⚠️ SAFETY: Americana from Mount targets the Shoulder joint (rotator cuff). Risk: Rotator cuff tear (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor). Release immediately upon tap.
The Americana from Mount is a fundamental shoulder lock that targets the rotator cuff by isolating the opponent’s arm and applying a figure-four grip to force external rotation beyond the joint’s natural range. This submission is one of the highest-percentage attacks from the mount position due to the superior control and weight distribution available from top position.
The technique’s effectiveness stems from the combination of positional dominance and mechanical advantage. When executed properly from mount, the practitioner uses their body weight to pin the opponent’s shoulder to the mat while simultaneously controlling the wrist and applying rotational pressure through the elbow. This creates a powerful lever system that attacks multiple points of the shoulder complex simultaneously.
The Americana from Mount serves as a cornerstone technique in any top game arsenal, functioning not only as a direct finishing option but also as a gateway to other submissions and positional advancements. Its reliability in both gi and no-gi competition, combined with its straightforward mechanics, makes it an essential submission for practitioners at all levels.
Category: Joint Lock Type: Shoulder Lock Target Area: Shoulder joint (rotator cuff) Starting Position: Mount Success Rates: Beginner 45%, Intermediate 60%, Advanced 75%
Safety Guide
Injury Risks:
| Injury | Severity | Recovery Time |
|---|---|---|
| Rotator cuff tear (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor) | High | 3-6 months with potential surgery |
| Shoulder capsule damage | High | 6-12 weeks |
| Bicep tendon strain or tear | Medium | 4-8 weeks |
| AC joint sprain | Medium | 2-6 weeks |
Application Speed: SLOW and progressive - 3-5 seconds minimum from isolation to finish. Never spike or jerk the shoulder.
Tap Signals:
- Verbal tap (saying ‘tap’ or any distress vocalization)
- Physical hand tap on opponent or mat (minimum 2 taps)
- Physical foot tap on mat
- Any unusual vocalization or distress signal
- Head shake or nodding if hands are trapped
Release Protocol:
- Immediately release the figure-four grip on the wrist
- Remove pressure from the opponent’s shoulder by lifting your chest
- Release the arm and allow it to return to neutral position naturally
- Do not force the arm back to starting position - let opponent move it themselves
- Maintain mount position control while releasing to ensure safe transition
Training Restrictions:
- Never apply competition speed or sudden pressure in training
- Always ensure training partner has at least one hand free to tap
- Stop immediately at any sign of discomfort or pain
- Never use this submission on beginners until they understand tap protocols
- Avoid training this technique with partners who have pre-existing shoulder injuries
- Communication before and after drilling is mandatory
Key Principles
- Control the opponent’s wrist before attempting to isolate the arm - grip security is paramount
- Use your body weight to pin the opponent’s shoulder to the mat, creating the base for the lever system
- Maintain high mount position or post with the opposite leg to prevent escape attempts
- Apply rotational pressure in a slow, controlled arc rather than jerking or spiking
- The submission comes from the angle of the arm relative to the shoulder, not from brute force
- Keep your hips heavy and connected to the opponent throughout the entire sequence
- Create the figure-four grip with your hand on their wrist and your other hand controlling your own wrist for maximum leverage
Prerequisites
- Establish dominant mount position with hips low and weight distributed forward
- Opponent’s arm must be within reach, typically when they attempt to push or frame
- Secure wrist control with a firm grip before committing to the isolation
- Create an angle by shifting weight or posting to prevent opponent from following their arm
- Ensure the opponent’s elbow is at or below shoulder level for proper mechanics
- Maintain base and balance to prevent being rolled during the setup phase
Execution Steps
- Bait and Capture the Arm: From mount, allow the opponent to place their hand on your chest or hip in a defensive frame. As they extend their arm to create space, immediately capture their wrist with your same-side hand (right hand to their right wrist). Use a firm grip with your thumb on the inside of their wrist and fingers wrapping around the outside. (Timing: Immediate reaction to opponent’s frame - within 0.5 seconds of arm extension) [Pressure: Moderate]
- Pin the Shoulder: Shift your weight forward and slightly to the side of the controlled arm, driving your chest toward the mat near their shoulder. This pins their shoulder blade to the ground and prevents them from following their arm as you manipulate it. Your hips should remain heavy and connected to their torso. (Timing: Simultaneous with wrist capture) [Pressure: Firm]
- Walk the Arm to Position: Using your grip on their wrist, walk their arm across their body and toward the mat beside their head, creating a 90-degree angle at the elbow. Their palm should be facing up or toward their head. Post your opposite foot out wide for base if needed to maintain balance during this transition. (Timing: 1-2 seconds with controlled movement) [Pressure: Moderate]
- Establish Figure-Four Grip: Thread your free hand under their elbow and grasp your own wrist, creating a figure-four configuration. Your forearm should be positioned across the back of their upper arm, just above the elbow. Ensure your grip is tight and your elbows are pulled toward your centerline for maximum control. (Timing: 1-2 seconds to secure proper grip) [Pressure: Firm]
- Create Base and Alignment: Adjust your body position so that your chest is over their shoulder and your weight is distributed through their shoulder complex to the mat. Your hips should be heavy on their torso, and you may need to post your opposite leg out for balance. Ensure their elbow remains at or below shoulder level. (Timing: 1 second positional adjustment) [Pressure: Firm]
- Apply Rotational Pressure: Keeping their shoulder pinned, slowly rotate their wrist toward their head (external rotation of the shoulder) while maintaining the 90-degree elbow angle. The pressure should come from your entire upper body rotating as a unit, not just your arms. Move in a slow, controlled arc until they tap. (Timing: 3-5 seconds from initial pressure to tap) [Pressure: Maximum]
Opponent Defenses
- Opponent keeps elbows tight to body and refuses to extend arms (Effectiveness: High) - Your Adjustment: Use collar control or gift wraps to isolate an arm, or transition to other mount attacks like cross-collar chokes or armbars to force defensive reactions that expose the arm
- Opponent attempts to roll or bridge explosively when arm is captured (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Adjustment: Widen your base immediately upon capturing the wrist, post your opposite leg out, and drive your weight forward and down to flatten them. If the roll is committed, follow them over and establish side control or maintain the americana grip during the transition
- Opponent grabs their own belt, pants, or gi to create a defensive grip (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Adjustment: Use your free hand to break the grip by attacking the weakest point (typically the thumb), or transition your weight to trap their defensive hand against their body, then peel it away with controlled pressure
- Opponent straightens their arm completely to prevent the 90-degree angle (Effectiveness: Low) - Your Adjustment: This defensive attempt actually exposes them to an armbar. Maintain wrist control, swing your leg over their face, and transition to mounted armbar while keeping your grip on their wrist throughout
- Opponent uses their free arm to push your head or create frames (Effectiveness: Low) - Your Adjustment: Use your head position and shoulder pressure to pin their free arm, or capture it for a mounted crucifix position. Your body weight should make their frames ineffective if your base is proper
Test Your Knowledge
Q1: What is the minimum time you should take to apply finishing pressure on an americana in training, and why? [SAFETY-CRITICAL] A: You should take a minimum of 3-5 seconds to apply finishing pressure on an americana in training. This slow, controlled application allows your training partner time to recognize the danger, assess whether to defend or tap, and signal submission before injury occurs. The shoulder joint is particularly vulnerable to rotator cuff tears, and sudden or jerking movements can cause serious injuries that require months of recovery or even surgery. Training is about learning and improvement, not injuring partners.
Q2: What are the primary anatomical targets of the americana submission, and what type of pressure creates the finishing mechanism? A: The americana primarily targets the shoulder joint complex, specifically the rotator cuff muscles (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, subscapularis) and the shoulder capsule itself. The finishing mechanism comes from forced external rotation of the shoulder beyond its natural range of motion while the shoulder blade is pinned to the mat. This creates extreme stress on the rotator cuff tendons and the anterior shoulder capsule. The elbow joint and bicep tendon are also placed under secondary stress during the technique.
Q3: Why is it critical to pin the opponent’s shoulder to the mat before applying rotational pressure, and what happens if you don’t? A: Pinning the opponent’s shoulder to the mat is critical because it creates a fixed point around which the rotational leverage can work. When the shoulder is properly pinned, the opponent cannot follow their arm as you rotate it, which creates the actual submission pressure on the joint. If you fail to pin the shoulder adequately, the opponent can simply roll their shoulder forward or follow their arm, completely relieving the pressure and escaping the submission. The pin also prevents them from using their body rotation to counter your leverage.
Q4: If your opponent straightens their arm completely to defend the americana, what is the highest-percentage follow-up attack? A: If the opponent straightens their arm completely to defend the americana, the highest-percentage follow-up attack is the mounted armbar. You should maintain your grip on their wrist throughout the transition, swing your leg over their face, and fall back for the armbar while keeping control of the arm. The straight arm defense actually places them in perfect position for this transition. This demonstrates the principle of submission chains - one defensive movement against a submission should expose them to a different attack.
Q5: What is the proper elbow position relative to the shoulder plane during an americana, and why does this matter? A: The opponent’s elbow should be at or below the plane of their shoulder during an americana - never above it. This positioning is crucial because it creates the proper angle for external rotation pressure on the shoulder joint and prevents the opponent from escaping by extending their arm straight. If the elbow rises above shoulder level, the mechanical advantage is lost, and the opponent can more easily defend or escape. Maintaining this relationship requires proper body positioning and weight distribution from the top player.
Q6: What are all the acceptable ways a training partner can signal a tap when caught in an americana, and why must you know all of them? [SAFETY-CRITICAL] A: Acceptable tap signals include: (1) verbal tap - saying ‘tap’ or making any distress vocalization, (2) physical hand tap on opponent or mat with minimum 2 taps, (3) physical foot tap on the mat, (4) head shake or nodding if hands are trapped, and (5) any unusual vocalization or distress signal. You must know and recognize all of these because in the americana position, one or both of the opponent’s hands may be trapped or controlled, limiting their tapping options. Missing a tap signal can result in serious injury to your training partner. Always err on the side of caution - if you think they might be tapping or in distress, release immediately and ask.
From Which Positions?
Expert Insights
- Danaher System: The americana from mount represents a perfect example of mechanical efficiency in grappling. The submission’s effectiveness is derived from the confluence of three fundamental elements: superior positional control, anatomical understanding, and leverage principles. First, the mount position provides inherent gravitational advantage - your weight pins the opponent’s torso while their arms must work against gravity to create frames. Second, the shoulder joint’s vulnerability to external rotation when the scapula is fixed creates the actual finishing mechanism. Finally, the figure-four grip configuration allows you to use your entire upper body as a lever against the isolated joint. What many practitioners fail to understand is that the americana is not primarily a strength-based technique - it’s a positioning and leverage problem. If you find yourself using significant muscular effort to finish, your positioning is incorrect. The shoulder should be properly pinned, the elbow angle should be maintained at 90 degrees, and your body weight should create the rotational pressure through proper alignment. In training, this submission must be applied with exceptional care due to the shoulder joint’s susceptibility to injury. The rotator cuff can tear before the pain signals reach sufficient intensity to prompt a tap from less experienced practitioners, making slow, progressive application absolutely mandatory in the training room.
- Gordon Ryan: In competition, the americana from mount is one of my highest-percentage submissions against opponents who make the fundamental error of extending their arms to create frames. The key distinction between training and competition application is timing and commitment. In training, you have the luxury of slowly building pressure over several seconds, but in competition, once you’ve secured proper position and control, you can apply pressure much more rapidly - though still not explosively or with jerking motions even in matches. The real competitive value of the americana extends beyond just the submission itself - it’s about creating defensive dilemmas. When I’m in mount and threaten the americana, my opponent has limited options: keep their arms tight (which opens up collar chokes and other attacks), extend their arms to frame (which gives me the americana), or attempt to bridge and roll (which I can counter with base adjustments and often maintain the submission grip through the transition). Against high-level opponents, I’m often using the americana threat to force them into defensive postures that expose them to my preferred attacks like the mounted triangle or armbar. The americana also chains beautifully with the armbar - if they straighten their arm to defend, I simply swing my leg over and I’ve already got the wrist control I need. One critical detail for competition: ensure you’ve properly established your mount before committing to the submission. Rushing the attack from an unstable mount gives up your positional advantage, which is a cardinal sin in competition grappling.
- Eddie Bravo: The americana from mount is fundamental, but like everything in jiu jitsu, there’s room for creative application and modification. In the 10th Planet system, we look at this submission through the lens of no-gi application where the grips and control mechanics have to be adjusted for sweaty, slippery conditions. Without the gi, your grip on the wrist becomes even more critical - I teach using a gable grip or S-grip on the wrist rather than a standard grip because it’s more secure when wet. We also emphasize the S-mount position as the ultimate americana platform because the elevation and angle give you insane leverage, and it’s much harder for them to roll or escape when you’re that high. One variation we use a lot is combining the americana threat with the gift wrap control - trap their arm across their body, and when they try to pull it back out, that’s when you snatch the wrist and transition directly into the americana. The psychological component is huge too - once you get that figure-four locked in and start applying pressure, even tough guys start panicking because they feel that shoulder getting stressed. In training, you’ve got to be extra careful with this one because people’s egos make them want to tough it out, but the shoulder is no joke - it can get destroyed before they even realize how much danger they’re in. I’ve seen too many training injuries from shoulder locks applied too fast or from people not tapping soon enough. Create a gym culture where tapping to joint locks is smart, not weak. And remember, in a real self-defense situation or MMA context, the mount position itself is often more valuable than hunting for the submission - the americana is there if they give it to you, but maintaining dominant position and ground-and-pound is often the higher percentage strategy.