BJJ Submissions 101: How Chokes and Joint Locks Work

Submissions are the defining feature of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Unlike striking arts where victory comes through knockouts or points, BJJ ends matches through chokes and joint locks that force the opponent to concede. Understanding the mechanical principles behind each submission is just as important as knowing how to get into position — many white belts can find an armbar but fail to finish because they do not understand the subtle details that make the technique work.

The Two Categories of Submissions

All BJJ submissions fall into two categories: blood chokes and joint locks. Blood chokes compress the carotid arteries in the neck, cutting off blood flow to the brain and causing unconsciousness within 5–10 seconds if the opponent does not tap. Joint locks hyperextend or rotate joints beyond their natural range of motion, causing pain and potential injury.

It is important to understand that blood chokes are not "strangles" in the layperson\'s sense. A properly applied rear-naked choke does not compress the windpipe — it compresses the carotid arteries on both sides of the neck. This is why you can still breathe while being choked, and why the choke works so quickly.

The Rear-Naked Choke (RNC)

The rear-naked choke is the highest-percentage submission in BJJ and the signature attack from back control. You wrap one arm around the opponent\'s neck from behind, slide your other arm behind their head to lock a "figure-four" grip, and squeeze. The choke works by compressing both carotid arteries simultaneously.

The key detail most beginners miss is the placement of the choking arm. Your bicep should press against one side of the neck while your forearm presses against the other side. The "naked" part of the name means no gi is needed — your bare arm provides the pressure. In the gi, you can use collar chokes as a variation.

Common finishing mistakes include: crossing the feet (which exposes you to a foot lock), not hiding the choking hand (which lets the opponent peel it off), and squeezing with the arms instead of expanding the chest. The correct finish is a chest expansion — you breathe out wide, and your arms tighten around the neck naturally.

The Triangle Choke

The triangle choke is a blood choke executed from guard. You trap your opponent\'s head and one arm between your legs, forming a triangle shape with your thighs. By pulling their head down and squeezing your knees together, you compress the carotid arteries.

The mechanical principle is elegant: one thigh acts as a frame against the opponent\'s neck, while the other thigh (with your calf behind their head) provides the squeezing force. The opponent\'s own shoulder fills the gap on one side, completing the choke. This is why the triangle requires the opponent to have one arm inside and one arm outside your legs — the inside arm is what makes the choke tight.

The most common finishing mistake is not adjusting the angle. The triangle works best when your body is perpendicular to the opponent, not straight on. You should "cut the angle" by underhooking their leg and pulling yourself to the side. This brings your femoral artery (in your thigh) directly against their carotid, creating a much tighter choke.

The Armbar

The armbar hyperextends the opponent\'s elbow joint. From closed guard, you isolate one arm, swing your leg over their face, and extend your hips while controlling their wrist. The key detail is keeping the opponent\'s thumb pointing upward — this aligns their elbow for maximum leverage.

The mechanical principle is simple: the opponent\'s elbow acts as a fulcrum, your hips provide the lifting force, and your arms control the wrist so they cannot rotate out. If the thumb is pointing up, the elbow is fully extended with minimal effort. If the thumb is pointing down, the opponent can rotate their arm and escape.

Common finishing mistakes include: not pinching the knees together (which lets the opponent pull their arm out), not controlling the wrist with both hands, and trying to muscle the finish instead of extending the hips. The armbar is one of the oldest submissions in grappling — it works at every belt level because the mechanics are nearly impossible to escape once properly locked.

The Kimura

The Kimura is a shoulder lock named after Japanese judoka Masahiko Kimura, who famously used it to defeat Helio Gracie in 1951. You isolate your opponent\'s arm, grip their wrist with both hands, and rotate their arm behind their back. The submission attacks the shoulder joint through rotational torque.

The Kimura works from side control, closed guard, half guard, and north-south. Its versatility comes from the fact that it requires minimal setup — you only need to control the opponent\'s wrist and break their posture. From side control, you step over the head, grab the wrist, and rotate. From guard, you sit up, grab the wrist, and fall back while rotating.

Beyond being a submission, the Kimura grip is a powerful control tool. Holding the Kimura grip often opens sweeps, back takes, and transitions because the opponent must defend the submission threat before they can address your other attacks. This makes the Kimura a "system" rather than just a single technique.

Leg Locks: Heel Hooks, Knee Bars, and Ankle Locks

Leg locks are submissions that attack the lower body — primarily the knee and ankle joints. They have become the defining feature of modern no-gi BJJ, with entire competition systems built around leg entanglements. The three most common leg locks are the heel hook, knee bar, and ankle lock.

The heel hook is the most dangerous leg lock because it generates rotational torque on the knee. Unlike other leg locks that attack the ankle (ankle lock) or hyperextend the knee (knee bar), the heel hook rotates the knee — and the knee has very little natural resistance to rotation. This makes it devastatingly effective but also dangerous if applied recklessly. Heel hooks are banned in most gi competitions but legal in no-gi submission-only events.

The knee bar hyperextends the knee joint, similar to how an armbar hyperextends the elbow. You control the opponent\'s leg between your legs, secure their heel under your armpit, and extend your hips. Knee bars are legal in most competition formats (with some IBJJF restrictions) and are considered safer than heel hooks because the pressure is linear rather than rotational.

The ankle lock (or straight foot lock) is the most beginner-friendly leg lock. You trap the opponent\'s foot under your armpit, wrap your forearm around their Achilles tendon, and extend your body while bridging. The submission causes pain in the ankle and foot rather than threatening the knee, making it safer for training at all levels.

The Importance of Position Before Submission

The most common mistake beginners make is attacking submissions from poor position. A submission attempt from an unstable position usually leads to the opponent escaping and ending up in a better position themselves. This is why BJJ has the mantra: "Position before submission."

Before attacking any submission, ask yourself: Am I in a dominant position? Do I control the opponent\'s posture? Have I eliminated their escape routes? If the answer to any of these is no, you are probably not ready to finish. Secure the position first, then the submission becomes much easier.

Use the MindBJJ mindmap to visualize how each submission connects to the positions that set it up. Understanding the full path — from guard to sweep to mount to finish — is what separates students who plateau at blue belt from those who keep evolving toward black belt.