Are you really good at taking opponents’ backs… But you’re just, sort of, incapable of getting the tap once you’re there? As in, you take their back, you establish control… But then you just can’t seem to get the submission?
If that’s the case, then there might be a simple solution to your problem: go for the submission faster.
GO FOR THE SUBMISSION IMMEDIATELY ONCE ON THEIR BACK
A lot of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athletes try to first establish good control over their opponents, before going for the submission. This is a good thing; you first have to “tame” your opponent before you tap them out.
However, doing this to an excess can be counterproductive. Namely, if you’re making adjustments to the position so much so that you’re trying to reach “perfection”… Then you’ll give the other person ample time to set up their defense.
Therefore, what you need to do is be faster than their hands are. Meaning, you need to attack their neck before they have a chance to prop their hands up in order to defend it.
So, as soon as you have good control over your opponent, slip your hand underneath their chin. Either grab their lapel (open it up first, so that it’s a deep grip) or slide your palm as deep towards their back as you can (if it’s a No Gi match).
Professor Tom from The Grappling Academy explains this – and adds an arm-grabbing tip – in fantastic detail below:
