11 Jiu-Jitsu Techniques for Faster Submissions

Everyone wants to finish the fight. In Jiu-Jitsu, spending less time struggling and more time submitting your opponent is the goal. This is not about being stronger; it's about being smarter and more efficient. The following techniques are focused on creating opportunities and capitalizing on them instantly. Learning these moves can help any practitioner secure faster submissions.

1. The Arm Drag to Back Take

Controlling the back is one of the most dominant positions in Jiu-Jitsu, offering countless opportunities to finish a fight. The arm drag to back take is a fundamental yet dynamic move that creates a direct pathway to this advantageous position. The technique begins by controlling your opponent's arm, typically from either a standing or seated position. Using your same-side arm, you establish a firm grip on their wrist or sleeve while your opposite hand secures the triceps. The next step is an explosive pulling and pushing motion. You pull their arm across your body while simultaneously pushing their triceps in the same direction. This motion unbalances your opponent and exposes their back.

The key here is to capitalize on the moment of imbalance. As soon as your opponent's posture is compromised, you must slide behind them quickly—either stepping around to their rear if standing or scooting on your hips if seated. Proper hip movement is critical to make this transition smooth and efficient. Once the back is taken, you can establish control by locking in your seatbelt grip, securing hooks with your legs, and preparing for a submission. The rear-naked choke, for instance, becomes one of the quickest available options. The arm drag to back take is a testament to the principle of leverage and timing, proving that simplicity and precision often trump brute force.

2. Mastering the Triangle Choke from Guard

The triangle choke is a true staple of Jiu-Jitsu and a technique that embodies efficiency and control. It's executed from the guard position, where the practitioner uses their legs to isolate the opponent’s neck and one arm, cutting off circulation to vital arteries. The foundation of a fast and effective triangle choke lies in your ability to break your opponent’s posture. When your opponent postures up and stretches their spine, they become vulnerable by exposing their neck.

To initiate the triangle, first pull your opponent's head down toward your chest, creating tension and breaking their posture. With their head in a compromised position, recognize the opening to thread one leg across the back of their neck while shifting your opposite leg over the captured arm. The technique requires precision—your leg must press against the back of their neck while your foot hooks under the other leg to form a tight figure-four. A swift scissor motion closes the triangle and clamps down the lock.

Finishing the triangle requires squeezing your knees together while thrusting your hips upward, applying force to the neck and cutting off blood flow. Timing and angles play a pivotal role in securing the submission. Ensuring your opponent’s arm is across their body enhances the pressure and speed at which the choke finishes. Drilling this movement repeatedly during practice is key to developing the kind of muscle memory needed to execute the triangle choke swiftly and with minimal effort. Perfecting this technique not only broadens your submission arsenal but also ensures that you can end matches efficiently, even under high-pressure situations.

3. The Guillotine Choke on the Takedown

A classic counter to a poorly executed takedown, the guillotine choke remains one of the most effective submissions in grappling and mixed martial arts. This technique shines when an opponent attempts to shoot for a takedown but leaves their head exposed below the level of the attacker’s hips. The key to this submission is recognizing the opportunity and reacting with precision.

The moment the opponent’s head goes beneath the defender’s hip line, the practitioner must act quickly by wrapping their arm around the back of the opponent’s neck, ensuring that the blade of their forearm is positioned against the throat. From here, the other hand secures a strong grip, typically locking into the wrist or hand of the choking arm, creating a closed loop to trap the neck. At the same time, the practitioner should raise their hips and arch their back, adding pressure to the neck and throat while keeping the opponent trapped.

4. Utilizing the Kimura Trap System

The Kimura grip is more than just a single submission; it is an entire system of control, versatility, and attack in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. At its core, the Kimura grip involves securing a two-handed lock on the wrist of an opponent, using one hand to grab the opponent's wrist while the other hand locks onto the practitioner's own wrist to create a powerful figure-four grip. This seemingly simple setup unlocks a world of opportunities and transitions that are accessible from various positions, including side control, guard, and even the turtle position.

When used from side control, the Kimura grip allows a practitioner to dominate their opponent by immobilizing their arm. From this position, the practitioner can attempt the submission directly by stepping over the opponent's head, locking the shoulder and arm into place, and applying rotational pressure to the shoulder joint. Alternatively, the Kimura grip can serve as a powerful setup for transitions, such as moving to north-south control, advancing to a mounted position, or even taking the opponent's back for a rear-naked choke or other attacks.

From the guard position, the Kimura grip offers a variety of offensive moves. It provides leverage to threaten a direct submission, keeping the opponent on the defensive. Some practitioners use the grip to create space, shift angles, or execute sweeps to reverse the position and end up on top. A common sequence involves breaking the opponent's posture, securing the grip, and then using hip movement to either finish the submission or transition to an advantageous position. When applied from guard, the Kimura grip often creates a chain of attacks that leave the opponent vulnerable to sweeps, armlocks, or even transitions to leg entanglements.

Even when the opponent turtles up in an attempt to defend, the Kimura grip remains deadly. By controlling their wrist and threatening the submission, the practitioner forces the opponent to react. This reaction opens up opportunities to take the back, roll them into side control, or even trap them in the crucifix position. The adaptability of the Kimura Trap System makes it a crucial tool in a practitioner's arsenal, as it allows for seamless transitions and unpredictable attacks, keeping opponents guessing and often leading to successful finishes.

To excel in the Kimura Trap System, practitioners need to understand the mechanics of the grip, the angles for optimal control, and the flow of transitions. More importantly, it requires drilling the positions repeatedly to recognize opportunities in live sparring situations. Mastery of the Kimura trap not only improves submission rates but also enhances overall control in nearly every position.

5. The Straight Ankle Lock

Leg locks are an increasingly critical aspect of modern Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and the straight ankle lock is one of the most accessible, fundamental leg attacks available. Its relative simplicity and legality across most competition formats and skill levels make it an essential submission for practitioners to learn and master. The straight ankle lock involves targeting the vulnerable Achilles tendon and applying precise pressure to force the opponent to tap, often before they even realize their leg is in danger.

The setup for the straight ankle lock begins with entangling the opponent's leg. This is most commonly achieved from positions such as the ashi garami or single-leg X-guard. Proper entanglement is crucial, as it ensures control over the opponent's leg and prevents them from escaping or counterattacking. Once the leg is isolated, the practitioner must secure their grip. Typically, the forearm is positioned across the Achilles tendon, while the wrist locks onto the other hand or forearm, creating a strong frame to direct pressure.

Proper body positioning is equally important. The practitioner should maintain strong control over the opponent’s leg using their entire body. Hips are extended forward, while the grip tightens to create a vice-like hold on the opponent’s ankle. The application of the technique involves a careful combination of pulling with the arms and driving the hips forward to compress the Achilles tendon and strain the surrounding ligaments. Precision is key, as improperly applied pressure can cause injury to the opponent or render the submission attempt ineffective.

Timing and situational awareness are vital when attacking with the straight ankle lock. Because it is a relatively quick submission, the practitioner must commit to the attack and execute it efficiently, especially in fast-paced matches. Learning both the mechanics of the submission and methods to defend against counters is essential for success. For example, opponents may try to free their trapped leg by controlling the practitioner's other leg, and preventing this counter is central to maintaining control and finishing the submission.

Safety is an integral part of learning and practicing the straight ankle lock. While the submission does not directly attack the knee, improper or excessively forceful application can still lead to injury. Practitioners must focus on precise technique and controlled pressure, particularly during training sessions. When applied correctly, the straight ankle lock is a devastating weapon in both gi and no-gi Jiu-Jitsu, and its effectiveness is why it continues to be a staple technique in grappling competitions worldwide.

6. Building a Powerful Game with Core Strength

While technique is the foundation of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, physical attributes, particularly core strength, play a significant role in executing and maintaining effective techniques. The core is the body’s powerhouse, providing the balance, stability, and control necessary to generate and sustain pressure during submissions, escapes, or positional dominance. Strengthening the core is not just about building abdominal muscles; it involves developing functional strength that translates directly into performance on the mats.

Core strength supports a wide range of movements integral to Jiu-Jitsu. For example, maintaining proper posture in guard, balancing during sweeps, and controlling an opponent from the top position all require a stable and responsive core. During submissions, such as arm bars, triangles, or chokes, a strong midsection allows the practitioner to apply sustained pressure, even when the opponent attempts to escape or resist. The core also acts as a bridge between upper and lower body movements, enhancing coordination and fluidity during transitions and scrambles.

Off the mats, core training should focus on exercises that enhance functionality and mimic the demands of grappling. Sit-ups and crunches alone are not sufficient; practitioners benefit more from compound movements like planks, medicine ball throws, and resistance band rotations, as well as dynamic drills that improve explosiveness and endurance. Training programs that include movements similar to bridging, hip escapes, and twisting motions can directly improve performance in Jiu-Jitsu.

Having a powerful core not only benefits offense but also reinforces the ability to defend and escape effectively. For instance, bridging out of a bad position or recovering back to guard requires significant core engagement. Advanced practitioners often use their core to manipulate angles, maintain pressure even when off-balance, and exert leverage in positions where brute strength alone may fail.

Ultimately, developing a strong core bridges the gap between technical knowledge and practical application. Technique may teach a practitioner how to choke or submit an opponent, but core strength ensures that the necessary pressure is applied consistently under resistance. By prioritizing core conditioning alongside Jiu-Jitsu technique, practitioners build a well-rounded game capable of thriving in both training and competition scenarios.

7. The North-South Choke

The north-south choke is a powerful and efficient submission that often flies under the radar, making it a valuable weapon in any Jiu-Jitsu practitioner’s arsenal. This choke is executed from the north-south position, which is characterized by the practitioner being perpendicular to and facing the opponent’s torso, with their head aligned near the opponent’s hips. Unlike more orthodox submissions, the north-south choke capitalizes on unique angles and pressure combinations to isolate the neck, making it a technique that can work effectively against even experienced opponents.

The setup for the north-south choke begins with the practitioner controlling the opponent’s upper body, ensuring they cannot escape or create space. This typically involves gripping the opponent's shoulders or upper torso while maintaining firm pressure through chest-to-chest contact. Once control is established, the practitioner slides their arm under the opponent’s neck, ensuring that the bicep and forearm align diagonally across one side of the neck. On the opposite side, the practitioner uses their shoulder and chest to press against the other side of the neck, compressing the carotid arteries. A key detail here is the precise positioning of the practitioner’s body—hinging slightly at the hips to generate downward pressure while widening their base to prevent escape attempts.

To tighten the choke, the practitioner must ensure a deep arm placement, with their hand reaching as far under the opponent’s neck as possible while locking in the arm around the neck. Simultaneously, their weight is shifted downward, using their chest and torso to crush the opponent’s neck into the ground. This combination of limb placement and chest pressure closes off blood flow to the brain through the carotid arteries, resulting in an effective submission that ends the fight quickly if properly executed.

A significant advantage of the north-south choke is its subtle nature. Defending against it is often challenging because the choke develops gradually as the practitioner adjusts their position and applies increasing pressure. This gradual buildup can catch opponents off guard, particularly if their focus is on escaping the north-south position itself rather than recognizing the submission threat. Against advanced competitors, the north-south choke proves particularly useful because its entry is based on control and precision rather than brute force.

Ultimately, mastering the north-south choke requires dedicated practice and an understanding of the fine details involved. Positional dominance, weight distribution, and finesse in applying pressure are all integral to its success. When executed correctly, this often-overlooked submission becomes a reliable and deadly tool in any grappler's repertoire.

8. Finding the Right Guidance at a "Jiu Jitsu Near Me" Academy

Theoretical knowledge of submissions such as the north-south choke is crucial, but the true key to Jiu-Jitsu mastery lies in hands-on training under the guidance of experienced instructors. Execution, timing, and proper adjustments for each submission cannot be learned through videos or theoretical explanations alone—they must be repeatedly practiced in real-life scenarios on the mats. This is where finding a reputable academy becomes indispensable.

Searching for "jiu jitsu near me" is often the first step for practitioners looking to elevate their game. The best academies provide a structured training environment where individuals can focus on developing essential techniques while also cultivating the mental toughness and resilience required for sparring and competition. Look for academies with certified and experienced instructors who offer a curriculum designed to cater to practitioners of all skill levels. Additionally, pay attention to the training environment—an academy that promotes a culture of respect, teamwork, and accountability creates an ideal space to grow as both a martial artist and an individual.

Committing to regular training at a quality academy brings numerous benefits. First and foremost, consistent practice hones muscle memory, increasing the efficiency and timing of submissions such as the north-south choke or other advanced techniques. Training partners also play a crucial role in refining skills. Rolling with opponents of varying sizes and skill levels exposes practitioners to a broader range of scenarios, helping them develop adaptability and creativity on the mats. A good academy also emphasizes live drilling and positional sparring, allowing students to focus on specific techniques in controlled environments before applying them during full sparring sessions.

Beyond technical instruction, a high-quality Jiu-Jitsu academy fosters personal growth, instilling discipline, humility, and perseverance in its students. Regular feedback from instructors, along with the encouragement and camaraderie of training partners, creates a supportive environment that motivates practitioners to push past their limits. By seeking out the right "jiu jitsu near me," practitioners not only improve their technical skills but also become part of a community that shares their passion for martial arts.

9. The Baseball Bat Choke

The baseball bat choke is an innovative submission that is both surprising and versatile in its application. It is particularly useful from bottom side control, a position generally perceived as disadvantageous. However, by using the gi and deceiving their opponent, a skilled practitioner can turn this seemingly inferior position into a trap that leads to a devastating submission.

To set up the baseball bat choke, the practitioner starts by gripping the opponent’s gi collar with both hands in a manner resembling a baseball bat grip—one palm up and the other palm down. Ideally, the grips are established inconspicuously so as not to alert the opponent to the impending threat. As the opponent begins applying pressure from side control, the bottom player adjusts their body position, allowing the grips to tighten around the opponent’s neck. The key is in controlling the distance and positioning—micro-adjustments that make the choke both unnoticeable and inescapable.

The choke becomes lethal as the practitioner uses their arms to cinch the collar around the opponent’s neck, simultaneously rotating their body in a way that creates immense pressure. The downward force applied by the opponent in side control inadvertently sets the choke even tighter, leveraging their own movement against them. This unique aspect of the baseball bat choke makes it an incredible counterattack, as the opponent often doesn’t realize the submission is being set up until it’s too late.

What makes the baseball bat choke particularly appealing is its versatility—it can also be executed from top positions or in transitions, making it a valuable tool for practitioners who enjoy dynamic and creative grappling styles. Perfecting the choke requires a deep understanding of grip mechanics and the ability to anticipate an opponent’s reactions. Regular drilling and live practice within a good “jiu jitsu near me” academy are essential to mastering this advanced submission.

By incorporating the baseball bat choke into their arsenal, practitioners can add an element of surprise to their game and remain dangerous from a wide range of positions. Like all submissions, its effectiveness depends on precision, timing, and proper execution—all of which are cultivated through consistent, focused training.

10. The Clock Choke

The clock choke is a highly effective submission that leverages the unique properties of the gi, demonstrating precision and control in its execution. The technique is typically applied when an opponent is in the turtled position, a defensive posture often used to protect against an aggressive attack. To set up the clock choke, the practitioner begins by establishing a firm grip on their opponent’s gi. One hand grips the lapel near the neck, while the other controls the belt or the pant material at the hip, anchoring the opponent in place.

Once the grips are secured, the practitioner rotates their body around the turtled opponent, mimicking the hands of a clock—hence the name. This rotation not only applies immense tension to the lapel against the opponent's carotid arteries but also prevents them from escaping or rolling away effectively. The practitioner must commit to maintaining tight control, keeping the grips consistent as they walk their body around their opponent. Proper leverage and posture amplify the pressure on the neck, which can lead to a submission within seconds.

Mastering the clock choke involves developing precision in grip placement and timing the rotation perfectly. A well-executed clock choke can secure a lightning-fast tap, but it requires the practitioner to remain calm and calculated under pressure. It is particularly effective at competitions, where the opponent's turtled position is often a product of defensive stalling. This choke highlights the beauty of blending technique, momentum, and the use of the gi to achieve superior control over an opponent.

11. The Cross Collar Choke from Mount

The cross collar choke from the mount is one of the most iconic and fundamental submissions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. It is a testament to the simplicity and effectiveness of gi-based techniques. This attack is executed from a dominant mount position, where the practitioner uses both hands to secure deep grips inside their opponent’s collar. The key is to insert each hand with the palm facing upward, forming a cross pattern over the opponent’s neck.

The setup is critical to the success of this choke. The first hand is typically slid as deep as possible into the collar on one side, ensuring a snug grip near the neck. The second hand then enters on the opposite side, mirroring the first grip. The practitioner must maintain a stable mount, keeping their weight distributed effectively to avoid being reversed or dismounted. Once the grips are secured, the practitioner applies the choke by pulling their elbows toward their hips while driving their wrists inward, creating a scissor-like motion that constricts the opponent’s carotid arteries.

The cross collar choke is deceptively simple, but its effectiveness lies in the details. A deep grip ensures that the choke is quick and efficient, minimizing the opportunity for the opponent to defend or escape. Additionally, leveraging body weight and positioning, rather than relying on arm strength, is crucial for an efficient application. This technique is a staple of both beginner and advanced practitioners, offering a straightforward path to a tap when executed correctly.

With proper focus on grip placement and stability in mount, the cross collar choke can end a match in seconds. It remains a go-to submission for many practitioners and showcases the essence of jiu-jitsu’s philosophy—using leverage and technique to overcome an opponent.

Conclusion

Mastering faster submissions is a journey of refining technique, improving timing, and understanding leverage. These eleven techniques provide a roadmap for anyone looking to increase their finishing rate. Consistent practice and attention to detail will transform these moves from simple steps into instinctive reactions, allowing for quicker and more efficient victories on the mats.