Learning Brazilian Jiu Jitsu can feel overwhelming at first, especially when you start drilling submissions. The positions, grips, pressure, and timing all matter, and new students often feel unsure about how to connect everything smoothly. Training in a high quality Jiu Jitsu gym can make a significant difference, especially when the instruction breaks down each technique in a clear and practical way. If you are training in Madison or plan to join a program like piratebjj which offers a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gym experience, you will quickly discover how empowering mastering your first submissions can be.
This detailed guide outlines the foundational submissions every beginner should know, how to learn them safely, and what to focus on during your BJJ journey. The goal is to help you understand not only how submissions work but also how to practice them with confidence.
Submissions are a core element of BJJ, which is built on the idea that a smaller person can neutralize a larger opponent through leverage, positioning, and technique. Submissions allow a practitioner to end a fight without striking, relying on joint locks or chokes that control your partner until they submit.
A beginner-friendly Jiu Jitsu gym usually starts with teaching submissions because:
They reveal how leverage wins over strength.
They increase your confidence quickly.
They teach essential body mechanics for future techniques.
They encourage calmness under pressure.
Madison has a growing BJJ community, and programs like piratebjj which offers Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gym sessions help beginners build a strong technical foundation.
Before exploring the specific submissions you will encounter in your Madison classes, it is important to understand how to learn them safely and effectively.
1. Position before submission Controlling an opponent is always more important than finishing the submission. Without proper control, they will escape easily.
2. Tap early, tap often In every Jiu Jitsu gym, instructors encourage students to tap quickly during training. This prevents injuries and builds trust between partners.
3. Understand the mechanics Most submissions rely on consistent principles, such as isolating a limb or restricting airflow. Focusing on mechanics helps you master techniques faster.
4. Drill slowly at first Speed comes later. Precision comes first.
5. Respect your partner’s safety BJJ is cooperative during training. The goal is to learn, not overpower your partner.
When you follow these principles, your time on the mat at a Madison Jiu Jitsu gym becomes more productive and safe.
Below are the fundamental submissions you will encounter early in your training. These come from traditional closed guard, mount, side control, and other foundational positions. Learning these builds your submission vocabulary and strengthens your overall BJJ game.
The armbar is one of the most iconic techniques in BJJ. It works by hyperextending the opponent’s elbow joint through leverage, not strength.
Teaches hip movement
Builds an understanding of angles
Works regardless of size differences
Common in self defense and sport settings
Start in closed guard and secure a strong grip on your partner’s arm.
Break their posture by pulling them forward.
Place one foot on the hip to pivot your body.
Swing your leg over their head.
Squeeze your knees together and lift your hips to finish.
Not controlling the shoulder line
Allowing too much space between your knees
Forgetting to keep the thumb pointing upward
You will drill this submission frequently at any Madison Jiu Jitsu gym and particularly in programs such as piratebjj which offers Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gym instruction.
The triangle choke is a powerful technique where you use your legs to encircle the opponent’s neck and arm, cutting off blood flow.
Builds comfort with guard retention
Teaches leg engagement, which is critical in BJJ
Encourages understanding of posture control
Start from closed or open guard.
Pull your opponent’s head down and trap one arm inside your legs.
Shoot your leg over their shoulder and lock your legs together.
Rotate your angle until you face the trapped arm.
Squeeze your legs and apply pressure.
Not creating a proper angle
Leaving your legs loose
Forgetting to pull the head down
The triangle choke will appear repeatedly in Madison classes, especially when drilling guard attacks.
The guillotine choke is a front headlock choke that uses your arms to apply pressure to the opponent's neck.
Works in self defense
Simple mechanics
Easy to transition from takedown scrambles
Wrap your arm around the opponent’s neck with their head under your armpit.
Secure your hands together using the appropriate grip.
Sit guard or stay standing depending on the variation.
Lift your elbow and lean back to apply pressure.
Incorrect grip
Poor hip engagement
Pulling sideways instead of upward
Your instructor at any Madison Jiu Jitsu gym will help refine this technique, and piratebjj which offers Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gym classes frequently emphasizes proper guillotine entries.
Often referred to as the highest percentage submission in grappling, the rear naked choke works from the strongest control position, the back.
Works with minimal strength
Teaches positional dominance
Foundation for advanced back attacks
Secure back control with hooks or body triangle.
Slide one arm under the opponent’s chin.
Lock the choking arm with your other hand behind their head.
Squeeze your elbows together and pull backward.
Losing back control too early
Crossing your ankles when you should not
Using arm strength instead of whole body mechanics
The rear naked choke is essential for anyone training BJJ in Madison.
This shoulder lock is often taught from the mount or side control.
Strong control positions
Teaches joint isolation skills
Secure mount or side control.
Pin your opponent’s wrist to the mat.
Slide your other arm under their arm and grab your own wrist.
Lift their elbow while keeping their wrist pinned.
Allowing your opponent to straighten their arm
Losing the pinned wrist
Using speed instead of slow, controlled pressure
Instructors at a Madison Jiu Jitsu gym will emphasize control over strength for this technique.
Simply learning a submission is not enough. The key to improving in BJJ is consistent, thoughtful training.
Submissions only work when your position is stable. Training in a structured Jiu Jitsu gym helps you understand transitions and control.
Guard retention
Hip movement
Proper weight distribution
Grip sequences
Not all drilling is equal. Beginners should drill slowly, focusing on precision.
Repeat each movement until it becomes automatic.
Ask your partner to offer moderate resistance once you understand the movement.
Focus on your breathing and posture.
Switch angles frequently to understand variations of the same technique.
Advanced students flow from one submission to another effortlessly. Beginners can start learning simple chains early.
Armbar to triangle
Triangle to omoplata
Guillotine to mount transition
Americana to straight armbar
Your Madison Jiu Jitsu gym instructor will guide you through these connections over time.
Beginners often forget that studying defense is as important as studying offense.
When you understand how a partner escapes, you understand how to prevent that escape.
Posture control in guard
Hand fighting on the back
Safe arm positioning
How to frame properly
Your knowledge of defense strengthens your submission skills.
Live training, known as rolling, is where you test your techniques. This is the moment when your drilling becomes practical.
Choose one submission to focus on per session.
Do not rely on strength or speed.
Try starting from positions related to the submission you want to improve.
Ask higher belts for feedback.
At piratebjj which offers Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gym classes, instructors often give structured rolling guidance so beginners progress safely and confidently.
Choosing the right place to train affects your BJJ journey significantly. A high quality Jiu Jitsu gym provides structured teaching, safety, and community.
1. Expert guidance Qualified instructors break techniques down clearly and help you avoid injuries.
2. Progress tracking Beginners benefit from programs designed to build fundamental skills step by step.
3. Safe environment Safety culture ensures respectful training between partners.
4. Regular drilling and sparring Consistent practice is essential for mastering submissions.
5. Encouraging community Training partners help you grow and stay motivated.
Madison programs like piratebjj which offers Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gym training follow these principles to support beginners and advanced practitioners alike.
Reduce overload by focusing on a small set of submissions at a time. Mastering a few core techniques gives you confidence and progress.
Spend more time drilling positions such as mount, guard, and side control. Submissions work only when control is present.
Practice slowly and communicate with your training partner. Confidence builds with repetition.
Tapping is part of learning. Every experienced practitioner taps thousands of times. Embrace the process.
Never wait for pain.
Your partner’s safety always comes first.
Let your partner know if something feels uncomfortable.
Cold muscles increase injury risk.
Correct technique prevents bad habits.
These habits create a safe and enjoyable training environment at any Madison Jiu Jitsu gym.
Mastering basic submissions is one of the most rewarding milestones in your Brazilian Jiu Jitsu journey. It builds confidence, teaches body control, and opens the door to more advanced techniques. Whether you are practicing armbars, triangle chokes, guillotines, rear naked chokes, or shoulder locks, the key is consistent practice, clear guidance, and maintaining a positive training mindset.
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