How many jiu jitsu submissions are there

If you’ve ever wondered how many jiu jitsu submissions are there, the short answer is that there’s no single official number — but most instructors agree the count sits somewhere between 50 and 100 core techniques, with hundreds of variations layered on top. The exact figure depends on how you categorize them: by position, by joint lock versus choke, or by gi and no-gi applicability. For a beginner stepping onto the mats for the first time, that range can feel overwhelming, but the truth is that you don’t need to memorize every submission to become effective — you need to understand the principles behind them.

At Trein Club in Houston, we teach submissions the way they’re meant to be learned: progressively, starting with the highest-percentage finishes from dominant positions like mount, back control, and side control. Our fundamentals program breaks down the most common chokes and joint locks so that white belts build a solid foundation before exploring the deeper catalog of techniques. Whether you’re aiming to compete or simply want practical self-defense skills, knowing *which* submissions matter most — and *why* they work — is far more valuable than chasing a meaningless total.

How Many Jiu Jitsu Submissions Are There? The Definitive Count

The question sounds straightforward: step into any Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academy in Houston, watch a few classes, and you will see students finishing fights with armlocks, chokes, and leg attacks. But when someone asks how many jiu jitsu submissions are there, the answer depends entirely on how you define a "submission." Are we counting only the core techniques every black belt recognizes? Are we including variations, grip changes, and modern leg lock entries? The honest answer is that the number shifts depending on who you ask, what rule set they compete under, and whether they train in the gi or no-gi.

At Trein Club, students train under Pedro Araujo, a 4x Jiu-Jitsu World Champion with more than 40 IBJJF medals. What his students learn is not an endless catalog of obscure moves but a structured, repeatable system. That system still contains far more submissions than most people realize. To give you a real answer, we need to break the count into three layers: the universally accepted core, the expanded named techniques, and the realistic arsenal a serious practitioner actually uses.

The Core Answer: Why the Exact Number Is Impossible to Pin Down

No official governing body publishes a definitive list of every submission in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The IBJJF rulebook lists legal and illegal techniques for competition, but it does not assign a total number. New variations appear constantly as athletes innovate, especially in no-gi grappling where heel hooks and other leg locks have exploded in popularity since 2015. A technique that was considered a "variation" ten years ago may now have its own name, instructional DVD, and dedicated seminar circuit.

Another complication is that the same mechanical finish can be called different names depending on lineage, gym culture, or language. A straight ankle lock, a foot lock, and an "ashi garami" all describe overlapping mechanics. Some instructors count them as one submission; others count them as three. This is why any article claiming an exact number is oversimplifying the art.

The Widely Accepted Baseline: 30 to 50 Fundamental Submissions

If you ask an experienced coach how many core submissions exist, the answer usually lands between 30 and 50. These are the techniques that appear across nearly every curriculum, from white belt fundamentals to black belt refinement. They have clear names, recognizable mechanics, and are taught in almost every academy in the world, including Trein Club's adult BJJ program.

• Chokes from the back: rear naked choke, bow and arrow choke, collar choke

• Armlocks from mount and guard: armbar, kimura, americana, omoplata

• Leg locks: straight ankle lock, kneebar, toe hold, heel hook

• Guillotine family: arm-in guillotine, high elbow guillotine, Marcelotine

• Triangle family: standard triangle, reverse triangle, side triangle

• Shoulder locks: kimura from multiple positions, tarikoplata, baratoplata

This baseline of 30 to 50 represents the shared language of jiu-jitsu. It is what a brown belt from Houston and a brown belt from São Paulo can discuss without confusion. It is also the foundation that makes deeper study possible.

The Expanded Universe: 100+ Named Techniques and Variations

Once you move beyond the core, the count expands quickly. Modern grappling has produced a wave of named submissions that did not exist in the early 2000s: the buggy choke, the ninja choke, the dead orchard, the Texas cloverleaf, the Aoki lock, the Estima lock, and dozens more. Add in grip variations, entries, and finishing adjustments, and the total easily exceeds 100.

Some of these are competition-proven at the highest level. Others are niche moves that work only in specific situations or against certain body types. The expanded universe is fascinating, but it is not where beginners should focus. For a new student, the difference between 50 and 150 submissions is irrelevant. What matters is learning a small number of techniques well enough to apply them against resistance.

The Realistic Number for Practical Use: What Most Black Belts Actually Employ

Here is the number that matters for anyone training in Houston: most black belts actively use between 5 and 15 submissions in live rolling. They may know 100 or more, but their game is built around a small set of high-percentage finishes they can hit from multiple positions. A black belt who specializes in leg locks might use heel hooks, straight ankle locks, and kneebars almost exclusively. A guard player might rely on triangles, armbars, and omoplatas.

This is not a limitation. It is the natural result of depth over breadth. The same principle applies to strength training: you do not need every exercise in existence, you need the right ones done consistently. That is why Trein Club pairs BJJ with a resistance training program that supports the specific demands of grappling rather than chasing novelty.

A Categorized Breakdown of All BJJ Submissions

Every submission in jiu-jitsu falls into one of four broad categories. Understanding these categories helps you see the logic behind the techniques instead of memorizing a random list. It also helps you understand your own body and which submissions will come naturally to you based on your build, flexibility, and athletic background.

Chokes (Air and Blood): The Highest Percentage Finishes

Chokes are divided into two types: blood chokes, which compress the carotid arteries and cause unconsciousness, and air chokes, which compress the trachea and make breathing impossible. Blood chokes are the highest percentage submissions in both gi and no-gi competition because they work regardless of an opponent's flexibility or pain tolerance. A properly applied rear naked choke ends the fight in seconds.

The choke family includes the rear naked choke, bow and arrow choke, cross collar choke, loop choke, baseball bat choke, guillotine, anaconda choke, darce choke, Japanese necktie, and north-south choke. In the gi, collar chokes add an entire dimension that does not exist in no-gi. A skilled gi player can finish a bow and arrow choke from positions where a no-gi grappler would have no submission available.

Joint Locks: Armbars, Kimuras, and Americana Variations

Joint locks attack the elbow, shoulder, wrist, or knee by hyperextending or rotating the joint beyond its natural range. The armbar is the most iconic submission in BJJ, but the kimura and americana are equally important. The kimura, in particular, functions as both a submission and a control position that opens up transitions to the back or to other attacks.

Shoulder locks have evolved significantly. The omoplata, tarikoplata, and baratoplata all attack the shoulder from different angles. Wrist locks exist but are often considered a "dirty" technique in casual training, though they are perfectly legal in most competitions. The key with joint locks is control: you must isolate the limb and immobilize the body before applying pressure, or a skilled opponent will escape.

Leg Locks: Straight Ankle Locks, Heel Hooks, and Knee Bars

Leg locks were once considered a niche specialty, but the no-gi revolution of the late 2010s changed everything. The straight ankle lock is legal at every belt level in IBJJF competition and is often the first leg lock a white belt learns. The kneebar and toe hold become legal at brown and black belt in the gi, while heel hooks are generally restricted to no-gi advanced divisions and specific rule sets.

The modern leg lock game includes the inside heel hook, outside heel hook, straight ankle lock, kneebar, toe hold, calf slicer, and the Aoki lock. Leg locks require a deep understanding of leg entanglement positions like ashi garami, 50/50, and the saddle. They also carry higher injury risk when applied recklessly, which is why reputable academies teach them progressively and with clear tap etiquette.

Compression and Spine Locks: The Rare and Unusual

Compression submissions attack the muscles, ribs, or spine rather than joints or arteries. The calf slicer, bicep slicer, and body lock are examples. The twister, made famous by Eddie Bravo, is a spine lock that is illegal in most gi competitions but allowed in certain no-gi rule sets. These submissions are rare in high-level competition because they require specific positions that are difficult to secure against a skilled opponent.

That said, compression locks have a place in a complete game. A well-timed calf slicer from the truck position can catch an opponent completely off guard. The key is understanding when a compression submission is available and when it is a low-percentage gamble that sacrifices position.

Why the Count Matters Less Than You Think (For Beginners and Pros)

Chasing a higher number of known submissions is one of the most common mistakes in jiu-jitsu. Beginners collect techniques like trading cards, watching YouTube instructionals and trying a new move every class. What actually builds skill is the opposite: narrowing your focus to a small set of techniques and drilling them until they become automatic.

The 80/20 Rule in Jiu Jitsu: Mastering a Few Moves Deeply

The 80/20 rule applies to submissions just as it applies to business, fitness, and learning. Roughly 80% of your successful finishes will come from 20% of the techniques you know. A blue belt who has drilled the armbar, triangle, and rear naked choke for two years will submit more people than a purple belt who knows 50 techniques superficially.

This principle extends beyond the mats. The same logic drives Trein Club's approach to core strength training: a few fundamental movement patterns executed consistently outperform a scattered routine. Depth creates reliability. Reliability creates confidence. Confidence creates the willingness to compete and test yourself.

How Many Submissions Should You Learn at Each Belt Level?

Belt level expectations vary by academy, but a reasonable framework looks like this:

• White belt: 3 to 5 submissions, focused on survival and escapes first

• Blue belt: 8 to 12 submissions, with at least one from each major position

• Purple belt: 15 to 25 submissions, with a defined "A-game" and clear specialties

• Brown belt: 30 to 50 submissions, including advanced variations and leg locks

• Black belt: 50+ known, but 5 to 15 used consistently at a world-class level

The progression is not linear. A purple belt does not simply know twice as many submissions as a blue belt. Instead, a purple belt understands the same submissions at a deeper level: better entries, better control, better finishing mechanics, and better transitions when the submission fails. That depth is what separates a hobbyist from a competitor.

The Ultimate List of BJJ Submissions (With Names and Categories)

For those who want a comprehensive reference, here is a categorized list of the most recognized submissions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. This is not an exhaustive catalog of every variation ever named, but it covers the techniques you will encounter in a serious training environment like Trein Club.

The Essential 10-15 Submissions Every White Belt Should Know

White belts should focus on submissions that are legal at their level, high percentage, and teach fundamental principles of control. These are the moves that appear most often in competition footage and in the fundamentals curriculum taught by Pedro Araujo and his team.

• Rear naked choke

• Armbar from mount

• Armbar from guard

• Triangle choke from guard

• Kimura from side control

• Americana from side control

• Cross collar choke from mount

• Guillotine choke

• Straight ankle lock

• Omoplata from guard

• Bow and arrow choke

• Ezekiel choke

• Loop choke

• Head and arm choke (arm triangle)

• North-south choke

These 15 submissions form the backbone of the white to blue belt journey. Master them, and you will have a finishing threat from every major position: mount, side control, back control, guard, and standing.

The Intermediate Arsenal: 20-30 More Techniques for Blue and Purple Belts

At blue and purple belt, the game expands to include more sophisticated entries, chained attacks, and submissions that require better timing and body awareness. This is also where many practitioners begin exploring leg locks beyond the straight ankle lock.

• Darce choke

• Anaconda choke

• Japanese necktie

• Peruvian necktie

• Baseball bat choke

• Clock choke

• Paper cutter choke

• Kneebar

• Toe hold

• Heel hook (no-gi, advanced divisions)

• Tariko plata

• Barata plata

• Monoplata

• Gogoplata

• Locoplata

• Calf slicer

• Bicep slicer

• Wrist lock

• Inverted triangle

• Reverse triangle

• Arm-in guillotine

• High elbow guillotine

• Marcelotine

• Von Flue choke

• No-gi Ezekiel choke

• Estima lock

• 50/50 armbar

• Dead orchard

• Hindulotine

• Shaolin sweep to kimura (submission chain)

This intermediate list represents the point where jiu-jitsu becomes a personal expression. A blue belt who loves the guillotine will build an entire game around front headlock control. A purple belt who favors leg locks will develop entries from single leg X and 50/50. The techniques are the same; the style is individual.

The Advanced and Modern Submissions: 50+ Rare and Competition-Level Moves

The advanced tier includes submissions that require exceptional flexibility, timing, or specific rule sets. Many of these moves are named after the athletes who popularized them. They are not necessary for a complete game, but they represent the creative frontier of the art.

• Buggy choke

• Ninja choke

• Twister

• Banana split

• Texas cloverleaf

• Aoki lock

• Inside heel hook from saddle

• Outside heel hook from 50/50

• Cross ashi garami heel hook

• Honey hole kneebar

• K guard to backside 50/50 heel hook

• Choi bar

• Ruotolotine

• Caio terra foot lock

• Lins lock

• Z lock

• Dogbar

• Shotgun ankle lock

• Figure four toe hold from reverse ashi

• Kani basami entry to heel hook

Some of these techniques are illegal in IBJJF gi competition but legal in ADCC or other no-gi rule sets. Others are legal everywhere but simply low percentage. The advanced tier is where you see the influence of modern grappling instructionals, and it is also where injury risk increases if you do not have a solid foundation. At Trein Club, advanced techniques are taught within a structured curriculum that prioritizes safety and progressive learning.

Frequently Asked Questions About BJJ Submissions

How many submissions are there in jiu jitsu in total?

There is no official total, but the practical answer is between 100 and 200 named submissions when you include variations. The core set that every practitioner should recognize is 30 to 50 techniques. Most black belts actively use 5 to 15 in live training and competition.

What is the most common submission in BJJ?

The rear naked choke is the most common submission in both gi and no-gi competition, followed closely by the armbar and the triangle choke. In gi competition specifically, the bow and arrow choke and cross collar choke also appear at high frequency. Leg locks have risen dramatically in no-gi over the past decade.

How many submissions does a black belt know?

A typical black belt knows 50 to 100+ named submissions and variations. However, knowing a technique and being able to apply it against a resisting, equally skilled opponent are different things. World-class black belts build their games around a small number of techniques they have refined through thousands of repetitions.

Are all BJJ submissions legal in competition?

No. Legality depends on the rule set, belt level, and whether you are competing in gi or no-gi. Heel hooks are illegal in IBJJF gi competition at all belt levels but legal in many no-gi advanced divisions. Wrist locks are legal at brown and black belt in IBJJF but often discouraged in casual training. The twister is illegal in IBJJF but legal in some no-gi organizations. Always check the specific rule set before competing.

What is the hardest submission to learn in BJJ?

The answer is subjective, but many practitioners consider the heel hook system the hardest to learn properly. It requires understanding complex leg entanglement positions, recognizing when your knee is in danger, and applying finishing pressure with precision to avoid injuring your training partner. The omoplata is also challenging for beginners due to the hip movement and angle requirements.

How many submissions are there in no-gi vs gi jiu jitsu?

No-gi has fewer total submissions because it removes all collar and lapel chokes. That eliminates the cross collar choke, bow and arrow choke, loop choke, baseball bat choke, and several others. However, no-gi has expanded leg lock options, including heel hooks that are restricted in most gi rule sets. The net result is a different submission landscape rather than a smaller one.

Can you invent a new submission in BJJ?

Yes. New submissions are named every year, often after the athlete who first uses them successfully in high-level competition. The buggy choke, Ruotolotine, and Aoki lock are all examples of techniques that did not exist in mainstream BJJ 15 years ago. Innovation is part of the art, but it usually builds on existing principles of control and leverage rather than creating something entirely new.

The real answer to how many jiu jitsu submissions are there is less important than what you do with the knowledge. A white belt who masters three submissions will beat a blue belt who knows thirty but cannot finish any of them. At Trein Club, the focus is on depth, repetition, and building a game that works for your body and your goals. That is how champions are made, and it is how a complete beginner becomes someone who walks onto the mat with confidence.