The Armbar from Closed Guard: A Fundamental Submission in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

The armbar from closed guard is one of the most fundamental submissions in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. It is a versatile submission that can be set up from a variety of positions, and is effective against opponents of all sizes. In this article, we will break down the armbar from closed guard into six key components, giving you the tools you need to successfully execute this submission in your own BJJ practice.

Establishing Control:

To set up the armbar from closed guard, you first need to establish control over your opponent’s posture and arms. This means pulling your opponent close to you with your legs and controlling their arms with your hands and/or legs.

Breaking the Posture:

Once you have established control, your next step is to break your opponent’s posture. This can be done by pulling down on their head, using your legs to pull their arms forward, or a combination of both.

Securing the Arm:

With your opponent’s posture broken, you can now secure one of their arms. This can be done by reaching over their arm with one of your legs, or by using your free hand to pull their arm across your body.

Transitioning to the Attack:

With your opponent’s arm secured, you can now transition to the attack. This involves bringing your other leg over their head and positioning your hips to apply pressure on their arm.

Finishing the Armbar:

Once you have secured the arm and transitioned to the attack position, you can now finish the armbar by extending your hips and pulling down on your opponent’s arm. This will create a powerful lever that will put pressure on your opponent’s elbow and force them to tap.

Common Mistakes and Counters:

As with any submission, there are a number of common mistakes and counters that your opponent may use to escape the armbar from closed guard. These include stacking, rolling, and posturing up. By understanding these common counters, you can anticipate your opponent’s movements and adjust your technique to maintain control and secure the submission.

The armbar from closed guard is a powerful submission that every BJJ practitioner should have in their arsenal. By following the six key components outlined in this article, you can effectively execute the armbar from closed guard and add a potent tool to your grappling game.