The Art of Locking in Submissions

Control vs. Control: The Art of Locking in Submissions

In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, there’s control, and then there’s Control with a capital “C.” The distinction lies in your ability to maintain a dominant position on a resisting opponent, especially when you’re close to applying a submission. This stage of the learning process can often be frustrating—so many times it’s a case of almost, but not quite.

One of the keys to achieving true Control is understanding how to use well-placed pins and wedges to create positional tension without relying on raw strength. When you can hold a position without significant muscular effort, you not only conserve energy but also eliminate the common mistakes that come from squeezing too hard.

Why does this matter? For three main reasons:

1. Squeezing hard creates gaps. Overexerting your muscles tends to shift your position slightly, giving your opponent room to escape.

2. It blows out your muscles. By using excessive strength, your muscles tire quickly, leaving you unable to maintain your position or apply an effective submission.

3. It takes away your ability to adjust. When you’re squeezing, your focus is on muscle engagement rather than positional awareness. This reduces your ability to adapt and fill gaps as they appear, which is critical for maintaining control.

In a perfect example of this, Professor Canudo demonstrates how to effectively contort his opponent into a weakened position (using alignment principles) before locking them in place with precise pins and wedges. Only then does he move toward attacking the submission.

By creating tension through positioning instead of brute force, you gain Control—a form of mastery that allows you to maintain stability, fill gaps, and successfully secure submissions without exhausting yourself.