I’m forever finding myself in side control. One of my goals for 2007 is to change those side control situations into knee on belly situations, and from knee on belly to launch the “three from the knee” attacks that Mamazinho showed us.
But one other attack that I need to be aware of from this position—or even from side control—is the far side armbar. This is another technique that I’ve been shown many times before, but never really practiced it like I should. It is an excellent compliment to the “three from the knee.”
Here’s a quick, seven second clip of two youngsters showing off the far side armbar in a field somewhere, just as a refresher. It ain't perfect--but it's perfect enough to make the point.
There are a couple of keys. You can start from side control or knee on belly. You want to trap the far side arm with your south arm. Maybe you were going for a keylock or a kimura and the guy straightened his arm out to defend. You can reach under the guy’s arm at the elbow with your north arm, lift it up, and then get your south arm underneath if necessary. He can straighten his arm and then stick it straight up—which will only help. Or he can bend his arm and expose himself to another keylock or kimura attack. Either way works for you.
Trap the arm with your south side arm. Wrap it and bring it as close and tight to you as possible. Then open your hips up to the north side, and get ready to take a step over the guy’s head. STAY LOW AND TIGHT!
Reach out with your north hand and put it on the mat at about 10 o’clock for balance. Then, as you take the step—staying low and tight—rotate your body clockwise, turning towards the south. Hold on to that arm and pull him into you so that the armlock is tight.
Your trailing leg will be the one that pins the shoulder. It will be under his other armpit, but don’t worry about that. As Stephan pointed out the other day, as long as you’ve got the shoulder trapped, you’ve got an armlock.
Pull him toward you and squeeze the knees. Make sure the thumb is pointing up. Cautiously raise your hips against the back of his arm to get the lock and the tap.
