Judo: Butterfly Armbar

Kyle Sloan, Tori; Cameron Siemens, Uke; Photography & Video by Rob Goodwill

This is a neat little armbar many BJJ & Judo folks are unfamiliar with.

We begin on our back with uke between our legs

With your partner between your legs, watch for daylight coming through the armpit on either side.

When you see daylight, place your palms together, and shoot them through the hole. You have been doing abs during warm-ups, right? Sit up as far as possible, pull your hands to your chest and fall back.

Placing the pinky fingers at the elbow notch, slightly toward the shoulder from the elbow socket about 1-2 finger widths, lift your elbows. This action will force your pinky fingers down, while having uke’s arm trapped in sort of a waki-gatame looking position.

The lock is applied by lifting your elbows (mostly your outside elbow, but it helps to flex with both) up toward your ears as your curled hands slide down your chest in opposition, hence the butterfly name.