Collar Sleeve Armbar

Submission Gi only

The collar sleeve armbar is a submission executed from collar sleeve guard (open guard bottom) where the practitioner uses existing collar and sleeve grips to control posture, place the foot on the bicep of the gripped sleeve arm, and pivot the hips to isolate and hyperextend the elbow. It is most effective when the opponent postures up or tries to pass, exposing the controlled arm.

Quick Reference

Key principles

  • · The collar grip pulls the opponent's posture down and off-center while the sleeve grip keeps the target arm extended and isolated.
  • · The foot on the bicep of the sleeve-controlled arm acts as a fulcrum and prevents the opponent from retracting the arm.
  • · Hip angle must shift perpendicular to the opponent's body to properly align the hips across the shoulder line for the armbar.
  • · Pinching the knees tightly around the arm and keeping heels pulled down prevents the opponent from stacking or extracting the arm.
  • · When the opponent tries to pull the arm free, use the sleeve grip and leg clamp to follow the arm rather than fighting static resistance.

Execution

  1. 1 From collar sleeve guard, pull the collar grip to break posture while keeping the sleeve arm fully extended with your sleeve grip and foot on the bicep.
  2. 2 Place your opposite foot on the hip to create a pivot point, then swing your hips out perpendicular to the opponent, bringing the collar-grip-side leg over the opponent's head.
  3. 3 Release the collar grip as the leg crosses the face, clamp both legs tightly with knees pinched around the isolated arm, and control the wrist with both hands.
  4. 4 Elevate your hips while pulling the wrist toward your chest, keeping thumbs pointed upward and the opponent's thumb pointing to the ceiling to finish the armbar.

Common mistakes

  • × Failing to angle the hips perpendicular before throwing the leg over the head, resulting in a shallow armbar position that allows the opponent to posture and stack.
  • × Releasing the sleeve grip too early during the transition, giving the opponent a window to retract the arm and escape before the legs secure the position.
  • × Keeping the legs loose or feet crossed too high, which lets the opponent pull the elbow past the hip line and escape the submission.

Do it from

Positions and situations where the Collar Sleeve Armbar shows up.

Collar Sleeve Guard Bottom