BJJ Fundamentals

Lesson 39 – Closed Guard Arm Bar

Solo Drills

Partner Drills

Top Lock

Start in closed guard bottom
Get to a cross-cuff and cross-collar grip on uke’s gi
- Use the combined power of your arms and legs to stop uke from posturing up
Shimmy your legs upwards, locking your ankles behind uke’s head
- Ensure your leg is covering uke’s far side shoulder, so they can’t easily shrug off your top lock

Armbar – Bottom Finish

Continue from top lock
Control uke’s wrist by placing your forearm on top of it
Open your top lock to allow your legs to move
- Touch your foot to the back of uke’s head; maintain downwards pressure so they can’t posture up
Pass your leg over the top of uke’s head to establish the armbar position
Bridge your hips into uke’s elbow joint to finish the armbar
- Keep your knees together and (more importantly) your heels pressing down so that uke cannot posture or pull their arm out

Armbar – Top Finish

Continue from guard armbar position
Use a scoop grip under uke’s near side knee
- This grip will stop uke from standing and will also help get to an angle later
Uke steps their leg up to widen their base
Use your legs to pendulum and sweep uke to the front (where they are unable to base out)
- Your feet should point forwards, away from uke’s base of support
Finish the armbar from top position using the same mechanics as before

Armbar – Separating Arms

Continue from armbar position (uke pinned by your legs)
Uke joins their hands together to defend (S-grip, gable-grip, wrist-to-wrist)
Pull uke’s near side elbow away from the centerline and connect your elbow to uke’s wrist
Fall to the side where uke’s arm is pointing to separate their arms
- Once the arms are separated, switch to a 2-on-1 grip on uke’s wrist for maximum leverage
Finish the armbar from top position using the same mechanics as before