The Tap

What it is

The tap is how you say stop when a submission has you. Tap your partner or the mat clearly, more than once, with a hand or a foot, or say the word tap, and they release at once. It ends the roll in training and the match in competition, whatever the score, and everyone does it, from the newest white belt to the coach.

Where it shows up

• A joint lock is on and the joint is at the end of its range, before it hurts.
• A choke is starting to work: the pressure is on the neck and you cannot clear it.
• Anything hurts in a way that is not just pressure or discomfort, including a cramp, a tweak or a finger in the eye.
• You are caught and cannot see the way out. Tap, reset, and ask what happened.

Key details

• Tap clearly and more than once, on their body where they can feel it, or on the mat where they can hear it.
• Hands trapped? Tap with a foot. Everything trapped? Say tap, loudly.
• Tap early. Joint locks damage before they hurt, and a blood choke can put you to sleep in seconds, and you may not feel it coming.
• When your partner taps, let go immediately, all the way, every time.
• Never hold a submission to see if they will tap. If it is on, ease off and let them tap.

Common mistakes

• Mistake: tapping late to a kimura or an armbar. The shoulder or elbow is damaged before the pain arrives.
• Mistake: waiting out a blood choke. You go to sleep in seconds, and you may not feel it coming.
• Mistake: tapping once, softly, on the mat. Your partner does not notice and keeps going.
• Mistake: holding on after a tap to be sure. You hurt the person who just trusted you, and nobody wants to roll with you.