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Americana (Keylock) 🚧

Quick Introduction​

The Americana is a fundamental shoulder lock applied from top control positions. Also known as a keylock or ude garami, it rotates the shoulder in the opposite direction of the Kimura using a figure-4 grip.

Technique Overview​

Type: Joint lock (shoulder rotation)

Available from: Mount, side control 🚧, knee on belly

Finish: Shoulder rotation toward mat using figure-4 leverage

Americana Variations (3 Main Applications)​

🎯 From Mount (Classic)​

Setup Position

Mount position with opponent's arm pinned at 90-degree angle

Execution (Step by Step)

  1. Establish mount position
  2. Pin opponent's wrist to mat beside their head
  3. Slide your arm under their elbow
  4. Grab your own wrist (figure-4 grip)
  5. Keep their wrist pinned with downward pressure
  6. Lift their elbow slightly
  7. Paint-brush motion - rotate wrist toward their hips

Critical Details

  • Arm must be at 90 degrees (perpendicular to body)
  • Keep wrist pinned to mat
  • Slow, controlled rotation
  • Their elbow should stay relatively in place

Tactical Advantage

Safe from mount; high control throughout; beginner-friendly; natural from defensive frames

⚔️ From Side Control (Common)​

Setup Position

Side control with opponent's near arm bent defensively

Execution (Step by Step)

  1. Establish side control
  2. Opponent's near arm bent (common defensive position)
  3. Pin wrist to mat with your hand
  4. Slide other arm under their elbow
  5. Establish figure-4 grip
  6. Apply same paint-brush rotation

Critical Details

  • Must control their body with your weight
  • Don't lift your chest - stay heavy
  • Slow rotation is more effective
  • Can threaten to force arm isolation

Tactical Advantage

Catches common defensive position; maintains top control; forces reactions for other attacks

🔄 From Knee on Belly (Transitional)​

Setup Position

Knee on belly with opponent framing against your knee

Execution (Step by Step)

  1. Knee on belly position
  2. They frame against your knee with their arm
  3. Capture that framing arm
  4. Establish americana grip
  5. Can finish or use to transition to mount/side
  6. Rotate for submission or control for position

Critical Details

  • Catch their defensive frame
  • Decide: finish or transition
  • Maintains offensive pressure
  • Creates multiple threat

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Tactical Advantage

Catches defensive reactions; creates transition opportunities; maintains offensive initiative

Important Observations (General Rules)​

Core Principles​

  1. 🎯 90-degree arm angle - Must be perpendicular to their body
  2. 💪 Pin the wrist - Wrist stays on mat throughout
  3. ⏱️ Slow rotation - Paint-brush motion, not yanking
  4. 🔄 Opposite of kimura - Rotates toward mat, not back/head
  5. 🎮 Application selection - Choose based on position:
    • Mount → Safest, highest control
    • Side Control → Most common opportunity
    • Knee on Belly → Catches frames, creates transitions

Connection to Theories​

Applying core principles:

  • Leverage: Figure-4 creates mechanical advantage
  • Position: Top control enables safe application
  • Isolation: Arm separated from body's help

Common Mistakes​

⚠️ Arm at wrong angle - Too high or too low won't work

⚠️ Not pinning wrist - Wrist must stay on mat

⚠️ Yanking or forcing - Slow pressure is safer and more effective

⚠️ Lifting your chest - Lose position control

⚠️ Wrong rotation direction - Confusing with kimura

⚠️ Losing mount/side control - Position before submission

🎯 Next Steps​

After mastering americana:

  1. Compare with kimura → Understand the difference in rotation direction
  2. Practice from mount → Safest position to learn mechanics
  3. Study combinations → Americana to other attacks when they defend

🔗 Related Resources​