Basic Jiu Jitsu Curriculum – Lesson 2b – The Amerikana Lock

Amerikana Overview:

The goal in a fight is to take the fight to the ground, get the mount, exhaust your attacker, and then win the fight. Punching from the mount can be very effective but it can also be exhausting and might hurt your attacker more than you desired. That is why in the art of jiu jitsu we place such a large emphasis on leverage-based submissions (joint locks and chokes). These techniques give you more control over your opponent, help you save precious energy, and are very effective at beating larger opponents.

The Amerikana armlock is a proven submission to help you beat a larger attacker.

Basic Amerikana

  1. 1
    Push wrist and elbow to ground with thumbless grips
  2. 2
    Palm up scoop under the elbow
  3. 3
    Keep your elbow on the floor and locked against the head.
  4. 4
    Lower your head to avoid eye gouges and punches.
  5. 5
    Leg work: Far leg grapevines by hooking his leg, near knee opens for base. This is so he doesn’t “bench press” you off with his free hand!
  6. 6
    “To make him not want any more, LIFT, DRAG, AND PAINT THE FLOOR!”