BJJ submissions cheat sheet
The main chokes and joint locks, what they attack and where they come from. One page, ready to print.
Chokes
| Submission | What it uses | Common from |
|---|---|---|
| Rear naked choke | Your arm around the neck from behind | Back control |
| Cross collar choke (gi) | Both hands deep in their collar | Mount, closed guard |
| Guillotine | Your arm around the neck from the front | Closed guard, front headlock, standing |
| Triangle | Your legs around the neck and one arm | Guard, from the bottom |
| Arm triangle | Your arms around the neck and one arm | Mount, side control |
| Ezekiel choke (gi) | Your forearm across the neck, hand in your own sleeve | Mount |
Joint locks
| Submission | Joint | Common from |
|---|---|---|
| Armbar | Elbow | Mount, closed guard |
| Kimura | Shoulder: hand goes behind the back | Guard, half guard, side control |
| Americana | Shoulder: wrist pinned to the mat, hand points toward the head | Mount, side control |
| Omoplata | Shoulder, locked with your legs | Guard, from the bottom |
| Straight ankle lock | Ankle, straight with no twist | Open guard |
When to tap
| Type | Tap when |
|---|---|
| Choke | As soon as you feel the squeeze and cannot clear it |
| Joint lock | As soon as you feel the pressure on the joint, before it hurts |
| Anything else | Something hurts in a way that is not just pressure |
Not allowed at white belt (IBJJF)
- Heel hooks and knee reaping
- Kneebars, toe holds, and bicep and calf slicers
- Wrist locks
- Squeezing the ribs or kidneys with your legs from closed guard
- Slams and spinal locks without a choke, at every belt
The full list is in the illegal moves table.
Train it on the Path
The Before you roll unit turns this into short lessons: you see a position and pick the best move.