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[ufobydeath]

Originally Posted by Noob

I'm assuming it's the far-side arm that they are going for. The arm in front of their face, not the one you put on their hip


With that arm, get an underhook.



So let's say they have you in side control. They are on your left side. They are going to try and get the Americana on your right arm. From here, get an underhook with your right arm.


Not only will this help defend the Americana, but it also gives you an easy escape route. You can push the underhook up, and shrimp your hips out at the same time.


I use this escape a lot. It's kind of obvious once you get the underhook, but it's still useful. At the very least you won't be caught in an Americana anymore.

Thanks man, I'll work on that come next practice!

[NixHex]

Originally Posted by Noob

I'm assuming it's the far-side arm that they are going for. The arm in front of their face, not the one you put on their hip


With that arm, get an underhook.



So let's say they have you in side control. They are on your left side. They are going to try and get the Americana on your right arm. From here, get an underhook with your right arm.


Not only will this help defend the Americana, but it also gives you an easy escape route. You can push the underhook up, and shrimp your hips out at the same time.


I use this escape a lot. It's kind of obvious once you get the underhook, but it's still useful. At the very least you won't be caught in an Americana anymore.

As soon as someone passes my guard into side control, I work for double underhooks or over/underhook immediately

[Noob]

Originally Posted by ufobydeath

Thanks man, I'll work on that come next practice!

It can't be embedded, but this is a very good example of what I'm describing.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTnW0MxrcKA



Marcelo is explaining this more as an escape, but as long as you have that far-side underhook, there is no way for the person on top of you to get an Americana.


It does kind of open you up for the Brabo, so you have to be careful. But like all things it's a calculated risk.


Good luck, and make sure to let us know how it goes.

Originally Posted by g'nightXX

As soon as someone passes my guard into side control, I work for double underhooks or over/underhook immediately

Underhooks are so important. That was one of the first big lessons I learned. Overhooks can be used offensively from guard and a few other positions, but especially as a beginner it is underhooks that become more important.


More control, more safety. Just a lot easier to stay alive and put yourself in good position with underhooks. Though it can fuck your shoulders up if you get overzealous.

[ufobydeath]

Originally Posted by g'nightXX

Everybody's got one, that sub that just seems to get put on ya more often than any other. Nobody be shy and act like they don't get sub'd, because anybody in here that trains BJJ would know that's a lie lol.

For me it's heel hooks/ankle locks. When i'm on bottom I pay so much attention to my rubber guard and trying to control posture that I neglect my defense. I try to pay more attention to it, but once I get working on my offense from my back I neglect my ankles yet again. I do a decent job rising up with it, but when that doesn't work I get locked up.

Well, first thing you should do if he manages to catch you is to put your foot squarely on the mat so that he can't crank it, and then either explode up into him or try to wiggle out. Foot on the mat is essential though.

Originally Posted by Noob

It can't be embedded, but this is a very good example of what I'm describing.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTnW0MxrcKA



Marcelo is explaining this more as an escape, but as long as you have that far-side underhook, there is no way for the person on top of you to get an Americana.


It does kind of open you up for the Brabo, so you have to be careful. But like all things it's a calculated risk.


Good luck, and make sure to let us know how it goes.

This tech is a lot smoother that the one I've learned... which is good as my noodle-arms aren't that strong. Thanks man!

[Noob]

Originally Posted by ufobydeath

Well, first thing you should do if he manages to catch you is to put your foot squarely on the mat so that he can't crank it, and then either explode up into him or try to wiggle out. Foot on the mat is essential though.

I like to put the other foot on the hip and explode away. It's not overly technical, but if you are squirmy enough it works. You have to anticipate it though. Once it's sunk in, it's over.


As soon as you can tell they are fishing for a leg lock, start creating distance. I don't pretend to be an expert, but the idea of being leglocked scares me because of the potential for injury. So I make damned sure to be very very hard to hold on to.

[NixHex]

Originally Posted by ufobydeath

Well, first thing you should do if he manages to catch you is to put your foot squarely on the mat so that he can't crank it, and then either explode up into him or try to wiggle out. Foot on the mat is essential though.



This tech is a lot smoother that the one I've learned... which is good as my noodle-arms aren't that strong. Thanks man!

I'll try that next time somebody tries to pull it on me. Good lookin out.

[ufobydeath]

Originally Posted by Noob

I like to put the other foot on the hip and explode away. It's not overly technical, but if you are squirmy enough it works. You have to anticipate it though. Once it's sunk in, it's over.


As soon as you can tell they are fishing for a leg lock, start creating distance. I don't pretend to be an expert, but the idea of being leglocked scares me because of the potential for injury. So I make damned sure to be very very hard to hold on to.

Yeah, that's another way to do it, but you've got to have some reaction speed and either get it before you're caught (i.e. he's got a firm hook on you) or if he starts to release pressure. The main reason that I don't like to do this though is the injury risk... jerking your leg around in a submission isn't really the safest thing to do.

Best defense is to be squirmy and never ever ever give up a leg (and I see so many guys do this when I roll with them, and that's why they get caught all the time) and keep your guard tight. Should he go for it anyway then make sure he can't isolate your leg. Also, if he goes for a figure-four grip around the leg... he doesn't know what he's doing and you can stay pretty calm.

[NixHex]

Originally Posted by Noob

I like to put the other foot on the hip and explode away. It's not overly technical, but if you are squirmy enough it works. You have to anticipate it though. Once it's sunk in, it's over.


As soon as you can tell they are fishing for a leg lock, start creating distance. I don't pretend to be an expert, but the idea of being leglocked scares me because of the potential for injury. So I make damned sure to be very very hard to hold on to.

This is what I usually try to do, but with the more experienced BJJ guys they put the clamps on my leg while i'm trying to pull out. When that doesn't work I just start gator rolling, and trying to wiggle it out lol. Not sure if that is very technical or not, but I too panic when someone is grabbing onto my ankles.... maybe that's why it catches me more than anything else. I panic and lose track of technique.

[willieshatner]

I think I'm kinda suspect for getting caught in armlocks. Americanas, armbars, got caught in a bicep slicer last week (fucking ouch)

[calibeck]

Gi chokes always get me, I still think like a wrestler so I only really notice my gi when I'm going for gi chokes on others.