Americana
Also known as: Keylock, Figure-Four Armlock, Ude-garami, Paintbrush
The Americana is the Kimura's cousin—same figure-four grip, opposite direction. Applied primarily from side control and mount, it rotates the shoulder externally while pinning the elbow. It's often the first submission taught to beginners because the position is stable and the mechanics are straightforward. But the Americana remains effective at all levels when properly applied with good head position and hip pressure.
🎯Key Details
Pin the wrist to the mat
Their wrist should be pinned to the ground, palm up. Use your chest weight on their upper arm to keep everything flat.
Figure-four the arm
Your far hand grabs their wrist, your near hand goes under their arm and grabs your own wrist. Keep everything tight—no space in the figure-four.
Elbow position
Keep their elbow at roughly 90 degrees and pinned close to their body. If their elbow extends or moves away, you lose leverage.
The rotation
Keep the wrist pinned to the mat while lifting their elbow. Paint a small arc, like moving their hand toward their hip while their elbow goes to the ceiling.
Head position
Heavy cross-face prevents escape and removes their ability to turn into you. No cross-face = they can roll away.
⚠️Common Mistakes
Letting the wrist lift off the mat
The wrist stays pinned while the elbow lifts. Wrist up = they can straighten the arm and escape.
Reaching with your arm instead of staying tight
Keep your elbows close to your body. Reaching weakens your structure and lets them escape.
No cross-face
Control their head with shoulder pressure. Without it, they turn into you and escape.
Elbow too far from their body
Their elbow should be close to their ribs. Wide elbow = no leverage = they straighten and escape.
🚀Setups
- •From mount—isolate arm that posts
- •Side control—bait arm with fake transition
- •Knee on belly—arm push setup
- •After blocking their hip escape attempt
🛡️Counters / Defenses
- •Straighten the arm before they lock
- •Bridge and turn into them
- •Grab your own collar/belt
- •Hip escape before they secure position
🔄Variations
📍Applicable Positions
🔗Related Techniques
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