BJJ Graph

Mir Lock

Jun 15, 202510 min read

Mir Lock

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Required Properties for State Machine

Core Identifiers

  • Submission ID: SUB025
  • Submission Name: Mir Lock
  • Alternative Names: Reverse Americana, Inverted Keylock

State Machine Properties

  • Submission Type: Joint Lock - shoulder lock
  • Starting Position: Side Control, Top Half Guard
  • Ending State: Opponent taps or suffers shoulder injury
  • Target Area: Shoulder joint and rotator cuff
  • Submission Path: Top control to submission finish

Submission Properties

  • Success Probability: Beginner 20%, Intermediate 40%, Advanced 60% - core probability data
  • Execution Complexity: High - requires precise arm isolation and leverage
  • Energy Cost: Medium - demands controlled strength for application
  • Risk Level: Medium to High - potential for opponent escape or counter
  • Execution Speed: Slow to Medium - must be applied with control to avoid injury
  • Injury Potential: High - significant risk to opponent’s shoulder if not released

Physical Requirements

  • Strength Requirements: Medium for isolating arm and applying torque
  • Flexibility Requirements: Low for attacker’s positioning
  • Coordination Requirements: High for arm control and body positioning
  • Precision Requirements: High for correct angle and pressure application

State Machine Content Elements

Visual Execution Sequence

Detailed step-by-step description for clear movement sequence visualization:

From a top control position like side control, you start by pinning the opponent on their back, with your chest applying pressure to their torso to limit their movement, while focusing on isolating their far arm, which is positioned across their body or extended away from their center. You secure their far arm by gripping their wrist with your near hand, pulling it towards their hip or across their body to expose the shoulder joint, while using your far arm to control their elbow or upper arm to prevent them from pulling it back. You transition your body position by stepping over their head with one leg or shifting your hips to face their legs, creating an angle where their arm is now in a reverse position relative to a standard Americana, with your body perpendicular or angled away from their head. Using both hands, you apply leverage by pulling their wrist towards their hip or torso while lifting their elbow upwards or rotating it against the natural range of motion, creating torque on the shoulder joint and rotator cuff, forcing them to tap out due to pain or risk of injury. You maintain control throughout the submission, keeping your weight heavy on their torso to prevent escapes, and adjust your grip or angle if they resist, ensuring the pressure remains focused on the shoulder until they submit or the referee intervenes.

Template: “From side control, pin opponent on back with chest pressure, isolate far arm across body. Grip wrist with near hand, pull towards hip, control elbow with far hand. Step over head or shift hips to face legs, angle body perpendicular to head. Pull wrist towards hip, lift elbow to torque shoulder, force tap. Keep weight heavy, adjust grip or angle if resisted, maintain pressure until submission.”

Execution Steps (Numbered Sequence)

  1. Setup Requirements: Start in top control position like side control
  2. Arm Isolation: Secure opponent’s far arm, pulling wrist towards hip or across body
  3. Elbow Control: Use second hand to control opponent’s elbow or upper arm
  4. Body Transition: Step over head or shift hips to face opponent’s legs
  5. Angle Creation: Position body perpendicular or angled away from opponent’s head
  6. Leverage Application: Pull wrist towards hip, lift or rotate elbow for shoulder torque
  7. Pressure Maintenance: Keep weight heavy on torso to prevent escapes
  8. Adjustment: Modify grip or angle if opponent resists or defends
  9. Submission Finish: Apply controlled pressure until opponent taps or referee stops

Key Technical Details

Critical elements that determine success:

  • Arm Isolation: Securing far arm across body or towards hip for exposure
  • Elbow Control: Preventing opponent from retracting arm to defend
  • Body Angle: Correct positioning to create reverse leverage on shoulder
  • Torque Application: Precise pull and lift to stress shoulder joint
  • Weight Distribution: Heavy chest pressure to limit opponent’s movement

Success Modifiers

Factors that increase/decrease probability:

  • Arm Isolation Quality: Effectiveness of securing far arm (+/-20%)
  • Body Positioning: Correct angle for reverse leverage (+/-15%)
  • Torque Precision: Accuracy of wrist pull and elbow lift (+/-15%)
  • Opponent Resistance: Strength of opponent’s defensive posture (+/-10%)
  • Knowledge Test Performance: Understanding shoulder lock mechanics (+/-10%)

Counter-Attack Analysis

Common Defenses

Opponent responses with success rates:

  • Arm Retraction: Pulling arm back to center body → Neutral Position (Success Rate: 50%, Conditions: early recognition)
  • Body Turn: Turning towards attacker to relieve pressure → Guard Recovery (Success Rate: 40%, Conditions: space creation)
  • Bridge Escape: Explosive bridge to disrupt control → Scramble Position (Success Rate: 30%, Conditions: strong base)
  • Counter Submission: Attacking attacker’s neck or arm → Guillotine Control (Success Rate: 20%, Conditions: advanced skill)

Format: [[Defense Technique]] → [[Result State]] (Success Rate: X%, Conditions: [when applicable])

Decision Logic

If [submission setup] is recognized early:
- Execute [[Arm Retraction]] (Probability: 50%)

Else if [space] can be created for movement:
- Execute [[Body Turn]] (Probability: 40%)

Else if [base] is strong for explosive movement:
- Attempt [[Bridge Escape]] (Probability: 30%)

Else [skill level] allows for counterattack:
- Attempt [[Counter Submission]] (Probability: 20%)

Else [optimal execution]:
- Accept submission (Probability: Success Rate - Modifiers)

Educational Content

Expert Insights

Commentary as if from recognized authorities:

  • John Danaher: “The Mir Lock is a sophisticated shoulder attack that demonstrates the importance of reverse leverage in joint locks. The key lies in isolating the far arm and creating the correct angle with your body to apply torque effectively. This submission teaches critical principles of control and precision that are essential for advanced submission hunting.”
  • Gordon Ryan: “In competition, the Mir Lock can be a surprising finisher from side control, especially against opponents who overextend their arms. I focus on stepping over the head and pulling the wrist with control to maximize shoulder stress. The technique shows how traditional locks can be adapted with unique angles for devastating effect.”
  • Eddie Bravo: “Mir Lock brings a creative twist to shoulder attacks, integrating well with top control systems to catch opponents off-guard. It’s a perfect move for grapplers who like to experiment with unorthodox angles and leverage. This submission is ideal for blending classic BJJ with innovative joint lock mechanics.”

Each insight should focus on one key technical or strategic element.

Common Errors

For knowledge test generation:

  • Error: Incorrect arm isolation or grip placement

  • Why It Fails: Fails to expose shoulder joint for effective torque

  • Correction: Secure wrist and pull towards hip or across body, control elbow

  • Recognition: Opponent easily retracts arm or defends shoulder

  • Error: Poor body angle or positioning

  • Why It Fails: Lacks necessary leverage to apply pressure on shoulder

  • Correction: Step over head or shift hips to face legs for reverse angle

  • Recognition: Submission feels ineffective or lacks pressure on joint

  • Error: Insufficient weight or control on opponent’s torso

  • Why It Fails: Allows opponent to turn or bridge out of position

  • Correction: Maintain heavy chest pressure to pin opponent to mat

  • Recognition: Opponent creates space or initiates escape attempts

Timing Considerations

When to attempt this submission:

  • Optimal Conditions: When opponent’s far arm is extended or isolated
  • Avoid When: Opponent maintains tight defensive posture with arms close
  • Setup Sequences: After establishing strong top control like side control
  • Follow-up Windows: Must apply within 5-7 seconds to avoid counters or fatigue

Prerequisites

Requirements before attempting:

  • Technical Skills: Understanding of shoulder lock mechanics and arm isolation
  • Physical Preparation: Upper body strength for control and leverage
  • Positional Understanding: Control points in side control or top half guard
  • Experience Level: Intermediate to Advanced - requires precise application

Technical Assessment Elements

Knowledge Assessment Questions

5 technical questions with multiple choice answers:

  • Mechanical Understanding: “What creates the torque in a Mir Lock?”
  • Timing Recognition: “When is the optimal moment to initiate the Mir Lock?”
  • Error Prevention: “What is the most common mistake in executing Mir Lock?”
  • Setup Requirements: “Which arm position is essential for starting the Mir Lock?”
  • Adaptation: “How do you adjust if the opponent retracts their arm during Mir Lock?”

Variants and Adaptations

Different versions for various scenarios:

  • Standard Mir Lock: Classic reverse shoulder lock from side control
  • Top Half Guard Variation: Applied from top half guard with modified angle
  • No-Gi Specific: Adjusted grips without gi for arm control
  • Transition Setup: Used as setup for other shoulder or arm attacks
  • Size Differential: Effective against larger opponents with proper leverage

Safety Protocols

Critical safety considerations:

  • Controlled Application: Apply pressure slowly to allow opponent time to tap
  • Immediate Release: Release submission as soon as opponent taps or referee intervenes
  • Partner Communication: Ensure opponent is aware of shoulder risk during training
  • Avoid Over-Torque: Do not crank beyond necessary pressure to prevent injury
  • Training Environment: Use only in controlled settings with proper supervision

Audio & Narration Elements

Action Descriptions

Dynamic language for TTS narration:

  • Movement Verbs: Isolate, grip, pull, lift, torque, control
  • Spatial References: Far arm across, reverse angle, over head
  • Pressure Dynamics: Shoulder stress, joint torque, pinning weight
  • Submission Descriptions: Controlled application, precise leverage, tap out

Coaching Commentary

Real-time instruction and feedback:

  • Setup Cues: “Isolate their far arm, pull wrist towards hip”
  • Execution Guidance: “Step over head, lift elbow for shoulder torque”
  • Safety Prompts: “Apply slowly, watch for their tap, release immediately”
  • Completion Confirmation: “Maintain control, secure submission with precision”

Technical Specifications

Animation Keyframes

For potential visual development:

  • Starting Position: Side control with opponent’s far arm isolated
  • Transition Points: Wrist grip, elbow control, body shift over head
  • Finishing Position: Reverse angle with shoulder torque applied
  • Alternative Outcomes: Failed attempt leading to neutral or escape

Biomechanical Analysis

Scientific movement breakdown:

  • Force Vectors: Downward pull on wrist, upward lift on elbow
  • Leverage Ratios: Shoulder joint as fulcrum for rotational torque
  • Range of Motion: Arm extension and rotation beyond natural limit
  • Stress Points: Rotator cuff and shoulder ligaments under pressure

Validation Checklist

Every submission file must include:

  • All required properties with specific numeric values
  • Detailed visual execution sequence (minimum 4 sentences)
  • Complete numbered execution steps (minimum 6 steps)
  • At least 3 common defenses with success rates
  • Decision logic for opponent behavior
  • Expert insights from all three authorities
  • Minimum 3 common errors with corrections
  • 5 knowledge test questions with answers
  • Safety protocols with at least 5 considerations
  • Timing considerations and prerequisites

Example Implementation

See Americana for a complete example implementing all standard requirements.

Notes for Developers

This standard ensures:

  • Consistent submission data for state machine implementation
  • Probability calculations with modifier systems
  • Rich content for comprehensive technical documentation
  • Educational value through expert analysis
  • Technical depth for authentic understanding
  • Structured decision analysis patterns
  • Knowledge assessment integration
  • Safety emphasis for injury prevention

Updates to this standard should be reflected across all submission files to maintain consistency and educational value.

  • Americana - Similar shoulder lock with different angle
  • Kimura - Alternative shoulder lock from top positions
  • Side Control - Common starting position for this submission
  • Top Half Guard - Alternative starting position

Competition Applications

  • IBJJF Rules: Legal at brown belt and above due to shoulder crank risk
  • No-Gi Competition: Effective with modified grip setups
  • Self-Defense: Useful for controlling and finishing in real-world scenarios
  • MMA Applications: Applicable with caution due to injury potential

Historical Context

Mir Lock is a modern Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu submission named after Frank Mir, who popularized it in MMA and grappling competitions. It showcases the evolution of shoulder locks into more dynamic and reverse-angle applications, highlighting BJJ’s adaptability in joint manipulation techniques.

Safety Considerations

  • Shoulder Risk: High potential for rotator cuff or shoulder injury
  • Controlled Training: Practice only with experienced partners or under supervision
  • Immediate Release: Stop application at any sign of distress or tap
  • Avoid Cranking: Do not apply sudden or excessive force to joint
  • Communication: Ensure partner understands submission risk before attempting

Position Integration

Common Mir Lock combinations:

Training Applications

  • Submission Development: Essential for advanced shoulder lock arsenal
  • Competition Preparation: High-risk, high-reward move for finishing
  • Control Training: Builds skills in arm isolation from top positions
  • Precision Mastery: Encourages development of controlled joint manipulation

Graph View

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