What is Joint Lock in BJJ?
Quick Definition
A submission that attacks a joint by hyperextending or rotating it.
Full Explanation
Joint locks are submissions that attack joints - elbows (armbar), shoulders (kimura, americana), knees (heel hook, kneebar), and ankles (ankle lock). They work by taking the joint past its natural range of motion, causing pain and potential damage. Tap before damage occurs - unlike chokes where you can go unconscious and recover, joint damage can be permanent.
Examples in Context
"Joint locks attack the limbs"
"Tap early to joint locks to avoid injury"
Related Terms
Submission
A technique that forces your opponent to tap out due to a choke or joint lock.
Armbar
A joint lock hyperextending the elbow, one of the most fundamental submissions.
Kimura
A shoulder lock using a figure-four grip on the opponent's arm.
Heel Hook
A devastating leg lock attacking the knee by rotating the heel.
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