### Armbar from Closed Guard #### Introduction: The armbar, known as "juji gatame" in Japanese, is one of the fundamental joint lock techniques in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. This submission can be executed from various positions, but here we will describe the technique from the closed guard position. #### Steps: **1. Establishing the Closed Guard:** - Begin with your opponent inside your closed guard. Your legs should be wrapped around their waist, with your feet locked. **2. Isolating the Arm:** - Choose an arm to attack. For instance, if you want to target their right arm, use your left hand to grip their wrist, pulling it across your body, breaking their posture. - Simultaneously, with your right hand, control the back of their right elbow to keep the arm isolated. **3. Control the Posture:** - Use your legs to bring the opponent closer, keeping them off balance. Control their head or around their neck with your opposite hand (left hand). **4. Creating an Angle:** - Unlock your guard and use your right foot to pivot your body, placing it on their left hip. - Simultaneously, bring your left leg up high over their right shoulder, maintaining tight control of their arm. **5. Securing the Head:** - Use your right leg to push against their hip and further pivot your body, allowing your left leg to cross over the back of their neck, breaking their posture. **6. Locking the Armbar:** - Lock your legs tightly, pinning their head with your left leg and trapping their right arm inside. - Control their wrist using both hands, thumbs facing up. **7. Executing the Submission:** - Hold their arm securely and lift your hips upwards while simultaneously pulling down on the wrist. This pressure should isolate the elbow joint, applying force to achieve the joint lock. #### Key Points: - Always maintain control of the opponent's posture to prevent them from escaping or countering the armbar. - Ensure your legs are locked tightly and the targeted arm is thoroughly isolated to secure the submission effectively. - Be mindful during the execution to prevent excessive force, avoiding injury to your training partner. ### Conclusion: The armbar from the closed guard is a versatile submission that, when executed correctly, can be very effective in both self-defense and competition settings. Mastering the nuances of the grip, angle, and leg positioning is key to successful execution.