Are you in a mood for some flashy techniques? For techniques that look cool, but that are also quite easy to set up?
Then you should learn how to set up the Helicopter Armbar! Here’s how.

THINGS ARE NOT AS COMPLICATED AS THEY APPEAR

Techniques in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu can get… Really complicated. There are seemingly endless ways to set up a simple submission, and there are tens – maybe even hundreds – of ways to change and tweak the technique itself.
So, it’s no wonder that some Jiu-Jitsu athletes (beginners, for the most part) get scared because of how complicated these techniques look like to them.

But do you want to hear the truth? Most of the techniques aren’t too complicated. They may just take more reps to learn than others do. And if you can put in the reps – if you can learn the details and the proper timing – then you can utilize these moves well to your advantage.

One of those seemingly complicated techniques is the Helicopter Armbar. Just put in the time for practicing it. And learn the following details, that are demonstrated and explained by coach Tom, from The Grappling Academy.

HOW TO DO THE HELICOPTER ARMBAR

The first step to doing the Helicopter Armbar is to elevate them off the ground while you’re in the Open Guard position. To do this, you’ll need to position your feet onto their hips and grab both of their wrists. Push them a bit with your feet. When they react by going into you, collapse your knees towards your chest. Then, extend your legs. This is how you’ll elevate them.
Grabbing their wrists will be more difficult to do in the No Gi scenario, as they’ll be slippery. But keep practicing, and make sure to put the time into practicing in the Gi as well (where you can grip their sleeves).

To get the Armbar, shift your training partner into one side with your feet. Let them fall down into that side, encircle and narrow down your legs swiftly, grab their arm… And finish the Armbar!

Here’s how to do it, step by step: