The pry bar?

**Zankou** · Posted On: 8/22/2006 4:55pm

Has anyone come across this technique from cross-sides? What does it consist of? How well does it work? What is its function?

**JohnnyS** · Posted On: 8/22/2006 6:16pm

The prybar is a type of cross-face control. It's used to stop your opponent turning into you and to apply pressure to them from both side control and especially knee-ride. Because you apply so much pressure, it forces your opponent to try and push your knee off, giving you more opportunities to go for an armbar. I experimented with it for a while until I had to stop due to a wrist injury. It's nothing revolutionary, but it is worth trying to integrate into your top game.

**GIJoe6186** · Posted On: 8/22/2006 6:29pm

Hey Johnny, this title reminded me of a sub you might know about or have heard of. I got a back mount on a guy once, his belly on the floor me on top. I didnt have my legs around him, just kneeling on his ass/lower back I guess. Anyway I couldnt get anything so I remembered my wrestling years. I put a hook on his left arm with my left arm. I put that arms hand on his neck. Then I took my right arm and grabbed his left wrist and put it on his back. Sorta like a chicken wing in wrestling. I just used my left arm to lever his arm up and caused a tap, bending the shoulder I assume.

Any name for it? I think it might be somehting catch guys do.

**JohnnyS** · Posted On: 8/22/2006 6:35pm

I'd call it a chickenwing. There's no real equivalent in BJJ, plus BJJ terminology is so appallingly loose that one instructor will call it something and anther will call it something else.

**Zankou** · Posted On: 8/22/2006 8:53pm

Originally Posted by JohnnyS

The prybar is a type of cross-face control. It's used to stop your opponent turning into you and to apply pressure to them from both side control and especially knee-ride. Because you apply so much pressure, it forces your opponent to try and push your knee off, giving you more opportunities to go for an armbar. I experimented with it for a while until I had to stop due to a wrist injury. It's nothing revolutionary, but it is worth trying to integrate into your top game.

Thanks much. Can you supply a little more detail on how the control works?

**RunningDog** · Posted On: 8/22/2006 9:04pm

Originally Posted by GIJoe6186

Hey Johnny, this title reminded me of a sub you might know about or have heard of. I got a back mount on a guy once, his belly on the floor me on top. I didnt have my legs around him, just kneeling on his ass/lower back I guess. Anyway I couldnt get anything so I remembered my wrestling years. I put a hook on his left arm with my left arm. I put that arms hand on his neck. Then I took my right arm and grabbed his left wrist and put it on his back. Sorta like a chicken wing in wrestling. I just used my left arm to lever his arm up and caused a tap, bending the shoulder I assume.

Any name for it? I think it might be somehting catch guys do.

Figure of 4?

Edit: nah

**JohnnyS** · Posted On: 8/22/2006 9:06pm

On my opponent's right side in side control, me left arm has a crossface control. My right arm is across his body and my right hand grabs my left hand. Straighten my left arm to stop him turning into me.

Matt Thornton has an instructional DVD on this technique. It's very good for someone at a white or blue belt level.