Near-Side Armbar

Armbar from Side Control (Near-Side Variation)

Key Steps

Setup and isolation

• From established side control, secure the near arm by pinning the wrist to your chest with your near hand. Use your far hand to frame the head or hip to prevent escapes.

Step up and position

• Step your near knee up toward the head, angle your hips to align the arm across the body, and drop your weight to create a straight finish line without needing to spin.

Leg work and lock

• Swing your far leg over the head to place the shin across the back of the neck, then slide your near leg behind the head to complete the leverage. In gi, grips on the sleeve or belt help; in no-gi, secure a solid wrist grip and control the head.

Finish

• Squeeze the knees, lift the hips, and pull the arm toward your chest to finish the elbow lock while maintaining head control to prevent defense.

Application

How to use in sparring

• This high-percentage option from side control provides a step-by-step way to attack the near arm and finish without spinning, fitting well into how to improve your jiu jitsu moves.

Gi vs No-Gi

• Works in both gi and no-gi; adjust grips (sleeve/belt vs wrist and head control) accordingly.

Mistakes

Common errors

• Failing to control the head, allowing frames to post; improper leg placement, creating gaps; telegraphing the finish or losing the wrist grip.

How to fix

• Re-establish tight head control, keep hips angled, and practice the entry with slow tempo to prevent escapes.

Tips

Drills and safety

• Drill entry in slow reps, focus on hip alignment, and avoid neck cranks. Tap early if needed; prioritize control over speed.

Progression

• Build from basic side control pressure before layering this variation into live rolling to respect safety and efficiency of bjj techniques.