The Banana Split is a painful compression and stretching submission that forces an opponent’s legs apart while controlling their hips and upper body. The submission attacks the groin, hip adductors, and lower back by forcing the opponent into an extreme split position.

Unlike most leg locks that attack joints like the knee or ankle, the Banana Split primarily targets muscles and soft tissue, making it a unique and uncomfortable submission.

The technique is most commonly applied from positions such as:

The Truck position

Lockdown half guard

Deep half guard

Against a turtled opponent

The attacker controls one of the opponent’s legs with their legs (often using a lockdown or hook) while pulling the other leg in the opposite direction. By extending the hips and pulling the trapped leg, the opponent’s body is forced into a painful split.

The submission gained popularity through 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu, where it is part of a system of attacks including the Twister, Calf Slicer, and Electric Chair.

Because the submission attacks flexibility, some very flexible opponents may be able to endure it longer, but most grapplers tap quickly due to the intense pressure on the groin muscles.