Closed Guard Armbar

Student Objectives:

  1. The student will perform the Armbar Submission from the Closed Guard position.
  2. The student will develop increased hip movement by focusing on the rotation of the body while performing the Armbar Technique.
  3. The student will build a value for pinching their knees while in the Closed Guard Armbar.
  4. The student will demonstrate an understanding of when to tap to a Straight Armbar.

Teaching Cues:

  • Stack the Hands
  • Hand to Shoulder
  • Hook the Leg
  • Ear to Knee
  • Leg Around
  • Chop and Pinch

Lesson: Closed Guard Armbar

The practicing student will start in the Closed Guard position.  The assisting student will place both hands on one shoulder of the practicing student with the arms completely straight.  The assisting student’s posture will be compromised but not completely broken.  

Emphasize that the assisting student is a good training partner by compromising their posture and placing their arms across the centerline.  While this is helpful to the practicing student, students should be counseled against doing this while sparring.  

Once the assisting partner is in position, the practicing student will reach their free arm (the arm that does not have hands on the shoulder) across and place the hand on the shoulder of the assisting student.  The other hand will reach deep under the leg of the assting partner.  Both hands should be used in assisting an angle change.  You should encourage the practicing student to pull their ear close to the knee of the assisting student.    

Once the angle is changed the leg should have a clear pathway around the head of the assisting student.  Once the leg comes around the head of the assisting student, the practicing student should pinch their knees while simultaneously bringing their heel down towards the floor.  This should not only pinch the arm of the assisting student, but it should force the assisting students head towards the floor preventing a stacking defense.  

The hands of the practicing student should then be transferred to the wrist/forearm of the assisting student. The practicing student should slightly, with control, lift their hips. Remind the students that the arm is already straight so the armbar will come on quickly and that they should tap when they feel the arm lock straight. They should NOT wait until they feel pain.  

Possible Extensions:

  • Add various set ups that force the arms across the centerline. Stacking the hands on the shoulder is NOT a set up, but rather building an understanding of where you want the arms to complete the armbar.
  • If the practicing student knows how to Triangle, then assisting student can pull out the arm that is being attacked and this can be used as a Triangle set up.
  • Pair this with the Upa Escape to give both partners something to work on.
  • For advanced students, have them practice both sides, and then have them switch 180 degrees from one armbar to the other.
  • Allow the assisting partner to fall on their side and have the armbar finish from the Armbar Position.

Possible Refinements:

  • The chopping motion of the back of the head is important. Focus on chopping the leg over the floor rather than their partner’s back.  This will help insulate the position against stacking.
  • The thumb should orient towards the ceiling to expose the elbow to the hips.
  • Make sure that the non-chopping leg is in the armpit to create an easier rotation of the head towards the assisting partner's knee.

Reference materials:

Teaching Reflections:

  • How did I do teaching?
  • What could I do better next time?
  • Did the student gain proficiency in lesson material?

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