Newer Female Grapplers, Arm Bars, Far More Effective With Scissors

March 9, 2023,

They are effective holds that used to be effective enough, by themselves.

That has been some time ago. Probably over ten years.

Today, if you want to seriously compete as a fully competitive female submission wrestler, you must accept that you need two hold combinations if you want to achieve a higher number of submissions.

Our focus today will be on arm locks, more commonly known as arm bars.

An arm lock in grappling is a single or double joint lock that hyperextends, hyperflexes or hyperrotates the elbow joint or shoulder joint.

An arm lock that hyper-extends the arm is known as an arm bar, and it includes the traditional arm bar, pressing their elbow into your thigh, and the triangle arm bar, like a triangle choke, but you press their elbow into your thigh.

Maybe take a second to digest all of that. It’s a lock and a very important hold to know. It is very hard to win a match without perfecting this hold.

Obtaining an arm lock requires effective use of full-body leverage in order to initiate and secure a lock on the targeted arm, while preventing the opponent from escaping the lock.

Very important.

grapplingstars.com, femcompetitor.com fciwomenswrestling.com ohiotio

Performing an arm lock is less problematic on the ground, from positions such as the mount, side control, or guard. Arm locks are more difficult to perform when both combatants are standing up.

Also, a floor (where you are on your back) to standing (your opponent is towering over you) arm bar is not very effective. If your opponent is strong, she has the ability to lift you up off of the mat floor and literally drop you back down with a thud.

Oddly enough, in our video reviews, we see various Fem Competitors apply this technique with little success. It appears to be more of a desperation move.

Time for a look at practical application of the arm bar. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68oELQy4k6I

We love the patience and clear instruction of technique by the instructor.

The team is called Grappling Academy. Here is their intro.

“Coach Tom began coaching Brazilian Jiu Jitsu from as early as 2006. He has been fascinated by grappling for close to 20 years. Coach Tom spends his days devoted to furthering his art by teaching and studying Brazilian Jiu Jitsu full time from dusk til dawn! As a college graduate with high academic credentials, Coach Tom continues his commitment to excellence by teaching Jiu Jitsu to students worldwide. With a unique ability to teach techniques with a high level of detail in an easy to understand manner, Coach Tom's goal is to spread the knowledge of Jiu-Jitsu to all corners of the globe and help as many people as possible experience the wonder of 'The Gentle Art'. Coach Tom Davey is the South Australian head for BJJ Australasia under 5th degree black belt John Will and holds a black belt under 8th degree coral belt Carlos Machado. Find us at http://www.thegrapplingacademy.com”

Good to know.

Now, about those combinations.

As FCI has extensively watched competitive female grappling for match reviews, one thing we noticed is that an arm bar is applied far more effectively if you can get your opponent in a stationary position by trapping them in a side body, upper torso or head scissor and squeeze tight.

Here is the major problem for your opponent.

She only has one arm to work with to try and free herself.

That is a major problem.

Which hold does she try and free herself from first? The body scissor by trying to pry open your ankles, squeezing her with your thighs trained in the gym or try and free herself from the arm bar that you have painfully applied.

See her dilemma?

Time to walk over to the bookstore.

The Juji Gatame Encyclopedia: Comprehensive Applications of the Cross-Body Armlock for All Grappling Styles

By Steve Scott

“Juji Gatame remains the most consistently used joint lock in many grappling sports including judo, sambo, jujitsu, submission grappling, BJJ, and MMA. Athletes and coaches around the world use and respect this game-ending arm lock.

Juji gatame was not widely popular until the 1960s, when the sambo grapplers of the former Soviet Union began their innovations with Japanese arm locks and ground fighting. With great success, they took their opponents to the mat, submitting them with never-before-seen applications of juji gatame techniques. This comprehensive manual organizes juji gatame into four primary applications Spinning juji gatame Back roll juji gatame Head roll juji gatame Hip roll juji gatame Steve Scott carefully breaks down the basics, analyzes the structure, and offers hundreds of variations so you can successfully win with juji gatame, even under stress. A logical and systematic teaching method--for easy learning A functional perspective showing hundreds of variations--your options Juji gatame unbiased--inviting all grappling styles Thousands of photographs--in action.”

We appreciate the comprehensive scope of the examples and instruction.

Learning and perfecting the arm bar technique is a two-step combination in itself. It is one thing to learn the technique, but to make it far more effective, you need to strengthen your arms.

Let’s walk further down the street to another bookstore.

Delavier's Anatomy for Bigger, Stronger Arms Paperback – September 21, 2012

By Frederic Delavier (Author), Michael Gundill (Author)

“Delavier’s Anatomy for Bigger, Stronger Arms is your guide to the massive biceps, triceps, and forearms you’ve always wanted.

Over 330 full-color photos and 130 anatomical illustrations allow you to go inside more than 100 exercises to see how muscles interact with surrounding joints and skeletal structures and how variations, progressions, and sequencing can isolate specific muscles to help you achieve targeted results. It’s like having an X-ray of each exercise!

Delavier’s Anatomy for Bigger, Stronger Arms includes over 30 proven programs for strength, size, and sport performance. You’ll also learn the most effective exercises for your goals; how to determine weight, repetition, and frequency; how to prevent tendinitis, muscle tears, and forearm and wrist pain; and strategies for varying your routine to ensure constant gains and optimal results.

Whether you’re looking to quickly increase the size of your biceps or correct imbalances between the heads of your triceps, Delavier’s Anatomy for Bigger, Stronger Arms provides serious training for serious results. It’s all here and in all the stunning detail that only Frédéric Delavier can provide!

The former editor in chief of PowerMag in France, author and illustrator Frédéric Delavier is a journalist for Le Monde du Muscle and a contributor to Men’s Health Germany and several other strength publications. His previous publications, Strength Training Anatomy and Women’s Strength Training Anatomy, have sold more than 2 million copies.”

Well said.

The information is extensive so find the excerpts that work for you.

There you have it.

As a newer female wrestler or one more experienced, always remember arm bar combinations are far more effective in securing the desired submission.

By applying the arm bar and scissors together, in terms of increasing your submissions?