BJJ Guide: Master The Americana Lock

The art of Brazilian jiu-jitsu is centered on self-defense, which works on profound ideology. It incorporates the knowledge and combines the working of the submissions and takedowns. That requires precise tactics for the angles and the application of pressure. The Americana lock is one of the basic moves that focuses on taking the dominant position after getting control over the arms and shoulders.

This article will find out the proper execution and mechanism of the Americana lock, stick to the article to uplift your jiujitsu game. 

The Americana Lock is the fulcrum movement that works on the proper angle, placement of the hand, and the exertion of the pressure. It is the submission that targets the elbow and shoulder of the opponent. The fighter keeps the arm at 90 degrees and takes the proper control over the arm.

Americana lock is the fundamental position in BJJ, which is also known as:

• Figure Four Armlock
• Bent armlock
• Keylock
• Top wrist lock
• Ude garami

It is the joint lock in which the fighter uses the grip to take control of the wrist with the double lock. It creates the L shape as the arms bend. It can be applied from various positions, such as the side control position.

In Americana lock, the fingers point upward. It can be used in both a defensive and offensive state. Rotational pressure is applied on the targeted bones of the shoulders and elbow, causing severe pain that causes the contender to tap out at once.

It is a simple submission method that beginners in BJJ can apply. White belts learn the method by controlling the potency and pressure. 

The Americana lock is used in various martial arts; it is associated with catch wrestling and judo. From the beginning of the 20th century, it was part of the Japanese jukoda and became part of Brazilian jiu-jitsu in the middle of the 20th century.

Four-finger submission has a variation known as the kimura lock, which works in the reverse manner. In kimura, the figures point downward instead of upward. It also works on the same principle as the Americana lock.

Americana lock has been part of various martial arts; the origin of this submission can not be defined directly. American wrestlers used this technique, and they were the cause of its spread. Later, this technique was termed Americana; it became part of Brazilian jiu-jitsu in the 1950s. 

The Americana lock works on the principle of the fulcrum, where the arm is placed as a lever. The fighter targets the shoulder and the elbow, creating the shape of the “L.” The purpose is to get into the dominant by taking the following position:

• Mount position
• Kesa Gatame
• Side mount
• Half Guard (Gi)
• Closed Guard

The fighter concentrates to isolate the arm of the opponent with the double arm lock or four-finger method. Americana lock works on the grips, pressure, and control. After targeting the arm the contender keeps one hand at the top of the wrist while the other hand goes under the bicep of the opponent. The hand is placed onto the wrist to get firm control or restrict the movement of the opponent. At last, the pressure is exerted and maintained to submit the opponent. 

Brazilian jiu-jitsu is a positional game that involves taking control over the opponent. The fighter relies on the opportunity to gain firm control over the fellow fighter. Let us find a step-by-step guide for the proper execution of the Americana lock. 

The first and the initial step is to take the position from which you can commence from the mount or side control position. The position helps the fighter reach the proper angle to target the respective side and exert pressure.

As the fighter is in the dominant position, place the knees on the mat in a firm position. The next step is to keep the knees bent. The contender will face pressure on the knees and hands.

The first step is to grab the opponent's wrist, keep your palm facing the ceiling, and hold it with a four-finger grip. Basically, the contender has to work on the larger muscles and rotate the opponent's arm. 

The next step is to rotate the arm, have firm support, use one hand, and move the arm downward instead of pulling it upwards. Try to work in the opposite direction, which will help break the lock.

Keep the elbow close to the body so that you can apply full pressure to move the arm onto the mat. 

After pinning the opponent, the fighter needs to hold it with one hand and apply pressure to the upper part of the arm to execute an American choke.

As the hand moves down to the ground, maintain the space at the elbow side so that the other arm can be placed. 

Lean down close to the head of the opponent, put the pressure of the body on the wrist, and keep your elbow close to the face of the opponent; this is the cornerstone that helps to restrict the movement of the fellow fighter.

Use the other hand, drag it under the opponent's bicep, move it forward, and grip your wrist. Keep your fingers on the upper side.

After getting a firm grip over the wrist, make sure there is a space beneath the elbow that will help with the movement. To finish the Americana lock submission, drag the hand either in a downward position or upward direction. It will create pressure on the muscle, allowing you to get a tap.

• Take control over the opponent from the full mount and side control position.
• Rotate the arm in a downward direction instead of pulling and stretching.
• Keep the knee on the mat that will act like a base.
• Maintaining the pressure over the opponent's chest will restrict movement.
• Isolate the arm and execute the four-finger technique that will apply the pressure on the shoulder.
• Keep the space beneath the arm so that you can drag the arm under it.
• Mount position is considered the most suitable for executing the Americana lock.
• Focus on the angles and the execution of the pressure .
• The leverage will restrict and hold the movement of the opponent.
• The arm will create the “ L” shape . The twisting motion will create unbearable pressure on the shoulder, and your opponent will submit themselves after a tap.

Americana lock is the fundamental position in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. The fighter uses it to control the arm, isolate the arm, and put pressure on the shoulder, creating unbearable pressure that causes the opponent to tap out.

The Kimura lock and the Americana lock work in a similar way; they target the shoulder and elbow after the fighter takes control of the arm. As the fighter takes control over the opponent for the execution of the Americana lock, the forearm is directed upward.

Whereas if the fighter is targeting the opponent for a kimura lock, the application goes in the same way. The fighter takes the wrist control, and the only difference is in the position of the forearm, which is downward towards the hips. 

Americana Lock is a really good submission; the basic submission method works on the fulcrum. The fighter can take control over the arm with the control of using both arms. It creates the pressure on the shoulder.

Americana lock works on the two arms in one ratio, which is the primary purpose of isolating the arm. After focusing on the minor details, it provides the maximum percentage. 

Americana lock is the fundamental technique in Brazilian jiu-jitsu; it is the most effective method with the highest percentage. It is the simplest move that works on the principle of a two-and-one ratio: one arm controls two arms simultaneously.

In BJJ Americana lock, pressure is exerted onto the shoulder after isolating the opponent's arm. It is the simplest method that beginners can apply.