Armbar from Guard
Also known as: Juji-gatame, Cross Armlock, Straight Armbar
The armbar from guard is one of the first submissions every grappler learns, yet it remains effective at the highest levels. The key is understanding that it's a hip attack, not an arm attack. Your hips extend to hyperextend their elbow while your legs control their posture and position. When all the details align—arm isolation, hip pressure, leg control, and proper angle—the armbar is virtually inescapable.
🎯Key Details
Control the arm first
Secure the arm with a two-on-one grip (wrist and elbow) before you move your hips. If the arm isn't controlled, they'll pull out during your transition.
Hip movement
Pivot your hips up and perpendicular to their body. Your hips should be tight to their shoulder with no gap. The pivot starts from your core, not by pulling the arm.
Leg position
The leg across their face is heavy—it controls posture and prevents them from sitting up. The leg across their chest pins their body. Both knees pinch together.
Thumb position
Their thumb should point up toward the ceiling. This ensures the elbow joint is properly oriented for the hyperextension. Thumb down = they can rotate and escape.
The finish
Hips UP, heels DOWN, grip tight on wrist. The extension comes from your hips lifting, not from pulling their arm down. Think about pushing your pelvis into their elbow.
⚠️Common Mistakes
Hips too far from their shoulder
No daylight between your hip and their armpit. Distance lets them pull the arm free or stack you.
Knees apart
Pinch your knees together HARD. Loose knees = their arm escapes. Tight knees = no exit.
Extending before controlling the wrist
Secure the wrist with both hands (thumb up) before extending. No wrist control = they rotate free.
Crossing the feet incorrectly
If you cross your feet, bottom leg goes over top. Or just pinch knees and don't cross. Bad crosses create counter opportunities.
🚀Setups
- •High guard break posture to armbar
- •Overhook setup
- •Flower sweep fake to armbar
- •Triangle transition
- •Opponent posts hand on chest
🛡️Counters / Defenses
- •Stack and pull elbow
- •Turn into them and go to knees
- •Hitch hiker escape
- •Grab your own hands and posture
🔄Variations
📍Applicable Positions
🔗Related Techniques
Track Your Progress on Armbar from Guard
Log when you drill this technique, track your success rate in sparring, and get AI-powered insights to improve.
Start Tracking