Video 72: Finishing Imperfect Jujis Part 1

Sometimes things just don’t work out the way we plan them. That’s why Ronda has prepared some videos for when that juji–gatame (armbar) isn’t executed flawlessly or your opponent/uke is crafty and won’t let you get the better of them.

The opponent is going to try to do everything possible to prevent the armbar. One of the main defenses is trapping one of your legs. They’ll use both their legs to take the one closest and capture it to hold on for dear life or attempt the sweep.

1. Turn knee inward and lean toward head.

A solution is to change the angle up and re-create the leverage. No matter how they attempt to defend, they’re on their back and in an inferior position. Keep attacking.

2. Shoot foot under opponent’s armpit.

It’s best to have the arm all triangled and your legs in the right place, but even if the opponent traps one of your legs, you can peel their arms apart with your other foot and isolate the arm that way.

3. More pull on arm to make up for open legs.

Your legs are split-legged so more force has to be applied to the actual arm lock in order to ensure that you really nail that submission hold and get that tap.

Another defense they’ll try is putting the leg that smothers the face behind their head and holding onto their own lapel in order to get more grip on the arm being pulled.

1. Lean toward opponent’s legs and use your arm to pressure his.

Again, always know another angle you can torque to. Post your palm on your own thigh and pry their grip apart. Thigh and pry is the new lay and pray. No need to pray in this instance, the arm will be yours because you’ve created a superior fulcrum.

2. Thread foot across opponent’s throat.

Pretend you’re back in elementary school sitting criss-cross-apple-sauce except you only fold in one leg. This is going to not only create space but put pressure on the opponent’s head to gain control over their body.

3. Shove opponent’s elbow across body and pressure the wrist.

Triangle the wrist instead of tugging on the whole arm. You’re attacking the weak spot and before you know it, their grip is broken and so is their arm. Okay, don’t really break their arm. That is, unless you have to.

These were just a few ways that people will mess up your appendage destruction plans. There are a lot more examples and solutions to those problems coming up right here in the next lesson.