crossing the legs for an armbar

An argument I have heard for not crossing your legs during an arm bar is that, when crossed, they basically become a single appendage. You lose independent control and, instead of worry about shucking two legs off, your opponent can move both your legs at once.

If you're doing an arm bar from the bottom, wouldn't you want to curl your one leg back on the head, which would not be possible if your ankles were crossed?
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You cross your feet in spider web to prevent your opponent from corkscrewing out of the armbar in the event that you lose control of the leg or decide to abandon it. From day one I teach people to cross the feet and mention to squeeze the knee's together.

When attempting armbars from guard you cross the feet when locking the shoulder. If you pass the leg over the head it's technically better to not cross the feet because the rmbar is stronger.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DENNY PROKOPOS

You cross your feet in spider web to prevent your opponent from corkscrewing out of the armbar in the event that you lose control of the leg or decide to abandon it. From day one I teach people to cross the feet and mention to squeeze the knee's together.

When attempting armbars from guard you cross the feet when locking the shoulder. If you pass the leg over the head it's technically better to not cross the feet because the rmbar is stronger.

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Powerful!

http://youtu.be/76Rbf1MNiTw

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Brandon Mccaghren

As a beginner you learn the rules. Always do this. Never do this. To borrow from Josh Waitzkin in The Art Of Learning we "learn form."

As your knowledge, experience, timing, and most importantly your sensitivity develops you begin to understand that there are gray areas, and that perhaps "never" and "always" were simply learning tools placed there to help you develop. We "learn form to leave form." I have instructed my 5 year old daughter to "never cross the road by herself." That doesn't mean that it's wrong for her to cross the road or that one day she won't be able to cross the road all by herself. But for now, it's something I don't want her to branch out into.

It is "safer" and easier to begin your understanding of arm bars with the legs crossed. As you develop and mature as a grappler, you will find moments when it is not only acceptable to uncross your legs, but more efficient and technically superior.

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:)

so as far as im aware the differences between crossing and not crossing has to do with control vs strength. crossing your legs is good while in spider web because it controls their shoulder and that weakens their ability to bridge out of it or corkscrew etc. when you dont cross you legs, its meant to give you more strength (dont quote me on this) because the hamstrings and quads are working in a more normal movement. when the legs are crossed this angles them and the ab/adductors are working which are no where near as strong. crossing the legs is better when on top because of control and on bottom not crossing is better.

thats at least the way i generally think of it, as some of the others said its situational rather than better or worse. i really like teh idea of getting their shoulders off the ground because it takes away so much of their game.

Brandon has spelled the correct!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zd9wbqZgsL8#t=359

At the 5:50 mark, he talks about crossing the feet

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DENNY PROKOPOS

You cross your feet in spider web to prevent your opponent from corkscrewing out of the armbar in the event that you lose control of the leg or decide to abandon it. From day one I teach people to cross the feet and mention to squeeze the knee's together.

When attempting armbars from guard you cross the feet when locking the shoulder. If you pass the leg over the head it's technically better to not cross the feet because the rmbar is stronger.

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Denny sharing the knowledge! Couldn't agree more!