Americana from Side Control
- BJJ
- Side Control Attacks
- fundamental
- Side control
- 3 steps
From side control, trap the far arm bent on the mat and figure-four it to attack the shoulder. Also known as the Keylock from side or the Figure-four armlock. Here is the exact breakdown from the DARCE app: 3 steps, the details that make it work, and the mistakes to avoid.
When to use it
Use the americana from side control when the opponent frames on your neck or shoulder and their far arm bends back toward the mat. Pin the wrist flat beside their head before you thread the figure-four. It works best while your chest is heavy on theirs, so they cannot turn in.
Step by step
- 01
Side control
Chest-to-chest with a cross-face and underhook, weight heavy.
- 02
Pin & figure-four the arm
Pin their far wrist to the mat and thread your other arm under the elbow to grip your own wrist.
- 03
Lift the elbow
Keep the wrist pinned, drag the hand toward the hip and lift the elbow to crank the shoulder.
Key details
- Keep the wrist flat on the mat as you figure-four.
- Drag the hand toward their hip before lifting.
- Keep your weight on their chest so they cannot turn in.
Common mistakes
- Letting the wrist lift off the mat.
- Losing chest pressure and letting them escape.
- Lifting the elbow before painting the hand down.
Common counters
Opponents straighten the arm, turn toward you to relieve the shoulder, or grab their own collar or belt to lock the arm in place. If you lift your chest to reach the arm, they shrimp out. Keep your weight on them and paint the hand toward the hip before you lift.
How to drill it
From side control, pin the far wrist, figure-four and finish slowly, ten reps on each side. Then do three rounds of one minute where your partner frames and you switch to the kimura on the same arm when they drive the hand down toward their hip.
Related techniques
Train it with the AI coach