John Danaher Explains If You Should Really Go For Position Before Submission

One of the earliest lessons in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu shapes how most practitioners approach the sport for years… But as you progress, that same principle should evolve into something more dynamic – the adage of position before submission. John Danaher explains the traditional starting point: The first thing you’ll be taught in Jiu Jitsu is that […]

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John Danaher, a highly respected figure in BJJ, offers a critical re-evaluation of the widely taught mantra, "position before submission." While acknowledging its foundational importance for beginners—who often rush submission attempts and consequently lose dominant control—Danaher argues that this principle becomes an oversimplification for advanced practitioners. He contends that a rigid adherence to merely holding a stable position can inadvertently hinder the dynamic process required to actually secure a submission, which often demands creating instability or breaking an opponent's posture.

Danaher emphasizes that the ultimate goal is not just to achieve any stable position, but rather a dominant position that actively facilitates submission opportunities. He explains that submissions frequently necessitate a temporary compromise of a perfectly static position to create the necessary angles, leverage, or reactions from an opponent. For instance, breaking an opponent's posture from mount or back control might momentarily disrupt perfect stability but is crucial for setting up chokes or armlocks. He suggests that submission attempts themselves can be a powerful form of control, dictating an opponent's movements and creating further openings.

Ultimately, Danaher advocates for a more nuanced philosophy, perhaps better termed "position for submission" or "position to create submission opportunities." He likens it to a chess game, where one doesn't just seek a good position, but a good position to checkmate. This approach encourages practitioners to view position and submission as intrinsically linked and interdependent, rather than strictly sequential. It highlights that the path to a finish in BJJ is a dynamic interplay where control is leveraged to set up and execute submissions, recognizing that calculated risks from a position of strength are often necessary to secure the tap.