Two Against One
The principle of isolation is the cornerstone of any effective submission. The mechanics of finishing a submission rely heavily on your ability to isolate your opponent’s limb or neck, creating a scenario where their targeted body part is overwhelmed by your focused attack. Conversely, when a submission fails to materialize, the root cause is often a failure to fully isolate the limb or joint in question. A well-timed escape by your opponent typically begins with their ability to reconnect that isolated limb to their body or use a free limb to disrupt your control.
If you reflect on any submission attempt that “nearly was,” you’ll almost always find that a lack of limb isolation formed the foundation of your opponent’s escape. For instance, when going for an armbar from mount or guard, failing to sufficiently control their wrist, shoulder, or opposite arm can allow them to clasp their hands, bridge, or turn their body to relieve pressure. Similarly, in a kimura attempt, if your opponent can use their free arm or leverage their hips to resist your control, the submission will become exponentially harder to finish.
On the flip side, if you’re the one defending a submission, your best path to escape often involves leveraging the principle of reinforcement. By using a free limb to assist the one under attack, you can nullify your opponent’s ability to isolate and control it. For example, when caught in a triangle choke, bringing both hands together to frame against the choking leg and posturing up shifts the odds in your favor. Likewise, when defending an Americana or kimura, clasping your hands together or gripping your belt provides immediate reinforcement that can buy you the time needed to reposition or create space.
The key error in both scenarios—whether attacking or defending—is to become overly fixated on the submission itself. As the attacker, you might become so focused on cranking the submission or chasing the tap that you neglect to address the real problem: maintaining control of the supporting limb or securing proper isolation. Similarly, as the defender, it’s easy to panic and waste energy fighting the immediate pressure without addressing the root cause of your predicament—your opponent’s control of the isolated limb.
This oversight often stems from a lack of awareness of the broader positional dynamics at play. Submissions are not just isolated techniques; they are the culmination of a series of steps that begin with control, progress through isolation, and end in execution. Losing sight of this sequence can lead to frustration on both ends: as the attacker struggles to finish, and the defender burns out in their escape attempts.
Improving Isolation and Reinforcement
To enhance your understanding and execution of these principles, consider incorporating the following into your training:
1. Focus on Control Before Submission
Spend time drilling the mechanics of isolating limbs, even without attempting submissions. For instance, work on securing an opponent’s arm and shoulder during armbar setups or controlling their posture and base during chokes. Emphasize grips, positioning, and body pressure that limit their ability to use free limbs for defense.
2. Practice Escapes with Reinforcement
When defending submissions, prioritize reinforcing the attacked limb with a free one before engaging in further escape maneuvers. Drills like hand-fighting during armbars or two-on-one framing against triangles can help you develop this reflex under pressure.
3. Drill Transitional Scenarios
Set up positional drills where one partner works on transitioning between control and submission, while the other practices reinforcing and escaping. For example, start in side control with one person attacking a kimura and the other focusing on preventing isolation and escaping to guard.
4. Mental Awareness in Live Rounds
Train yourself to be mindful of the larger picture during live sparring. If you’re attacking, don’t get tunnel vision for the finish; instead, continuously reassess your control and adjust to prevent your opponent from reconnecting their limbs. If you’re defending, focus on breaking their control rather than just resisting the pressure of the submission itself.
5. Study and Reflect
After each session, reflect on failed submission attempts or successful escapes. Identify whether a lack of isolation or reinforcement played a role and think about adjustments you can make. Reviewing competition footage or instructional material can also deepen your understanding of these dynamics.
Ultimately, the battle between isolation and reinforcement is a dynamic and ongoing chess match. By developing an acute awareness of these principles, you’ll not only improve your submission success rate but also sharpen your ability to escape under pressure. Recognizing that submissions are rarely won or lost in the final seconds of execution—but rather in the buildup of control and isolation—will give you a strategic edge on the mats.