Aranha gives the Americana a new `twist'!

People are constantly coming up with new ways to sequence and apply Jiu-jitsu techniques. I'm sure when you read the words, "New Move", you think the same thing I do: you get excited at first, but then realize that it's probably a marketing ploy or some old move from a Judo book that no one has used in years. I'm not claiming to have invented anything here, but what I have done is published this particular move first, as I have never seen it on any Jiu-jitsu website, video, or in any book about this age-old martial art. I often come up with things, or `discover' them while training. My excitement usually wears off after I see someone else doing the move that I thought I had invented. This happens to a lot of us.

Anyway, I can't guarantee that you have not seen this move anywhere before. I can say that chances are, you haven't and that I have never seen this move published anywhere before and am proud to be the first to do it!

This is a variation of the "Americana" that I have sequenced from the Kimura lock while in a top control position on your opponent.

- Aranha

Americana do Aranha
	1. In this situation, I am in top control on my opponent, attempting the "Kimura Lock". My opponent resists the lock by clasping his hands together so that it is difficult for me to lift his hand away from his body and twist his arm to my left.
	2. To begin my counter to this defense, I release my right hand from his wrist, while controlling his (left) arm with my left arm At this point, I use my chest to press his arm down for extra control.
	3. Next I slide my right hand under my opponent's left arm. To facilitate this movement, I must make a small amount of space. In order to compensate for that space and assist in sliding my arm under his, I will push the lower part of my opponent's left tricep to my right.
	4. This step is one of the most important in the sequence of movements, as it will determine the future effectiveness of the shoulder lock I am about to perform. I must push my opponent's arm until the back of his left arm is at the center of my chest. I must also slide my right arm to my left until the back of my hand meets my opponent's tricep. It is very important that my opponent's arm is pushed all the way through so it is almost at the right side of my chest.
	5 & 6. Once step 4 is complete, I spread my legs back and press my chest against the back of my opponent's arm.
	7. I begin the transition of position by placing my left elbow on the floor at the right side of my opponent's body. Not that my weight is still on my opponent and that I am not making any space for him to escape throughout the course of the movement.
	8 & 9. I will then switch my left leg under my right, moving to a modified kesa gatame position, securing his right shoulder under the armpit with my left arm. I keep my right elbow as close to my body as I can throughout the transition, trapping his wrist (lower arm) under my armpit and keeping his arm bent.
	10. To complete the shoulder lock, I will move my right elbow as close as I can to my right side. Notice the position of my legs and proximity of my upper body to my opponent's chest for maximum control.