The Americana submission is a popular grappling technique in MMA that focuses on attacking your opponent’s shoulder, elbow, and wrist. It is also known as the lateral key lock, and it can be performed from various positions, including side control, mount, and guard. The Americana is a powerful move that can cause intense pain and discomfort to your opponent, and it can be used to finish a fight or to set up other submissions.
To perform the Americana submission, you need to control your opponent’s arm and isolate it from their body. Then, you need to apply pressure to their shoulder joint by pushing their wrist towards their head and their elbow towards their hip. The Americana can be performed using various grips and angles and can be modified to suit your style and preferences. However, it is important to note that the Americana can be difficult to execute against skilled opponents and requires a good understanding of leverage, timing, and technique.
In this article, we will explore the Americana submission in-depth and provide you with a comprehensive guide on how to perform it effectively. We will discuss the mechanics of the Americana, its variations and setups, and its strengths and weaknesses. We will also provide you with some tips and tricks on how to improve your Americana game and how to counter your opponent’s defense. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced MMA fighter, this article will help you to master the Americana submission and to add it to your arsenal of techniques.
What is the Americana Submission?
The Americana Submission (also known as the Key Lock), is a grappling technique used in mixed martial arts (MMA), Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), and wrestling. This type of shoulder lock involves placing pressure on the shoulder joint by isolating the arm and applying pressure at the elbow. The technique is executed by controlling the opponent’s arm and leveraging it against their shoulder joint.
The Americana Submission is an effective technique that can be used to immobilize and submit an opponent. This versatile technique can be executed from various positions, including side control, mount, and back control. The technique is often used as a transitional move to set up other submissions or to gain a dominant position.
The Americana is a fundamental technique that is taught in most MMA and BJJ classes. It is a submission that can be executed by practitioners of all levels, from beginners to advanced. The technique is also used in self-defense situations, as it can be used to control and subdue an attacker.
It is important to note that the Americana Submission can be dangerous if executed improperly. It is crucial to practice the technique under a qualified instructor’s supervision and use it only in controlled environments.
How to Perform the Americana Submission in MMA
The Americana involves applying pressure to your opponent’s elbow joint, causing pain and discomfort and ultimately forcing them to submit. Here’s how to perform an Americana submission in MMA:
Step 1: Secure the position
The first step to performing an Americana submission is to secure the position. This means getting into a dominant position where you have control over your opponent. The most common position for performing the Americana submission is from side control.
Step 2: Control the opponent’s arm
Once you have secured the position, the next step is to control your opponent’s arm. To do this, you need to isolate their arm and prevent them from defending themselves. One way to do this is to use your body weight to pin their arm to the ground.
Step 3: Apply pressure to the opponent’s elbow
The final step is to apply pressure to your opponent’s elbow joint. To do this, you need to grip their wrist with one hand and their elbow with the other hand. Then, you need to rotate their arm inwards while pushing their elbow away from their body. This will cause pressure on their elbow joint, leading to pain and discomfort.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When performing an Americana submission, fighters should avoid several common mistakes. These mistakes can result in a failed submission attempt or even put the fighter in a vulnerable position. This section will discuss three common mistakes to avoid when attempting this submission.
Not securing the position properly
Fighters often make one mistake when attempting an Americana submission: not securing the position properly. This can happen when the fighter is not in the correct position or does not have enough control over their opponent’s body. The opponent can easily escape or counter the submission attempt without proper control.
To avoid this mistake, it is important to focus on securing the position before attempting the submission. This means having a solid base and controlling the opponent’s hips and shoulders. Once the position is secured, the fighter can then focus on applying the Americana submission.
Not controlling the opponent’s arm effectively
Another mistake fighters make when attempting an Americana submission is not effectively controlling the opponent’s arm. This can happen when the fighter does not have a good grip on the arm or is not applying enough pressure to keep the arm in place. Without proper control, opponents can move their arms and escape the submission attempt.
To avoid this mistake, it is important to focus on controlling the opponent’s arm before attempting the submission. This means having a tight grip on the arm and applying pressure to keep it in place. Once the arm is under control, the fighter can then focus on applying the Americana submission.
Applying too much or too little pressure on the elbow
A third mistake that fighters make when attempting an Americana submission is applying too much or too little pressure on the elbow. Applying too much pressure can result in injury to the opponent while applying too little pressure will not result in a successful submission.
To avoid this mistake, it is important to focus on applying the right amount of pressure to the elbow. This means applying enough pressure to force the opponent to tap out but not so much that it causes injury. It is important to listen to the opponent’s body language and adjust the pressure accordingly.
By securing the position properly, controlling the opponent’s arm effectively, and applying the right amount of pressure to the elbow, fighters can increase their chances of a successful submission.
When to Use the Americana Submission
Here are some situations when you can use the Americana submission in MMA:
When Your Opponent is Defending Against Other Attacks
If your opponent is defending against other attacks, such as punches, kicks, or chokes, you can use the Americana submission to catch them off guard. For example, if your opponent is defending against your strikes, you can transition to a side control position and apply the Americana submission. This will force your opponent to defend against the submission, which can open up other opportunities for you to attack.
When Your Opponent is Weak in the Shoulder or Elbow
If your opponent has a weak shoulder or elbow, you can use the Americana submission to exploit their weakness. For example, if your opponent has a history of shoulder injuries, you can apply the Americana submission to their weakened shoulder and force them to submit. Similarly, if your opponent has a weak elbow, you can apply the Americana submission to their elbow joint and force them to tap out.
When Your Opponent is Turtled Up
If your opponent is turtled up, you can use the Americana submission to force them to expose their arms. For example, if your opponent is turtled up and defending against your strikes, you can apply the Americana submission to their exposed arm and force them to submit. This will also help you to transition to a better position, such as the mount or back mount.
Conclusion
The Americana submission is a highly effective technique in MMA that can be used to great effect from a variety of positions. When executed correctly, it can be a quick and efficient way to end a fight by forcing your opponent to tap out.
One of the key advantages of the Americana is its versatility. It can be set up from a number of different positions, including side control, mount, and half guard. This makes it a valuable tool for any MMA fighter looking to add more submission options to their arsenal.
Another advantage of the Americana is its simplicity. While it does require some technical skill to execute properly, it is a relatively straightforward submission that can be learned and applied quickly. This makes it a great option for fighters new to MMA or looking to expand their skill set.
Of course, like any submission technique, the Americana is not foolproof. It can be countered or defended against by a skilled opponent, and there are risks involved in attempting it.
