Americana From Guard
BY BURTON RICHARDSON
There are two types of bent arm locks: the Kimura, where the opponent’s hand is bent down toward his back, and the Americana where you move the arm away from his body. The Americana is usually applied from the mount or from side control.
If you apply a regular Americana from the guard, the opponent can move his shoulder away and twist out of the lock. Most people believe that you cannot finish the Americana from the guard, but there is a way! The key is to control his shoulder. Clamp one leg over the opponent’s shoulder and lock your feet. Grab his wrist, lift your hips and turn them inward as you pull his hand outward. He can’t twist away, so you get the tap!
