Armbar from Guard
- BJJ
- Submissions
- fundamental
- Closed guard
- 6 steps
Isolate an arm, swing a leg over the head and extend the hips to attack the elbow. Also known as the Juji-gatame or the Straight armlock. Here is the exact breakdown from the DARCE app: 6 steps, the details that make it work, and the mistakes to avoid.
When to use it
Attack the armbar from guard when the opponent posts a hand on your chest or reaches for your collar. Trap the arm to your chest with both hands before you move your hips. If they pull the arm back out, switch to the triangle.
Step by step
- 01
Two hands on the arm
Catch one of their arms with both hands, one at the wrist and one on the forearm, and keep it tight to your chest.
- 02
Foot on the hip
Open your guard and plant the foot opposite the trapped arm flat on their hip, ready to push.
- 03
Cut the angle
Push off that foot and pivot your hips out so you lie at an angle to them instead of square.
- 04
Hand on the head
Take one hand off the arm and press it on their head to keep their posture low and clear room for your leg.
- 05
Throw the leg over
Swing that same leg up over their head and bring it down across their face, keeping the arm between your thighs.
- 06
Extend the hips
Pinch your knees, hold the wrist to your chest and lift your hips into their elbow until the arm is straight.
Key details
- Pinch your knees tight together. A gap lets them pull the elbow free.
- Control their wrist with the thumb pointing up so the elbow bends the wrong way.
- Get your hips perpendicular to their body before you fall back.
Common mistakes
- Crossing your feet, which loosens the hold and slows the finish.
- Letting the head leg ride high and giving up control of the shoulder.
- Yanking the arm without first elevating the hips into the joint.
Common counters
Opponents stack you onto your shoulders, turn the thumb down and pull the elbow free, or posture up and step around your head. Loose knees and low hips let all of these work. Keep the knees pinched and the hips high.
How to drill it
From closed guard with your partner’s hands on your chest, cut the angle and armbar, then return to guard, ten reps on each side. Then chain it for three rounds of one minute: armbar, they pull the arm out, triangle.
Related techniques
- Triangle ChokeBJJTrap the head and one arm and strangle with your legs in a figure-four around the neck.
- Cross-Collar ChokeBJJFeed both hands deep into the collars and flare the elbows to strangle from guard.
- Kimura from GuardBJJTrap a posted arm, figure-four the wrist and rotate the shoulder to finish.
- WristlockBJJTrap their hand flat against your body and bend the wrist forward to load the small joint.
- Scissor SweepBJJLoad a shin across the body and scissor the legs to sweep the opponent and come up on top.
- Hip Bump SweepBJJSit up, reach over the shoulder and bump your hips to roll the opponent over into mount.
Train it with the AI coach