BJJ Techniques: Every Submission, Sweep & Escape Explained
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu techniques from the DARCE app, organised the way the app organises them: by what they do, from submissions and sweeps to passing, escapes and leg locks. Each technique is broken into steps with the key details that make it work and the mistakes that get it countered.
39 techniques · 12 categories
Submissions
5 techniques
- Triangle ChokefundamentalTrap the head and one arm and strangle with your legs in a figure-four around the neck.
- Armbar from GuardfundamentalIsolate an arm, swing a leg over the head and extend the hips to attack the elbow.
- Cross-Collar ChokeintermediateFeed both hands deep into the collars and flare the elbows to strangle from guard.
- Kimura from GuardintermediateTrap a posted arm, figure-four the wrist and rotate the shoulder to finish.
- WristlockintermediateTrap their hand flat against your body and bend the wrist forward to load the small joint.
Sweeps
4 techniques
- Scissor SweepfundamentalLoad a shin across the body and scissor the legs to sweep the opponent and come up on top.
- Hip Bump SweepfundamentalSit up, reach over the shoulder and bump your hips to roll the opponent over into mount.
- Flower SweepintermediateControl a sleeve and a leg and swing your legs like a pendulum to sweep them over and come up on top.
- Butterfly SweepfundamentalFrom seated butterfly guard, underhook and use a hook to elevate the opponent over to the side.
Guard Attacks
2 techniques
Guard Passing
4 techniques
- Knee Slice PassfundamentalSlice a knee across the thigh to the mat while controlling the upper body, clearing the legs to side control.
- Toreando PassfundamentalPin both legs to one side and circle around them like a bullfighter into side control.
- Double-Under PassintermediateScoop both legs with your arms, stack the opponent onto their shoulders and walk around to side control.
- Stack PassintermediateStand and drive the opponent’s knees toward their face, then slide around the stacked legs to pass.
Mount Attacks
5 techniques
- Armbar from MountintermediateIsolate an arm from mount, climb to high mount and swing a leg over the head to attack the elbow.
- Cross-Collar Choke from MountintermediateFeed both hands deep into the collars from mount and drop your weight to finish the strangle.
- AmericanafundamentalPin a bent arm to the mat, figure-four the wrist and lift the elbow to attack the shoulder.
- Arm TriangleintermediateTrap one of the opponent’s arms across their own neck and squeeze with your shoulder to strangle.
- Ezekiel ChokeintermediateUsing a sleeve grip behind the neck and the other forearm across the throat, saw the choke closed.
Back Attacks
3 techniques
- Rear Naked ChokefundamentalThe highest-percentage finish in grappling: slide an arm across the throat from the back and squeeze.
- Bow and Arrow ChokeintermediateA powerful gi collar choke from the back: grip the collar and a leg and pull like drawing a bow.
- TwisteradvancedFrom the truck, control the trapped leg and crank the head toward it to twist and torque the spine.
Side Control Attacks
3 techniques
- Americana from Side ControlfundamentalFrom side control, trap the far arm bent on the mat and figure-four it to attack the shoulder.
- Kimura from Side ControlintermediateIsolate the far arm from side control, figure-four it and rotate the shoulder behind their back.
- Knee on BellyfundamentalA mobile, high-pressure control: drive a knee onto the belly and post up to attack or transition.
Leg Locks
4 techniques
- Straight Ankle LockfundamentalTrap the foot in your armpit and bridge your hips to attack the Achilles and ankle.
- Heel HookadvancedControl the leg, trap the heel and rotate it to torque the knee. Extremely dangerous, drill with care.
- KneebaradvancedStraighten the leg and bridge your hips against the back of the knee to hyperextend the joint.
- Toe HoldadvancedFigure-four grip the foot and rotate it to torque the ankle and knee.
Front Headlock Chokes
3 techniques
- D'Arce ChokeintermediateThread an arm under the neck and far armpit and lock onto your own biceps to strangle, the app’s namesake.
- Anaconda ChokeintermediateSimilar to the D’Arce but the arm threads under the near arm; roll them through to finish constricting the neck.
- North-South ChokeadvancedFrom the north-south position, wrap under the chin and drop your shoulder to compress the neck.
Escapes
3 techniques
- Mount Escape (Upa)fundamentalTrap an arm and the same-side leg, bridge over your shoulder and roll the opponent into your guard.
- Side Control Escape (Shrimp)fundamentalFrame against the opponent, shrimp your hips away and recover your guard.
- Back EscapeintermediateProtect the neck, slide your hips to the mat to clear a hook, and turn in to their guard.
Takedowns & Entries
1 technique
Slicers
2 techniques
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