Wednesday, August 03, 2005

BJJ Move #45: Armlock Defense and Escape

Here's what you can do when someone's trying to do an armlock on you.

WARNING! These techniques could result in serious injury or death if practiced incorrectly or even if performed correctly. They should only be practiced with the supervision of an experienced instructor.

Armlock Defense and Escape:
-defense
-escape

Armlock Escape Basics:
Always lock the proper grip (opponent attacking right arm):
Drive your right elbow high in the air, so your opponent can’t get leverage.
Make a fist with your right hand and fold the crease of your left elbow over it, preventing him from pulling your right forearm tight to his chest (this gives you some angle to work with).
Clasp your opponent’s left leg with your left hand (or underneath his left leg if you were fast enough).


Turning Escape #1:
Your opponent is trying to lock your right arm; get the basic defensive position (above).
Walk your legs so they are in line with your opponent’s legs, so he has your right arm at 11 o'clock.
Open your grip and throw your right fist over your head, right arm bent (your right forearm will drape over his left thigh).
Simultaneously spin to your knees (over your left side) and pull your right arm out so your hand clasps his leg.
If your opponent falls to the side, keep your head tight to his thigh and pass to cross side; if he tries to get to his knees and continue to attack the arm, keep your head tight to his thigh/side as you take the back.


Turning Escape #2 (to half mount / in half guard)
Your opponent is trying to lock your right arm; get the basic defensive position (above).
Drive your right shoulder and elbow up (not down) to the sky.
With your left elbow, push his right foot down towards your feet and trap it with your own left foot (if possible).
If you’ve managed to hook him with your foot, turn over your right shoulder and go to “in half guard.”
Otherwise, turn over your right shoulder and go to “in guard,” pulling your right elbow to the floor.


Turning Escape #3:
Your opponent is trying to lock your right arm, and you have clasped your hands together.
Using both of your clasped hands, push his left leg off your face (keep your grip).
Now push yourself in the direction of your head with your feet, bridging your head onto the ground a bit past his left leg (this will block his left leg from coming over your head again).
Now spin toward your opponent (onto your right shoulder), coming up onto your knees and into your opponent’s guard.


Stack Escape:
Your opponent is trying to lock your right arm; he uses both arms to attack your arm to get to the leverage to finish your right arm.
Get the basic defensive position.
Bridge over your right shoulder, driving him onto his left side (if he posts his left arm and forgoes his grip, do the first turning escape).
Spin to your knees.
Post your right leg and post on your left hand (right arm still locked in place by hooking in your left arm) if you need the help getting up.
Your opponent is now on his back; post your right knee behind his butt so he can’t extend his legs and put you down again.
Bring his knees to his nose by stacking: Lean your weight onto his thighs, pressing them into his head.
Circle clockwise toward his head, keeping your weight on his knees to press them into his face—the important thing is to keep him from extending his legs and hips to armlock you.
Be patient, watch your balance and, when your knees are by his head and he’s well-stacked, in a series of short jerks, free your arm.
Pull your right arm out, flip his legs past and take cross side.


Comments? Please feel free to point out mistakes, describe tips on the techniques, suggest ways to make the descriptions clearer, etc.
Click here to go to the list of my BJJ move posts.

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