Class 02 - Americana Armlock - Mount [GU-2]; Clinch (Aggressive Opponent) [GU-7]
The goal in the fight is to achieve the mount, exhaust your
opponent, and then win the fight. Punching your opponent from the
mount
can be effective but is exhausting, risks your balance, and could
injure your opponent more seriously than desired. We prefer to
use
leverage-based submissions instead so that we can maintain better
control of our opponent and save energy. The Americana
Armlock
is a highly effective submission that can be used with minimal
effort to defeat a larger opponent. First you will learn the Basic
Application
and then two variations that could be used in combat.
Technical Slices
1. Basic Application (Preparation Drill)
• Essential Detail: Effective hand positioning and solid wrist
curvature
• Most Common Mistake: All lift without any slide
• Safety Tip: Squeeze very slowly and remember to tap out when
slight discomfort is felt
• Drill Orders: Start from mount, 1 repetition on each arm, reverse
roles
2. Standard Variation
• Indicator: Opponent fears punches and protects their face with
both hands.
• Essential Detail: Back hook in front knee open
• Most Common Mistake: No hip pressure
• Bad Guy Reminder: Test partners hooks by trying to push with free
arm
• Safety Tip: Do not squeeze the lock while opponent is checking
base
• Drill Orders: Start from mount, 1 repetition on each arm, reverse
roles
3. Neck-hug Variation
• Indicator: Opponent exposes their arm while you maintain control
of their neck.
• Essential Detail: Grip with thumb at first then switch to
thumbless grip
• Most Common Mistake: Forgetting the loop, and trying to apply
pressure from the neck hug
• Drill Orders: Start from mount, 1 repetition on each arm, reverse
roles
Clinch (Aggressive Opponent) -
Most martial arts rely heavily on the use of strikes to defeat
the opponent. This strategy may work against a smaller opponent,
but is
very risky against a larger, more athletic opponent who could just
as easily knock you out every time you put yourself in range to
strike
them. The best strategy is to establish a clinch and take the fight
to the ground where you can preserve energy, neutralize
punches,
and win the fight with ease. The key to establishing a clinch on an
aggressive opponent is to understand that there are two safe
distances in a fight: all the way out or all the way in.
Technical Slices
1. Keep the Distance (Preparation Drill)
• Essential Detail: Lead with the back leg when stepping back
• Most Common Mistake: Allowing the feet to come together while
moving
• Drill Orders: Start from safe distance, keep the distance for 3-5
steps, reverse roles
2. Close the Distance
• Indicator: Opponent becomes aggressive and commits to attacking
you.
• Essential Detail: Keep hands protecting face during entry
• Most Common Mistake: Lunging forward with the wrong foot
• Bad Guy Reminder: Take two conservative steps then become
aggressive on the third
• Safety Tip: Use open hands and refrain from actually striking
during practice
• Drill Orders: Start standing, keep the distance, establish the
clinch control, reverse roles