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Submission · Shoulder lock · Fundamental
FundamentalShoulder lockGi & no-gi
Americana (Ude Garami)
A submission (shoulder lock) you hit from Side control (Yoko Shiho Gatame), Mount (Tate Shiho Gatame) and Scarf hold (Kesa Gatame). Fundamental level.
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Starts from
Get to one of these positions first, then look for the americana.
Key steps
Shoulder lock. Tap early in training, and let go as soon as your partner taps.
- Pin their wrist to the mat, palm up
- Thread your other arm under their elbow
- Grab your own wrist
- Lift their elbow while sliding the wrist toward their hip
If they defend it
They straighten the arm: switch to the armbar.
Common mistakes
Common mistake
Lifting the wrist off the mat.
Key details
- Keep their wrist pinned the whole time
- The motion is like painting with a brush
How to defend it
Caught in it?
How to escape itLearn the early defense, the escape and when to tap.
Where you’ll face it
You’re most likely to get caught in it from these positions. Each one has its escapes.
Related positions & techniques
- Defend it
- How to escape the americana
- Similar submissions
- Kimura (Gyaku Ude Garami)OmoplataTarikoplataMir lockMonoplataBaratoplata
- In courses
- Foundations V: Pins & mount
Safety and research
Read about itGrapplearts articlesBJJ Heroes
Practice
Quick checkAmericana (Ude Garami) quick check4 questions
My notes
Saved automatically.
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