Standing BJJ Submissions & Takedown Options | Texas BJJ
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From Standing·Aces Jiu Jitsu Club
Do you LOVE takedowns? Then this month is for you! Hey Aces!! Watch Coach Mikal and Coach Ty demonstrate Standing submis…
From Standing
Species立ち技から(Tachi-waza kara)
TraditionalTranslation: from standing
Overview
The chin-down wrist lock from standing is applied by gripping the opponent's hand and bending the wrist into flexion while directing the pressure downward toward the opponent's own chin or sternum. [1],[2] The standing position allows the attacker to use body weight and stance changes to amplify the wrist flexion force. [1] The technique requires close range and is commonly initiated from a handshake grip, wrist grab, or collar-tie position where the opponent's hand is already within reach. [1],[2]
History & Origin
Standing wrist flexion techniques directed against the opponent's body are core methods in aikido (kote-gaeshi and kote-hineri families) and traditional jujutsu. [1],[2] The chin-down direction of force appears specifically in self-defense curricula where the goal is to control a standing aggressor using pain compliance. [1] The technique is widely distributed across Asian and Western martial arts traditions that emphasize standing joint manipulation. [1],[2]
Effectiveness
Standing submissions (guillotines, standing kimuras, standing arm triangles) are applied from the feet and are high-percentage in MMA where the opponent's guard pull attempt exposes them. [1]
Lineage
Standing submissions come from judo (tachi-waza ne-waza transitions) and catch wrestling. [1]
Competition Record
Standing submissions, particularly guillotine chokes, are among the most common finishes in UFC competition. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Forced flexion, extension, or rotation of the wrist beyond its normal range of motion
Joints Involved — Radiocarpal joint (wrist), intercarpal joints, distal radioulnar joint
Force Vector — Two-point control — one hand stabilises the forearm while the other drives the wrist into flexion, extension, or deviation
Vulnerability — Small joint with limited muscular protection makes it susceptible to sudden, low-force submissions
Position & Entry
From any grip exchange — During grip fighting, isolate the opponent's wrist with two-on-one control and apply sudden flexion or rotation
From guard (gi) — When opponent posts a hand on the mat or chest, trap the wrist and apply downward pressure for the wrist lock
From mount or side control — Opponent posts to escape, trap the wrist against the mat and apply the lock
Variants
Standard wrist lock (kote gaeshi) — two-handed rotational lock on the wrist
Gooseneck wrist lock — flexion lock bending the wrist down toward the forearm
Standing wrist lock — applied during grip fighting or a standing exchange
Ground wrist lock — catching the opponent's posted hand from mount, side control, or guard
Videos
Takedowns For BJJ Are Easy Once You Understand This
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From Standing·Josh Saunders
✅ 31 Ways In 31 Days to get better faster: https://hpucoaching.aweb.page/p/8bbc26b0-66ae-4a71-af9a-ae95862201e0 ✅Systemi…
2 videos
What Instructors Say
Standing wrist-lock submissions from the chin-down position integrate defensive and offensive principles when a takedown attempt encounters resistance. Aces Jiu Jitsu Club emphasizes intelligent submission transitions during takedown exchanges, specifically the collar choke application when an opponent defends a jacket-based takedown. Their approach involves opening the collar with tension, placing the hand inside to grip the throat, positioning the head near the temple, and executing a 'motorcycle' wrist motion (alternating wrist rotation) while maintaining elbow control to prevent back-take defense. This technique is framed as a high-percentage counter that simultaneously mitigates striking danger and creates follow-up takedown opportunities. Josh Saunders' instruction focuses on the broader takedown framework—controlling posture, manipulating foot positioning, and accessing underhooks—but does not directly address wrist-lock submissions from standing. Instead, Saunders emphasizes collar-tie control and rear body lock transitions as preferred standing submission pathways. Both instructors agree that standing submissions should emerge opportunistically when primary takedown techniques meet resistance, and that head positioning is critical for safety and leverage. Aces Jiu Jitsu Club provides the most direct technical detail for standing wrist-lock execution, while Saunders' material establishes the contextual framework of standing grapple exchanges without specific wrist-lock methodology.
Synthesized from 2 instructors
- Aces Jiu Jitsu Club — Standing BJJ Submissions & Takedown Options | Texas BJJ: Detailed standing collar-choke submission with wrist-lock mechanics (motorcycle motion), emphasizing hand placement inside the collar, elbow positioning for back-take prevention, and head placement near temple. Frames submission as defensive counter when takedown is resisted.
- Josh Saunders — Takedowns For BJJ Are Easy Once You Understand This: Establishes standing grapple principles (posture control, foot positioning, underhook access) and collar-tie control mechanics, but does not address wrist-lock submissions specifically. Provides contextual framework for when standing submissions become necessary.
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
5
High5/10
Wrist lock variant targeting carpal and radioulnar joints through forced deviation or torsion
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Advanced
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Illegal
— kansetsu-waza
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDFLegal
— IBJJF — Legal at all belt levels
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— ADCC — Legal — all submissions legal in ADCC
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— Unified MMA — Legal submission technique
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— FIAS Sport Sambo — Legal
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDF— FIAS Combat Sambo — Legal
FIAS Combat Sambo RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓Standing wrist locks attack the opponent's wrist during grip fighting, clinch work, and standing transitions — they exploit the momentary hand positions that occur during standing grappling (Danaher, New Wave Jiu Jitsu, 2020)
✓Standing wrist locks are among the fastest submissions in grappling: the transition from grip break to wrist lock can occur in under a second
✓The most common standing wrist lock: during grip fighting, peel the opponent's hand off your lapel and immediately apply an extension lock — the grip break becomes the submission
✓Standing wrist locks work best against stiff-armed opponents: those who push or post with locked-out arms expose their wrists to attack
✓Aikido and jujutsu developed the most sophisticated standing wrist lock systems: nikkyo, sankyo, kote-gaeshi, and gooseneck all applied from standing
✓Standing wrist locks can create takedowns: the wrist pain and structural compromise off-balance the opponent — the wrist lock drives them to the ground
✓Standing wrist locks in judo: during grip fighting for dominant kumi-kata, the hand exchange creates brief moments where the wrist is vulnerable
Common Mistakes
!Attempting standing wrist locks against a mobile opponent — the opponent must be momentarily committed (gripping, pushing, reaching) for the wrist to be catchable
!Not controlling the elbow — a free elbow allows the opponent to retract the arm; control the forearm and elbow while attacking the wrist
!Using standing wrist locks as primary attacks — they work best as opportunistic attacks during grip fighting transitions
!Holding the wrist lock standing when it isn't finishing — if the standing lock doesn't tap, transition to a takedown or ground follow-up
!Not disguising the attack — standing wrist locks work through surprise; obvious setups are easily defeated
!Applying against a fisted hand — wait for the grip or open hand; a fist resists wrist locks
!Not following through to the ground — standing wrist locks that partially work can become ground submissions; don't let go during the transition
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Establish Position — achieve the controlling position needed for this submission
2Create the Threat — begin the submission setup to force a defensive reaction
3Secure the Hold — lock the submission grip with proper body mechanics
4Finish — apply increasing pressure until the opponent taps or the joint/choke takes effect
Sources & References
Primary Source
Japanese BJJ community standard katakana transliteration
1OtherJapanese Martial Arts Community Terminology
Japanese BJJ community standard katakana transliteration
Standard Japanese martial arts terminology (kanji/hiragana)
3OtherJapanese Martial Arts Standard Terminology (武道用語)
Established Japanese martial arts naming convention — native Japanese term (和語/漢語)
4CitationJapanese BJJ community standard katakana transliteration
Japanese terminology sourced from Japanese BJJ community standard katakana transliteration
Community
Athletics
Requires
fine motor control, grip sensitivity, quick hand transitions
Favours
dexterous hands with strong fingers
Key muscles
forearm flexors and extensors, intrinsic hand muscles
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the proper head position when setting up a takedown from standing?
Josh Saunders emphasizes getting your forehead to match your opponent's forehead, which allows you to control and move them around by snapping them forward and circling.
How do I set up a slide-by takedown from standing?
Josh Saunders explains that you need to pull your opponent forward so that your lead foot aligns with their lead foot, rather than having your legs opposite to theirs.
Should I focus on defense or offense when standing in BJJ?
Aces Jiu Jitsu Club recommends attacking in an intelligent way to get yourself to a safe place rather than purely defending, since constant defensive reactions can lead to getting walked into bad positions.
What submission can I use if my opponent resists my standing takedown attempt?
Aces Jiu Jitsu Club suggests instituting a submission as a filler when an opponent resists your takedown, such as a collar choke when they're wearing a gi.
How does the From Standing work?
The chin-down wrist lock from standing is applied by gripping the opponent's hand and bending the wrist into flexion while directing the pressure downward toward the opponent's own chin or sternum. The standing position allows the attacker to use body weight and stance changes to amplify the wrist flexion force.
Where does the From Standing come from?
Standing wrist flexion techniques directed against the opponent's body are core methods in aikido (kote-gaeshi and kote-hineri families) and traditional jujutsu. The chin-down direction of force appears specifically in self-defense curricula where the goal is to control a standing aggressor using pain compliance.
Is the From Standing legal in competition?
IBJJF: legal — Legal at all belt levels; IJF: banned — Only elbow joint locks (kansetsu-waza) permitted in judo — all other joint lo…; ADCC: legal — Legal — all submissions legal in ADCC; Unified MMA: legal — Legal submission technique; FIAS Sport Sambo: legal — Legal; FIAS Combat Sambo: legal — Legal
How dangerous is the From Standing?
Danger rating 5/10. Wrist lock variant targeting carpal and radioulnar joints through forced deviation or torsion
How do I set up the From Standing?
The standard setup chain: Establish Position → Create the Threat → Secure the Hold → Finish.
How do I defend against the From Standing?
Standard counters include: Early Recognition — identify the submission attempt early and begin defence immediately / Posture and Base — maintain strong posture and base to prevent submission setups / Grip Fight — deny the attacker their preferred gripping configuration.
What are the variants of the From Standing?
Common variants: Standard wrist lock (kote gaeshi) (two-handed rotational lock on the wrist); Gooseneck wrist lock (flexion lock bending the wrist down toward the forearm); Standing wrist lock (applied during grip fighting or a standing exchange); Ground wrist lock (catching the opponent's posted hand from mount, side cont…).
How effective is the From Standing in competition?
Standing submissions, particularly guillotine chokes, are among the most common finishes in UFC competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the From Standing?
Top errors to watch for: Attempting standing wrist locks against a mobile opponent — the opponent must be momentarily committed (gripping, pus… / Not controlling the elbow — a free elbow allows the opponent to retract the arm; control the forearm and elbow while … / Using standing wrist locks as primary attacks — they work best as opportunistic attacks during grip fighting transitions / Holding the wrist lock standing when it isn't finishing — if the standing lock doesn't tap, transition to a takedown ….
What are other names for the From Standing?
The From Standing is also known as Tachi-waza kara, Standing Chin-Down Wrist Lock, Tachi Chin-Down Lock.