The americana is one of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu’s most recognizable shoulder locks. This submission is known as a simple, versatile submission that targets your opponent’s shoulder joint. It is believed that the americana was developed by catch wrestlers and judokas before it was introduced to BJJ, where it became a staple submission in the early 1960s. Although it is often referred to as a “big man move” due to its emphasis on strength and leverage, proper technique makes it a valuable tool for practitioners of all sizes.
The americana is often compared to the kimura, as both utilize a figure-four grip to isolate the shoulder joint. But they do have different mechanics: the kimura twists the arm behind the back, while the americana hyper-rotates the arm upward. This twisting motion, akin to turning a key in a lock, puts tremendous pressure on the shoulder and elbow joints.
There are a lot of benefits to learning this move. It gives grapplers a dominant way to control an opponent, especially from positions like mount or side contro, and allows you to attack from many different angles and positions. All in all, the americana is easy to learn and powerful, making it a valuable submission to have in your toolbox.
Setting Up the Americana: Timing and Positioning
Like many moves in BJJ, a successful americana often starts with a setup that catches your opponent off guard. This can involve baiting them into extending their arm or transitioning fluidly from another attack or from dominant positions like side control or mount. Let’s break down how you can set this move up from both of these positions:
From Side Control
- Secure a strong pin by keeping your chest pressure on your opponent.
- Isolate their arm by pinning their wrist to the mat.
- Slide your free hand under their arm to form a figure-four.
- Apply the “accordion-motorcycle-down” sequence to finish the submission.
From Mount
- Keep your weight centered and adjust your posture to stay balanced. This will prevent your opponent from bucking or escaping while you work to secure the submission.
- Pin their wrist to the mat on one side of their body. Use your other hand to trap their elbow and slide into the figure-four. Keep your grip tight and stable before moving to finish the submission.
- Similar to the side control setup, keep their wrist firmly on the mat and begin lifting their elbow to apply pressure to the shoulder joint. The torque should create the necessary force to complete the submission.
The americana is best used when you’ve established control and your opponent’s defenses are compromised. Look for opportunities when your opponent exposes their arm during scrambles or as they attempt to frame against your pressure. This submission is particularly effective in sparring or competition when you can methodically set it up from a dominant position.
Americana BJJ vs. Kimura Submissions
The americana and the kimura are both shoulder lock submissions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, but their mechanics and applications are different. For newer grapplers, these techniques can appear very similar because both rely on the figure-four, where one hand controls the opponent’s wrist and the other hand grabs your own wrist. This grip is crucial for isolating the opponent’s arm and applying pressure to the shoulder joint.
The main difference between kimura and americana lies in the direction of the grip and the positioning of the opponent’s arm.
- In the americana, the grip is oriented to torque the arm upward while the elbow is bent at a 90-degree angle, creating pressure on the shoulder joint.
- Using kimura, your grip forces the arm behind the opponent’s back, with the elbow pointing outward, applying torque in the opposite direction.
Seasoned BJJ practitioners often prefer the americana because of how simple and useful it is for controlling your opponent, especially from dominant positions like side control or mount, as we pointed out above. The kimura does requiring a bit more finesse, but tends to be more versatile as you can apply it from a wider range of positions, including guard and half-guard.
When it comes rolling, choosing which one to use often depends on your opponent’s reaction and arm position. For example, if your your BJJ opponent keeps their arms high and extended, leaving their elbow and wrist exposed for isolation, the americana is an excellent choice. It’s also good for situations when your opponent’s arm is flat against the mat or extended upward.
But if they tuck their elbows close to their body, the kimura may be a better option as you can force their arm outward. The same is true f their arm is bent and closer to their side because transitioning to a kimura provides more leverage for a submission in this position.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even though the americana is a relatively straightforward submission, there are a few frequent errors to watch out for. Here’s how you can avoid them:
Overlooking Wrist and Elbow Control During the Setup
Failing to pin the opponent’s wrist to the mat or not securing the elbow tightly can allow your opponent to escape or counter your submission. Always ensure their wrist is firmly pressed to the mat and your grip is locked before attempting to lift the elbow. Keep your weight distributed effectively to prevent unnecessary movement.
Applying the Lock Too Quickly
Rushing to finish the americana can lead to sloppy technique and increase the risk of injury for your opponent. This is especially common among newer practitioners who are eager to secure the tap. You can avoid this by setting your grip and applying pressure gradually. Controlled, steady movements are not only safer but also make the submission harder to defend against. Remember, patience is key.
Not Ensuring Proper Grip and Control
A weak or improperly positioned grip can ruin your americana attempt, giving your opponent the opportunity to escape or reverse the position. If it’s not strong enough, you won’t generate the necessary torque to apply effective pressure on the shoulder joint. You want to form a solid figure-four every time, keeping your hands in the correct positions—one controlling the opponent’s wrist, the other gripping your own wrist.
Advanced Variations
Once you’ve mastered the fundamentals of the americana, exploring advanced variations can elevate your submission game to new levels. These variations integrate transitions, positional creativity, and combination attacks, allowing you to stay one step ahead of your opponent.
Transitions to Armbar
The americana can serve as a gateway to an armbar, especially when your opponent defends by straightening their arm. From positions like mount or side control, as soon as they resist the americana setup by extending their arm, you can seamlessly transition into an armbar by staying tight to their arm during the transition, keeping control of their wrist and elbow to prevent them from escaping.
Transition to Choke Techniques
The americana opens up opportunities to transition into choke submissions, such as the Ezekiel choke or the bread-cutter choke. For example, from side control, if your opponent focuses on defending their arm, you can release the americana and capitalize on their distraction by locking in a choke. Maintain shoulder pressure to keep your opponent pinned, making it easier to adjust grips for the choke.
Applying the Americana from Guard and Half-Guard Positions
From guard, you can bait your opponent into exposing their arm during posture breaks. In half-guard, using an underhook to isolate their arm allows you to set up the americana while retaining positional control. Use your legs to stabilize your opponent and give yourself the leverage needed to isolate the arm.
Combining with Other Shoulder Locks
If your opponent defends one lock, transitioning into another keeps them constantly on the back foot. For instance, starting with an americana and switching to a kimura when they rotate their arm outward can create a chain attack that is difficult to counter. Drill combinations regularly to make these transitions smooth and instinctual during live rolls.
Tips for a Successful Americana Execution
The americana is a cornerstone submission in BJJ, but success lies in mastering its nuances. To wrap up, here are essential tips to ensure your americana is both effective and reliable:
- Look for opportunities to isolate your opponent’s arm when they extend it during scrambles, frames, or positional transitions. A sharp eye for these setups ensures you can capitalize when the moment arises.
- Just as you aim to isolate your opponent’s arm, be mindful of protecting your own. Good posture and tight frames can prevent your training partners or opponents from locking in the americana on you.
- If you find yourself on the receiving end, don’t panic. Create space by rotating your thumb toward your opponent’s grip to relieve pressure on your shoulder joint. Bridging and shrimping can also help disrupt their control and create an escape route.
- Precision in control is key. Always secure the opponent’s wrist and establish a tight grip on your own wrist to form the figure-four. Without solid control, the americana loses its effectiveness and opens you up to counters.
- Consistent drilling is essential to refine your americana technique. Focus on grip strength, timing, and transitions during practice. The more fluid and instinctual your movements, the more successful your submissions will be in live rolls or competition.
Like most techniques in BJJ, mastering the americana is about developing the control, timing, and strategy that make you a better grappler overall. It’s about more than securing a tap. It’s a reflection of your ability to control an opponent, think strategically, and maintain composure in high-pressure situations.
As the great BJJ coach John Danaher aptly puts it, ‘This ability to solve problems under stress is one of the most valuable things I think any human being can have.’ As you work to refine this technique by improving your skills on the mat and drilling with intention, you will also build a mindset that translates to challenges off the mat.