Straight Armbar from Side Control

When you find yourself on the bottom in side control, securing a straight armbar can be an effective way to turn the tables. Here's how to execute it:

1. Position Your Hand: Start by ensuring your hand is in front of your opponent's neck. This placement is crucial because it gives you leverage to create space by lifting your opponent slightly. Use the bony part of your wrist to press against their neck, which is sensitive and lacks muscle to resist the pressure.

2. Create Space: As you lift with your wrist against their neck, your opponent will naturally react by moving up to alleviate the pressure. This reaction is what you’re looking for as it creates necessary space.

3. Leverage Their Arm: Focus on the arm that is under your body or controlling you. As you create space and they adjust their position, their arm will naturally come into the position you need for the armbar.

4. Execute the Armbar: With the space created and their arm positioned appropriately, quickly hop your legs up to encircle their arm. Pinch your knees tightly to secure their arm in place.

5. Final Adjustment: Once you have their arm trapped between your legs, scoot your hips out slightly to align their arm with your hips. This positioning is crucial for applying effective pressure to complete the armbar.

6. Finish the Submission: With their arm secured and your hips correctly aligned, apply the armbar by arching your hips upward while pulling their wrist towards you. Ensure your legs remain tightly pinched to prevent any escape, and use your hips to drive their arm into an extended position to finalize the submission.

This technique turns a disadvantageous position into an opportunity for a submission by using precise positioning and quick transitions to exploit the space and leverage created during the execution.