Derrick Darling: Windmill Throw to Submissions
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Crowbar Submission·sambosteve
Derrick Darling teaches a windmill (Melnitza/Fireman/Kata Garuma) variation to scarf hold and a few fundamental submissi…
Crowbar Submission
SubFamilyクローバーサブミッション(Kurōbā Sabumisshon)
Translation: Crowbar submission
Overview
The Crowbar is an armbar variant from rubber guard where the leg acts as a crowbar across the opponent's arm while the hips create the extension force. [1]
CrowbarCrowbar Armlock
History & Origin
Developed by Eddie Bravo as part of the 10th Planet submission system. [1]
Effectiveness
Proven in EBI and professional MMA competition. [1]
Lineage
10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu; Eddie Bravo. [1]
Competition Record
Used in EBI and UFC competition
Images
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Crowbar Submission-specific submission mechanics from rubber guard
Position & Entry
From rubber guard — Transition through positions to Crowbar Submission
Variants
Not yet documented
Videos
CROWBAR COMPRESSION BENT KNEE LOCK CORE SKILLS
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Crowbar Submission·welcomematstevescott
The Crowbar is a compression bent knee lock that has numerous applications. In this video, we show the core skills of ho…
CROWBAR TO PREVENT OPPONENT FROM STANDING
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Crowbar Submission·welcomematstevescott
The Crowbar is a compression bent knee lock that has a variety of applications. In this video, we show how to use the Cr…
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3 videosWhat Instructors Say
The crowbar submission, also called the inverted bent-knee lock, is a leglock that emphasizes hip pressure and knee separation rather than calf compression. According to welcomematstevescott's instructional videos, the technique involves trapping the opponent's leg between the attacker's hip and chest while positioning one's own leg across the opponent's body—typically over the hip or belt line—to apply downward pressure and prevent escape. The core mechanism uses bridge pressure to separate the knee joint by jamming the opponent's foot toward their buttocks, distinct from calf-based pressure that targets nerve compression. Welcomematstevescott emphasizes several critical defensive details: placing the top leg to prevent the opponent from bridging or rolling away, maintaining a rounded body position to move with defensive movements, and addressing the common defense of the opponent sitting up by either preemptively blocking with the foot across the belt line or reactively driving the heel into the hip. When the opponent attempts to stand, the attacker can transition by catching the opponent's shin to control both legs and create prying pressure. The technique flows naturally from guard-pass entries, such as ankle picks, where the foot transitions from ankle to knee position as the attacker rolls back. Sambosteve's content on related armlock transitions from the fireman's carry position demonstrates finishing options from control positions that complement leglock sequences.
Synthesized from 3 instructors
- welcomematstevescott — CROWBAR COMPRESSION BENT KNEE LOCK CORE SKILLS: Primary technical breakdown of the crowbar setup, mechanics of hip pressure versus calf pressure, hand placement, bridge mechanics, the purpose of the top leg in preventing bridge-outs and side rolls, and basic entry from guard-pass scenarios including ankle picks.
- welcomematstevescott — CROWBAR TO PREVENT OPPONENT FROM STANDING: Detailed defensive responses when opponent sits up: preemptive foot placement across belt line, reactive heel-to-hip blocking, body roundness importance for momentum control, shin-catching technique to control both legs, and the principle of using opponent's own defense against them.
- sambosteve — Derrick Darling: Windmill Throw to Submissions: Related armlock transitions from dominant control positions (fireman's carry to scarf hold), demonstrating finishing principles that contextualize leglock sequences within broader submission transitions.
Learn This Technique
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
8
Very High8/10
Submission with fight-ending potential
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Advanced
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Illegal
— FIAS Sport Sambo — All chokes prohibited in Sport Sambo
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDFLegal
— IBJJF — Legal at all belt levels, gi and no-gi — chokes a...
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— ADCC — Legal
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— Unified MMA — Legal — choke submissions are among the mos...
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— FIAS Combat Sambo — Legal
FIAS Combat Sambo RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓Requires solid rubber guard foundation (Bravo, 2006)
✓Chain with other 10th Planet attacks
Common Mistakes
!Rushing without proper position
!Losing leg control before finishing
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Rubber guard → Position chain → Crowbar Submission
Sources & References
Primary Source
Mastering the Rubber Guard (Bravo, 2006)
1Book[1] Bravo, E. with Krauss, E. and Cordoza, G. (2006). Mastering the Rubber Guard: Jiu-Jitsu for Mixed Martial Arts Competition. Victory Belt Publishing.
2Citation[1] Bravo, E. with Krauss, E. and Cordoza, G. (2006). Mastering the Rubber Guard: Jiu-Jitsu for Mixed Martial Arts Competition. Victory Belt Publishing.
[1] Bravo, Mastering the Rubber Guard (2006) — technique description and application
Community
Athletics
Hip flexibility
Grip endurance
Body control
Notes
The Crowbar is a 10th Planet submission documented in Mastering the Rubber Guard. Uses the rubber guard position to isolate and attack the arm. (Bravo, Mastering the Rubber Guard, 2006)
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if my opponent starts sitting up when I attempt the crowbar?
According to Welcome Mat Steve Scott, you have two options: preempt the sit-up by kicking their foot over as soon as you bridge back, or block it by getting your foot over along their belt line to prevent them from sitting up on you.
Is it better to stay on my hip or roll to my back when executing the crowbar?
Welcome Mat Steve Scott emphasizes that you're more stable when staying on your hip rather than rolling onto your back, as this gives you better control of the position. If you do roll to the side, try to catch your opponent's other foot.
What's the difference between a crowbar bent knee lock and a calf pressure?
Welcome Mat Steve Scott explains that the crowbar bent knee lock uses hip pressure to jam the opponent's foot into their butt, which separates the knee, whereas a calf pressure relies on hand squeezing without the hip pressure component.
How does the Crowbar Submission work?
The Crowbar is an armbar variant from rubber guard where the leg acts as a crowbar across the opponent's arm while the hips create the extension force.
Where does the Crowbar Submission come from?
Developed by Eddie Bravo as part of the 10th Planet submission system.
Is the Crowbar Submission legal in competition?
IBJJF: legal — Legal at all belt levels, gi and no-gi — chokes are the safest submission cat…; IJF: legal — Legal (shime-waza) — strangulation techniques are one of three permitted subm…; ADCC: legal — Legal; Unified MMA: legal — Legal — choke submissions are among the most common finishes in MMA; FIAS Sport Sambo: banned — All chokes prohibited in Sport Sambo; FIAS Combat Sambo: legal — Legal
How dangerous is the Crowbar Submission?
Danger rating 8/10. Submission with fight-ending potential
How do I set up the Crowbar Submission?
The standard setup chain: Rubber guard → Position chain → Crowbar Submission.
How do I defend against the Crowbar Submission?
Standard counters include: Posture / Stack / Guard pass.
How effective is the Crowbar Submission in competition?
Used in EBI and UFC competition
What are common mistakes when doing the Crowbar Submission?
Top errors to watch for: Rushing without proper position / Losing leg control before finishing.
What are other names for the Crowbar Submission?
The Crowbar Submission is also known as Kurōbā Sabumisshon, Crowbar, Crowbar Armlock.