Skip to main content

Armbar (Juji Gatame) 🚧

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)

Available from: Mount, guard, side control 🚧, back mount 🚧, triangle, scrambles

Finish: Hyperextension of elbow joint using hips as lever

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
  2. Control their arm across your chest (wrist to shoulder)
  3. Swing leg over their head (same-side leg as controlled arm)
  4. Fall to your hip/side
  5. Pinch knees together around their shoulder
  6. Control wrist with both hands (thumbs up)
  7. Lift hips to apply pressure to elbow

Critical Details

  • Thumbs up (supinated hand position) - stronger finish
  • Knees tight together - prevents escape
  • Hips higher than their elbow - creates leverage
  • Fall toward their head, not away

Tactical Advantage

Most powerful position; highest finish rate; clean technique

⚔️ From Guard (Technical)​

Setup Position

Closed or open guard with opponent posturing or posting hand

Execution (Step by Step)

  1. Control their posting or reaching arm
  2. Hip escape to side (away from controlled arm)
  3. Throw leg over their head
  4. Second leg cuts across their back/waist
  5. Pull them into you while falling back
  6. Lock position and finish

Critical Details

  • Hip escape creates angle
  • Control wrist immediately
  • Legs create barrier preventing posture
  • Pull them down onto you

Tactical Advantage

Counter to their pass attempts; works gi and no-gi; fundamental sweep alternative

🔄 From Triangle (Combination)​

Setup Position

Triangle position where opponent defends or postures

Execution (Step by Step)

  1. Have triangle locked or nearly locked
  2. If they defend neck, one arm is already isolated
  3. Release triangle leg configuration
  4. Capture isolated arm
  5. Swing to armbar position
  6. Finish hyperextension

Critical Details

  • Arm already compromised from triangle
  • Smooth transition maintains control
  • Fast finish if properly set up

Tactical Advantage

High-percentage combination; opponent focused on triangle defense; 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
  4. 🔄 Angle matters - Elbow must be pointing up (ceiling)
  5. 🎮 Position selection - Choose based on where you are:
    • Mount → Most powerful
    • Guard → Most common
    • Triangle → Best combination

Connection to Theories​

Applying core principles:

  • Leverage: Your whole body vs their single limb
  • Isolation: Separate the limb from their body's support
  • Control Points: Wrist, shoulder, hips all must be controlled

Common Mistakes​

⚠️ Thumb down (pronated) - Much weaker leverage

⚠️ Knees apart - They pull arm out easily

⚠️ Hips too low - No pressure on elbow

⚠️ Not controlling wrist - Arm escapes

⚠️ Cranking fast - Serious injury risk

⚠️ Elbow drops below hips - Lose mechanical advantage

🎯 Next Steps​

After mastering armbar:

  1. Combine with other attacks → Triangle, Kimura 🚧 combinations
  2. Practice from all positions → Mount, guard, side control entries
  3. Study defenses → Understand escapes to better prevent them

🔗 Related Resources​