Americana Counters

[@kewlfx]

This guy is a natural teacher! Great energy, not a showoff, breaks things down and explains them so that people with very little experience can understand.

[@tjl4688]

Oh, Rener is absolutely a show off. He was being calm here hahahahaha

[@cooliokrazyme]

Chek out John danaher. Best jiu jitsu teacher out there

[@flicks4days]

THANK U! I'm 140 lbs and pretty much everyone I roll with outweighs me at my dojo, and just like the almighty Rener Gracie said, the big guys always tend to muscle me into an americana, now I have something for them under my belt. Your methods of teaching and explanation are superb!

[@dtmfool789]

This dude's charisma is incredible. Really makes me want to do this!

[@jarodmcdonald2041]

I did

[@MuHaMaat]

WOW!!! Small world! When I was introduced to GJJ I was invited out to that same Gracie Garage around 1999. I met Royce there when he came to do belt testing. I remember a kid being with him who was a Jiu Jitsu monster but I cant remember his name. I was going to Fayetteville State University at the time. Wow! When you brought up that garage I had a flashback! That was great Trainning!!!

[@scarred10]

@mikeq510 yep,after the initial heavy arm defense you can pull the elbow in to the hip with a bump away and then go to safehands position.

[@purvishah5568]

Thank you for this, everyone at my Jiu Jitsu class goes for this instantly, so I needed this, thanks

[@rhubarbpie2027]

Thank you for this video! I recently got into Jiu Jitsu and have been submitted more than once with this because as you said, I panicked and tried to resist with the arm being controlled. Hopefully the next time I roll, I can remember these techniques!

[@jeremypaintedit]

"tap out" - Ryron

[@damvid21]

I wish Rener was my coach, he explains things so well!

[@davidbandini3484]

Thanks for the lesson. I started BJJ in January in London (uk) and I love it!! I'm sure this lesson will be useful for me....Oss!!

[@bigtimepimpin666]

happy B day Anthony! So much to say. First of all I went through the JFK SW center and school in 2003. They did not teach us any BJJ at all. All we got was Lines training. But even pogue bases like Fort Jackson had implemented BJJ. Thanks a lot for this intruction. Monday someone BIG almost took my shoulder out. I tap as soon as I am in trouble cause I dont want an injury that makes me stop training. But my shoulder n even elbow still hurt. He cranked it too fast. Thanks again.

[@johndarcangelo6893]

love this video because I'm that guy who goes for the Americana and after you said the thing about bucking the guy I was like that won't work when I get my hooks in. and then you answered that too. awesome

[@hb51015]

An untechnical, much bigger opponent of mine did exactly this. Thank you for this technique!

[@chicabobica]

Rener Gracie is one of the greatest teachers of any style.

[@reggae9ninja]

these videos are the best instructional jiujitsu vids on the web..hands down!

[@6XstringXsamurai]

@Gumbi1012 in my experience, when you get jumped by multiple attackers, they don't come at you one at a time like the movies. They all come at you at once. There is no way to block 15 simultaneous blows. And in a matter of seconds they basically form a circle around you and punch, kick, and stomp your guts out. I'm glad you agree! Even if someone happened to knock one of the dudes out, at that exact moment they're getting hit by, let's say 4 or 5 people at the same time!! It's simple math to me.

[@JunLee22]

Thank u Rener!! You are great teacher!! Respect from Finland!!

[@joebro82]

I teach the amaricana/ bent arm bar durring combatives. It will be nice to add these defences because this seems to be the only sub they try. That and the nutcracker.

[@benevivunt1256]

Very good teacher! I wish I could learn all my techniques from him.

[@justinrice7609]

You can. gracieuniversity.com

[@lightningmunk]

hahaha love the ryron cut-in, he's so cool, did a couple private lessons with him, both him and rener are great teachers :D keep it up guys (and thanks for the counter)

[@graciescottsdale]

"just tap out"

[@luvit579]

awesome demonstration, and your Gracie Gi is bad ass.

[@MrMZaccone]

@kingwilly34 You make such wonderful assumptions. I had my first lessons in GJJ in 1994 with Steve Maxwell in Philadelphia. I was in the instructor certification program at the Torrance academy in 1998-99. There is a marked difference between holding back certain things and not showing it properly. I even noted a difference between the Renzo-Kukuk vids and those from the academy even then. One set (academy) worked and one set didn't (Renzo and Kukuk).

[@jakekeith9878]

🤣🤣🤣”Life is…pretty much terrible right now.” So true. That moment when you can feel the end drawing near.

[@brainrich1358]

My friend is bigger than me and loves going for the Americana soon as he is on top, this is really helpful

[@miggiesmalls19]

@6:08: "Life is pretty much......terrible right now.......... *snaps out of it*" SAME

[@samuelj5890]

why do people dislike? like whats the point?? theres nothing offensive or anything in this video that you need to show your hate

[@MrStrongBro]

There are still many people in this world that doesn't think Jiu Jitsu works. Majority of them never hit the mat in their life. lol

[@samuelj5890]

MrStrongBro what do you mean "works"?

[@MrStrongBro]

Like, "it doesn't work in a street fight." That's bull crap. I don't think sports Jiu Jitsu is anywhere near as effective as Gracie Jiu Jitsu. If you can't use it in a street fight, it's not Gracie Jiu Jitsu. That's why I love the Gracie's so much.

[@samuelj5890]

MrStrongBro oh right yeah, I can see where people come from when they say that though, cos like Kick-Boxing, being a martial art based on vertical fighting it would be more effective if you were take on a group of individuals. However, Jiu Jitsu is WAY better in a street fight if it was like one or two guys cos you could just break their arms or whatever in like 10 seconds haha. Plus there's even elements of it which are vertical.

[@samuelj5890]

MrStrongBro yeah the Gracie's are class tbf

[@mikeq510]

Great video!! Do those counters work when someone is going for an americana from side control or half guard?

[@denverstapleton7621]

people forget what the original art was intended for.... love it self preservation was the main objective here...Oss!

[@georgegilles9008]

+Daniel. incorrect Gracie jiujutsu derived from the Japanese art.

[@Vscustomprinting]

Boom.. coming in clutch with the follow up America defense

[@gerardodomagas2387]

I enjoy watching visioning thinking if ever and or never happened. Im 57 yrs old .

[@fromtheforest4413]

This was incredibely usefull, whenever I would get put in americanas I would always have to resort to turning my hips toward the pinned arm and try to shimmy my way out of it, this is much more effective.

[@scarred10]

@ticosexy22 you can try it but theres no sub ,you crank 100% to try and break it,then get top position and continue to pound if needed.I would always either choke or strike from top if there was no friends around.

[@pcjudosambo]

@takidabossen that's absolutely respectful, you have every right to believe that.

[@bornfedslaughter]

I was going to leave this video at 4:09 but Rener told me to stand by.

[@Spencer167]

man your a great teahcer thanks for posting that, i was having problems with the americana, but now i can't wait to test out these new counters, thanks!

[@Elijjjjah10]

Thank you so much my training partner also named Anthony always does the americana to me and its annoying

[@kokopelli5357]

I don’t understand, when shifting the weight and his hooks are in you can’t bump. How do you get out of that?

[@hatch1892]

He didn't mention what to do when the hook is in AND the second arm comes under to finish the americana. So you have to bridge before the second arm comes under (as shown by keeping a heavy elbow), or if the arm does come under you need to destabilize & roll before the hook goes in. But both a hook and his second arm under and i think you are done....... The other option i use, is to bump the second they commit both hands to your one arm (before it hits the floor). They will have to choose between falling on their head while keeping a hold, or stabilizing (letting go). Stop it before it starts.

[@janonjoshua]

I understand this counter works when you're opponent is on the full mount! how do you counter or sweep it from side control? i would really appreciate an answer! thank you!

[@Keeve5]

Janon Joshua Jojo you can reach over and grab your opponents wrist. Then bridge in towards the arm and get the sweep.

[@georgegilles9008]

When Gracie Jiujutsu first began they only had three belts . white, blue and dark blue. Think where did the other belts come from?

[@chaos_omega]

Where?

[@denverstapleton7621]

anyone thinking of doing this- DO EET! best instruction i have ever received.... can add to any other martial art to make your own art better!

[@takidabossen]

@thedoc56 lol it depends alot what grade they are on! for an example there is no gaurantee that a boxer wins against a beginner judokan!

[@6XstringXsamurai]

@ticosexy22 I agree that groin shots hurt A LOT, but not enough to incapacitate someone. Think about the UFC, those fighters get accidentally kicked in the groin all the time, by professional fighters might I add, and continue fighting.

[@ceozyamerz4778]

Thank you gracie teacher... I can defend myself from my 200 pounder bully... he bullied me all the time but now im not defence less... thanks

[@Finnifoo9813]

What about if they have a knee on your other arm?

[@gkuiper]

Outstanding defensive move. great job!!

[@InfinityLiningPtyLtdGreenwich]

man i love youtube and rener gracie iv been doing bjj for a month and these vids show u show much its helped me defend against ppl who been doing bjj for upto 12 months and im at a gracie gym! rener should have a tv show or someting FTW!!!

[@Gumbi1012]

@6XstringXsamurai I agree. What do you mean by "the guy in the middle of the circle loses every time" though?

[@cuzz63]

@Tony007corp As a Karate Black Belt I can tell you that if you cant fight on the ground in a multiple man situation you probably wont survive long. If nothing else you need to have the skill to get back up quickly. Just my observation but most Karate guys (not all) wouldnt survive a multiple attacker situation anyway since so many of them dont train to fight realistically, they only train against other Karate guys.

[@TheFreshAirInspector]

i tryed this the other night. i found it was more sucsefull reaching the free hand over and grabing the kimono then briging and roling tot he oposite side of the traped arm.

[@my690]

What if they are in side control?

[@breadman5048]

i love rener gracie .. haha what a cool guy

[@josecanela8049]

Great demonstration

[@chenzenzo]

What he wants to do is buck up with a shift from his right toward your right. He needs to to relax and shift. Allow the pull and shift it to your own will.

[@AndrewOwenWaldo]

If he reaches his opposite hand across to defend the Americana, can't you move to an front-side arm triangle on either arm or a Brabo choke on either side.

[@Wrestlefan1]

could u use this when they get the americana from side mount?

[@130kali]

I have also fought multiple attackers. One time I got jumped, but I managed to grab one guy and rear naked choke him. It was sick. Once they realized what was happening. They stopped kicking me and started trying to get me to break my grip. Also I took some hits, but because he was on top, he took most of the hits.

[@christophermartin3191]

Absolutely perfect I got caught the other day in the americana from the bottom of them mount, I ended up rolling him and landing in his guard and I thought i was good and out...... Needless to say I wasn't and I tapped. That was Tuesday and today, Saturday, I found out tuck the elbow. Found that out at 6:54

[@migraine516]

Would it be unwise to bait the americana so you could push them over/sweep like you showed at around 6:50?

[@graciescottsdale]

As Rener would say, "high risk, high reward" :-)

[@ImSoOffended]

Can the foot be kicked out to take weight off of the elbow?

[@hmsapereira]

Excellent stuff guys, thanks!!!

[@RickMerchantttt]

It is interchangeable. I used Americana at one gym I went to, and at the gym I go to now, we just call it keylock.

[@georgegilles9008]

+Tyler122 incorrect. 100% incorrect. The techniques are not completely that much different. for instance the guard has been around for centuries they just didn't call it the guard and they didn't lock the ankles.

[@MrMZaccone]

@kingwilly34 He's a blue belt and as long as I kept his weight on his hands it worked. If I let him get his weight off his hands it was a problem. The only difficulty as I see it is that it's not really an escape, just a way to buy time for one. My question to you is how have you've managed to study for 14 years and still think there's one, "the proper" counter for anything. Every counter also has a counter, which has a counter, which ... etc. Is there a "best" counter? ... Mmmmmaybe.

[@kingwilly8041]

Tapping is technically a counter but I wouldn't call it a good one unless it is your last resort.

[@georgegilles9008]

Awesome Ne-waza.

[@chavamma]

Great Vid & Tips! Nice work there Rener as always! -Kind Regards- Chavamma

[@DemiizeLol]

Watching this video saved me quite a few times today lol

[@NDeemz]

What about the Americana from side mount?

[@AK-mh4zb]

You mean side control?

[@NDeemz]

+Krim Gassen yeah

[@reallunacy]

I actually came into the comments to see what the defense was with side control myself.

[@10th-planetjiu-jitsu65]

Krim Gassen turn to ur side then on ur belly

[@kanguesso]

I always wanted to learn a good counter to the Americana. I got caught in it many times and i always successfully rolled my opponent over by the the bridge and roll technique he would always keep the arm and finish it from the guard.

[@ohnoyo]

Bjj is like chess but with the human body. So many moves combinations and set ups

[@georgegilles9008]

And they can do that it's their system and they are great at it.

[@RPTRXLCN]

Awesome instruction

[@Gumbi1012]

@6XstringXsamurai Sorry, I thought by "middle of the circle" you were referring to the attackers! lol Well in a 5+ plus situation you're really screwed. I would be confident in my ability vs 3 or less, though. (Depending on the exact situation)

[@pcjudosambo]

@MrMZaccone Ease off on the red bulls. Everyone knows that the ancient Greeks used same techniques in their Pankration type fights but Japanese terminology and Japanese martial arts (Ju-Jitsu and Judo) made this technique famous and mainstream through out the world. The whole world knew a shoulder lock as Ude Garami, no matter if you studied Karate, Aikido, Judo, Ju-Jitsu or what country you're from.. it was Ude Garami not some Greek name. Then BJJ arrives & renames it due to its own "marketing"

[@Grapplers.Planet]

Anthony trained since 1998 and only still a purple belt??? or is it a black and my visuals are off??

[@MrMZaccone]

@kingwilly34 As for the escape by Matt Strack, the only one I can find is from side mount. I'm familiar with it but it doesn't work for me from mount. I've tried it. Are you talking about a different escape? If so I can't find video of it.

[@kingwilly8041]

Yes it does I've done it for years to escape americana from mount. The principles that make the escape work still apply. The direction Rener tells you to turn is helping your opponent submit you. It is the same reason you don't turn away when your opponent is applying a kimura. You turn towards him when hand pointed down (kimura) and away when your hand pointed up (americana). If you still don't want to believe me, think about the steps required to complete the americana. With each step, ask yourself if your movement is helping your opponent effect the look or preventing it.

[@MrMZaccone]

@kingwilly34 So, I'll say it again. Why not make a video and show us all why this doesn't work?

[@rexdenamarquez1231]

Dang..your the best teacher bro.

[@kokyjabn]

@6XstringXsamurai So, we should get some classes from Usain Bolt: "How to run as hell?".

[@jaypntr12]

will this work for americana from side control?

[@lsloewen2]

Kingwilly34-- I've been doing jiu jitsu for years and can vouch for this technique working VERY well against opponents of all sizes

[@Fender0nfire]

what a beautiful martial art.

[@georgegilles9008]

Just because you change the name of something it does not change its contents.

[@SlugDropsonheads]

ahahahahaha he pauses like he's all amazed when he says "... If he does get under" in 7:25

[@TheRush05]

I have caught several people with the Straight-bar as they were defending Americana

[@sab101]

What about from side mount?

[@MrMZaccone]

@felixdamajiccat When you say "victorious" what do you mean?

[@Grapplers.Planet]

@IamVeryFrozen thank you.. :) ossss keep training hard. respect.

[@davebond7380]

Thanks rena a big guy just recently hurt me quite bad this will be very useful I'm dave Liverpool UK Bebington bjj 4 stripe white belt

[@MegaHitman666]

These stuffs are gold.Thanks.

[@YamatoXion]

Muahahaha! My father-in-law's greatest move SHALL BE FOILED!! =P

[@6XstringXsamurai]

@ticosexy22 I don't have to imagine it. I've been kneed really hard or had someone's shin crush my nuts while passing guard a bunch of times. It hurts a lot. but with the adrenaline going through your body, and your brain in "fight mode". - it won't stop someone. Think about it, you're basically saying that if you got into a fight with anyone, all they would have to do is hit your nuts and you'd lose just like that?

[@EmpiricalPragmatist]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I've always considered the Americana stronger from side control than from full mount, since you can't bridge me anymore. Is there a counter from there that's considered even better than this? If not, why not just switch to side control as you apply the Americana to avoid this?

[@MrMZaccone]

@kingwilly34 Why this was had more to do with teaching method than technique, one set being taught in combinations and one set being taught without that connective tissue. Bottom line, I've used this against bigger, stronger opponents and made it work. Maybe you just don't understand it. Try watching it again and paying attention.

[@thedoc56]

@6XstringXsamurai Exactly. good you know wats up. no martial art is suited for multiple attackers. but gjj is the best for 1v1

[@harrygim]

7:25 the most hopeless "he does get under" XD hahaha but besides that amazing video :] i love the americana and this video was just perfect

[@Grapplers.Planet]

oh right. got you. thanks for the explanation. makes total sense. Oss :)

[@fatmelonn]

thank you for sharing such an amazing art!!

[@emm589]

jiu jitsu and athletics, good mix for self defense

[@chenzenzo]

Take their movements with you.