Armbar from Top Lock

Chain finish · Closed Guard

The armbar from guard entered through the top lock: because his shoulder and head are already locked, the switch to the armbar is only a short move from one shoulder to the other instead of a long swing from his lower back. Before you switch, put your wrist on top of his wrist: if he grabs his own biceps in a figure-four, the arm is very hard to straighten, and the wrist control stops it. Pivot to at least 90 degrees, touch the foot of your back leg to the back of his head, then pass your other leg over his head with as little space as possible. Keep the feet open and pulled down toward the mat, knees higher than the feet, hips high — the heels pulling down hold the arm better than squeezing the knees. Finish wrist to wrist by raising your hips, from the bottom or after rolling him over. Crossed, straight legs let him pull the arm out; if he still pulls the elbow out, go to the omoplata; if he stacks you, the belly-down armbar.

How to do it

  1. From the top lock, put your wrist on top of his wrist so he cannot lock a figure-four on his own biceps.
  2. Pivot to at least 90 degrees, your head moving toward his hips.
  3. Touch the foot of your back leg to the back of his head.
  4. Pass the other leg over his head with as little space as possible.
  5. Feet open and pulled down toward the mat, knees higher than the feet; finish wrist to wrist by raising your hips.

Key details

  • A short switch from one shoulder to the other, not a wide swing.
  • Control the wrist before the switch so he cannot lock a figure-four.
  • Heels down, knees up, hips high: that holds the arm better than squeezing the knees.

Common mistakes

  • Swinging the leg wide over the head. — He pulls the arm out in the gap. — Keep the switch tight and short.
  • Crossing the feet with straight legs. — He pulls the arm out easily. — Feet open and pointing down, knees higher than the feet.
  • Letting him lock a figure-four. — The arm is very hard to straighten. — Put your wrist on his wrist before you switch.

How to drill it

From the top lock the partner pulls back; switch to the armbar and test: with no hands he must not be able to pull the arm out. 5 slow reps per side.

Safety

A straight armlock: raise the hips slowly and release at the tap.

What comes next

  • Omoplata
  • Belly-Down Armbar

Where it comes from

  • Top Lock
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