Are you an avid grappler looking to elevate your skills to the next level? Well, you’re in luck! In this article, we will explore advanced submission techniques for grappling which will help you become a force to be reckoned with on the mat. From intricate chokeholds to sneaky joint locks, we have got you covered. Get ready to take your grappling game to new heights as we delve into the world of advanced submissions!
Submission Techniques
Rear Naked Choke
The rear naked choke is a highly effective submission technique that involves wrapping your arms around your opponent’s neck from the back position. To execute this technique, you need to secure a dominant back control position and then apply pressure to your opponent’s carotid arteries, cutting off the blood flow to their brain. The rear naked choke can quickly render your opponent unconscious if applied correctly.
Triangle Choke
The triangle choke is a versatile submission that can be executed from various positions, such as guard or mount. To perform a triangle choke, you need to trap your opponent’s head and arm between your legs while applying pressure to their neck with your shin and your other leg crossed over their back. This technique can put immense pressure on the opponent’s neck and arteries, forcing them to submit or lose consciousness.
Armbar
The armbar is a classic submission technique commonly used in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. It involves hyperextending your opponent’s elbow joint by immobilizing their arm between your legs and applying pressure to their wrist. The armbar can be executed from various positions, including the guard, mount, or side control. Mastering the armbar requires precise control over your opponent’s arm and a good understanding of body mechanics.
Kimura Lock
The Kimura lock is a highly effective submission that targets your opponent’s shoulder joint. It involves isolating and immobilizing your opponent’s arm, securing a grip on their wrist, and leveraging their shoulder joint to apply pressure. The Kimura lock can be executed from various positions, providing you with versatile attack options. It is crucial to control your opponent’s body and apply the lock with proper technique to avoid potential injuries.
Guillotine Choke
The guillotine choke is a powerful submission that targets your opponent’s neck. It involves applying pressure to their windpipe or carotid arteries while securing their head with your arms. The guillotine choke can be executed from various positions, such as standing or from the guard. Timing and grip placement are essential for a successful guillotine choke, as well as maintaining control over your opponent throughout the submission.
Advanced Setups and Transitions
Positional Control
Positional control is a fundamental aspect of grappling that plays a significant role in executing advanced submissions. By gaining and maintaining a dominant position, you have better control over your opponent’s movements and can set up submissions more effectively. Proper positional control involves understanding weight distribution, using leverage, and anticipating your opponent’s reactions. Learning how to transition smoothly between positions will enhance your submission game and give you a strategic advantage.
Chain Submission
Mastering chain submissions involves understanding the concept of linking multiple submissions together seamlessly. By chaining submissions, you create a continuous flow of attacks that forces your opponent to constantly defend, increasing the likelihood of finding openings for successful submissions. This advanced technique requires a deep understanding of submission mechanics, as well as anticipating and capitalizing on your opponent’s reactions.
Counter Attacks
Counter attacks are an essential part of a grappler’s arsenal. By developing the ability to respond to your opponent’s attacks with effective counters, you can disrupt their offensive game and potentially turn the tide in your favor. Counters can involve using your opponent’s momentum against them, finding and exploiting their vulnerabilities, and capitalizing on their mistakes. Mastering counter attacks requires a combination of technical skill, timing, and understanding your opponent’s tendencies.
Flow Rolling
Flow rolling is a training method that emphasizes fluidity and creativity in grappling exchanges. It involves rolling with a partner at a controlled pace, focusing on transitions, submissions, and positional changes rather than attempting to dominate or submit each other. Flow rolling allows you to explore different techniques, experiment with new setups, and develop a deeper understanding of the intricate aspects of grappling. It improves your timing, reflexes, and overall fluidity in the sport.
Fakeouts
Fakeouts are an advanced strategy that involves deceiving your opponent to create openings for submissions. By utilizing feints, false attacks, or misdirections, you can manipulate your opponent’s reactions and exploit their defensive tendencies. Fakeouts require precise timing, body language control, and the ability to read your opponent’s responses. Incorporating fakeouts into your game can catch your opponent off-guard and give you an advantage in executing your desired submission.
Grips and Control
Collar Grip
The collar grip is a versatile and essential grip in grappling. It involves gripping your opponent’s collar, usually near the lapels or sleeves, to control their upper body and manipulate their posture. The collar grip can be used for various techniques, such as setting up chokes, sweeps, or controlling your opponent’s movements. Mastering the collar grip requires understanding proper hand placement, grip strength, and utilizing it in coordination with other grips and control methods.
Sleeve Grip
The sleeve grip focuses on controlling your opponent’s arms by gripping their sleeves. It can be used to immobilize their arms, disrupt their posture, or set up various submission techniques. The sleeve grip allows for effective control and can limit your opponent’s options for escapes or offensive moves. It is crucial to maintain a strong sleeve grip while transitioning between positions to maximize its effectiveness.
Underhook Control
Underhook control involves getting an advantage by securing your arm under your opponent’s arm, controlling their shoulder, and having control of their upper body movement. It provides leverage and control over your opponent’s posture, allowing you to execute takedowns, sweeps, and submissions. Maintaining a dominant underhook position is essential for maintaining control and setting up attacks.
Overhook Control
Overhook control is the opposite of underhook control and involves securing your arm over your opponent’s arm, controlling their shoulder, and having control of their upper body movements. Overhooks can be used to control your opponent’s posture, create opportunities for sweeps or submissions, and neutralize their attacks. Skillful manipulation of the overhook can lead to advantageous positions and successful submissions.
Pant Grip
The pant grip involves gripping your opponent’s pants, usually near the hips or thighs, to control their lower body movements. This grip provides stability, control, and leverage to execute sweeps, transitions, or submissions. The pant grip can be used in combination with other grips to improve overall control over your opponent and disrupt their balance. Skillful utilization of the pant grip can make a significant difference in your grappling game.
Escapes and Counters
Bridge and Roll Escape
The bridge and roll escape is a fundamental escape technique used to escape from the bottom position, typically when your opponent has mounted you or secured a dominant control position. By bridging explosively and rolling to the side, you can create the momentum needed to escape and potentially reverse the position. Proper timing and technique are essential to executing the bridge and roll escape effectively.
Hip Escape
The hip escape, also known as the shrimp or the elbow escape, is a crucial escape technique used to create space and escape from bottom positions such as side control or mount. By using your hips and legs to create distance, you can move your body away from your opponent and regain guard or establish a better defensive position. The hip escape is a fundamental movement in grappling that should be practiced extensively.
Reversals
Reversals involve transitioning from a disadvantaged position to a dominant one, allowing you to gain control or submit your opponent. Reversals require a combination of technique, timing, and anticipating your opponent’s movements. By using leverage, momentum, or quick transitions, you can catch your opponent off-guard and reverse the flow of the match. Reversals can be highly effective in turning the tide of a match in your favor.
Defensive Positions
Defensive positions are essential for protecting yourself from your opponent’s attacks and mounting effective counters or escapes. Defensive positions include turtle position, the guard, or other variations that provide stability and protection. By assuming a strong defensive position, you limit your opponent’s options for attacking and create opportunities for escapes or counters. Mastering defensive positions is crucial for survival and maintaining control during grappling exchanges.
Submission Defense
Submission defense is a vital aspect of grappling, as it allows you to escape or resist your opponent’s submission attempts. Effective submission defense requires a combination of technique, timing, and awareness of your opponent’s movements. By recognizing the setups and applying proper defense techniques, such as hand fighting or positional awareness, you can prevent or escape from submissions. Regular practice and drilling of submission defense techniques are essential for any grappler.
Submission Combinations
One Submission to Another
Combining submission techniques is a strategic way to increase your chances of securing a submission. By transitioning seamlessly from one submission to another, you can catch your opponent off-guard and capitalize on their defensive reactions. For example, if your initial submission attempt fails, you can immediately transition to another submission that exploits the openings created by your opponent’s defenses. Being proficient in various submission techniques enhances your submission game and keeps your opponent guessing.
Submission Chains
Submission chains involve linking multiple submissions together in a continuous sequence. By chaining submissions, you can create constant pressure and force your opponent to defend multiple attacks simultaneously. Submission chains require good timing, precise technique, and quick transitions. By using chains, you increase your chances of securing a submission and create a dynamic and unpredictable grappling style.
Attacking Multiple Targets
Attacking multiple targets simultaneously is an advanced strategy that requires superior control and coordination. By targeting different joints or body parts simultaneously, you overwhelm your opponent’s defenses and make it more challenging for them to escape or defend. For example, attacking an opponent’s arm and neck simultaneously can force them to make split-second decisions on which submission to defend, increasing the likelihood of a successful submission.
Transitioning from One Submission to Another
Transitioning from one submission to another is a strategic maneuver that involves smoothly moving from one submission attempt to a different one based on your opponent’s reactions. By capitalizing on the opportunities created by your opponent’s defense, you can seamlessly flow between submissions and maintain the upper hand in a match. Transitioning effectively requires timing, control, and knowledge of various submission techniques.
Using Leverage and Angles
Leverage Advantage
Leverage is a fundamental principle in grappling that allows you to apply force more effectively and manipulate your opponent’s movements. By understanding leverage, you can use minimal force to achieve maximum results. Proper leverage involves positioning your body in a way that maximizes your mechanical advantage, such as using your hips, limbs, or weight distribution. Utilizing leverage advantageously can make your submissions more effective and your movements more efficient.
Proper Body Positioning
Proper body positioning is a critical aspect of grappling that affects your ability to execute submissions and control your opponent. By positioning your body correctly and aligning yourself in relation to your opponent, you can optimize your leverage, distribute your weight effectively, and create opportunities for success. Proper body positioning improves your control, balance, and ability to move seamlessly between techniques.
Creating Optimal Angles
Creating optimal angles involves maneuvering your body in a way that maximizes your offensive and defensive capabilities. By attacking from different angles, you create additional openings and exploit your opponent’s vulnerabilities. Optimal angles can be achieved by pivoting, switching positions, or adjusting your body orientation. Mastering the art of creating optimal angles enhances your submission techniques, increases your chances of success, and keeps your opponent off balance.
Using Gravity to Your Advantage
Using gravity to your advantage is a fundamental aspect of grappling. By understanding how to manipulate gravity, you can gain a significant advantage over your opponent. For example, by applying pressure or using your body weight strategically, you can make it more challenging for your opponent to move or escape your control. Utilizing gravity effectively requires knowledge of weight distribution, balance, and timing, giving you an edge in submissions and control.
Advanced Training Strategies
Sparring with Higher-Level Opponents
Sparring with higher-level opponents is an intense and challenging training strategy that accelerates your growth and prepares you for competition. By testing your skills against more experienced individuals, you expose yourself to higher levels of pressure, technique, and athleticism. Sparring with higher-level opponents pushes you outside your comfort zone, forcing you to adapt and improve rapidly. This training strategy helps identify your weaknesses, develop resilience, and ultimately enhance your grappling abilities.
Specific Training Drills
Specific training drills are targeted exercises designed to improve a particular aspect of your grappling game. These drills focus on refining techniques, improving speed, timing, or transitions, and enhancing overall performance. Specific training drills can include repetition of specific submissions, positional drills, or simulated live scenarios. By implementing targeted drills into your training routine, you can fine-tune your skills, improve your muscle memory, and sharpen your overall grappling game.
Positional Sparring
Positional sparring is a training technique that focuses on particular positions or scenarios within the grappling game. It allows practitioners to work on specific techniques, transitions, and submissions in a more controlled manner. Participants take turns assuming specific positions, such as starting in the mount or the guard, and focus on scoring points or attempting submissions from that position. Positional sparring helps develop a deep understanding of specific positions and improves overall technical proficiency.
Live Rolling
Live rolling, also known as free rolling, is the most realistic form of training in grappling. It involves engaging in a fully dynamic and unscripted grappling session with a training partner. During live rolling, practitioners aim to apply their techniques, transitions, and submissions while defending against their opponent’s attacks. Live rolling simulates the intensity and unpredictability of real competition, allowing practitioners to test their skills, adapt to different styles, and identify areas for improvement.
Cognitive Training
Cognitive training in grappling involves developing mental skills such as focus, decision-making, and situational awareness. By training your mind to stay calm under pressure, analyze your opponent’s movements, and make quick and effective decisions, you can gain a significant advantage in competition. Cognitive training techniques can include visualization exercises, mental rehearsal, and mindfulness practice. Combining mental conditioning with physical training improves your overall performance and cultivates a winning mindset.
Advanced Submission Variations
Baiting
Baiting is a strategic maneuver that involves intentionally presenting an opportunity to your opponent, luring them into an advantageous position or submission. By creating openings or provoking reactions, you can exploit your opponent’s errors and capitalize on their defensive mistakes. Baiting requires understanding your opponent’s tendencies, timing, and crafty positioning. Skilled baiting can help you control the pace of the match and set up high-percentage submissions.
Setup Variations
Setup variations involve modifying or diversifying your approach to a submission technique to increase its effectiveness and surprise your opponent. By incorporating different setups, grips, or angles, you can catch your opponent off-guard and increase your chances of securing a submission. Variations in setups prevent your opponent from predicting your movements and force them to constantly adapt to your attacks. Constantly evolving and experimenting with setup variations enhances your submission game and creates a more unpredictable grappling style.
Timing
Timing is crucial in grappling, as it determines when and how to apply submission techniques. By executing submissions with precision timing, you can catch your opponent off-guard and prevent them from mounting an effective defense. Good timing requires a deep understanding of your opponent’s rhythm, anticipating their movements, and capitalizing on their openings. Refining your timing can turn a mediocre submission attempt into a match-winning technique.
Unorthodox Techniques
Unorthodox techniques involve unconventional or unexpected moves that catch your opponent off-guard. These techniques can include unexpected takedowns, unusual submissions, or deceptive transitions. Unorthodox techniques leverage surprise and unpredictability to gain a temporary advantage over your opponent. While they may carry a higher risk, mastering unorthodox techniques can lead to unexpected victories and make your grappling style more dynamic.
Submission Chains
Submission chains involve linking multiple submissions together in a sequence or flow. By chaining submissions, you create constant pressure and force your opponent to defend continuously. Submission chains can include transitioning from one submission to another or repeating the same submission with different setups. Mastery of submission chains allows you to maintain control, keep your opponent guessing, and increase your likelihood of securing a submission.
Physical and Mental Conditioning
Strength and Conditioning Training
Strength and conditioning training plays a critical role in developing the physical attributes necessary for grappling. It focuses on building muscular strength, endurance, and explosiveness to support your grappling techniques and resist your opponent’s attacks. Strength and conditioning exercises can include weightlifting, cardiovascular training, bodyweight exercises, and circuit training. By improving your physical fitness, you increase your stamina, power, and overall performance in grappling.
Flexibility and Mobility Training
Flexibility and mobility training are essential for optimizing your grappling techniques and preventing injuries. Grappling involves a wide range of dynamic movements that require flexibility and joint mobility. Training methods such as static stretching, dynamic stretching, yoga, and mobility drills improve your range of motion, reduce muscle stiffness, and enhance your overall performance. Proper flexibility and mobility training allow you to move more efficiently and execute techniques with full range and precision.
Mental Toughness
Mental toughness is a crucial aspect of grappling that determines your ability to persevere, overcome challenges, and maintain focus in high-pressure situations. Mental toughness involves cultivating resilience, determination, and the ability to push through physical and mental barriers. Techniques such as visualization, positive self-talk, and goal-setting can improve mental toughness and enhance your ability to perform at your best when it matters most.
Visualization and Mindset
Visualization and mindset training involve mentally rehearsing your grappling techniques and matches to enhance your performance. By vividly imagining yourself executing techniques, defending submissions, or winning matches, you strengthen the neural pathways associated with those actions. Visualization also helps cultivate a positive mindset and confidence, which can significantly impact your performance. Incorporating visualization and mindset training into your routine improves focus, reduces anxiety, and increases your likelihood of success.
Breathing Techniques
Breathing techniques are essential for maintaining composure, managing energy, and maximizing performance in grappling. Deep breathing exercises, such as diaphragmatic breathing, can help regulate your heart rate, improve oxygen intake, and combat fatigue. Controlled breathing also aids in relaxation, focus, and overall mental and physical well-being. Incorporating intentional breathing into your training and competition routines enhances your control, endurance, and overall grappling performance.
Competitive Strategies
Analyzing Opponent’s Game
Analyzing your opponent’s game is a crucial element of competitive grappling. By studying their previous matches, observing their style, and identifying their strengths and weaknesses, you can develop a strategic game plan to defeat them. Analyzing your opponent’s game involves assessing their preferred positions, submissions, and strategies. This knowledge allows you to anticipate their moves, exploit their vulnerabilities, and execute effective techniques to gain the upper hand.
Game Planning
Game planning involves developing a strategic approach to a grappling match based on your strengths, weaknesses, and knowledge of your opponent. It includes identifying your preferred positions, setups, and submissions, as well as anticipating your opponent’s reactions. Game planning helps you stay focused and execute your techniques more efficiently, increasing the likelihood of success. Regular training, experimentation, and analysis of your game plan contribute to continuous improvement and success in competition.
Strategic Positioning
Strategic positioning refers to maneuvering your body in a way that maximizes your chances of success and minimizes your opponent’s attacks. It involves creating advantageous angles, controlling dominant positions, and applying pressure to force your opponent to make mistakes. Strategic positioning helps dictate the flow of the match and limits your opponent’s options for attack or escape. Developing a strong understanding of strategic positioning enhances your control, submission attempts, and overall effectiveness in competition.
Adapting to Different Rule Sets
Grappling competitions can have varying rule sets, such as submission-only, points-based, or time limits. Adapting to different rule sets requires adjusting your strategy, techniques, and pace of the match. Understanding the rule set and its implications allows you to exploit any advantages or limitations and tailor your approach accordingly. Adapting to different rule sets requires versatility, versatility, and a willingness to modify your game plan to achieve success.
Managing Stamina and Energy
Managing stamina and energy is crucial in competitive grappling, as matches can be physically demanding and lengthy. Effective management involves pacing yourself, understanding your energy levels, and conserving energy when necessary. Proper conditioning, relaxation techniques, and strategic decision-making contribute to optimal stamina management. By maintaining good stamina and conserving energy, you can stay focused, execute your techniques more efficiently, and gain a competitive edge in matches.