Back to MMA Fundamentals
Ground
Armbar
A joint-lock submission hyperextending the elbow, applicable from guard, mount, or side control.
Key Points
- •Control the wrist and keep the elbow tight to your centerline
- •Apply pressure gradually to allow a tap before injury
- •Keep your knees pinched to prevent the arm from slipping out
Instructions
- 1Isolate one of the opponent's arms and control it across your body.
- 2Bring your leg over their head so your knees pinch around their arm and shoulder.
- 3Keep their thumb pointed upward and their elbow at the centerline of your hips.
- 4Squeeze your knees together and pull the wrist down as you lift your hips.
- 5Extend your hips upward to hyperextend the elbow, applying steady pressure.
More Ground Techniques
Closed Guard
A fundamental bottom position where your legs are wrapped and locked around the opponent's waist.
Mount
A dominant top position sitting on an opponent's torso with both knees on the mat.
Side Control
A dominant pinning position perpendicular to the opponent, controlling their torso from the side.
Back Control
The most dominant position in grappling, controlling an opponent from behind with hooks in.
Rear-Naked Choke
A blood choke applied from back control, one of the most reliable submissions in grappling and MMA.
Triangle Choke
A leg-based choke from guard using your legs to trap the opponent's neck and one arm.