Hyperextension

​Hyper extension locks come in two forms commonly referred to as bars. A kneebar and an armbar are the same move, a means of hyperextending the middle joint(elbow/knee) by immobilizing the joint proximal to the torso(shoulder/hip) using the distal joint(ankle/wrist) for leverage. In these locks, the thumb and heel become important as they guide the directionality of attack (wherever they point is the direction to apply pressure). We can then divide hyperextension locks into two varieties, for lack of better terms we will call them the conventional (what you think of when someone says armbar or kneebar) and crunch variety (popularized by judo, Marcelo Garcia, and DDS). In a conventional hyperextension we control the proximal joint exclusively with our legs, attack just above the middle joint (where triceps meet elbow or hamstring meets knee) with our hips, and use our hands and arms to connect our entire body to the distal joint. With a crunch hyperextension our shoulder and neck control the distal joint, our hips or knees control the proximal joint, and our hands or arms become the true attacking mechanism. One of the biggest keys in these locks of over extension is exactly that, success comes from having the ability to overextend the joint. Therefore, space is critical to perform bar submissions. Oftentimes in a conventional lock of extension, because we are performing an action away from our body, we do not consciously process the space required. Whether we are facing the ground or facing the ceiling, our breaking potential is almost limitless. For a crunch style finish though, our ability to bend the joint is determined by the gap we leave ourselves. If I want to perform an armbar or kneebar in this way, there needs to be a gap between the middle joint (elbow/knee) and my control points of the proximal and distal joint. Imagine trying to break a broomstick in half when it is lying flat on the ground, now imagine accomplishing the same task, but you have elevated it with a brick at the far ends. We have to make the middle the weakest part structurally in order to elicit a submission response and apply breaking pressure. It is also how spacers function for brick breaking in traditional martial arts demonstrations. Overall, the keys to hyperextension finishes are proximal joint isolation, distal joint control and directionality awareness, pressure against the middle joint towards distal joint control point (thumb or heel), and space to apply breaking pressure in that direction.