A BETTER ARMBAR?
I recommend checking out this tip on my website at
http://tinyurl.com/3b5j8a
(or
www.grapplearts.com/2007/03/better-armbar.htm) because I have
added lots of photos to clarify the positions I am talking about. I
am sending out the following information in email format just in case
you don't have access to a web browser right now.
The armbar, as it is usually taught, involves using BOTH of your hands
or arms to control ONE of your opponent's arms. This two-on-one
control is used both to break through your opponent's defenses, and to
actually apply the armbar submission.
The two-on-one armbar control has won a LOT of matches in BJJ, MMA,
submission grappling, judo, sambo, etc. It is a tried and true
approach, but unfortunately that also means that there are a LOT of
counters to this type of armbar.
Prior to a few years ago, I'd seen some one-handed armbar variations
where the top arm controlled the arm and the bottom hand controlled
the near leg. I thought that these were simply interesting variations,
and not really bread-and-butter material.
Then my my longtime training partner, Vlado Skrepnik, started
attacking me with the one-handed armbar. I remember feeling really
frustrated, because his control of my leg effectively killed most of
my escape techniques. Most armbar counters rely on turning into your
opponent, or turning away from your opponent and/or getting to your
knees - all of which are nullified by his control of your leg.
About a year after after Vlado started using this style of armbar I
came across a book by Eddie Bravo, and discovered that Eddie calls
this position the "spider web" using it as the foundation of his
armbar attacks. Maybe these guys were onto something, I thought, and
decided to find out for myself.
Since that point I have experimented with this style of armbar, and
generally I've been pretty happy with it. It really does make it much
more difficult for your opponent to escape the armbar position.
Furthermore if you don't give up much control or power over his arm IF
you use correct technique.
Below I'll take you through a two variations of the initial position,
and then show you a simple way to break your opponent's grip when he
locks his hands together to counter your armbar.
One-armed armbar, shallow grip:
I am sitting up and leaning slightly towards his legs. My bottom hand
controls his leg by gripping behind his closest knee (with the gi you
can grip cloth). My top arm is inserted DEEP on his arm (inner elbow
to inner elbow) - I can cup my own thigh with my hand to keep things
tight. I prefer crossing my feet in this armbar position, and having
my bottom foot over my top foot feels the most natural to me.
One-armed armbar, deep grip
This variation is pretty similar except that I am lying down on my
left side and my left arm is hooked much more deeply around his leg.
One-armed armbar counter and recounter
I start in the one-armed armbar position, but my opponent blocks my
armbar by clasping his hands together and preparing his escape. I have
many options to counter his counter (what I call 're-counters'), but
here is a simple, high-percentage option:
Maintaining my grips in exactly the same position I place the foot of
my bottom leg on his far bicep. I push with my leg and pull with my
lower back creating a tremendous pressure on his grip. If he needs
more convincing to let go I 'jackhammer' my leg in a series of short,
sharp stomps.
When my opponent releases his grip I keep my foot on his bicep while
falling back. The crook of my elbow starts sliding up his forearm
towards his wrist, increasing the length of my lever and the amount of
force I can generate on his arm.
I maintain my grip on his leg right until he taps out. In the final
position the crook of my top arm is at his wrist, which is much more
secure than grabbing his wrist with my hand.
If you managed to follow what I am talking about without pictures then
I'm impressed! If you want to see pictures to go with the text then
go to
http://tinyurl.com/3b5j8a (or
www.grapplearts.com/2007/03/better-armbar.htm).
Until next time....
Stephan Kesting