Armbar From High Guard: Two Easy Setups

The armbar from high guard is a high-percentage submission once you know the details. Here's how to set it up with two different grips, as taught at Mindset Martial Arts & Fitness in Hayward.

Setup 1: Same-Side Collar Tie

1. From closed guard, take a 2-on-1 grip on the elbow and bring it to the middle.
2. Control their posture by reaching to the same side with a collar tie.
3. Put your foot on the same-side hip and turn your body.
4. Bring your top leg over their shoulder and cross it over your bottom leg. This is high guard.
5. Pinch your knees tight over the shoulder.
6. Push their head between your legs, press down on the head and neck, slide your hand to their thumb, and finish.

Setup 2: Cross-Shoulder Grip

Same idea, but control posture by reaching across to the opposite shoulder. Foot on the hip, turn, throw the leg over the shoulder and cross your ankles. If you have long legs, you can lock a triangle instead. Clamp the shoulder, keep your knees tight, push the head through, and finish.

Why High Guard Works

Getting your leg high over the shoulder breaks your opponent's posture and keeps them from stacking you. From here you have the armbar, the triangle, and sweeps.

Also see the 2-on-1 armbar from closed guard and the triangle choke setup.

Train BJJ in Hayward

Mindset Martial Arts & Fitness is at 24249 Hesperian Blvd in Hayward, CA, next to Southland Mall, and has been teaching in Hayward for about 16 years. We're a short drive from San Leandro, San Lorenzo, Castro Valley and Union City. Our adult Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes are beginner-friendly, and we also offer kids BJJ and fitness kickboxing.

Check the class schedule or reserve your first class.