Armbar

High-percentage submission from the full guard

Key Steps

Setup and isolation

• From the full guard, control the opponent’s wrist with both hands and pull it toward your chest to isolate the arm. Keep the elbow tight to your body.

Creating the angle and lock

• Open the guard on the trapped side and swing your leg over the opponent’s head, bringing the shin across their neck/face as needed. Secure a figure-four with your legs, one leg behind their head and the other around their torso to pin the arm against your chest.

Finish

• Sit up and drive your hips forward and upward; keep the elbow extended and close to your chest. Squeeze with your legs and hips to apply the lever until the opponent taps.

Application

Gi

• In a gi, leverage sleeve grips and belt control to help isolate the arm and help create the angle; use grips to prevent posture from escaping.

No‑Gi

• No-gi players rely on wrist control and body positioning; maintain a tight grip and use hip pressure to finish safely.

Mistakes

Common errors to avoid

• Failing to control the elbow or losing the arm’s alignment. Not finishing with the proper angle or hip drive.
• Allowing the guard to open before completing the lock, giving escapes.

Tips

Safety and progression

• Drill slowly with a partner, emphasize control, and stop on taps or signaling pain. Build the finish progressively: grip, angle, guard, hip pressure. This technique is beginner-friendly and a core part of jiu jitsu moves and bjj techniques.