BJJ Chain Attacks Guide: Sequential Submission Mastery

Updated March 2025 • 7 min read

What Are Chain Attacks?

Chain attacks are sequences of submissions or positional advances that flow naturally from one to another. When your opponent defends against your first submission attempt, the chain attack puts you in position to immediately threaten another finish without resetting position.

Benefits of Chain Attacks

Pressure Accumulation

Each submission attempt in a chain increases pressure on your opponent. They can't fully escape because the next threat is already coming. This accumulation of pressure often forces mistakes that lead to finishes.

Reduced Opponent Options

With a chain attack, your opponent's escape options diminish with each submission attempt. A single submission attempt can be escaped; a properly executed chain leaves few safe options.

High-Percentage Finishes

Professional grapplers use chain attacks because they're statistically more likely to lead to submissions than single attacks. Data from major tournaments shows chain submissions have higher finish rates.

Common Chain Attack Patterns

The Triangle-Armbar Chain

From closed guard, if your opponent escapes the triangle by posting their arm, that same arm is perfectly positioned for an armbar. This is one of the most fundamental chains in jiu-jitsu.

The Choke Progression

Many chokes can transition to other chokes. A rear-naked choke attempt that's defended might transition to a guillotine or other choke variations depending on how your opponent escapes.

Leg Lock Chains

Heel hook attacks often chain into other leg lock variations. For example, if your opponent escapes a heel hook by rotating into a specific direction, that rotation puts them in position for a different leg lock attack.

Developing Chain Attack Skills

Understand Escape Mechanics

To build effective chains, you must understand how opponents escape your submissions. Study where they move their weight and limbs when defending. That movement path leads to your next attack.

Position Connectivity

The best chains don't require resetting position. You transition smoothly from one attack to the next. This requires understanding how positions relate to each other spatially.

Timing and Pressure

Chain attacks succeed through continuous pressure. The moment you remove pressure to reset position, your opponent gains opportunity to escape completely. Maintain pressure throughout the transition.

Training Chain Attacks

Practice chains through:

• Specific position drilling (50% power) focusing on transitions
• Live rolling with emphasis on following escapes naturally
• Video analysis of professional competitors executing chains
• Open-ended positional work where you commit to finishing sequences