Americana Fundamentals

by Team Digitsu

Updated: April 16, 2024

The Americana is a fundamental submission technique in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a martial art that emphasizes ground fighting and submission holds. Renowned for its efficiency in controlling an opponent, this move targets the shoulder joint, compelling a tap out due to the applied pressure. While it may appear straightforward, the Americana requires technical precision and timing to execute effectively in the heat of a match.

Understanding and mastering the Americana is crucial for your grappling toolkit, as it can be employed from various positions such as mount, side control, or even guard. It's not just a matter of overpowering your opponent; the technique requires you to outmaneuver and manipulate their limbs using skill. As you train in BJJ, the Americana will often be one of the first submissions you learn due to its practicality and the clear principles of leverage and control it demonstrates.

Developing proficiency in the Americana not only expands your submission options but also enhances your defensive game, as knowledge of the move allows you to recognize when you're at risk of getting caught in one. This essential submission is a testament to the depth of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, where even the most basic techniques can be highly effective when applied with nuance and understanding of the mechanics involved.

History and Evolution of Americana BJJ

The Americana is not just a technique but a testament to the evolution of martial arts, reflecting its roots in Judo and Catch Wrestling and its refinement in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Origins in Judo and Catch Wrestling

Originally known as Ude Garami in Judo, the Americana is a classic shoulder lock with its foundations deeply set in the Japanese martial art. Your understanding of this move also requires a nod to Catch Wrestling, where it is referred to as a keylock or top wristlock, showcasing the technique's versatility across different grappling styles.

Development in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

As BJJ forged its identity, it adopted and adapted the Americana, enhancing its application in the BJJ methodology. You can observe the refinement of the Americana within BJJ, which emphasizes the use of leverage and technique over brute strength, making it a fundamental submission in the art.

Influence of the Gracies

The pioneering Gracie family placed considerable emphasis on ground-fighting, where the Americana became a staple technique. With the Gracies' influence, BJJ popularized this submission, making it integral to the art's global appeal and effectiveness in both self-defense and competitive arenas.

Technical Overview of the Americana Submission

In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), the Americana submission is a staple technique aimed at achieving a joint lock by manipulating your opponent's arm. This submission leverages both leverage and joint manipulation to secure a tap-out.

The Mechanics of the Americana Lock

The Americana lock, or Americana submission, is executed primarily from side control or the mount position. Your goal is to force your opponent's arm into an L-shape, applying pressure to both the shoulder and elbow. Here is a step-by-step breakdown:

Secure the Arm: Pin your opponent's wrist to the mat near their head, ensuring their arm forms an "L" shape at the elbow.
Establish Control: Place your other hand under their elbow and use your forearm to apply pressure to their shoulder.
Grip Formation: Slide the hand that is under the elbow up to clasp your own wrist, forming a figure-four grip, often referred to as a keylock.
Finalize the Submission: Increase the pressure by lifting their elbow while pushing their wrist towards the mat until they submit.

The technique is effective because it manipulates a lever (the arm) against two joints (the elbow and shoulder), rendering escape difficult when applied correctly.

Key Differences Between Americana and Kimura

The Amerciana and the Kimura are often mentioned in the same breath, but they have distinct differences:

Direction of Force: The Americana bends the arm downwards and applies pressure in a direction opposite to the Kimura.
Position of Execution: While the Americana is typically applied with the practitioner on top, the Kimura can be executed from various positions, including guard and north-south.

Both submissions are joint locks that target the shoulder, but the Americana is characteristically a lower pressure and more control-oriented move, whereas the Kimura is known for its explosive and versatile application. Understanding these differences is crucial in both executing and defending against these submissions.

Optimal Positions for Americana Attacks

The Americana attack in BJJ is highly effective when executed from positions that offer control over your opponent. Understanding these positions enhances your ability to secure the submission.

Securing Side Control

When you establish side control, you're in a dominant position that immobilizes your opponent and opens them up for the Americana. Your goal here is to maintain heavy pressure on your opponent’s chest, ensuring they can't regain mobility, then control their far arm by pinning it to the ground, setting up your Americana attack.

From Mount to Americana

The mount offers a prime opportunity to transition into an Americana. Here, your hips are low, and your knees are wide, providing stability. To move into the submission, you focus on isolating an arm and then applying the Americana lock—keep your opponent's arm bent at a 90-degree angle while securing a figure-four grip.

The S-Mount and Americana

While in S-mount, which is a variation of the standard mount, adjust your knees so that one is under your opponent’s shoulder—enhancing control over their upper body. Your position should make it challenging for your opponent to move, granting you the perfect setup to latch onto their arm and execute an Americana lock with high efficiency.

Countermeasures and Escapes

Having the right countermeasures and escapes can be the difference between tapping out and staying in the fight when you’re caught in an Americana submission.

Defending Against Americana

Early Recognition: The most effective defense against the Americana is to recognize it early. As soon as you sense your opponent attempting to secure your wrist and establish control, it’s imperative to take action. Focus on extending your arm away from your body to prevent them from successfully locking in the figure four grip.

Keep your arms close to your body: Prevent your opponent's access to your arms.
Turn towards the attacking arm: Rotate your body towards the arm being attacked to relieve pressure and disrupt the lock.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Preventing Grip Solidification: One common mistake is allowing your opponent to establish a firm wrist grip. Ensure you grip your wrist firmly to maintain control and hinder their ability to finalize the submission.

Don't neglect hand positioning: Proper hand placement is crucial in both offense and defense.
Avoid being flat on your back: Work on creating angles and staying dynamic to limit your opponent's control.

Remember that in practicing defenses and escapes, consistency and technique refinement are key. Stay calm and use these tips to improve your defensive game.