Focusing on the tried-and-true submissions and using data to your advantage can make you an incredibly efficient grappler. In this blog post, we’ll explore the top 5 submissions in no-gi by finish rate across several different federations.
1. Americana - 70%
The Americana is a powerful no-gi submission that targets the shoulder joint. It involves isolating the opponent’s arm and applying pressure to hyper-rotate the shoulder.
Why It’s Effective:
Leverage: Uses the practitioner’s entire body to control and isolate the opponent’s arm.
Control: Effective from many dominant positions, such as mount or side control.
Common Mistakes: Opponents often leave their arms in vulnerable positions, making the Americana easier to apply.
2. Armbar - 49.64%
The armbar is a classic joint lock targeting the elbow, frequently used in both gi and no-gi BJJ. It involves hyperextending the opponent’s arm, causing intense pain and potential injury if they don’t tap.
Why It’s Effective:
Leverage: Uses the practitioner’s entire body against the opponent’s isolated arm.
Transition Potential: Easily transitions from various positions like mount, guard, or side control.
High Success Rate: Effective at all levels of competition due to its simplicity and leverage.
3. Rear Naked Choke (RNC) - 42.42%
This one is a Porrada favorite.
The rear naked choke is a powerful submission that doesn’t rely on the gi, making it highly effective in both gi and no-gi scenarios. This choke compresses the carotid arteries, leading to a rapid submission.
Why It’s Effective:
No Gi Needed: Effective in gi, no-gi, and MMA.
Control: From the back control position, it’s hard for the opponent to defend or escape.
Quick Finish: Can render an opponent unconscious in seconds if not defended.
4. Ezekiel Choke - 47.37%
The Ezekiel choke is a versatile submission that uses the practitioner’s sleeves to choke the opponent by compressing the neck.
Why It’s Effective:
Leverage: Uses the strong muscles of the arms and upper body.
Control and Options: Offers control over the opponent while allowing transitions to other submissions.
Common Mistakes: Many opponents make mistakes that lead to the choke, such as not defending the grip.
5. Triangle Choke - 38%
The triangle choke is a versatile submission that uses the practitioner’s legs to choke the opponent by compressing the neck and one arm. It is effective from various positions but is most commonly applied from the guard.
Why It’s Effective:
Leverage: Uses the strong muscles of the legs.
Control and Options: Offers control over the opponent while allowing transitions to other submissions.
Common Mistakes: Many opponents make mistakes that lead to the triangle, such as leaving an arm inside the guard.
Conclusion
While these submissions won’t work for everyone, they serve as a guide to choosing your primaries.
If you already have your primaries baked into your game, perfect. If you don’t, now is a good time to consider your grappling style and start working on data-proven submissions to add to your game.
References:
BJJ Passion
Flograppling
High Percentage Martial Arts
BJJ Heroes
IBJJF 2023 World Championships
The Grappling Conjecture
Dirty White Belt
IBJJF 2023 Brasileiros Submission Report
BJJ World
The Grappling Conjecture on ADCC 2022
Evolve MMA