The Americana is one of the most powerful shoulder locks in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. By bending the opponent’s arm in a specific way, this standard shoulder lock forces a clean tap (a clear, unambiguous signal of submission) on the shoulder joint and elbow.

For decades, people have used this move in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, catch wrestling, and judo, making it one of the most reliable foundational submissions for developing control, precision, and functional upper-body strength.

The Americana is a trusted tool for both instructors teaching students new techniques and competitors scoring from the top position.

This guide explains how the Americana move works, how to defend against it, and how it can lead to other submissions.

What Does "Americana" Mean in BJJ?

History and Evolution

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu evolved from Kodokan Judo, which itself originated from traditional Japanese Jiu-Jitsu Famous martial artists like Helio Gracie and Carlos Gracie helped shape the art in the late twentieth century. The Americana, also known as the keylock or top wristlock (ude garami in Judo), is a fundamental shoulder lock, which became popular in the 1950s.

Definition

In BJJ, the Americana is among the most common basic submissions. It’s a bent-arm lock that strains the shoulder joint and elbow joints. With a figure four grip, you trap the opponent’s arm to the mat and rotate the shoulder until they tap.

Common Positions

You will meet this attack in the following positions:

• Mount
• Side control
• Kesa gatame
• North-south.

From these positions, you rely on positional control and body weight to pin your opponent’s body, making it hard to escape. Your wrist and free hand give steady rotational pressure, so the finish depends more on clean movement and control than raw strength.

How Americana in BJJ Works

The trick to mastering the Americana is simple leverage. When your opponent’s elbow is pinned and the wrist is trapped, even a slight movement can bend their arm quickly. You need to bend their arm because the Americana works by isolating the shoulder joint and forcing it into unnatural rotation. Bending the arm locks the elbow and wrist in place, so when you apply pressure, the shoulder takes the torque and creates the submission.

This is why instructors teach the move early to students: it demonstrates how proper technique, timing, and control can produce effective submissions without relying on brute strength.

The Americana’s Core Mechanics 

Elbow and Wrist Line

If your opponent’s elbow rises or the wrist slips, the lock breaks down. Keep the arm tight to the mat with calm control to stop the escape.

Figure Four Grip

One of your hands pins the opponent’s wrist while the other hand grabs the wrist of your hand that’s pinning the opponent. This links your arms into the “four” that creates the Americana grip. The secure grip allows you to complete the submission without brute force.

Chest and Body Placement

Set your chest on the opponent’s body, keep your head low, and use steady body weight to add pressure. This limits their movement and improves control.

Paintbrush Finish

Keep the wrist flat and slide it down the mat before slightly lifting the elbow. The power comes from shoulder rotation, not vertical lift. That combined movement bends the arm at the shoulder joint and adds smooth rotational pressure until the opponent taps.

Step-by-Step Americana from Side Control

Setup

From side control, drop your chest onto the opponent’s body and keep your head close. Pin the wrist to the mat with the opponent’s thumb pointing away from their body (toward their head). Slide your other arm under their arm, grab your own wrist, and lock the figure four grip. Once the Americana grip locks in, the opponent’s arm is trapped.

Finish

Keep the wrist flat and slide it downward toward the hips while gradually raising the elbow to apply outward shoulder rotation. Maintain chest pressure the whole time. This two-way movement applies clean rotational pressure to the shoulder joint and leads to a tidy submission if they cannot defend.

Step-by-Step Americana From Mount Position

Setup

From the mount, spread your knees wide and sink your hips to stay stable. Use your free hand to pin their wrist to the mat. Scoop under the opponent’s arm, catch your own wrist, and complete the figure four grip. Keep your head low and your body centered so you hold position while setting the finish.

Finish

Drag their wrist slightly down the mat, toward the opposite side of the body, and raise the elbow in a slow, steady path. Keep your hips heavy to shut down any bridge attempt. This bent-arm lock applies firm, safe pressure to their shoulder joint and remains a steady win in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

Fast Americana Entries and Chains You’ll Actually Hit

The Americana connects to plenty of other submissions:

• Knee-on-Belly Entry: From knee-on-belly, pin the wrist and slide into the figure four grip fast.
• Kimura to Americana: If a kimura stalls, switch the grip and hit the same arm with the Americana.
• Americana to Armbar: If the arm straightens, roll straight into an armbar.
• Americana to Armbar: If the opponent straightens their arm to defend, transition into an armbar (juji gatame).
• Wristlock Option: When the wrist is in a flat position, you can execute a quick wristlock.

These links keep the opponent’s head and body under threat while you hold positional control.

No-Gi vs Gi Details

In no-gi, grips can feel slippery, so cupping the wrist, using more chest pressure, and moving faster can help. In the gi, lapels and sleeves slow the opponent’s movement, which makes the figure four grip easier to hold. In both, positional control and steady pressure remain the heart of the finish.

Got a no-gi tournament coming up? Check out our women’s and men’s no gi collection here.

Is the Americana Legal in Competition?

Adult Divisions

Under IBJJF rules, the Americana is legal for all adult belt levels when applied with control. From white to black, you can use this shoulder lock with calm control and safe pacing.

Kids Divisions

Rules are stricter for young students because their shoulder joints and elbows are more susceptible to injury. Under IBJJF rules, the Americana is illegal for kids under 16 due to joint vulnerability, so check the rules set before the mat call.

Other Organizations

Most major tournaments (IBJJF, ADCC, NAGA, Grappling Industries) permit the Americana in adult divisions. Always check event-specific rulebooks so both the person applying the attack and the opponent stay safe.

9 Common Americana Mistakes (and Quick Fixes)

1. Trying to catch the hand instead of lifting the elbow. Fix: Focus on rotating the shoulder joint — not lifting vertically.
2. Arms too far from the ribs. To fix this, make sure the opponent's elbow is close to their body before locking them in.
3. Having trouble controlling your wrists. To fix this, hold the wrist firmly in place with your free hand and keep it flat against your body.
4. If you're losing chest pressure, press your chest against your opponent's body and keep your head low to maintain the pressure.
5. Finishing too fast without control. Fix: Keep the pressure on your opponent and give them time to tap if you finish too quickly without control.
6. Giving too much and getting swept? Keep your hips wide to stay balanced in mount or side control.
7. Your far hip is not secured. To fix this, stop the opponent's body from turning.
8. Not painting the wrist enough. To fix this, slide the wrist down before moving the elbow.
9. Letting space happen during grip changes. Fix: Don't let go of the figure-four grip once you lock it.

Fixing these habits helps you secure the submission more consistently and reduces failed attempts during live sparring sessions.

Smart Counters and Escapes

Good opponents will frame and punch the elbow back inside to break the lock angle. They bridge with the hips and trap a leg to create space. Walking the hand toward the hip changes the angle of the elbow joint and weakens the grip. When the opponent’s arm straightens fully, the Americana may “fade”, meaning it’s no longer available as a finishing option, but the armbar or other submissions open up. Strong students learn to read these choices and adjust in real time.

Drills That Build Real Finishes

Start with the Americana grip in mount or side control and run short positional rounds where the top finishes and the bottom defends and tries to escape. Then rehearse a smooth side-control flow: pin the wrist, set the grip, slide the wrist, lift the elbow, and reset. Add solo shoulder mobility and rotator cuff work to ensure the shoulder joint can handle regular locks and intense training without issue.

Americana vs Kimura: What’s the Difference?

Both attacks target the shoulder joint, but the directions change. The Americana uses external shoulder rotation; the Kimura uses internal rotation. The Americana fits best from the mount or side control when the opponent’s arm lies flat. The kimura shines from guard, half guard, or back control and often links to other submissions.

Gear Checklist for Better Americana Reps

• A strong gi keeps grips and locks consistent under long training blocks.
• In no-gi, a ranked rashguard and flexible shorts give a secure fit and steady movement while you control the opponent’s arm.
• Athletic tape helps protect fingers and wrists during grip work; belts indicate rank and progression.
• Browse our wide collection of men’s, women’s, and kids’ rash guards.

How Kingz Apparel Can Help

At Kingz, we know the Americana is one of the most common BJJ submissions. Our gi and no-gi kits last a long time and keep students, instructors, and competitors comfortable while they drill the Americana grip, practice slides, and dial in smooth rotations. Reinforced collars and lapels enhance grip, stress-point stitching withstands heavy pressure and repeated locking, and our no-gi rashguards and shorts remain secure during intense training and events. We also offer IBJJF-approved models and colors, allowing you to focus on the submission while staying competition-ready.

Why People Love Kingz

• We use preshrunk fabrics that retain their size after washing and drying.
• Strong weaves strike a balance between comfort and durability for students who frequently drill locks.
• Reinforced lapel details improve grip and control in scrambles.
• IBJJF-approved gi colors ensure you stay compliant on competition day.
• Sizing covers everyone of all ages: men, women, and kids.
• Our no-gi kits keep rashguards and shorts secure, which helps when you drill figure-four grips and maintain steady pressure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can White Belts Use the Americana?

Yes. In Brazilian jiu-jitsu, the Americana is legal for adults across all BJJ belts when used with safe control.

What If My Opponent Straightens Their Arm During the Americana?

Switch to an armbar or flow into other submissions if the opponent’s arm goes straight.

Can I Do the Americana from the Bottom Position?

It’s rare. The Americana is strongest from the top position with full positional control.

How Do I Defend Against a Wrist Peel During the Americana?

Keep the wrist flat, hold the figure four grip, sink the chest, and use steady body weight.

Any Safety Tips For Kids’ Training?

Teach kids to tap early. Instructors should watch closely because the shoulder joint and elbow joint are more delicate.

How Is the Americana Different from Other BJJ Submissions?

The Americana is one specific shoulder lock within BJJ that uses a figure-four grip to rotate the shoulder joint. 

Conclusion

Jiu-jitsu is one of the world’s most popular grappling arts, and the Americana is one of the most well-known shoulder locks. At first glance, something that seems easy turns out to be a lesson in time, position, and how to apply pressure without wasting energy. You can learn how to control the head, trap the shoulder, and use smooth methods to finish, no matter the position or transitions you’re in.

As a first step, you should always learn to control your arm with steady pressure and patience, never with force. Like the kimura and armbar, the Americana leads to other finishes. It also shows how one bent-arm submission can lead to many chains. As students learn when to pull, when to spin, and how to use their whole bodies to apply pressure, they improve their defense. Catch wrestling also features similar shoulder locks, showing the shared principles between grappling arts.