Americana: The Ultimate Guide to BJJ’s “Paint Brush” Submission

Americana: The Ultimate Guide to BJJ’s “Paint Brush” Submission

By BJJ Sportswear Editorial Team
Reviewed by competitive black belts | Last Updated: February 2, 2026

The Americana (also known as the “Paint Brush” or Figure-Four Armlock) is one of the first submissions you learn in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and for good reason. It is simple, powerful, and relies on structural dominance rather than speed.

Unlike the Kimura, which attacks the shoulder by rotating the arm down (behind the back), the Americana attacks the shoulder by rotating the arm up (like they are waving hello). While it is often criticized as a “beginner move,” high-level grapplers use it to force reactions that open up armbars and back takes.

In this guide, we break down the mechanics, the setup from Mount and Side Control, and how to defend against it.

The Mechanics: How it Breaks

The Americana targets the rotator cuff and elbow joint.

• The Grip: It uses a “Figure-Four” grip (your wrists locking their arm).
• The Fulcrum: Your forearm acts as a fulcrum under their elbow.
• The Finish: By dragging their knuckles along the floor (painting the brush) while lifting their elbow, you create immense pressure on the shoulder.​

How To Perform The Americana From The Mount

Setup #1: Americana from Mount

This is the most classic setup. It works best when the opponent is defending their face or pushing on your chest.

1. Isolation: Use your body weight to pin one of their wrists to the mat. Your arm should be straight, locking their wrist down.
2. The Elbow Drop: Drop your elbow next to their ear. This prevents them from moving their head.
3. The Loop: Slide your free hand under their tricep and grab your own wrist. This creates the Figure-Four lock.
4. Monkey Grip: Use a thumbless grip (Monkey Grip) for maximum wrist flexibility and power.
5. The Finish: Pull their elbow down toward their hip (to remove slack) and then slowly lift their elbow while dragging the back of their hand along the mat.​

Setup #2: Americana from Side Control

While Mount is dominant, Side Control offers more stability for this attack.

1. Control: Start in a strong Side Control with chest-to-chest pressure.
2. The Trap: If they frame on your neck, trap their wrist with your head/shoulder and pin it to the mat.
3. The Lock: Secure the Figure-Four grip exactly like the mount version.
4. The Squeeze: Squeeze your elbows together to isolate the shoulder joint.
5. Finish: Drag the knuckles down and lift the elbow.​

How To Perform The Americana From Side Control

Defense and Escape

If you are caught in an Americana, do not panic. The escape must happen before your shoulder starts rotating.

• The “Answer the Phone” Defense: If they are trying to pin your arm, bring your hand to your ear (like answering a phone). This removes the 90-degree angle they need for leverage.
• The Bridge & Roll: From Mount, as they commit two hands to your one arm, bridge explosively toward the trapped side (see our Mount Escape Guide). You can often roll them over because they have no posting arm.
• Straighten the Arm: If you can forcefully straighten your arm, you break the Figure-Four structure. Push your hand straight up (punch the ceiling).​

Troubleshooting: Why It Fails

• Mistake #1: Elbow too High. If their elbow is above their shoulder line, you have no leverage.
  • Fix: Drag their elbow down to their ribs before rotating.
• Mistake #2: Wrist Not Pinned. If their wrist floats off the mat, they can straighten the arm.
  • Fix: Keep their wrist glued to the floor throughout the entire movement.

Conclusion

The Americana is a fundamental weapon in your BJJ arsenal. Even if you don’t finish it, the threat of the Americana forces opponents to straighten their arms—giving you the perfect setup for a Straight Armbar.