The phrase "position before submission" is a common refrain in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to remind you that submissions generally can only happen if you have your opponent effectively pinned so that they can't escape or defend the submission by moving their body or limbs in some way that you don't want to frustrate your attempt. This is why most types of stand-up submissions are much harder to do and less effective than first getting your opponent to the ground and pinning them, which can then neutralize most escapes or defenses the opponent might have. If you get overly "greedy" and focused on submitting your opponent to the point you lose effective, dominant pinning positions, you are violating this principle and will find it much harder to achieve submissions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

This is closely related to the concept of "dominant" and "inferior" positions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, where a dominant position either gives you a weight or control advantage over your opponent. An inferior position is the opposite side of this relationship, where one must still strategize about how best to cope with someone else having a dominant position over you. There is a spectrum between dominant and inferior positions in Brazilian jiu-Jitsu, so not all dominant positions, such as top-mount or side-control, have the same advantages or degree of advantage. Certain positions are referred to as "50-50" positions because either side has an equal opportunity to attack and defend.

Dominant positions usually isolate the limbs, so that the rest of the opponent's body can't easily be brought to bear to escape or counter a submission.