How Johnny Tama Developed His Own Savage Version Of The Estima Lock

Johnny Tama has long been a well-known figure in the jiu-jitsu competitive circuit. His adaptation of the Estima lock, however, has put him on the radar and highlight reels. The Ecuadorian black belt under Juan Miguel Iturralde first saw the footlock when he observed Braulio and Victor Estima use it to submit their opponents.
There were no DVDs or instructions available at the time, until Braulio shot a reverse de la riva set-up in 2015.
He hadn’t paid much attention to it at the time since he was training full-time at Rubens Charles’ Cobrinha BJJ in Los Angeles and incorporating the world champion’s method into his game.
However, a chronic rib ailment kept Johnny out of competition and day-to-day training later in 2015, so he depended on drilling to stay active.
His initial priority was the Estima lock, with which he gradually became better acquainted.
In the lightweight final of the IBJJF Pans in 2016, Edwin Najmi submitted Johnny’s training partner Sinistro Iturralde with an Estima lock. That dispatched Johnny to the training grounds to learn the role with someone who had actual experience with it. “Edwin’s setup was simple; he went right to the foot. It was a natural move for him because he knew it so well. But in my situation, I didn’t have the move down pat, so I started researching the setups,” Tama explains. All of the many setups and transitions that led to this submission are where Tama’s version of the footlock — what he deems the Tama lock — originated from. “Every job has at least one. Top, bottom, transitions between sweeps, or while passing. You can force it, but it is usually preferable to bait the opponent.” In September, he returned to competition at the 2016 IBJJF Dallas Open, fracturing one of his opponents’ foot. That was the first time he submitted with the attack from the bottom. Not long after, he tried the identical position in no-gi at the Pan No-Gi, but it didn’t work since he was lacking a detail that he eventually remedied. Without control of the attacking leg, the opponent might spin away and escape the foot. Trap the leg, stop the spin, and control the foot to make it submit. He could harm his opponent, but spinning out kept the footlock from being lethal. “What distinguishes my Estima lock from the Estima brothers’ is that I set it up from the guard, as with any transition that allows me to position my shin beneath the knee. When I elevate the leg, the foot is hanging, or free to attack. When the opponent’s weight returns to that leg, it’s too late since the foot is against my belly and his entire weight produces the leverage for the submit. Johnny faces Michael Liera Jr. in the opening round of the 2017 Marianas Open in April. Liera had defeated him at the Pans a month before, winning by one advantage. Johnny couldn’t get into his settings because Liera was so skilled at keeping him under control.” “”At the Marianas, though, he tried for a toreando pass, which allowed me ample space to spin beneath him,” Tama explains. “I was going to lock up 50-50, but I noticed the foot and latched on to it as I passed under.” The quickness is critical because you must lock the foot up before they have a chance to respond. Then, as quickly as possible, lock up the leg with your own legs to prevent it from spinning out, which is a popular defense for most leg locks. Liera couldn’t get away, and I finished the submit as soon as I had my grasp on the foot. It occurs so quickly.” A similar circumstance occurred earlier this month at the Five Grappling Super League in a super battle versus Yan ‘Pica Pau.’ “I had a strategy. The plan was to initially pull to deep half guard and then into the waiter sweep posture. You’re using your legs to prop up their leg and lighten it, exposing the foot. But nothing went as planned; in fact, it was much better. We both pulled guard at the same time, and as I attempted a deep half, he regained his balance by placing his foot on the mat and wrapped his arm around my ankle to try for his own footlock. This left his other leg light, and his foot was hovering just over my stomach.” ” I was able to grab the hold and bring it to my stomach in a single second. And I got the tap inside the first 12 seconds of the game. Johnny no longer utilizes it in his sparring sessions because it is too risky.
He was endangering too many of his training partners because he was in an all-or-nothing situation.”
But it was the drilling that saved him: his injuries (rib and PCL) were almost considered a blessing because they forced him to just drill “I’m grateful that the Estima brothers invented this footlock, and I’m even more grateful that I got to put the pieces together and create what I now call the Tama lock.
Jiu-jitsu is continuously changing, and we must adjust accordingly. New roles are always being added, and we must always design our own method.
This is a successful role for me.”