Americana from side control
A shoulder lock that bends the arm into a figure four with the elbow near the mat.
How to read it
What this entry helps you see
The americana from side control isolates a bent arm against the mat and rotates the shoulder. Alignment of the wrist and elbow decides the lock, not force. It is a controlled joint lock. Apply slowly and release the moment your partner taps.
Key steps
- From side control, trap the partner near-side wrist against the mat.
- Feed your other hand under the arm and grip your own wrist to form a figure four.
- Slide the trapped arm down toward the partner hip until the elbow reaches a right angle.
- Keep the wrist pinned and lift the elbow slightly while rotating the shoulder.
- Apply pressure slowly and release on any tap.
Study cues
- Pin the wrist to the mat before building the grip
- Keep the partner elbow low, near the head line
- Rotate the shoulder by sliding the arm along the mat
Common errors
- Building the lock while the arm is straight
- Letting the wrist lift off the mat
- Wrenching upward instead of rotating along the floor