The Americana is a very effective submission that every Brazilian Jiu Jitsu fighter should know. It can be seen used effectively at all levels of BJJ, as well as in other grappling sports, MMA, and is very effective in practical use like street fights. Because it is such a useful technique in BJJ, the Americana has become one of the staples of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and is even a part of the Gracie BJJ Blue Belt test. This is also one of the submissions that works the same way in no go BJJ as it does in go BJJ, like the rear naked choke.
The Americana (sometimes called the keylock, figure-four armlock, or paintbrush) is executed by bending your opponent’s arm at 90 degrees like they are celebrating a touchdown, then bending the wrist backwards to put immense pressure on their shoulder, resulting in a tap.
This video shows how to attain the americana from side control, a position many BJJ fighters find themselves in often. René A. Dreifuss shows the details of this technique and breaks the submission down to three steps you should focus on: accordion, motorcycle, down.
Start: Side control
Step 1: Separate opponent’s far-side arm from opponent’s body, using your head if they pus against it with that arm
Step 2: Grip opponent’s wrist with your top-side hand, keeping fingers and thumb on the same side of the grip
Step 3: Slide your bottom-side arm underneath opponent’s and grip your own wrist in same monkey grip, keeping your arm parallel with his forearm
Step 4: Pull opponent’s arm in towards you like an accordion
Step 5: Twist your wrists down toward the mat like you’re decelerating on a motorcycle
Step 6: Push opponent’s hand down towards their feet
End: Submission via Americana