Winn-Dixon Americana

Here’s a slick and unexpected twist on the classic Americana submission—this one uses your legs instead of your arms to isolate and attack your opponent’s shoulder. 

From top side control, start by controlling your partner’s near-side arm and guiding it between your legs. Pinch your knees together to trap the arm in place—this is the key to keeping them stuck and preventing any easy escapes. Once you have the arm secured, reach for your partner’s belt (or hip area in NoGi) with your hand on the same side as the trapped arm. 

From here, begin turning your torso toward the ceiling. Be careful—this version of the Americana can come on fast, so apply the pressure slowly and with control, especially during practice. To tighten the finish, you may need to inch your feet closer toward your partner’s body while keeping your knees pointing straight up. This creates the leverage needed to crank the shoulder into submission without relying solely on upper body strength. 

Because this attack doesn’t require your arms to control the submission, it keeps your hands free to deal with frames, defend against escapes, or even threaten additional attacks—making it a great way to stay relentlessly offensive from side control. Give it a try next time you’re rolling, and watch how quickly your training partners start guarding their arms!