Submission Grappling: Master BJJ Chokes and Armbars
Real BJJ isn't about fancy moves that look good on camera. It is about controlling your opponent with high-percentage chokes and armbars. These are the drills we use to build that control.
Teaching the basics at home. This sequence shows a guard pass drill that ends with me securing a dominant position on my son.
This is a Neil Knot, a tricky choke that can be applied from side control. It's about using creative grips to finish the fight.
The rear-naked choke is the king of submissions. Here's a drill showing the proper way to secure the back and finish the choke.
Sometimes unorthodox moves work. We drill everything, including old-school techniques that might look weird but can be surprisingly effective.
The Head and Arm choke from the North-South position is a powerful submission that relies on pressure and body weight.
A classic combination drill: executing a sweep from the guard to reverse the position and immediately attacking with an armbar.
Sometimes you have to let your opponent think they are passing your guard to set a trap. Here, I bait the pass to lock in a choke.
A basic armbar from the guard. This is one of the first submissions everyone in BJJ should master.
Drilling a choke from side control. This technique, credited to David Dunn, shows how to use the Gi to apply pressure.
A friendly but intense roll with a student. This clip shows a scramble that ends with me demonstrating control from the top position.
About Submission Game: Chokes & Armbars
You don't need to learn a hundred different submissions to be effective. In my classes, we strip away the flashy stuff and focus on high-percentage chokes and armbars that actually work under pressure. We drill the setups and the control positions first, because if you cannot control your opponent, you cannot submit them. Expect to put in the work on these basics until they become muscle memory.
Why the Basics Win
Most people waste time trying to learn acrobatic moves that they will never pull off in a real fight. My approach is simple. We drill the fundamentals—the rear-naked choke, the armbar from the guard, and the head-and-arm choke—until you can hit them without thinking. Whether you are training for MMA or self-defense, these submissions work because they rely on leverage and pressure, not just strength.
The No-Ego Policy
If you want to train with me, leave your ego at home. You are going to tap out. Everyone does. That is how you learn. We create a space where you can test your techniques against resisting partners so you know what works when someone is actually trying to stop you. We do not practice 'dead' drills; we practice live scenarios.
Training Options
Whether you are an absolute beginner or looking to sharpen your game for competition, we have a setup for you:
- Group Training: Join our sessions at Crosstrain Fight Club in Sainik Farm. You will get to train alongside other fighters and national-level athletes.
- Private Coaching: If you want to fix specific technical flaws or accelerate your learning, I offer one-on-one sessions. I can also travel to your home in South Delhi/NCR to set up training in your own space.
We cover both Gi and No-Gi grappling. If you are ready to get better and stop making excuses, come join the mat.
Gaurav Gulliya
I'm Gaurav. I don't care about trophies as much as I care about how effective your game is when it counts. Whether we are drilling at the club in Sainik Farm or I am coming to your home, we strip away the nonsense and focus on what actually works.
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