiel choke is a sneaky and powerful gi submission that is often executed from the mount or even inside an opponent's guard. It uses the sleeve of your gi to apply pressure across the opponent’s throat, making it particularly useful for those who train in the gi. This submission is ideal for beginners looking to learn how to use their gi effectively during rolls. From mount, you insert one hand deep under the opponent’s head while the other hand slides into your own sleeve. You then press your forearm across their neck while tightening your grip to finish the choke. The Ezekiel choke is quick to apply and can catch opponents off-guard, especially if they are focused on defending against more common submissions like the armbar. Practicing this move also helps beginners develop grip strength and pressure control. It’s a testament to how the gi can open up unique submission opportunities.
8. Cross Collar Choke
The cross collar choke is a foundational gi submission that every BJJ beginner should learn. It's executed from the closed guard or mount, making it both versatile and powerful. The choke involves inserting both hands deep into the opponent’s collar—one palm-up and the other palm-down—creating a scissor-like action across the neck. When done correctly, it compresses the carotid arteries and leads to a quick tap. What makes this choke so valuable for beginners is how it teaches hand placement, angle, and posture control. If you can’t maintain control of your opponent’s posture, it becomes difficult to land the choke. Therefore, drilling the cross collar choke reinforces good guard fundamentals as well. It also introduces students to the concept of chaining attacks—when your opponent defends the choke, you can easily transition to armbars or sweeps. With practice, this submission becomes a reliable tool in any gi practitioner's arsenal.
9. Straight Ankle Lock
The straight ankle lock is often the first leg submission taught in BJJ and is legal for white belts in many competitions. It’s executed by isolating the opponent’s leg, securing their foot under your armpit, and applying pressure by extending your hips and arching back. This submission targets the Achilles tendon and ankle joint. Learning this technique gives beginners early exposure to the leg lock game—an increasingly important aspect of modern Jiu-Jitsu. One key to successfully applying the ankle lock is proper foot positioning and control over your opponent’s hips. Practicing the straight ankle lock helps you understand how to use your entire body to apply force rather than relying on arm strength alone. Because this submission is relatively low-risk when applied carefully, it’s great for learning safe leg entanglements and the concept of controlling lower body movement. As you grow in BJJ, this technique can become a foundational entry point into advanced leg lock systems.
10. Omoplata
The omoplata is a submission that uses your legs to isolate and torque your opponent’s shoulder joint. It’s visually impressive and can be very effective when executed with control. Beginners typically learn it from the closed guard or open guard. You trap the opponent’s arm, pivot your hips out, and bring your leg over their shoulder. Then, by sitting up and driving your hips forward, you apply pressure to the shoulder, forcing a tap. While the omoplata might seem advanced at first, it’s an excellent submission to learn early on because it teaches hip mobility, control, and patience. Even if the finish fails, you often gain a better position or initiate sweeps. The omoplata also opens the door to various submission chains, especially when combined with triangles and armbars. Drilling it will give you a greater understanding of how to use your legs not just for defense, but for offense as well.
Tips for Practicing Submissions Safely
Safety is critical when practicing submissions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. As a beginner, tapping early and often is the best way to avoid injury and build trust with your training partners. Remember that BJJ is a cooperative art—both partners are learning together. Communicate clearly with your training partner before and after attempting a submission. Use slow, controlled pressure instead of sudden force, especially when drilling joint locks like armbars or kimuras. It's also important to develop good habits when applying chokes. Instead of squeezing wildly, focus on technique and position. Flow rolling—light, cooperative sparring—is a great way to experiment with submissions while reducing the risk of injury. Training under a qualified instructor ensures you learn correct mechanics and proper safety protocols. Keep your ego in check and approach every roll as an opportunity to learn, not dominate. This mindset helps you progress faster and enjoy the journey of learning Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Final Thoughts: Start Simple and Stay Consistent
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a lifelong journey, and the submissions you learn as a beginner can remain with you for your entire martial arts career. The ten techniques covered in this guide—ranging from the rear naked choke to the omoplata—offer a balanced foundation of chokes, joint locks, and control-based submissions. As you practice, remember that consistency is more important than perfection. Even the most advanced black belts return to these basics regularly. Training with the right gear also makes a difference. Whether you train for competition, self-defense, or personal development, start simple, train smart, and trust the process.
