Often when rolling with JJ guys they love to apply the arm bar from their guard. If the armbar is sunk well I have to tap like everyone else. But if I see it comming one counter I like is to attack the ankles. I love ankle attacks so what I do is stack the armbar as most people do. Once I have stacked properly I take my free hand and reach up to my opponents foot (On the leg not applying the armbar) and grab his foot and bend it inwards towards his calf muscle. This is a modified type of toe hold as I do not have my second hand (As my opponent is trying to armabr it) in order to assist with the hold.

Often my opponents drop the armbar and work on defending the toe hold. My instructor (Todd Medina) has always taught me not to just escape a hold but to attack the person with a submission attempt while escaping.

I would like to hear some other cool counters.