How to Do the Americana Move in Brazilian Jujitsu

The Americana, sometimes called a shoulder wrench, in Brazilian Jujitsu is one of the basic moves that allows you to bring an opponent into submission. The Americana makes use of one of the dominant positions to pin an opponent's arm and quickly wrench the shoulder out of its socket in a hard to defend and very painful move.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Secure your mount by centering your weight and edging your knees up to your opponent's arm pits. Rise up and then lower your weight down onto your opponent to bait him into putting his hand to his chest in an attempt to push you off.

2. Cup your hands together and come down with both hands onto your opponent's exposed hand and wrist. In one fluid motion, press the exposed hand down and to the side so you can pin it to the floor next to your opponent's head.

3. Wedge your elbow that's closest to your opponent's head into the crook of his neck. Take a firm grip with the hand of that same arm on your opponent's wrist. With your free hand reach down, under your opponent's pinned arm and back up through the space between his bicep and your wrist. Grab your own wrist firmly to create the lock.

4. Pull down with the hand that's grabbing your other wrist. Keep your opponent's hand firmly on the ground by applying pressure to his wrist with your hand that's holding his wrist. Raise the elbow of your working arm up so that your opponent's elbow raises off the ground while the hand stays on the ground in order to pop the shoulder out of its socket.

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