Cutting Armbar

The cutting armbar is a variation of the armbar that targets both the opponent's shoulder and elbow. While still utilizing elbow hyperextension, it incorporates a rotational cutting motion with your leg across their torso to control and apply pressure to the shoulder joint. Start from a dominant or transitioning position. Bring your leg across the opponent's torso, securing it as in a normal armbar setup with your hips close to their arm. Trap the arm you intend to hyperextend between your legs. Grip their wrist for control and begin the twist/rotation, which causes a painful bend in their shoulder while maintaining the elbow hyperextension. Apply gradual pressure by raising your hips, increasing the rotational force on the trapped elbow/shoulder while stretching their locked arm. This combined pressure on multiple joints is more effective than a standard armbar, allowing for faster and safer application with greater force to achieve quicker taps. Be responsible when practicing these complex forms to avoid injury. This technique has grown in popularity significantly in recent years and is frequently used in competition.