If you’re world class at escaping Armbars you must be world class at getting caught in them - Tom Oberhue, SBG Black Belt
The armbar defence is not something I like to teach because it’s only something you get caught in after making a lot of mistakes.
- You got taken down
- You got your guard passed
- You let him take mount
- You let him take a high mount and let your elbows get away from your body
It’s far more productive overall to work on all the areas leading up to the armbar. But anyway…
- Here Kevin is setting up the armbar. It’s at this point I need to be thinking emergency defence.
- The arm that’s getting caught (my right) grabs my other bicep in a standard Rear Naked Choke style hold. As Kevin puts his leg over me, I ensure my left hand gets under his left knee (the leg that’s over my head). This is critical to the escape.
- As Kevin falls backwards, I pull my knees into my chest and violently kick forward to roll myself up with him. As long as we stay together as one unit I have a chance to defend the armbar. If he separates my arm from my body I’m tapping out. Once I’m in the prone position I readjust my base and look to stack Kev on his neck/shoulders.
- If you feel nasty, putting your knee on his face is some jerk jitsu you can use. Alternatively, you can hold the back of his head up from the floor. It’s vital that you keep your weight directly over his head. If you fall to the side or let him sweep you you’ll get caught.
- When you’re happy you’ve kept his weight over his head and he can’t extend his hips, pull your right arm free in a “start the lawnmower” style movement. Make sure you sprawl directly after your arm becomes free so you can pass guard.