Americana Lock

What is the Americana Lock? (Definition & Historical Context)

The Americana Lock, also commonly referred to as the Keylock, figure-four armlock, bent armlock, ude-garami, or top wristlock, is a fundamental shoulder submission in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) and submission grappling. The technique involves isolating an opponent's arm and applying controlled torque to the shoulder joint by externally rotating the upper arm while maintaining the elbow bent at approximately 90 degrees. Historically, the Americana Lock traces its roots to earlier grappling disciplines such as Judo and Catch Wrestling, becoming integrated into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu curricula during the 1950s and 1960s. Contrary to popular myths, the term "Americana" was already prevalent in Brazil by the early 1950s, notably appearing in reports of Masahiko Kimura's matches, and is not attributed to a single American wrestler's invention.

Biomechanics and Principles of the Americana Lock

The Americana Lock primarily targets the glenohumeral joint of the shoulder by forcing the opponent's humerus into extreme external rotation. The elbow is bent at roughly 90 degrees, forming an "L" shape with the forearm pointing upward toward the opponent's head. The attacker secures a figure-four grip, pinning the opponent's wrist firmly to the mat and isolating the arm. By elevating the opponent's elbow while simultaneously sliding their wrist downward along the mat—often described as a "paintbrush" motion—significant torque is applied to the shoulder joint. This action places substantial stress on the shoulder's joint capsule, labrum, ligaments, and rotator cuff muscles, with secondary stress potentially transferring to the elbow joint if the shoulder withstands initial pressure.

Applying the Americana Lock from Side Control (Step-by-Step Guide)

1. Establish dominant side control with heavy chest pressure, immobilizing the opponent's upper body.
2. Identify the opponent's far arm, especially if they attempt to frame against your neck or shoulder.
3. Pin the opponent's wrist securely to the mat beside their head using your near-side hand.
4. Thread your far-side arm under the opponent's bicep, gripping your own wrist to form a tight figure-four grip.
5. Remove slack by "revving the motorcycle," rotating your wrists to tighten the lock.
6. Finish by sliding the opponent's wrist downward along the mat while simultaneously elevating their elbow, applying controlled torque to the shoulder joint.

Applying the Americana Lock from Mount (Step-by-Step Guide)

1. From mount, recognize opportunities when the opponent pushes upward on your chest or leaves their arm extended.
2. Pin the opponent's wrist and elbow to the mat near their head, maintaining a stable base with your hips and knees.
3. Establish a tight figure-four grip by threading your opposite arm under their bicep and gripping your own wrist.
4. Use your hips and chest pressure to immobilize the opponent, preventing bridging or rolling escapes.
5. Execute the "paintbrush" motion by sliding the opponent's wrist downward along the mat and elevating their elbow, finishing the submission with controlled leverage.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Executing the Americana Lock

• Attempting the submission without first securing dominant position, allowing the opponent to bridge or escape.
• Allowing the opponent's elbow to slip inward toward their torso, losing the optimal 90-degree angle required for leverage.
• Using a weak or incorrect figure-four grip, reducing control and enabling the opponent to straighten or free their arm.
• Incorrectly lifting the opponent's hand off the mat rather than sliding it downward, diminishing torque and effectiveness.
• Relying on brute strength instead of proper leverage, body mechanics, and controlled technique, leading to fatigue and reduced efficiency.

Effective Defenses and Escapes from the Americana Lock

Early Prevention and Positioning

• Maintain tight elbow and hand positioning to avoid arm isolation.

Bridging and Shrimping

• Explosively bridge and shrimp to disrupt the opponent's base and create space for escape.

Rotational Escapes

• Rotate toward the locked arm, aligning the shoulder to relieve external rotation pressure.

Grip-Breaking and Hand Fighting

• Use the free hand to assist in grip-breaking or push the opponent's elbow to disrupt the figure-four grip.

Timing and explosiveness are critical; initiating escapes early during the opponent's grip adjustments or initial torque application significantly increases success.

Strategic Use and Tactical Applications of the Americana Lock

The Americana Lock is strategically valuable from dominant positions such as side control and mount, where opponents' arms are vulnerable to isolation. It effectively punishes poor arm positioning, compelling opponents to maintain disciplined defensive posture. Practitioners frequently chain the Americana with complementary submissions, such as the Armbar or Kimura, creating tactical dilemmas for the opponent. Due to its low-risk nature, unsuccessful Americana attempts typically allow the attacker to maintain positional dominance. Importantly, the Americana does not rely on gi grips, making it equally effective in both gi and no-gi contexts.

Variations and Advanced Setups of the Americana Lock

One-Handed Americana Setups

• Temporarily pinning the wrist using the head or chest to initiate the lock.

Leg-Assisted Americana from Scarf Hold

• Utilizing leg entanglement from scarf hold (Kesa Gatame) to isolate and control the opponent's arm.

Adjusted Elbow Positioning

• Positioning the opponent's elbow closer to their torso to reduce shoulder mobility, creating tighter finishes.

Enhanced "Paintbrush" Motion

• Sliding the opponent's arm downward during the finish to amplify torque and increase submission pressure.

Opportunistic Setups

• Capitalizing on transitions and scrambles, catching opponents off-guard when their arms become momentarily exposed.