Armbar details question

**Broken** · Posted On: 12/13/2004 6:53am

As far as I am aware the "correct" way to hold your opponents wrist when doing an armbar is with their thumb pointing up at right angles to your chest. Why is it done like this? I would have thought palm up would be more effective.

**Ronin** · Posted On: 12/13/2004 7:34am

The elbow is anatomically weakest with the thumb up.
So, thumb up, your ass and hips as close to the oponents body as possible, hips push up, arch back, pull down on arm and bingo.
The foot under the oponents body adds to the leverage, if you can slide it under.

**Shuma-Gorath** · Posted On: 12/13/2004 7:45am

I've heard it's possible to break the arm two ways consecutively; thumb up and thumb to the side, with the action of the break being in the same direction both times (arm is rotated for the different breaks). Is this true?

**Ronin** · Posted On: 12/13/2004 7:53am

Yes, anytime the arm is straight, it is possible to hyperextend the elbow, and with a little more effort, dislocate it.
If you arem lock it first, ala ankle lock, and then apply the arm bar, the extra leverage and pressure can dislocated the elbow easier AND cause a shoulder dislocation.

**Shuma-Gorath** · Posted On: 12/13/2004 9:04am

I think I know what you're talking about with that one. You mean taking a figure-four grip like the achilles lock but on a straight arm? I sometimes get that grip while on the mount but I can never seem to position myself for the full submission.

**Ronin** · Posted On: 12/13/2004 9:54am

Ype, that's the one, it isn't easy to apply it, but if you get it on, the leverage is so great, it is very easly to dislocate someone's shoulder.

**Deadpan Scientist** · Posted On: 12/13/2004 11:31am

Interesting factoid, a correct armbar done with your hips under the elbow is not breaking your arm, it's dislocating your elbow.

**Shuma-Gorath** · Posted On: 12/13/2004 11:40am

With that semantic correction in mind I'm now really confused on how a joint can be dislocated "twice" and not just twirled around once it's out.

Edit: Santa has given me an early Christmas gift of clarification.