BJJ Blueprint Series : Unlock Your Mount Attacks: Gordon Ryan's Secret to Isolating Arms

Struggling to isolate arms and finish submissions from the mount? You establish a dominant position, but your opponent tucks their elbows, builds a frame, and you just can't seem to pry an arm free for that Kimura, Armbar, or transition to the back. You're not alone. It's a common frustration in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Often, we resort to ineffective methods – trying to muscle the arms up, using low double underhooks that leave us vulnerable, or simply "finger walking" against a strong defense. According to grappling phenom Gordon Ryan, there's a much smarter way.

In a recent instructional clip, "The King" revealed a key detail that makes arm isolation significantly more effective. Forget just pulling or basic finger walks. The magic lies in using your head and body structure.

Here’s the breakdown:

1. The Head Shift is Key: Before you even think about walking the arm, shift your head across your opponent's centerline. Move it towards the side of the arm you aren't attacking initially.

2. Straighten & Leverage: As you shift your head, straighten your underhooking arm slightly. This uses leverage to help lift their elbow.

3. Walk the Arc: Now use the "finger walk," guiding their arm upwards in an arc, aiming to get their elbow above their own shoulder line. This is the critical benchmark.

4. Secure with Weight, Not Muscle: Once the arm is high, don't just squeeze! Connect your underhooking hand to your own elbow or tricep. Then, lean your collarbone and shoulder forward, driving your body weight through their trapped arm. Cross your ankles for added stability.

This sequence uses leverage and proper body mechanics to overcome your opponent's defense. The head shift creates the angle, the arm extension provides the initial lift, and your forward body weight pins the isolated arm, preventing them from easily reclaiming position.

Stop wrestling arms inefficiently from mount. Start incorporating Gordon Ryan's centerline head shift and structured weight distribution. Drill this sequence, and you'll find isolating those arms becomes a systematic process rather than a frustrating struggle.

If you’re ready to dive into the world of authentic Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training, consider visiting The Jiu-Jitsu Foundry at 72-C, Jalan SS21/62, Damansara Utama, Petaling Jaya, WhatsApp 011-11510501. Embrace the challenge, improve your skills, and discover how Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu can transform your martial arts journey!

Be good!