How do you improve your set ups for submissions or your trickery with examples?

Question

The level I'm at in my grappling is I know alot of submissions but I often telegraph what is coming. Maybe it is more with experience but I have difficulty catching people surprised in submission attempts. If I'm going for an armbar I'll go through the steps in my head and then my opponent will catch it. If I take the back the choke is blocked before I sink it. If I work from the guard same thing. My most effective submissions are the ones where there is no surprise I just out muscle them from a position into the submission for example kesa gatame to arm bar in my own legs using muscle to fit the submission. Is there any secrets to being ahead of opponents? Of catching them off guard?

Answer 1

Without giving you a twenty-page answer, my best advice is to practice often and to learn to link your subs...

Practicing is obvious just because you'll go for the submission naturally without "forcing it." I once had the opportunity to train with Erik Paulson and he kept drilling into my head the necessity to practice a move 300 to 400 times. Your moves have to flow, so if you're spending even a second thinking about it before actually doing it, you've probably already lost your chance. Take some time before and after class with partner to drill a technique over and over again, it'll help your game tremendously.

As far as my comment regarding linking your subs, learn which subs can lead to others (i.e. an Americana can lead to a kimura, etc.) Oftentimes, using one submission to set up another can really confuse your opponent. They'll attempt to defend one and oftentimes focus so hard on defending that sub, that they'll forget about anything else.

Transitioning is also a good moment to catch people off guard. One I like using in particular is to go from rear mount (if your opponent is in four-point position) to triangle. Using your opponent's desperation to get out of a potentially "bad position" is a great way to put them in an even worse position without them knowing.

Last, but not least, don't be afraid to try submissions and fail. You can't learn new subs (or different ways of doing subs you already know) if you don't try. Regardless of how crazy the setup may seem, you won't know it's effectiveness unless you put it on the table...

Answer 2

As a student of BJJ and Judo I have a few suggestions. First, of all it is definitely hard to submit a skilled opponent. There is no golden rule in how to submit an opponent. When I submit someone or am being submitted it usually revolves around control. If you can control your opponent or part of your opponent's body then you will force them to make a mistake and capitalize on the opportunity. As far as set ups this becomes more intellectual than physical. For example if you wanted to set up a rear naked choke you could lean over your opponent with your right arm under their right armpit when he/she is on all fours and allow them to trap your arm and roll; as soon as they start to roll sink in your legs and go for the choke (a basic set up you've probably seen a million times in class, tournaments, UFC etc.) Another good way is to practice the moves alot till your body has memorized it and it will become more of a reflex than something you really have to think about.

Answer 3

This is really where you advance in grappling, learning to set up a move two or three steps ahead. I often use pain or uncomfortability in setting up my submissions, such as when I am in side control I may put an elbow into the solar plexus and press my weight down as I move around, or doing things such as sternum crushes, or cranks to have a person move into a submission.

Some submissions, such as from the guard or from the back, come off chaining submissions, especially so with the guard, you can go from triangle, to juji, to omo plata fairly easily and be able to switch in between and set up guillotine chokes.

The best way to improve is to roll with better guys, guys who are able to sink things in on you, find out how they are doing it. Tell yourself that you aren't going to use strength for a submission, and just find ways to make people move into them. Honestly, the best set ups you can get are from guys who have been doing it a long time. You can watch tapes, or download vids of people showing various set ups to specific moves. Try those, roll with people who tap you out easily. Pick their brains for tricks.

Eventually you will develop your own way of getting into things, just go in there with an open mind and don't use strength, don't be afraid to try off the wall stuff, if you get tapped it is no big deal. It's not an ego fest, using strength doesn't help your technique. In the dojo, don't use strength, save that for competition or for the street.

Just my two cents..

Answer 4

My submission is usualy because of an error or something i see them do. I usualy set up a triangle from them punching me in guard. Slip your leg up over their head and night night! With TKD people its much easier. 1. because they dont know how to punch, and if they do its not very effective. 2. because they have no concept of ground fighting unless they have cross trained. When I sparr with Ju jitsu guys its much tougher because they are looking for the same holes I am.