Americana from Mount

The Americana from mount is a fundamental shoulder lock in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu where the top player isolates one of the opponent’s arms while straddling their torso. By controlling the wrist and elbow and leveraging rotational pressure, the top athlete forces the opponent’s shoulder into a compromised position, often leading to a tap.

This submission is particularly effective from mount because the attacker’s weight keeps the opponent pinned, reducing their ability to escape or counter. Proper technique requires careful alignment of the attacker’s elbows and controlled rotation to avoid slipping or losing the position.

Beyond its mechanical application, the Americana also serves as a control tool. Even if the opponent does not immediately submit, maintaining the Americana can create openings for transitions to other attacks, such as arm triangles, chokes, or positional advancements. Its combination of control and submission threat makes it a staple in both gi and no-gi grappling.