Tapping is an acknowledgement of opponent’s skill but even more so it’s an acknowledgment of reaching your own limits. Every beginner gets warned at one point or another that they should tap, often well before they feel the excruciating pain.
But sadly this isn’t an universal rule:
UFC Fighter Angela Magana Hospitalized After Not Tapping To ‘Twister’
Many BJJ practitioners learn the hard way on how long we should wait to tap. Personally, no one sat me down and pointed out each specific submission and said “hey you should tap now”. So for some of you this is going to be the first time that the subject has been broached in any depth. I suggest you read over the following paragraphs, thinknd the shadow of a doubt, that you need to tap. Much like when an armbar is extended or a kimura is applied there is no doubt that you are caught in a bad place. Often my students struggle with when to tap to chokes and I give them this rule of thumb: if you are in a choke and asking yourself “should I tap” the answer is “no”. The truth is that the time you were allotting to thinking about tapping could have been used to defend instead. If it is time to tap, you will know.
Your ability to sense your consciences coming and going is a perception that can be built over time. If you find yourself going unconscious on the mat then I suggest you tap earlier. If you do not know an escape…tap. If you are scared…tap. Do you see a pattern here? When in doubt tap and sort it out later. As your perception of consciousness develops you will have more confidence to escape (it also helps to know HOW to escape too, but that is the content of a whole other article).
Khamzat Chimaev who is known for his intense work effort and incredible fighting skills was asked if he belueves one should tap in training and his surprise may surprise a few:
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