by Anthony Francisco

Created on: April 16, 2009   Last Updated: April 24, 2009

For Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioners, the art of submission consists of the most complicated finishing moves in martial arts today. These techniques have become highly televised over the past decade due to the national recognition of the Ultimate Fighting Championships (UFC) and our current obsession with Mixed Martial Arts or MMA. In plain view, they seem simple enough. A head crank, the twist of an arm, or the application of a choke to an opponent's head. Pretty simple right? Unfortunately, these moves are just not that easy, and can take a practitioner of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu years of dedicated study to master. Through my experience, as both a student of the sport and an MMA superfan, I have compiled the most common, practical submissions in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu today.

Rear Naked Choke

The Rear Naked Choke has become the most used submission in the UFC. The move itself is not thoroughly complicated, but the set up and positioning before the actual submission is important in securing the hold. Once proper body position is applied, this move is a deadly weapon to all Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioners and UFC fighters.

Triangle Choke

The Triangle Choke is perhaps the most lethal submission maneuver in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Commonly referred to as the trademark submission of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, this move has helped to put Jiu Jitsu on the map in both the National level and the International scene. Before it's explosion in the UFC, Jiu Jitsu was known as a self defense technique for the "smaller guy," and not widely known outside the world of martial arts. However, through the evolution of the Triangle Choke, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has become a must have for UFC fighters today. This move is applied when the user is on his or her back, with their legs wrapped around an opponent. From another perspective, the user may appear to be in a defensive posture or at a disadvantage by being on the bottom. However, the user will simultaneously move their legs around the opponents head and then apply the choke, forcing an oblivious opponent to submit.

Arm Bar

Another Brazilian Jiu Jitsu classic, the Arm Bar is applied by twisting or pulling on an opponent's arm. This move is also a staple for UFC fighters because of its simplicity and relative use in the sport. A seasoned fighter can apply this move from either the top or bottom position and quickly claim a win if their opponent is not versed in Arm Bar defense.

Guillotine

The Guillotine is another choke, but is applied by grabbing an opponent's neck while they are in front of or facing you. The most common use for this move is when an opponent charges or attempts to take you down, and leaves their neck exposed by not closing the distance. The Guillotine choke can then be applied by controlling your opponents head, wrapping one arm under their chin from the top, and squeezing. This move can be finished from the standing position, but is a lot more secure if the user falls to their back and wraps both legs around their opponent.

The moves listed are only a few of the submissions in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. They are, however, the most applied and common techniques practiced around the world. If a Jiu Jitsu practitioner was to master the Rear Naked Choke, Triangle, Arm Bar, and Guillotine, then they would become a force to be reckoned with in any tournament or local club. These moves are the foundation of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and have evolved into the choice submission techniques for UFC fighters today.

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