Hey there, Steve Marlin here ,  BJJ brown belt, lifelong grappler, and your guide today on one of the most talked-about moves in modern jiu-jitsu: the heel hook. Welcome back to Martial Boss, where we break down martial arts like you’re training with a friend who actually knows what they’re doing. No fluff. No fake hype. Just real talk from someone who’s tapped and been tapped,  sometimes in the same roll. And trust me, when it comes to heel hooks? I’ve felt both sides. I…  Read More

I remember my first time trying the omoplata. I was a white belt, super excited, and… I got rolled over so hard I saw stars. But that failed attempt sparked something in me. Now? The omoplata is one of my go-to moves from the guard. In this article, you’ll learn everything about the omoplata BJJ technique, from what it is to how to set it up, chain it, defend it, and make it work for your game. What Is the Omoplata? (Definition, Origin & Core…  Read More

I’m Steve Marlin, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt with over a decade of grappling under my belt (literally). I’ve choked out training partners, tapped in tournaments, and yes, gotten caught in this exact move more times than I’d like to admit. Today, we’re diving deep into one of the most fundamental techniques in gi jiu-jitsu: the cross collar choke. This isn’t just another submission. It’s a rite of passage. A bread-and-butter move that every single BJJ student learns early, and spends the rest of their…  Read More

Have you ever seen a fighter shoot in for a takedown… only to wake up seconds later? That’s the power of the guillotine choke. I remember my first time getting caught in one. I shot in hard during live rolling, head down like a bull, and snap — next thing I knew, I was tapping fast, vision fading. My training partner, a quiet blue belt, just smiled and said, “Gotcha.” That moment changed how I saw this move. The guillotine isn’t just flashy — it’s…  Read More

If you’ve ever passed the guard and wondered, “What now?”,  this guide is for you. The Americana submission isn’t just another move. It’s one of the first high-percentage attacks every beginner learns, and one that black belts still use to win matches. In this article, I’ll walk you through everything: what it is, how it works, and exactly how to apply it from side control, mount, and more. You’ll also learn how to defend it, avoid common mistakes, and train safely. What Is the Americana…  Read More