Most jiu-jitsu students know the basic arm lock from the guard. But getting it on an experienced, fully resisting opponent is an entirely different thing!

The instant you grip the arm, your opponent defends by pulling the elbow back and your attack is stopped before it even started.

If you want to get the armlock from the guard, you are going to need a more advanced strategy. 4 Gracie Barra black belts teach how they catch the basic armock from the guard.

Prof. Draculino switches to the armlock when the opponent defends his initial triangle attack.

Arm lock combination
This is a tricky way to get your opponent to expose his arm for arm lock.

Unbalance the opponent firstClosed guard arm lock / Armock partindo da Guarda fechada!

Guard pull to arm lock
World Champion Otavio Sousa shows how to catch the arm lock in transition to the guard.

See also on Gracie Barra : 5 Important Questions to Ask When Learning a New Move In Class

Credits: Mark Mullen
Gracie Barra Black belt based in Saigon, Vietnam
Twitter: @MarkMullenBJJ