Suggest

Americana

Brazilian jiu-jitsu / Popular

Finish the americana shoulder lock from mount and side control.

What coaches agree on

  • Lock your elbow in tight against their neck, right next to the ear, before you try to finish — that removes their room to escape.
  • Grip your own wrist with a full monkey grip — all four fingers wrapped, not just your thumb — so they can't straighten their arm free.
Show more

Common mistakes

  • Trying to muscle the arm down with just your arms instead of driving it with your body weight — it stalls out against anyone strong enough to resist.
  • Ripping the elbow straight up as soon as the grip is on, instead of pinning the wrist down first and lifting only the last inch — lifting too high too soon lets them bridge you off.
  • Going for the finish with no leg hooked in to anchor your base — without it, their bridge rolls you straight off the position.