Tuesday (02/13) No Gi Class Armbar Defense

For tonight's class I am going to be going over some basic armbar defense. I have noticed that a lot of our newer grapplers are starting to power out of armbars which will work some times but is very likely going to get someone injured needlessly. Before you watch the videos below let me touch on a little of my personal jiu-jitsu philosophy. You should never let an opponent dictate game to you, ever. If he makes an offensive move you should protect/counter and make them pay with position or having to defend your offense. If you can defend an armbar there is no reason you shouldn't be able to improve your position from the submission attempt. With all that in mind watch the videos below and I'll have a few more thoughts.  

 

BJ does a few things here that really should be emphasized. He brings up that you should never pull out of an armbar. Not only do you risk giving up the armbar but you also put your forearm in jeopardy even if you can free the elbow. Pushing in allows you to put pressure on your opponent and increases your chances of using the armbar to pass. The video below also shows the move from defense to a pass to side control.

Neither of these videos scratch the surface of the tons and tons of armbar defenses out there but I firmly believe that submission defense should take the K.I.S.S. approach. Don't worry about the counter to the counter. Don't plan your submission before your through defending. Defend, control, pass, and maintain. Here is a quick run down of the steps in a basic armbar defense. 

1. Maintain posture-don't sit back and give up the arm but don't allow yourself to be pulled forward and swept either.
2. Regain control of the limb being attacked-if your opponent can get the arm straight then he can work for the submission. Keep it bent and hide it if possible.
3. Maintain pressure-your stack should be consistent and strait down into the chest. Don't move too far over the head and allow your opponent to move to the belly down armbar and never release pressure.
4. After you free the elbow maintain control-if you sit back and let off the pressure your opponent will replace guard or attempt to sweep. All you have to do is maintain the pressure that allowed you to escape and you have an excellent chance to pass.

Please feel free to email or comment with questions or input. I hope to see you all on the mats very soon.