Submissions Without Control

I really, really, really try to avoid mentioning submissions on this blog mainly because there is WAY, WAY TOO much emphasis out there on learning submissions - usually at the detriment of critically important info such as positional escapes, pinning, etc.

Here is problem with seeking submissons when there is not control of the opponent: the submission will not work because the opponent is able to move out of the submission. In many instances, even the slightest movemnt makes the completion of a submission tough to finish. Think of a straight footlock: if the body is not controlled, it is pretty easy to get out of or at least it will delay the sinking in of the move.

So, why do people ignore controlling an opponent and go for submissions? Their brain has been hardwired that way through crowded group glasses, bad instructional videos, and crash course seminars. In those environments, the emphasis will be on keeping people happy by teaching a ton of submissions in order to pander to people's desire to see new 'moves.' Does it get you anywhere? Nope. In fact, if anything would improve a person's game it would be curtailing the volume of submissions they are accumulating.