# Armbar

> A straight armlock that controls the shoulder and wrist while using the hips as the fulcrum against the elbow.

- **Canonical page:** https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/armbar
- **Markdown:** https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/armbar.md
- **JSON:** https://www.ossmeta.com/api/public/techniques/armbar
- **Category:** submission
- **Format:** both
- **Level:** fundamental
- **Aliases:** juji gatame, straight armlock, arm lock
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-25

## What it is

The armbar is a core submission across jiu-jitsu and judo. The attacker controls the opponent's shoulder line, traps the arm between the legs, and aligns the wrist and elbow with the hips.

Armbars appear from guard, mount, side control, back control, and scrambles. The position can be used to sweep or transition even when the finish is unavailable, making elbow-line control more important than immediately extending the arm.

## Key principles

- Control the shoulder so the opponent cannot freely rotate the elbow.
- Keep the knees connected around the trapped arm and upper body.
- Maintain wrist orientation and elbow alignment.
- Apply pressure gradually and release immediately on a tap.

## Common entries

- **Closed guard:** Break posture, isolate an arm, and rotate the hips across the shoulder.
- **Mount:** Climb above the elbows and move through high or S-mount.
- **Back control:** Move over a defensive arm while preserving control of the shoulder line.


## Productive next actions

- **Triangle:** Reconfigure the legs when the opponent drives the trapped arm across.
- **Omoplata:** Rotate around the shoulder if the opponent turns and retracts the elbow.
- **Top position:** Follow a stack or roll and settle the sweep before re-attacking.


## Defensive priorities

- **Elbow-line recovery:** Pull the elbow beyond the attacker's hip line before trying to stand or turn.
- **Hand connection:** Use a temporary grip to prevent extension while changing the shoulder angle.
- **Stack with alignment:** Drive only while protecting the trapped elbow and avoiding uncontrolled neck pressure.

## Rules and safety

The submission is widely recognized, but age, belt, finishing direction, and ruleset can change what is legal. Train the finish under qualified supervision and check the current event rules.

This guide is descriptive, not remote coaching. Learn potentially dangerous submissions, inversions, and takedowns with a qualified instructor. Release immediately when a training partner taps.

## History and naming

Judo classifies the cross-body armbar as ude-hishigi-juji-gatame; related straight armlocks are foundational across submission grappling traditions.

## Related techniques

- [Closed Guard](https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/closed-guard)
- [Mount](https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/mount)
- [Triangle Choke](https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/triangle-choke)
- [Omoplata](https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/omoplata)

## Associated athletes

- [Roger Gracie](https://www.ossmeta.com/athletes/roger-gracie): Ten-time IBJJF World Champion and ADCC double-gold legend, widely regarded as the greatest gi grappler of all time.
- [Mica Galvão](https://www.ossmeta.com/athletes/mica-galvao): Manaus prodigy, 2024 Super Grand Slam winner, ADCC −77 kg champion, and multi-time IBJJF World title contender.
- [Ffion Davies](https://www.ossmeta.com/athletes/ffion-davies): Welsh ADCC world champion, two-time IBJJF gi world champion, and one of Europe's most accomplished modern grapplers.
- [Mikey Musumeci](https://www.ossmeta.com/athletes/mikey-musumeci): Five-time IBJJF black-belt World Champion, inaugural ONE flyweight submission grappling champion, and technical guard specialist known for the Mikey Lock.

## Sources

- [IBJJF rule book and rules resources](https://ibjjf.com/books-videos) — rules
- [ADCC official rules and legal-technique guides](https://adcc-official.com/pages/adcc-rules) — rules
- [International Judo Federation technique catalogue](https://judo.ijf.org/) — reference

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*Published by Ossmeta as part of the living jiu-jitsu database. Prefer citing https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/armbar and check the last-reviewed date for rules-sensitive claims.*