The Power of the Keylock from Full Mount: Why It’s a Must-Have Submission

The keylock, also known as the Americana, is a highly effective submission hold that is often used in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) and other grappling martial arts. It involves applying pressure to your opponent’s shoulder joint by extending their arm behind their back in a bent position. In this article, we will cover the key steps and techniques to execute the keylock from full mount position.

Secure the full mount position

Before attempting the keylock, you must first establish the full mount position. To do this, you need to straddle your opponent’s chest with your legs, keeping your knees close to their sides to prevent them from bucking you off. Make sure to maintain good posture by keeping your chest up and your weight forward.

Control your opponent’s arms

Once you have established full mount, it’s crucial to control your opponent’s arms to prevent them from defending against the keylock. Start by placing your hands on their biceps and pushing them down towards their torso. This will make it harder for them to move their arms and allow you to trap one of their arms against the mat.

Isolate one of your opponent’s arms

With one of your opponent’s arms trapped against the mat, use your other arm to grab their wrist and pull it towards the center of their body. This will create a slight bend in their arm and give you the leverage you need to apply the keylock.

Place your free arm behind your opponent’s elbow

With your opponent’s arm isolated and bent, reach behind their elbow with your free arm and grab your own wrist. Make sure to grip tightly and keep your elbow close to their shoulder to prevent them from escaping.

Apply pressure to your opponent’s arm

Now that you have both of your opponent’s arms under control, it’s time to apply pressure to their trapped arm. Slowly lift your hips up and forward while pushing your opponent’s trapped arm towards their head. This will create a twisting motion in their shoulder joint and cause them to tap out if done correctly.

Finish the Keylock

Once you have applied enough pressure to your opponent’s shoulder joint, they should tap out to signal submission. If they don’t tap, you can continue to apply pressure until they do or until the referee stops the match.

Avoid common mistakes

One of the most common mistakes when attempting the keylock is not properly isolating your opponent’s arm. Make sure to control their arm and keep it pinned to the mat before attempting to apply the keylock. Another mistake is not keeping your weight forward and allowing your opponent to escape. Make sure to maintain good posture and stay heavy on top of your opponent at all times.

Practice and drill the keylock

As with any submission hold, the key to success is practice and drilling. Make sure to spend time drilling the keylock from various positions, including full mount, side control, and top half guard. This will help you develop the muscle memory and timing needed to execute the keylock successfully in live rolling or competition.

In conclusion, the keylock from full mount is a highly effective submission hold that can catch your opponent off guard and secure you the victory. Remember to establish full mount, control your opponent’s arms, isolate their arm, apply pressure, and finish the keylock. With practice and drilling, you can make the keylock a go-to submission hold in your grappling arsenal.