When learning Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, many students ask about the top submissions in BJJ fundamentals. Understanding these submissions is a key part of building strong, effective martial arts skills from day one.
In fact, mastering these basic finishing moves helps you grow both your defense and offense. It gives you confidence in everyday training and real rolling scenarios.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is known for its focus on ground fighting and submissions. Unlike striking martial arts, BJJ teaches how to control, defend, and submit an opponent using technique over strength. Therefore, learning the core submissions will set a strong base for any beginner or competitor.
Why Top Submissions Matter in BJJ Fundamentals
The top submissions in BJJ fundamentals form the backbone of a complete grappling game. You can see these moves in almost every BJJ class, from your first week to advanced tournaments. As a result, instructors focus heavily on teaching these key techniques to new students. Veja tambem: Essential Escapes Every BJJ Beginner Should Learn for Fast Progress.
First, understanding submissions keeps you safe on the mats. For example, new grapplers must know how to defend common arm locks and chokes. If you understand the setup and mechanics, you can spot danger early and escape before a tap is needed. This increases safety and builds good habits. Veja tambem: Persuasive Techniques Attacks: Protect Yourself from Psychological Tactics.
Second, these fundamental moves work for all body types and experience levels. An armbar or triangle choke, for example, can be applied by smaller practitioners against larger ones. In addition, these techniques rely on leverage and timing instead of brute force. Because of this, they suit everyone from kids to adults.
In fact, statistics from the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) tournaments show that the most successful white and blue belts frequently finish matches with fundamental submissions like the rear naked choke or cross collar chokesee IBJJF stats. This proves that mastering the basics is not just “old school”—it’s effective and proven.
Finally, learning the top submissions early helps you progress faster. As you train, you will see the same opportunities to attack or defend. Therefore, repeated practice with these foundational moves develops your reaction time and technical skills. This solid base makes it easier to add advanced submissions later on.
The Essential Armbar: A Core Submission for Every Grappler
The armbar is one of the most well-known BJJ submissions. This move attacks the opponent’s elbow joint by hyperextending their arm while you control their wrist and shoulder. The traditional armbar can be set up from many positions, but most beginners learn it from the closed guard or mount.
To perform an armbar from closed guard, you first control one of your opponent’s arms. Then, you isolate it by trapping their shoulder with your legs. Your hips come up, and you rotate to angle your body. Next, your legs clamp down to control the head and keep the arm tight. Finally, you pull the wrist while lifting your hips, causing the elbow to hyperextend for a clean finish. If done right, the tap should come quickly.
One key reason the armbar is a “top submission” for beginners is its versatility. You can attack with it from different positions, such as guard, mount, or even standing. For instance, in a recent survey of competition matches for beginners, over 35% of submission wins at the white and blue belt level were by armbar—making it one of the highest finishing techniques in basic BJJ practice.
In addition to attacking, learning the armbar also helps you develop good defense. If you know the setup, you can see when your opponent tries to pass your guard or isolate your arm. As a result, experienced grapplers rarely get caught by surprise in these situations.
When drilling the armbar, pay special attention to:
- Keeping your knees tight around the shoulder and head
- Using your hips, not just your arms, for the finish
- Practicing both attacking and escaping the move
- Breaking your opponent’s posture first to stop them from standing up
- Locking your legs tightly and adjusting the angle for maximum choke pressure
- Controlling the wrist to prevent an escape
- Practice taking the back smoothly, using both hooks and seatbelt grip
- Drill the choke finish slowly to focus on hand position
- Work with a partner who resists to make your technique “mat-tested”
- Deep collar grips with your fingers hidden for a strong choke
- Using your legs to break posture and finish from the guard
- Practicing both the attack and defense, since escapes can be simple if the grips are weak
For more tips, the Gracie Barra website has detailed guides to armbar basics for beginners. See Gracie Barra’s submission guide.
Practical Armbar Drills for Fast Progress
Drilling is vital for mastering the armbar. One popular beginner drill is the “armbar from guard with partner resistance.” Start slowly, then add speed. Try switching sides to work on balance. In addition, have your partner try to escape as you finish to build control under pressure.
Mastering the Triangle Choke: Controlling and Finishing from Guard
The triangle choke is another high-percentage move found in the top submissions in BJJ fundamentals. This choke uses your legs to trap your opponent’s head and one arm, closing off their blood flow and forcing a tap.
Most students first learn the triangle from the closed or open guard. The move starts with breaking down the opponent’s posture and controlling their wrist. You then shoot one leg over their shoulder and lock the other behind your knee. This forms a triangle shape around their neck and arm. By pulling down the head and adjusting your angle, you finish the choke.
In real matches, the triangle is common at every level. Data from official BJJ tournaments shows that the triangle is one of the three most successful submissions for new and experienced grapplers alike. In fact, many instructors call this move “the great equalizer” because smaller athletes can neutralize bigger, stronger opponents with correct technique.
Proper triangle technique requires:
One simple drill is to practice the triangle setup repeatedly from closed guard. As you improve, add in follow-up attacks and escapes for more realism.
In addition, learning triangle defense is just as important. If you become familiar with the signs of a triangle setup—like opponents grabbing your wrist or moving their hips—then you will be less likely to get caught. The best students know both the attack and the counter.
Troubleshooting Common Triangle Mistakes
A frequent error is not turning your body far enough or leaving space for the opponent’s shoulders. Always adjust your angle before locking your legs. Tighten your knees and point your toes to finish cleanly. This small change leads to a much stronger choke.
The Rear Naked Choke: Ultimate Control from the Back
The rear naked choke is a signature move in BJJ and a staple finish in self-defense situations. This choke attacks the neck by using your arms to cut off blood flow to the brain, forcing a quick tap.
To start, you must first take the opponent’s back and secure your hooks (feet) inside their legs. Then, you slide one arm under the chin and lock it with the other hand behind the head or neck. By squeezing your elbows together, you finish the choke quickly. If done right, even strong opponents cannot resist for long.
There are many reasons this choke is among the top submissions for BJJ fundamentals. For one, it works for all ages and skill levels. In competitions, both white belts and black belts score submissions this way. In fact, this move is used across martial arts, from BJJ to MMA and self-defense, making it one of the most universal techniques.
Another advantage is that you are in a very dominant position with back control. As a result, the opponent’s options for escape or counter are very limited. For beginners, the rear naked choke teaches excellent control, timing, and patience.
Facts from major events, such as those tracked by BJJ Heroes, show that about 25% of all submission finishes in IBJJF tournaments are by rear naked choke, especially at lower belt levels. This shows its high effectiveness against both new and experienced practitioners.
To improve your rear naked choke:
Defending against the rear naked choke means learning to fight hands, tuck your chin, and escape the back position. Every beginner should get comfortable in this defensive role for safe practice.
Rear Naked Choke in Self-Defense and Competition
One often overlooked fact is the rear naked choke’s reliability in stressful situations. In self-defense, being able to finish a fight quickly without injury is important. This move allows for complete control without strikes. Many law enforcement and security workers train this choke as a basic skill.
Cross Collar Choke and Kimura: Versatile Submissions for the Complete Game
While the armbar, triangle, and rear naked choke are the “big three” for many beginners, other fundamental submissions also deserve attention. The cross collar choke and the kimura lock are two more building blocks for any BJJ practitioner.
Cross Collar Choke: Gi-Specific Classic
The cross collar choke uses your opponent’s uniform (gi) as the main tool. From closed guard or mount, you reach across and grab both collars. Then, you pull the collar tight across their neck and use your wrists to choke. This move relies on grip strength and hand placement.
Competition data shows that the cross collar choke is one of the top submissions for gi BJJ. Because of this, traditional schools often teach it in the first few weeks. Drilling the cross collar choke develops good grip habits and teaches students how to use the gi for control.
Important details include:
Kimura Lock: Attacking the Shoulder from Many Angles
The kimura is a shoulder lock targeting the opponent’s arm with a figure-four grip. It can be attacked from closed guard, side control, or even standing. It’s incredibly effective and, at the same time, opens transitions to other submissions.
To perform the kimura, you trap your opponent’s wrist, then reach over their arm and grab your own wrist. This grip allows you to twist and apply pressure to the shoulder joint. When done right, the tap comes quickly and safely.
For beginners, the kimura helps develop powerful grips and control. In addition, it teaches how to move the hips and body to isolate joints. Because it works both in gi and no-gi BJJ, it’s a valuable tool for anyone starting their journey.
Conclusion
In summary, the top submissions in BJJ fundamentals form the heart of a well-rounded grappling game. Learning the armbar, triangle choke, rear naked choke, cross collar choke, and kimura will build your confidence, improve your technique, and keep you safe. Drilling these moves often, with clear focus on both attack and defense, leads to quick and steady progress.
If you are new to BJJ, focus on these core techniques as you build your skills. In fact, most high-level black belts still use these submissions every day—proving their long-lasting value. Stay consistent, ask for feedback from your instructors, and enjoy the journey toward mastery. For more details and training tips, visit reliable sources like BJJ Heroes and Gracie Barra.
By making the fundamentals strong, you will find success not just in practice but in every roll and competition. Keep training, stay safe, and never stop learning.