3 Submission Techniques to Defend Yourself in BJJ

BJJ (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu) is a martial art that has become increasingly popular in recent years due to its practicality and effectiveness in real-life self-defense situations.

As an art that focuses on ground grappling techniques, knowing how to perform various submissions is a key aspect of BJJ.

We’ll discuss three must-know submission techniques for self-defense situations that will give you the upper hand if you ever find yourself in a physical altercation.

1) The Rear Naked Choke

The Rear Naked Choke, also known as the RNC, is one of the most common and effective submissions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. It is not only useful in competition but also for self-defense situations where you need to subdue an attacker.

To execute the Rear Naked Choke, you need to start by controlling your opponent’s back. This means getting behind them and wrapping your arms around their neck.

Your dominant arm should go over their shoulder and wrap around their neck, while your other arm should go under their other arm and grab onto your dominant hand.

Next, you need to lock in the choke by pulling your dominant arm across their neck and squeezing your arms together. It’s essential to use your chest to apply pressure and to keep your opponent’s back flat on the ground to prevent them from escaping.

When done correctly, the Rear Naked Choke can quickly render an opponent unconscious, making it a highly effective self-defense technique. However, it’s crucial to know when to use this submission and to avoid causing serious injury or death.

2) The Guillotine Choke

It can be executed in various situations, making it a versatile technique to have in your arsenal.

To execute the guillotine choke, you must first get your opponent into a position where their neck is exposed.

This can be done by getting a takedown, or by pulling your opponent’s head down with your arms.

Once you have your opponent in the correct position, you can apply pressure to their neck with your forearm while pulling up with your other arm. This creates a tight chokehold that can quickly render your opponent unconscious.

The guillotine choke can be executed from standing or on the ground, making it a useful technique for a variety of situations. It can be used to defend yourself against an attacker, or to subdue an opponent in a self-defense situation.

However, it’s important to note that the guillotine choke can be dangerous if executed incorrectly. If you apply too much pressure to your opponent’s neck, you can cause serious injury or even death. It’s important to train with an experienced instructor to learn how to execute the guillotine choke safely and effectively.

The guillotine choke is a powerful submission technique that should be part of any self-defense strategy. It’s effective, versatile, and can be used in a variety of situations.

If you’re interested in learning more about the guillotine choke, seek out a qualified BJJ instructor who can teach you the proper technique and help you master this important self-defense skill.

3) American Shoulder Lock

The American Shoulder Lock is another highly effective submission technique in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, particularly when it comes to self-defense. It’s also known as the reverse key lock or figure four armlock. This submission involves manipulating the opponent’s shoulder joint, causing intense pressure on the joint, leading to the submission.

To execute the American Shoulder Lock, start in a dominant position, such as side control, mount, or back control. From side control, grab the opponent’s wrist on the same side as your hip, while placing your opposite arm under the opponent’s head to control their movement.

Next, step over the opponent’s arm with your leg closest to them, trapping their arm in between your thighs.

Use your other leg to swing over and hook onto their other arm, forming a figure-four lock with your legs. While keeping control of their wrist, use your other hand to push down on their elbow, forcing their shoulder to rotate, putting pressure on the joint.

This will cause your opponent to tap out or risk severe injury.

The American Shoulder Lock is an incredibly effective submission, and once applied correctly, your opponent will feel immense pressure, making it challenging for them to escape. Additionally, this technique allows you to neutralize the opponent’s ability to fight, giving you time to escape or wait for help.

The American Shoulder Lock is an excellent submission to add to your self-defense arsenal. As with any technique, it’s essential to train it with a skilled instructor and practice it in a safe and controlled environment before attempting to use it in a real-life situation.