Leg Locks Vs. Traditional Submissions: BJJ’s Evolution

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has always been a martial art rooted in evolution and adaptation. From its early days of self-defense to its current status as a premier grappling sport, BJJ has undergone numerous transformations. One of the most talked-about shifts in the past decade has been the rise of leg locks and their impact on the traditional submission game.

For years, submissions like armbars, triangles, and rear-naked chokes dominated BJJ competitions. However, the modern game has seen a surge in leg locks, which were once viewed as risky or even unsportsmanlike. Now, leg attacks have become essential tools for high-level competitors. This article explores how BJJ has evolved through the interplay of old-school and new-school submissions and why a well-rounded grappler should study both.

An Ever-Evolving Martial Art

Martial arts never remain static. Like all combat sports, BJJ has grown and adapted through experimentation, competition, and innovation. In the early days, BJJ was primarily about positional control, favoring submissions that followed a top-down approach. Fighters focused on dominant positions like mount and back control before looking for submissions.

As the sport expanded globally, practitioners began to challenge conventional methods. Competitions and the rise of submission-only formats encouraged more aggressive attacking styles. This environment allowed leg locks to gain legitimacy, breaking away from their stigma as “cheap” or “low-percentage” moves. Today, both traditional submissions and leg locks have their place, making BJJ more dynamic than ever.

The Art Of Submissions

At its core, BJJ is about control and submission. The essence of the art lies in using leverage, technique, and timing to force an opponent to surrender. Submissions come in different forms – joint locks, strangles, and compressions. These techniques target specific weaknesses in the human body and are highly effective in sports and self-defense situations.

The philosophy behind submissions in BJJ has long been based on control first, attack second. Practitioners were taught to pass the guard, secure a dominant position, and then hunt for the finish. While effective, this approach often slowed down the pace of matches and limited submission attempts to a predictable set of attacks. The evolution of leg locks disrupted this formula, providing another layer of complexity to the submission game.

Old School Submissions Defined

Traditional BJJ submissions focus primarily on the upper body. Techniques like armbars, kimuras, guillotines, and triangles have been the bread and butter of the art for decades. These moves are effective because they attack the opponent’s arms, neck, or shoulders. These are areas that can be easily controlled once positional dominance is achieved.

The old-school style revolves around the concept of “position before submission.” This means that securing full mount, side control, or back control should come first before attempting a finishing move. The reasoning behind this is that dominant positions offer greater control, making it harder for opponents to escape or counter.

Historically, leg locks were considered risky because they often required sacrificing position. Many traditional BJJ schools viewed them as risky for training and competition, as failed attempts could lead to an opponent passing guard or countering with their own submission.

The New School Style

The modern BJJ game has flipped many traditional concepts on their head, and leg locks are at the center of this shift. The rise of submission-only competitions, particularly in No-Gi formats, has allowed leg attacks to flourish. Many innovators, like famed coach John Danaher, have helped push BJJ forward to the complete and dangerous art we know today.

Leg locks offer an entirely different approach to submissions. Instead of working through dominant positions, practitioners can attack from positions like open guard, half guard, and even bottom positions. This means that even if an opponent is on top, they are never truly safe.

Modern BJJ athletes have developed entire systems around leg entanglements. These leg positions provide strong control while attacking the legs, allowing practitioners to apply devastating submissions targeting the foot or knee. The ability to finish fights without needing positional dominance has made leg locks a game-changer.

Benefits Of Learning Both

While leg locks have gained popularity, traditional submissions remain highly effective. The best approach is not to favor one style over the other but to integrate both into a complete game. Here’s why learning both styles is beneficial:

A well-rounded grappler is harder to beat. If you only focus on one type of submission, opponents who are prepared for it will be able to shut down your attacks. By incorporating both upper-body and lower-body submissions, you increase your chances of finishing fights from multiple angles.

Positional awareness improves when learning leg locks. Since leg attacks often require giving up traditional positions, practitioners develop better defensive awareness and movement. This skill set helps in both gi and no-gi matches, making transitions smoother and defenses sharper.

Understanding leg locks makes you better at defending them. With the rise of leg locks, ignoring them is no longer an option. Many BJJ athletes who refused to learn leg lock defense ended up getting caught by them in competition. By studying leg locks, you not only expand your offense but also protect yourself from leg-hunters.

Specialize But Be Complete

Every grappler has their strengths. Some may naturally gravitate toward arm locks and chokes, while others may find leg locks easier to execute. There’s nothing wrong with specializing in a certain type of submission, but a complete grappler should always have a basic understanding of all techniques.

The best competitors in BJJ, MMA, and submission grappling don’t just rely on one approach. They blend old-school and new-school approaches seamlessly. Grapplers like the Ruotolo brothers, Craig Jones, and many more showcase how leg locks can be integrated into an already solid submission game. At the same time, more traditional black belts like Roger Gracie and Bernardo Faria have dominated with classic submissions that continue to stand the test of time.

If you prefer armbars and triangles, that’s great! Just make sure you know how to defend against a heel hook. If you love leg locks, fantastic! But don’t ignore the effectiveness of a well-timed rear-naked choke. The key to growth in BJJ is being open to learning, adapting, and refining your game over time.

Conclusion

The battle between leg locks and traditional submissions is not about which is better. Both are valuable tools that serve different purposes in a grappler’s arsenal. The evolution of BJJ has shown that innovation and adaptation are what drive the sport forward.

The best approach is to blend both styles, creating a complete submission game that leaves no gaps for opponents to exploit. Whether you’re competing at the highest levels or just rolling at your local gym, being well-rounded will always be the key to success on the mats.

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