Learn how to execute the powerful Americana shoulder lock in BJJ. This comprehensive guide covers step-by-step instructions, key details, variations,...
Joint Lock
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Beginner
The Americana, also known as the figure-four armlock or ude-garami in Judo, is a foundational shoulder lock in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. It targets the opponent's shoulder joint, applying pressure by externally rotating and extending the arm, making it a highly effective submission from dominant top positions.
Technique Map
graph LR
Joint_Lock["Joint Lock"]:::catNode
Joint_Lock --> Americana
Americana["Americana"]:::currentNode
Americana -.-> Armbar["Armbar"]:::relNode
Americana -.-> Kimura["Kimura"]:::relNode
Americana -.-> Omoplata["Omoplata"]:::relNode
Americana -.-> Wrist_Lock["Wrist Lock"]:::relNode
classDef currentNode fill:#f97316,stroke:#fff,color:#fff,font-weight:700
classDef relNode fill:#141926,stroke:#1f2840,color:#a78bfa
classDef catNode fill:#1f2840,stroke:#7c6af7,color:#7c6af7,font-style:italic
How to Execute
1
Control the Wrist: From a top position like side control or mount, use your arm closest to the opponent's head to secure their wrist, pinning it to the mat near their head.
2
Establish the Figure-Four Grip: Use your other hand to reach over the opponent's tricep and grab your own wrist, forming a tight figure-four grip over their arm, ensuring their elbow is pinned to the mat.
3
Apply Hip Pressure: Drive your body weight through your hips into their chest, maintaining strong pressure to keep their elbow glued to the mat and prevent them from escaping.
4
Adjust the Angle: Slowly walk your upper body towards their head, pulling their trapped wrist towards their hips while keeping their elbow fixed in place on the mat.
5
Execute the Finish: With controlled tension, gently lift their elbow slightly off the mat while simultaneously pulling their wrist towards their waist, creating external rotation and hyperextension in the shoulder until they tap.
Key Details & Tips
1
Elbow Discipline: Always keep the opponent's elbow pinned to the mat. Lifting it prematurely allows them to escape or relieves crucial pressure.
2
Wrist Control: Maintain a strong, unyielding grip on their wrist throughout the technique; a loose wrist allows them to pull their hand free and reset.
3
Hip Pressure is Paramount: Use your body weight to drive into the opponent, making it significantly harder for them to defend, create space, or relieve the submission's pressure.
4
Slow and Controlled Application: Apply the submission slowly and with increasing pressure, giving your opponent ample time to tap and preventing unnecessary injury to their shoulder.
Variations
1
Americana from Mount: Similar mechanics, but executed from the full mount position, often providing enhanced control over the opponent's body and posture.
2
Americana from Knee-on-Belly: Utilizing the focused pressure of the knee-on-belly position to stabilize the opponent effectively while setting up the arm control for the lock.
3
S-Mount Americana: A more advanced variation where the top practitioner transitions to an S-mount, isolating the arm with greater leverage and a more direct angle of attack.
When to Use
The Americana is most effective from dominant top positions such as side control, Mount, or knee-on-belly. It works particularly well when your opponent is flat on their back, exposing their arm, or when they use their arm to defend against chokes, inadvertently setting themselves up for the submission.
Counters & Defenses
1
Hide the Elbow: As soon as you feel the grip being applied, tuck your elbow tightly to your side and pull it in, making it impossible for the opponent to pin it to the mat effectively.
2
Turn Into the Opponent: Bridge powerfully and roll towards the opponent, facing them and creating crucial space to free your arm or escape the dominant position.
3
Grip Break/Posture Up: Attempt to break their figure-four grip by stripping their hands, or posture up strongly to relieve the immediate pressure and create an opening for an escape or reversal.
βοΈ Training Safety & Performance
Q: What's the fundamental difference between an Americana and a Kimura?
While both are powerful shoulder locks, the Americana is an external rotation shoulder lock, where the wrist is typically flexed towards the head, and the elbow is pinned to the mat. The Kimura (often called a reverse Americana) is an internal rotation shoulder lock, where the wrist is flexed towards the feet, and the elbow is often lifted off the mat, creating a distinct angle of attack on the shoulder joint.
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