High Percentage BJJ Attacks
☰Contents
The highest percentage submissions in BJJ: rear naked choke, armbar, triangle, guillotine — why they work and how to set them up reliably.
These are the submissions that win the most matches at every level of BJJ competition — the core attacks every practitioner must master before exploring exotic techniques.
Why High Percentage Matters
Exotic techniques are tempting, but statistics show that the rear naked choke, armbar, triangle, and guillotine account for the overwhelming majority of competition finishes at all levels. Mastering these reliably is infinitely more valuable than knowing 50 rare submissions.
Rear Naked Choke (RNC)
The #1 finish in MMA and top-level no-gi. From back control, slip the choking arm under the chin to the neck crease, bring the other hand behind the head (blade cut grip), and squeeze while arching back. The choke works in 2-5 seconds when applied correctly. Practice the seat belt and hook entry to get there consistently.
Armbar
The most versatile submission — available from mount, guard, side control, and back. Key mechanics: create a 90-degree angle at the elbow, squeeze your knees together on the arm, bridge your hips up while pulling the arm down. Eliminate space before extending. Cross grip (palm down, thumb up) prevents hitchhiker escape.
Triangle Choke
A choke applied with the legs from guard that cuts off the carotid arteries. Entry: break posture, create an angle, throw your leg over the shoulder, lock it behind your knee, squeeze and angle. Common errors: cutting the wrong carotid, legs not perpendicular, allowing the opponent to stack. Works best when combined with armbar threats.
Guillotine Choke
A front choke from standing or guard that chokes the trachea or the carotid. High-arm guillotine (most reliable): arm under the chin, hand clasped, pull up and in. Arm-in guillotine requires more squeeze. Key uses: from sprawl against double-leg, from closed guard when opponent ducks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Focus on the armbar and guillotine — they are available in the most common positions (mount, guard) and teach fundamental control mechanics that transfer to all other submissions. Rear naked choke comes naturally once you can take the back.
Because they are mechanically superior — they exploit fundamental leverage principles that cannot be overcome with strength or speed alone. Defenses exist, but they require specific knowledge to execute under pressure.
Three keys: (1) chain attacks together so one defense opens another (armbar to triangle, RNC to armbar), (2) practice entries rather than just the finishing mechanics, (3) study positional control before the submission — most failed submissions fail because of poor entry positioning.