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Clé de Bras

Quick Introduction​

The armbar is the most universal joint lock in BJJ, hyperextending the elbow joint. It's available from virtually every position and serves as a foundation for understanding all arm attacks.

Technique Overview​

Type: Joint lock (arm hyperextension)

Station: Submissions - Available from all positions

Available from: Mount (primary), closed guard, open guard, contrôle latéral, back mount, triangle, scrambles

Finish: Hyperextension of elbow joint using hips as lever

Leads to: Triangle, kimura, omoplata (combination chains)

Armbar Variations (3 Main Applications)​

🎯 From Mount (Classic)​

Setup Position

High mount with opponent's arm isolated across your body

Execution (Step by Step)

  1. Achieve high mount position (knees in armpits)
  2. Control their arm across your chest (wrist to shoulder grip)
  3. Post hand behind you on mat (opposite side of controlled arm)
  4. Swing leg over their head (same-side leg as controlled arm)
  5. Fall to your hip/side toward their head
  6. Second leg comes over their body for stability
  7. Pinch knees together around their shoulder
  8. Control wrist with both hands (thumbs pointing up)
  9. Lift hips while pulling wrist down
  10. Extend smoothly until tap

Critical Details

  • Thumbs up (supinated hand position) - stronger finish and prevents rotation
  • Knees tight together - prevents escape through the gap
  • Hips higher than their elbow - creates maximum leverage
  • Fall toward their head, not away from their body
  • Maintain chest-to-chest connection until leg is over
  • Keep arm across your centerline

Tactical Advantage

Most powerful position; highest finish rate from top; clean technique; difficult to defend

⚔️ From Guard (Technical)​

Setup Position

Closed or open guard with opponent posturing or posting hand on mat/chest

Execution (Step by Step)

  1. Control their posting or reaching arm (sleeve or wrist)
  2. Hip escape to side (away from controlled arm) 30-45 degrees
  3. Opposite hand controls their tricep or gi at elbow
  4. Throw leg over their head
  5. Second leg cuts across their back/waist
  6. Pull them into you while falling back
  7. Lock ankles (optional) and pinch knees
  8. Both hands control wrist (thumbs up)
  9. Lift hips to finish

Critical Details

  • Hip escape creates proper angle before throwing leg
  • Control wrist immediately when escaping
  • Legs create barrier preventing posture recovery
  • Pull them down onto you (break their base)
  • Finish with hips, not by pulling arms

Tactical Advantage

Counter to their pass attempts; works gi and no-gi; fundamental guard attack; creates sweep opportunities if defended

🔄 From Triangle (Combination)​

Setup Position

Triangle position where opponent defends by posturing or stacking

Execution (Step by Step)

  1. Have triangle locked or setup
  2. Opponent defends neck or postures up
  3. Their arm is already isolated by your legs
  4. Release triangle leg configuration
  5. Capture isolated arm with both hands
  6. Swing legs to armbar position (one over head, one across body)
  7. Finish hyperextension

Critical Details

  • Arm already compromised from triangle pressure
  • Smooth transition maintains control throughout
  • Fast finish if properly set up
  • Can return to triangle if armbar defended

Tactical Advantage

High-percentage combination; opponent focused on triangle defense; creates constant submission threat; element of surprise

Important Observations (General Rules)​

Core Principles​

  1. 🎯 Control the wrist - Lose the wrist, lose the submission
  2. 💪 Hips not arms - Your hips vs their elbow (body vs limb)
  3. ⏱️ Slow and controlled - Avoid injury; feel for tap; joints don't heal
  4. 🔄 Angle matters - Elbow must be pointing up (ceiling) with thumb up
  5. 🎮 Position selection - Choose based on where you are:
    • Mount → Most powerful and highest percentage
    • Guard → Most common opportunity
    • Triangle → Best combination attack

Connection to Theories​

Applying core principles:

  • Leverage: Your whole body (hips/legs/core) vs their single limb
  • Isolation: Separate the limb from their body's support structure
  • Control Points: Wrist, shoulder, and hips all must be controlled simultaneously
  • Molecular Theory: Wrist control, knee pressure, hip extension work as one unit
  • Table Theory: Multiple contact points (knees, legs, hands) create stable control

Applying body reading concepts:

  • Limb Isolation: Disconnect arm from their core strength
  • Joint Leverage: Attack the weak point (elbow) with strong point (hips)
  • Structural Control: Prevent them from reconnecting limb to body

Common Mistakes​

⚠️ Thumb down (pronated grip) - Much weaker leverage and they can rotate out

⚠️ Knees apart - They pull arm out easily through the gap

⚠️ Hips too low - No pressure on elbow joint

⚠️ Not controlling wrist - Arm escapes or they hitchhiker out

⚠️ Cranking fast - Serious injury risk; train safely

⚠️ Elbow drops below hips - Lose mechanical advantage completely

⚠️ Falling away from head - They escape by coming on top

🎓 Training Progressions​

Solo Drills​

  1. Armbar Motion Flow (10 reps each side)

    • Lie on back, practice full motion without partner
    • Focus on hip escape, leg throw, finish position
    • Build muscle memory for smooth transitions

  2. Wrist Control Drill (5 minutes)

    • Practice two-hand wrist control
    • Thumbs up position
    • Simulate lifting hips while maintaining grip

  3. Mount to Armbar Transition (Against dummy/pillow)

    • Practice the full sequence
    • Focus on maintaining control while transitioning
    • 10 slow reps each side

Partner Drills​

Level 1: Cooperative (No Resistance)

  • Partner gives you mount or guard
  • Practice full armbar sequence 10 times each position
  • Focus: Perfect technique, proper hand/hip position
  • Stop just before hyperextension (safe training)

Level 2: Light Resistance (25%)

  • Partner makes basic defenses (pulling arm, posturing)
  • Practice maintaining control through transitions
  • Focus: Wrist control and angle adjustment

Level 3: Positional Sparring (50%)

  • Start from mount or guard with armbar as goal
  • Partner actively defends but doesn't escape position
  • Focus: Recognizing opportunities and timing

Level 4: Live Application (100%)

  • Full rolling, hunt armbars from any position
  • Focus: Setups, combinations, transitions
  • Tap early for safety

Common Setup Drills​

Drill 1: Mount Attack Series

  1. High mount position
  2. Threaten collar choke
  3. When they defend, capture arm
  4. Transition to armbar
  5. 10 reps each side

See mount control

Drill 2: Guard Break Setup

  1. Closed guard position
  2. Partner tries to break guard and posture
  3. When they post hand, armbar immediately
  4. Flow drilling for 3 minutes

See closed guard concepts

Drill 3: Triangle/Armbar Flow

  1. Setup triangle from guard
  2. Partner defends triangle
  3. Transition to armbar
  4. Partner defends armbar
  5. Return to triangle
  6. Continuous flow for 5 minutes

See triangle technique

Progression Timeline​

Following training methods:

  • Week 1-2: Learn basic mechanics from mount (no resistance)
  • Week 3-4: Add guard variation, light resistance
  • Week 5-8: Positional drilling, setup recognition
  • Month 3-6: Live application, combination chains
  • Month 6+: Advanced entries, teaching others

🔧 Troubleshooting Guide​

Problem: They Pull Their Arm Out​

Solutions:

  1. Pinch knees tighter together immediately
  2. Control wrist with proper thumbs-up grip earlier
  3. Keep their elbow above your hips
  4. Don't let knees separate at any point
  5. Fall toward their head, not away

Problem: They Stack/Roll You​

Solutions:

  1. From guard: Pull them onto you (break their base)
  2. Hook their leg with your free leg
  3. Adjust angle away from stack direction
  4. Transition to triangle if heavily stacked
  5. Release and re-guard if losing position

Problem: They Hitchhiker Escape​

Solutions:

  1. Control wrist earlier in sequence
  2. Keep their thumb pointing up (prevents rotation)
  3. Apply pressure before they clasp hands
  4. Trap their far leg to prevent rotation
  5. Transition to different attack if they escape

Problem: Can't Get Leg Over Their Head​

Solutions:

  1. From mount: Get higher before attempting (armpit level)
  2. Control arm more securely first
  3. Post hand behind you for base
  4. Use other leg to push their head toward arm
  5. Threaten different attack to create reaction

Problem: Not Enough Pressure When Extending​

Solutions:

  1. Check hand position (thumbs must be up)
  2. Ensure hips are higher than their elbow
  3. Pinch knees together
  4. Pull wrist toward your chest while lifting hips
  5. Don't pull with arms only - drive hips up

🔄 Attack Chains & Combinations​

Armbar → Triangle Flow​

When they defend armbar by clasping hands:

  1. Maintain leg over head position
  2. Open their clasped grip if possible, or
  3. Reconfigure legs to triangle
  4. Their defending arm creates perfect "one arm in" setup
  5. Finish triangle

Learn triangle details

Armbar → Kimura Switch​

When they roll to defend from guard armbar:

  1. They turn to their side/belly
  2. You maintain arm control
  3. Switch to kimura grip (figure-4)
  4. Finish kimura or take back

Learn kimura technique

Mount → Armbar → Collar Choke​

From mount:

  1. Threaten collar choke
  2. When they defend with arms, isolate one
  3. Attempt armbar
  4. If they defend, return to mount
  5. Attack collar choke again
  6. Continuous cycle creates opening

Guard → Armbar → Sweep​

From closed guard:

  1. Setup armbar from guard
  2. They defend by posturing
  3. Use their posture to execute sweep
  4. Come to top position
  5. Pass or attack from top

💡 Advanced Concepts​

From Different Positions​

From Contrôle latéral

  • Nearside armbar (step over head)
  • Farside armbar (spin to nord-sud)
  • Reverse armbar (facing their legs)

From Back Mount

  • When defending RNC with arms
  • Trap arm and roll to armbar
  • Maintain back control throughout

From Open Guards

  • Spider guard to armbar
  • De La Riva to armbar
  • Lasso to armbar

From Half Guard

  • Lockdown to armbar
  • Underhook to armbar
  • Electric chair to armbar

From Butterfly Guard

  • Arm drag to armbar
  • Elevator sweep to armbar
  • Underhook to armbar

Grip Variations​

Standard Two-Hand Grip (Most common)

  • Both hands on their wrist
  • Thumbs pointing up
  • Pull toward chest

Gable Grip (When hands are small)

  • Palm-to-palm connection
  • Wrists locked together
  • Still maintain thumbs-up direction

Figure-4 Grip (Very secure)

  • One hand grabs own wrist
  • Creates unbreakable connection
  • Used when they're strong

No-Gi Adaptations​

Key Differences:

  • Harder to control without sleeve grips
  • Faster escapes (sweat and no friction)
  • Requires tighter initial control
  • Wrist control absolutely critical

Adjustments:

  • Two-on-one wrist control earlier
  • Tighter knee pinch
  • Apply pressure faster
  • More emphasis on angle

🎯 Belt-Level Expectations​

White Belt Goals​

Referenced in Beginner's Journey:

  • Understand armbar mechanics (Month 4-5)
  • Execute from mount with cooperative partner
  • Recognize armbar opportunities
  • Basic wrist control and hip extension
  • Safe application (tap before injury)

Blue Belt Development​

Referenced in Skill Progression:

  • Armbar from mount, guard, contrôle latéral
  • Multiple setup variations
  • Combination chains (armbar/triangle)
  • Consistent application in rolling
  • Defense recognition and counters

Purple Belt Mastery​

  • Armbar becomes high-percentage weapon
  • Setup from any position
  • Advanced combinations and dilemmas
  • No-gi proficiency
  • Positional armbar variations
  • Teaching ability

🎯 Next Steps​

After understanding armbar fundamentals:

  1. Master mount armbar first → Highest percentage, focus here before other variations
  2. Learn combinations → Armbar to triangle to armbar flow
  3. Practice from guard → Develop guard armbar with hip escape timing
  4. Study defenses → Understand hitchhiker escape to prevent it
  5. Follow progressions → Use training methods from technical training rhythms
  6. Drill consistently → Include in warm-up routine per drills guide

🔗 Related Resources​

Position Prerequisites​

Combination Techniques​

Theoretical Foundation​

Progress Tracking​