Why positional dominance leads to more submissions and how to build a positional hierarchy in BJJ.
This principle, attributed to HΓ©lio Gracie, means that securing a dominant position should always precede attempting a submission. Hunting for submissions from bad positions leads to failed attempts and ended up in worse positions.
| Position | Relative Value | Primary Threats |
|---|---|---|
| Back Control | βββββ | RNC, bow and arrow, chokes |
| Mount | βββββ | Armbar, triangle, collar chokes |
| Side Control | ββββ | Kimura, americana, north-south choke |
| Knee on Belly | βββ | Transition to mount/back, cross collar |
| Guard (bottom) | ββ | Triangle, armbar, omoplata, sweeps |
General rule: if you're in top control, stabilize first, then attack. If you're in guard (bottom), attack immediately β you're already not improving the position. The exception: opportunistic submissions (when the submission presents itself perfectly, take it regardless of hierarchy).
At white belt: submissions are the goal. At blue belt: position becomes more valued. At purple and above: position and submission attempts merge β attacks serve to improve position and vice versa. The most advanced practitioners use submissions to move to better positions even when they fail.
Weekly techniques, tips and updates