12/10/2020 - Teaching | Side Control | N/S Kimura

Teaching #953
Artemis BJJ (Easton Road), Can Sönmez, Bristol, UK - 12/10/2020
Short Version:

• Control far arm, lock to chest
• Pull them up onto their side
• Step over and sit on their head
• If necessary, switch arms, then establish figure four
• Turn whole body to apply kimura

Full Version: For the north south kimura, start in side control, controlling their far arm. This is made easier if they aren't careful and let you bump their arm up onto your shoulder. Often they'll put it there themselves, attempting to reach your head, enabling you to trap their arm by your shoulder. Another possibility is that they turn and try to get an underhook.

Whether they put it there or you do, the next step is to wrap your arm over theirs, aiming to get just under their elbow to kill mobility in the limb. Ideally, also pull them up by that arm, so they're rolled onto their side. To lock it in place, grab your own collar, or just somewhere on your gi if you can't reach far enough. You'll also want to use you head, clamping your skull against their forearm. Braulio advises following their arm with your head: e.g., if they try to fling it down to the mat or something like that. Don't let them work their arm past your head.



You're also going to move round to north-south, so again you need to block their legs from running after you by putting a hand on the mat, near their bum (although it should be a bit harder for them to turn if you've locked up that arm). As you move around, you want to jam your knee into the armpit of their free arm, swivelling your lower leg under that arm as you move around. That makes it harder for them to escape. If you can't manage that, slide your knee over their free arm once you've got to north south. It is useful to maintain some kind of control on that free arm, as otherwise they can use it to try and create some space to escape.



You essentially end up sitting on their head, so in drilling, be aware that you don't want to squish your partner. You can take a bit of the weight off by transferring it to your knees: obviously in competition, that's less of a concern. As you sit up, make sure their elbow is glued to your chest.

The next important step is to establish a figure four on their trapped arm, which can be easier said than done. One simple method Kev showed me is to put your free hand in place, ready to grab their wrist. Next, turn your head away from their arm: this will push your shoulder forwards, which will then also knock their arm forwards, putting the wrist right into your waiting hand. It's then simple to complete the figure four grip.

To finish the kimura, simply turn back in the other direction, pushing their wrist towards the side their elbow is pointing . Alternatively, you can also bring the elbow of your non-clamping arm to their trapped arm side. Turn your body so you're facing their head, then apply the kimura from that lower position.

A post shared by Artemis BJJ (@artemisbjj) on Apr 27, 2018 at 1:20am PDT

If you make a mistake while looking to apply the kimura from that upright position, or they simply defend well, you might find that they are able to grab their own belt or gi. This will make it tough to complete the submission. You can try pulling in the direction their knuckles are pointing, or Roy Dean's option of using rhythm to break that grip. Push their arm towards them twice, as if you are really trying to break their grip, then yank hard in the other direction (aiming for the direction in which their fingers are weakest). Lovato Jr suggests adjusting your grip so that you're holding the meat of their hand rather than their wrist. He then does two quick jerks to yank their hand free.

A post shared by Artemis BJJ (@artemisbjj) on Apr 28, 2018 at 11:59pm PDT

_____________________

Teaching Notes: Last class before a bit of a holiday.

18/11/2019 - Teaching | Side Control | N/S Kimura

Teaching #915
Artemis BJJ (Easton Road), Can Sönmez, Bristol, UK - 18/11/2019

Short Version:

• Control far arm, lock to chest
• Pull them up onto their side
• Step over and sit on their head
• If necessary, switch arms, then establish figure four
• Turn whole body to apply kimura

Full Version: For the north south kimura, start in side control, controlling their far arm. This is made easier if they aren't careful and let you bump their arm up onto your shoulder. Often they'll put it there themselves, attempting to reach your head, enabling you to trap their arm by your shoulder. Another possibility is that they turn and try to get an underhook.

Whether they put it there or you do, the next step is to wrap your arm over theirs, aiming to get just under their elbow to kill mobility in the limb. Ideally, also pull them up by that arm, so they're rolled onto their side. To lock it in place, grab your own collar, or just somewhere on your gi if you can't reach far enough. You'll also want to use you head, clamping your skull against their forearm. Braulio advises following their arm with your head: e.g., if they try to fling it down to the mat or something like that. Don't let them work their arm past your head.



You're also going to move round to north-south, so again you need to block their legs from running after you by putting a hand on the mat, near their bum (although it should be a bit harder for them to turn if you've locked up that arm). As you move around, you want to jam your knee into the armpit of their free arm, swivelling your lower leg under that arm as you move around. That makes it harder for them to escape. If you can't manage that, slide your knee over their free arm once you've got to north south. It is useful to maintain some kind of control on that free arm, as otherwise they can use it to try and create some space to escape.



You essentially end up sitting on their head, so in drilling, be aware that you don't want to squish your partner. You can take a bit of the weight off by transferring it to your knees: obviously in competition, that's less of a concern. As you sit up, make sure their elbow is glued to your chest.

The next important step is to establish a figure four on their trapped arm, which can be easier said than done. One simple method Kev showed me is to put your free hand in place, ready to grab their wrist. Next, turn your head away from their arm: this will push your shoulder forwards, which will then also knock their arm forwards, putting the wrist right into your waiting hand. It's then simple to complete the figure four grip.

To finish the kimura, simply turn back in the other direction, pushing their wrist towards the side their elbow is pointing . Alternatively, you can also bring the elbow of your non-clamping arm to their trapped arm side. Turn your body so you're facing their head, then apply the kimura from that lower position.

A post shared by Artemis BJJ (@artemisbjj) on Apr 27, 2018 at 1:20am PDT

If you make a mistake while looking to apply the kimura from that upright position, or they simply defend well, you might find that they are able to grab their own belt or gi. This will make it tough to complete the submission. You can try pulling in the direction their knuckles are pointing, or Roy Dean's option of using rhythm to break that grip. Push their arm towards them twice, as if you are really trying to break their grip, then yank hard in the other direction (aiming for the direction in which their fingers are weakest). Lovato Jr suggests adjusting your grip so that you're holding the meat of their hand rather than their wrist. He then does two quick jerks to yank their hand free.

A post shared by Artemis BJJ (@artemisbjj) on Apr 28, 2018 at 11:59pm PDT

_____________________
Teaching Notes: Must be under the elbow and have it locked tight to your shoulder, a number of people were too loose (due to being new, mostly). Pulling up on the arm and keeping it tight, making sure there is a bend. Trying to come up with general rules: have it on the same side shoulder as their arm? Not essential I guess as you can grab and bend the arm in various ways, but that's what works best for me.

In terms of videos, currently I've got the armbar and kimura hug follow ups on here, but could farm those out to other posts (as I've started to teach separate classes on the follow ups, as there are a LOT. To the extent I could make a whole seminar out of them).

20/04/2018 - Teaching | Side Control | North South Kimura

Teaching #772
Artemis BJJ (MYGYM Bristol), Can Sönmez, Bristol, UK - 20/04/2018

Short Version:

• Control far arm, lock to chest
• Pull them up onto their side
• Step over and sit on their head
• If necessary, switch arms, then establish figure four
• Turn whole body to apply kimura

A post shared by Artemis BJJ (@artemisbjj) on Apr 25, 2018 at 12:28am PDT

Full Version: For the north south kimura, start in side control, controlling their far arm. This is made easier if they aren't careful and let you bump their arm up onto your shoulder. Often they'll put it there themselves, attempting to reach your head, enabling you to trap their arm by your shoulder. Another possibility is that they turn and try to get an underhook.

Whether they put it there or you do, the next step is to wrap your arm over theirs, aiming to get just under their elbow to kill mobility in the limb. Ideally, also pull them up by that arm, so they're rolled onto their side. To lock it in place, grab your own collar, or just somewhere on your gi if you can't reach far enough. You'll also want to use you head, clamping your skull against their forearm. Braulio advises following their arm with your head: e.g., if they try to fling it down to the mat or something like that. Don't let them work their arm past your head.

A post shared by Artemis BJJ (@artemisbjj) on Apr 26, 2018 at 12:09am PDT

You're also going to move round to north-south, so again you need to block their legs from running after you by putting a hand on the mat, near their bum (although it should be a bit harder for them to turn if you've locked up that arm). As you move around, you want to jam your knee into the armpit of their free arm, swivelling your lower leg under that arm as you move around. That makes it harder for them to escape. If you can't manage that, slide your knee over their free arm once you've got to north south. It is useful to maintain some kind of control on that free arm, as otherwise they can use it to try and create some space to escape.

You essentially end up sitting on their head, so in drilling, be aware that you don't want to squish your partner. You can take a bit of the weight off by transferring it to your knees: obviously in competition, that's less of a concern. As you sit up, make sure their elbow is glued to your chest.

A post shared by Artemis BJJ (@artemisbjj) on Apr 27, 2018 at 1:20am PDT

The next important step is to establish a figure four on their trapped arm, which can be easier said than done. One simple method Kev showed me is to put your free hand in place, ready to grab their wrist. Next, turn your head away from their arm: this will push your shoulder forwards, which will then also knock their arm forwards, putting the wrist right into your waiting hand. It's then simple to complete the figure four grip.

To finish the kimura, simply turn back in the other direction, pushing their wrist towards the side their elbow is pointing . Alternatively, you can also bring the elbow of your non-clamping arm to their trapped arm side. Turn your body so you're facing their head, then apply the kimura from that lower position.

A post shared by Artemis BJJ (@artemisbjj) on Apr 28, 2018 at 11:59pm PDT

If you make a mistake while looking to apply the kimura from that upright position, or they simply defend well, you might find that they are able to grab their own belt or gi. This will make it tough to complete the submission. You can try pulling in the direction their knuckles are pointing, or Roy Dean's option of using rhythm to break that grip. Push their arm towards them twice, as if you are really trying to break their grip, then yank hard in the other direction (aiming for the direction in which their fingers are weakest). Lovato Jr suggests adjusting your grip so that you're holding the meat of their hand rather than their wrist. He then does two quick jerks to yank their hand free.

_____________________

Teaching Notes: I am a big fan of this technique, so feel confident about the class. Emphasise pulling up on the arm to get them on their side, and that it's possible to get that control on the far arm sometimes without moving around (in which case you can pull them up right away). It was a small class of mostly experienced people, so I added in the kimura hug and mentioned the armbar, but I wouldn't normally do that.

Also, Chris had an interesting option to get the far option, where you drive the elbow backwards, into the crook of the far arm, like my efforts to break into back control. One to mention next time. :)

17/11/2017 - Teaching | Side Control | Kimura

Teaching #726
Artemis BJJ (MYGYM Bristol), Can Sönmez, Bristol, UK - 17/11/2017

Short Version:

• From the straight armbar, they turn their arm down
• Clamp your arm underneath, then other hand to their wrist
• Grip your wrist-grabbing wrist with your other hand, bend their arm
• Lift up their shoulders slightly, stepping over the head if necessary
• Push their wrist towards their shoulderblades

Full Version: If they manage to escape from the straight armlock and turn their hand towards their legs, don't worry, you can still keep attacking. Clamp their arm to your chin using your own arm, then switch your free arm underneath. Get your wrist by your head, ready to push their wrist to the mat. You can now apply the kimura, similar to the americana, but with their arm pointing in the opposite direction. If you need extra leverage, turn to your side and base out.

A post shared by Artemis BJJ (@artemisbjj) on Nov 18, 2017 at 7:02pm PST

For even more leverage, step over their head and lift them slightly off the floor. Keep in mind that if they slip free of that, you can go back to the pressing armbar and americana: hence why this is a lockflow, because it should be continuously available as long as you maintain control of the far arm. There is also the option of pulling them up on their side and switching into a kimura from north south, depending on how solidly you have that arm controlled.

A post shared by Artemis BJJ (@artemisbjj) on Nov 20, 2017 at 12:41am PST

_____________________________________________

Teaching Notes: If they haven't seen the rest of the sequence, just do it off the straight armbar. In terms of grabbing, I could talk more about having fingers on top and why (Saulo's adjust on the straight armbar where he uses that push from the finger position, for example).

Another big thing was turning the hip nearest their legs down in order to get the short lift you need, without giving up space. I mentioned stepping the leg over, although I don't do that myself, but it does lend itself nicely to the north south kimura.

10/11/2017 - Teaching | Side Control | North South Kimura

Teaching #723
Artemis BJJ (MYGYM Bristol), Can Sönmez, Bristol, UK - 10/11/2017

Short Version:

• Control far arm, lock to chest
• Pull them up onto their side
• Step over and sit on their head
• If necessary, switch arms, then establish figure four
• Turn whole body to apply kimura

Full Version: For the north south kimura, start in side control, controlling their far arm. This is made easier if they aren't careful and let you bump their arm up onto your shoulder. Often they'll put it there themselves, attempting to reach your head, enabling you to trap their arm by your shoulder. Another possibility is that they turn and try to get an underhook.

Whether they put it there or you do, the next step is to wrap your arm over theirs, aiming to get just under their elbow to kill mobility in the limb. Ideally, also pull them up by that arm, so they're rolled onto their side. To lock it in place, grab your own collar, or just somewhere on your gi if you can't reach far enough. You'll also want to use you head, clamping your skull against their forearm. Braulio advises following their arm with your head: e.g., if they try to fling it down to the mat or something like that. Don't let them work their arm past your head.

You're also going to move round to north-south, so again you need to block their legs from running after you by putting a hand on the mat, near their bum (although it should be a bit harder for them to turn if you've locked up that arm). As you move around, you want to jam your knee into the armpit of their free arm, swivelling your lower leg under that arm as you move around. That makes it harder for them to escape. If you can't manage that, slide your knee over their free arm once you've got to north south. It is useful to maintain some kind of control on that free arm, as otherwise they can use it to try and create some space to escape.

You essentially end up sitting on their head, so in drilling, be aware that you don't want to squish your partner. You can take a bit of the weight off by transferring it to your knees: obviously in competition, that's less of a concern. As you sit up, make sure their elbow is glued to your chest.

A post shared by Artemis BJJ (@artemisbjj) on Nov 13, 2017 at 12:50am PST

The next important step is to establish a figure four on their trapped arm, which can be easier said than done. One simple method Kev showed me is to put your free hand in place, ready to grab their wrist. Next, turn your head away from their arm: this will push your shoulder forwards, which will then also knock their arm forwards, putting the wrist right into your waiting hand. It's then simple to complete the figure four grip.

To finish the kimura, simply turn back in the other direction, pushing their wrist towards the side their elbow is pointing . Alternatively, you can also bring the elbow of your non-clamping arm to their trapped arm side. Turn your body so you're facing their head, then apply the kimura from that lower position.

If you make a mistake while looking to apply the kimura from that upright position, or they simply defend well, you might find that they are able to grab their own belt or gi. This will make it tough to complete the submission. You can try pulling in the direction their knuckles are pointing, or Roy Dean's option of using rhythm to break that grip. Push their arm towards them twice, as if you are really trying to break their grip, then yank hard in the other direction (aiming for the direction in which their fingers are weakest). Lovato Jr suggests adjusting your grip so that you're holding the meat of their hand rather than their wrist. He then does two quick jerks to yank their hand free.

A post shared by Artemis BJJ (@artemisbjj) on Nov 14, 2017 at 1:23am PST

_____________________

Teaching Notes: Next time, I should talk more about the actual figure four grip itself, I forget not everybody is familiar with it. I.e., the mechanics, how it actually works. Keeping the elbow tight and turning the whole body for the submission. The north south transition is something I like to mention, as otherwise you're always relying on a mistake, but must emphasise that you have to duck under their hand and pull their arm up. Otherwise you just lie on their hand, which isn't going to get you anywhere. ;)

It might be worth showing a simple grip break, there is probably time? Although this time around, I taught a lesson on switching to the armbar instead later in the month, which I prefer as opposed to struggling with a grip. But meh, one or two grip breaks could still be useful (but possibly fit better in that armbar from N/S lesson?)

19/05/2017 - Teaching | Side Control | Transitions and the Kimura as a position

Teaching #665
Artemis BJJ (MYGYM Bristol), Can Sönmez, Bristol, UK - 19/05/2017

A post shared by Artemis BJJ (@artemisbjj) on May 22, 2017 at 1:44am PDT

You have the kimura, but can't finish it, normally because they've grabbed their gi and you can't break that grip. Fortunately, there are plenty of follow-ups, such as the armbar. Another option is to enter into the crucifix position. To do that, you'll need to trap their other arm with your legs. Wriggle out towards their head, adjusting your kimura grip so that you have one arm threading through theirs, securing it by your own head. Your other arm wraps around their neck, grasping the other collar. From here, you're in the crucifix, which provides a wealth of attacks, along with the option to reset back to side control with that kimura grip still in place.

This lesson was more conceptual than specific techniques. Once you have a kimura locked in, it becomes an anchor point that you can flow around. A kimura from side control could open up the back, it might lead to technical mount, or perhaps through to a crucifix and back to side control. The idea today was to play with that idea. Two aspects of control I wanted to highlight were the ways in which you could stop your partner from escaping your grip. The easiest to keep in mind is jamming their elbow into your chest. Another option, possibly trickier to get the hang of, is to extend your arms. Both are meant to prevent your partner's ability to turn in towards you, as if they can do that, they will try to dip their elbow and escape your hold.
_____________________

Teaching Notes: This was a lot of fun. Unusually for me, the lesson was partially improvised on my cycle over. I had an epiphany that the technical mount is a nexus point for all the top positions, which gave me the link I needed to build a lesson around the kimura as a position. That's also a nexus point, specifically their elbow pressing tightliy into your chest.

As you'd expect, the main mistake people made was not keeping that elbow jammed into their chest. I could also talk about some basic stuff like gripping with or without the thumb (I prefer without, but could emphasise the reasons behind that). I didn't talk much about the extending your arms option, as I didn't want to confuse people, but I did mention it while wandering around during drilling. It's also handy if you are trying to jam the elbow, they make some space, so you extend your arms.

I had originally planned to teach the crucifix off the kimura, but I like this better. I don't have many conceptual lessons, as they can feel too flabby and amorphous for my liking, but it felt ok today. One to add to my store of lessons. Could do with some drills for it, maybe technical mount moving through positions, along with something on the kimura? I shall have a think before next time. ;)

12/05/2017 - Teaching | Side Control | North South Kimura

Teaching #662
Artemis BJJ (MYGYM Bristol), Can Sönmez, Bristol, UK - 12/05/2017

For the north south kimura, start in side control, controlling their far arm. This is made easier if they aren't careful and let you bump their arm up onto your shoulder. Often they'll put it there themselves, attempting to reach your head, enabling you to trap their arm by your shoulder. Another possibility is that they turn and try to get an underhook.

Whether they put it there or you do, the next step is to wrap your arm over theirs, aiming to get just under their elbow to kill mobility in the limb. Ideally, also pull them up by that arm, so they're rolled onto their side. To lock it in place, grab your own collar, or just somewhere on your gi if you can't reach far enough. You'll also want to use you head, clamping your skull against their forearm. Braulio advises following their arm with your head: e.g., if they try to fling it down to the mat or something like that. Don't let them work their arm past your head.

You're also going to move round to north-south, so again you need to block their legs from running after you by putting a hand on the mat, near their bum (although it should be a bit harder for them to turn if you've locked up that arm). As you move around, you want to jam your knee into the armpit of their free arm, swivelling your lower leg under that arm as you move around. That makes it harder for them to escape. If you can't manage that, slide your knee over their free arm once you've got to north south. It is useful to maintain some kind of control on that free arm, as otherwise they can use it to try and create some space to escape.

You essentially end up sitting on their head, so in drilling, be aware that you don't want to squish your partner. You can take a bit of the weight off by transferring it to your knees: obviously in competition, that's less of a concern. As you sit up, make sure their elbow is glued to your chest.

A post shared by Artemis BJJ (@artemisbjj) on May 15, 2017 at 1:33am PDT

The next important step is to establish a figure four on their trapped arm, which can be easier said than done. One simple method Kev showed me is to put your free hand in place, ready to grab their wrist. Next, turn your head away from their arm: this will push your shoulder forwards, which will then also knock their arm forwards, putting the wrist right into your waiting hand. It's then simple to complete the figure four grip.

To finish the kimura, simply turn back in the other direction, pushing their wrist towards the side their elbow is pointing . Alternatively, you can also bring the elbow of your non-clamping arm to their trapped arm side. Turn your body so you're facing their head, then apply the kimura from that lower position.

If you make a mistake while looking to apply the kimura from that upright position, or they simply defend well, you might find that they are able to grab their own belt or gi. This will make it tough to complete the submission. You can try pulling in the direction their knuckles are pointing, or Roy Dean's option of using rhythm to break that grip. Push their arm towards them twice, as if you are really trying to break their grip, then yank hard in the other direction (aiming for the direction in which their fingers are weakest). Lovato Jr suggests adjusting your grip so that you're holding the meat of their hand rather than their wrist. He then does two quick jerks to yank their hand free.

Should none of that work, you can instead switch to an armbar. Bring your knee up on their trapped arm side. This will enable you to put your whole body into it when you turn towards their other side, which should break their grip. Make sure you keep that figure four grip, as it is about to prove useful. If possible, you also want to try and slip your foot into the armpit of their free arm, which should help prevent their escape attempt.

Pinch your knees together to control their arm, in what is sometimes called a 'Japanese armbar' position (I'm not sure why: something from Japan, I guess? Or maybe Pancrase? Leave a comment if you know). You don't have both your legs over their body, which means that the hitchhiker escape is a possibility. It's called that because they lead with their thumb pointing the way out, turning their body and walking around.

However, because you have that figure-four grip, they can't use it anymore. If they try to turn away, you can just apply the kimura. In order to relieve the pressure, they'll have to turn back. You can then drop to the mat, switching your grip to finish the armbar as normal. Another option is to grab their leg, wrapping underneath it ideally. That will prevent them turning, because they need to swivel that leg down: they can't if your arm is in the way.
_____________________

Teaching Notes: The most important part of this technique for me is staying tight, jamming their elbow into your chest and keeping it there. Like I've said before, I also like to avoid leaning forward, as too far of a lean and they can grab their belt/gi. I therefore recommend staying upright, unless they are really flexible: then you can bend down a bit and push the arm up towards their shoulder blade, but still being careful to avoid giving them a route to grab their gi or leg.

A few people were trying to do this while their partner was still flat on their back. For the way I like to do it, you control the far arm by the tricep, jamming it into you, then sit up to pull them onto their side. I didn't show a grip break, though I guess I could. Also, it's worth mentioning the grip that Chris likes, where you kind of 'rev the motorbike', draping your hands over with high wrists.

I wanted to add in the armbar from knee on belly and the north south hopping armbar as drills again, but decided it would have been too confusing, plus there wasn't much time as H's fitness class was running over. I'll add in the hopping armbar next time, as that should help with the armbar in general. I could add in the side to side armbar drill from mount, perhaps, get people used to it?

18/03/2016 - Teaching | Side Control | North-South Kimura

Teaching #481
Artemis BJJ (MYGYM Bristol), Can Sönmez, Bristol, UK - 18/03/2016

For the north south kimura, start in side control, controlling their far arm. This is made easier if they aren't careful and let you bump their arm up onto your shoulder. Often they'll put it there themselves, attempting to reach your head, enabling you to trap their arm by your shoulder. Another possibility is that they turn and try to get an underhook.

Whether they put it there or you do, the next step is to wrap your arm over theirs, aiming to get just under their elbow to kill mobility in the limb. Ideally, also pull them up by that arm, so they're rolled onto their side. To lock it in place, grab your own collar, or just somewhere on your gi if you can't reach far enough. You'll also want to use you head, clamping your skull against their forearm. Braulio advises following their arm with your head: e.g., if they try to fling it down to the mat or something like that. Don't let them work their arm past your head.

You're also going to move round to north-south, so again you need to block their legs from running after you by putting a hand on the mat, near their bum (although it should be a bit harder for them to turn if you've locked up that arm). As you move around, you want to jam your knee into the armpit of their free arm, swivelling your lower leg under that arm as you move around. That makes it harder for them to escape. If you can't manage that, slide your knee over their free arm once you've got to north south. It is useful to maintain some kind of control on that free arm, as otherwise they can use it to try and create some space to escape.

You essentially end up sitting on their head, so in drilling, be aware that you don't want to squish your partner. You can take a bit of the weight off by transferring it to your knees: obviously in competition, that's less of a concern. As you sit up, make sure their elbow is glued to your chest.

The next important step is to establish a figure four on their trapped arm, which can be easier said than done. One simple method Kev showed me is to put your free hand in place, ready to grab their wrist. Next, turn your head away from their arm: this will push your shoulder forwards, which will then also knock their arm forwards, putting the wrist right into your waiting hand. It's then simple to complete the figure four grip.

To finish the kimura, simply turn back in the other direction, pushing their wrist towards the side their elbow is pointing . Alternatively, you can also bring the elbow of your non-clamping arm to their trapped arm side. Turn your body so you're facing their head, then apply the kimura from that lower position.

If you make a mistake while looking to apply the kimura from that upright position, or they simply defend well, you might find that they are able to grab their own belt or gi. This will make it tough to complete the submission. You can try pulling in the direction their knuckles are pointing, or Roy Dean's option of using rhythm to break that grip. Push their arm towards them twice, as if you are really trying to break their grip, then yank hard in the other direction (aiming for the direction in which their fingers are weakest). Lovato Jr suggests adjusting your grip so that you're holding the meat of their hand rather than their wrist. He then does two quick jerks to yank their hand free.

Should none of that work, you can instead switch to an armbar. Bring your knee up on their trapped arm side. This will enable you to put your whole body into it when you turn towards their other side, which should break their grip. Make sure you keep that figure four grip, as it is about to prove useful. If possible, you also want to try and slip your foot into the armpit of their free arm, which should help prevent their escape attempt.

Pinch your knees together to control their arm, in what is sometimes called a 'Japanese armbar' position (I'm not sure why: something from Japan, I guess? Or maybe Pancrase? Leave a comment if you know). You don't have both your legs over their body, which means that the hitchhiker escape is a possibility. It's called that because they lead with their thumb pointing the way out, turning their body and walking around.

However, because you have that figure-four grip, they can't use it anymore. If they try to turn away, you can just apply the kimura. In order to relieve the pressure, they'll have to turn back. You can then drop to the mat, switching your grip to finish the armbar as normal. Another option is to grab their leg, wrapping underneath it ideally. That will prevent them turning, because they need to swivel that leg down: they can't if your arm is in the way.
_____________________

Teaching Notes: I'm wondering is if it be worth showing this with their other arm on your shoulder, so you don't have to switch arms? As usual, it's also important to emphasise keeping their elbow tight to your chest and not leaning forward, as too far of a lean and they can grab their belt/gi. You need to be upright.

I added in the armbar from knee on belly and the north south hopping armbar as drills, which seemed to work ok. I could perhaps just stick with the hop, mechanically that feels a little simpler? Also, it doesn't rely as much on the bottom person making a mistake, especially as most experienced people will avoid put their hand on the knee underneath knee on belly.

11/09/2015 - Teaching | Side Control | North-South Kimura

Teaching #387
Artemis BJJ (MYGYM Bristol), Can Sönmez, Bristol, UK - 11/09/2015

For the north south kimura, start in side control, controlling their far arm. This is made easier if they aren't careful and let you bump their arm up onto your shoulder. Often they'll put it there themselves, attempting to reach your head, enabling you to trap their arm by your shoulder. Another possibility is that they turn and try to get an underhook.

Whether they put it there or you do, the next step is to wrap your arm over theirs, aiming to get just under their elbow to kill mobility in the limb. Ideally, also pull them up by that arm, so they're rolled onto their side. To lock it in place, grab your own collar, or just somewhere on your gi if you can't reach far enough. You'll also want to use you head, clamping your skull against their forearm. Braulio advises following their arm with your head: e.g., if they try to fling it down to the mat or something like that. Don't let them work their arm past your head.

You're also going to move round to north-south, so again you need to block their legs from running after you by putting a hand on the mat, near their bum (although it should be a bit harder for them to turn if you've locked up that arm). As you move around, you want to jam your knee into the armpit of their free arm, swivelling your lower leg under that arm as you move around. That makes it harder for them to escape. If you can't manage that, slide your knee over their free arm once you've got to north south. It is useful to maintain some kind of control on that free arm, as otherwise they can use it to try and create some space to escape.

You essentially end up sitting on their head, so in drilling, be aware that you don't want to squish your partner. You can take a bit of the weight off by transferring it to your knees: obviously in competition, that's less of a concern. As you sit up, make sure their elbow is glued to your chest.

The next important step is to establish a figure four on their trapped arm, which can be easier said than done. One simple method Kev showed me is to put your free hand in place, ready to grab their wrist. Next, turn your head away from their arm: this will push your shoulder forwards, which will then also knock their arm forwards, putting the wrist right into your waiting hand. It's then simple to complete the figure four grip.

To finish the kimura, simply turn back in the other direction, pushing their wrist towards the side their elbow is pointing . Alternatively, you can also bring the elbow of your non-clamping arm to their trapped arm side. Turn your body so you're facing their head, then apply the kimura from that lower position.

If you make a mistake while looking to apply the kimura from that upright position, or they simply defend well, you might find that they are able to grab their own belt or gi. This will make it tough to complete the submission. You can try pulling in the direction their knuckles are pointing, or Roy Dean's option of using rhythm to break that grip. Push their arm towards them twice, as if you are really trying to break their grip, then yank hard in the other direction (aiming for the direction in which their fingers are weakest). Lovato Jr suggests adjusting your grip so that you're holding the meat of their hand rather than their wrist. He then does two quick jerks to yank their hand free.

Should none of that work, you can instead switch to an armbar. Bring your knee up on their trapped arm side. This will enable you to put your whole body into it when you turn towards their other side, which should break their grip. Make sure you keep that figure four grip, as it is about to prove useful. If possible, you also want to try and slip your foot into the armpit of their free arm, which should help prevent their escape attempt.

Pinch your knees together to control their arm, in what is sometimes called a 'Japanese armbar' position (I'm not sure why: something from Japan, I guess? Or maybe Pancrase? Leave a comment if you know). You don't have both your legs over their body, which means that the hitchhiker escape is a possibility. It's called that because they lead with their thumb pointing the way out, turning their body and walking around.

However, because you have that figure-four grip, they can't use it anymore. If they try to turn away, you can just apply the kimura. In order to relieve the pressure, they'll have to turn back. You can then drop to the mat, switching your grip to finish the armbar as normal. Another option is to grab their leg, wrapping underneath it ideally. That will prevent them turning, because they need to swivel that leg down: they can't if your arm is in the way.
_____________________

Teaching Notes: I'm still going with the 'they make a mistake' version, wrapping their arm around your head, which means you have to switch arms for the figure-four grip. The other version, where you trap their elbow straight from their defensive frame, could be better as there isn't that arm switch? I showed it briefly, but it felt awkward, so I need to try it more myself. Something to emphasise even more next time is locking their arm into your chest, as some people having trouble with that. Having said that, Ryan Hall has a different method on his Open Elbow DVD, trapping it against his bicep, so there are other options I could consider.

30/10/2014 - Teaching | Side Control | North/South Kimura

Teaching #224
Artemis BJJ (PHNX Fitness), Can Sönmez, Bristol, UK - 30/10/2014

My highest percentage attack from north-south (although this starts from standard side control) is a kimura. From side control, you want to control their far arm. This is made easier if they aren't careful and let you bump their arm up onto your shoulder.

Whether they put it there or you do, the next step is to wrap your arm over theirs, aiming to get just under their elbow to kill mobility in the limb. Ideally, also pull them up by that arm, so they're rolled onto their side. To lock it in place, grab your own collar, or just somewhere on your gi if you can't reach far enough. You'll also want to use you head, clamping your skull against their forearm. Braulio advises following their arm with your head: e.g., if they try to fling it down to the mat or something like that. Don't let them work their arm past your head.

You're also going to move round to north-south, so again you may want to block their legs from running after you by putting a hand on the mat, near their bum (although it should be a bit harder for them to turn if you've locked up that arm). As you move around, you want to jam the knee nearest their hips into their armpit, sliding your lower leg under their arm as you move around. That makes it harder for them to escape. If you can't manage that, slide your knee over their free arm once you've got to north south. It is useful to maintain some kind of control on that free arm, as otherwise they can use it to try and create some space to escape.

You essentially end up sitting on their head, so in drilling, be aware that you don't want to crush your partner. You can take a bit of the weight off by transferring it to your knees: obviously in competition, that's less of a concern. As you sit up, make sure their elbow is glued to your chest.

The next important step is to establish a figure four on their trapped arm, which can be easier said than done. One simple method Kev showed me is to put your free hand in place, ready to grab their wrist. Next, turn your head away from their arm: this will push your shoulder forwards, which will then also knock their arm forwards, putting the wrist right into your waiting hand. It's then simple to complete the figure four grip.

To finish the kimura, simply turn back in the other direction, pushing their wrist towards the side their elbow is pointing . Alternatively, you can also bring the elbow of your non-clamping arm to their trapped arm side. Turn your body so you're facing their head, then apply the kimura from that lower position.

If you make a mistake while looking to apply the kimura from that upright position, or they simply defend well, you might find that they are able to grab their own belt or gi. This will make it tough to complete the submission. You can try pulling in the direction their knuckles are pointing, or Roy Dean's option of using rhythm to break that grip. Push their arm towards them twice, as if you are really trying to break their grip, then yank hard in the other direction (aiming for the direction in which their fingers are weakest). Lovato Jr suggests adjusting your grip so that you're holding the meat of their hand rather than their wrist. He then does two quick jerks to yank their hand free.

Should none of that work, you can instead switch to an armbar. Bring your knee up on their trapped arm side. This will enable you to put your whole body into it when you turn towards their other side, which should break their grip. Make sure you keep that figure four grip, as it is about to prove useful. If possible, you also want to try and slip your foot into the armpit of their free arm, which should help prevent their escape attempt.

Pinch your knees together to control their arm, in what is sometimes called a 'Japanese armbar' position (I'm not sure why: something from Japan, I guess? Or maybe Pancrase? Leave a comment if you know). You don't have both your legs over their body, which means that the hitchhiker escape is a possibility. It's called that because they lead with their thumb pointing the way out, turning their body and walking around.

However, because you have that figure-four grip, they can't use it anymore. If they try to turn away, you can just apply the kimura. In order to relieve the pressure, they'll have to turn back. You can then drop to the mat, switching your grip to finish the armbar as normal. Another option is to grab their leg, wrapping underneath it ideally. That will prevent them turning, because they need to swivel that leg down: they can't if your arm is in the way.
_____________________

Teaching Notes: I went through quite a lot today, mainly because of the complexity brought in by needing to break their grips quite often with this technique. Ideally you don't let them get a grip of course, but when sparring you're rarely in the ideal situation. Things get even more complex if you decide switch into a far side armbar, as then a whole load of other grip breaks come into play. I think it is useful to show that, but I'll probably restrict it to longer lessons. I've got a bit more time at PHNX, so there's scope to run through the grip breaks.

Lovato Jr shows how you can get your kimura from their standard 'arm into neck' defence, meaning it doesn't matter what side of your head their arm is on. You wrap up that arm, your elbow in front of their shoulder, then proceed pretty much as normal. He also likes to step his leg over while they are still flat, using that to push them up onto their side, rather than just pulling on the arm like I've been taught.

I showed that to Chris during drilling, as he's seen the technique before, but to keep things simple (especially as for one of the students, this was their second ever lesson), I stuck with the 'they reach beside your head' set-up. It's unlikely anyone experienced will do that and therefore depends on a fundamental mistake, but handy for teaching. In the future I'd like to be able to teach the more pro-active version from Lovator Jr, which doesn't depend on their mistake, but I'll need to play with it more myself.

20/10/2011 - Teaching (Attacking Side Control)

Teaching #024
Gracie Barra Bristol, (BJJ), Can Sönmez, Bristol, UK - 20/10/2011

My neck was a bit messed up from training on Tuesday (entirely my fault: I was turtled up, then while looking to roll someone over, managed to drive their weight through my neck rather than my legs), plus that wrist was still sore. I was in 'lazy instructor' mode as a result, calling out some of the exercises rather than doing them myself. I normally try to at least do the star jumps etc, but I'm trying to rest those niggling injuries as much as possible. I'm hoping that means I'll be (mostly) good to go for the sparring class on Sunday.

My intention in this lesson was to move on from transitions into attacks. To connect up the two classes, I wanted to show how you can hit submissions off that transition, specifically when going from side control to north south. The first is my highest percentage attack from north-south, a kimura. Starting from side control, you want to control their far arm. This is made easier if they aren't careful, and let you bump their arm up onto your shoulder.

Whether they put it there or you do, the next step is to wrap your arm over theirs, aiming to get just under their elbow to kill mobility in the limb. Ideally, also pull them up by that arm, so they're rolled onto their side. To lock it in place, grab your own collar, or just somewhere on your gi if you can't reach far enough. You'll also want to use you head, clamping your skull against their forearm. Braulio advises following their arm with your head: e.g., if they try to fling it down to the mat or something like that. Don't let them work their arm past your head.

You're also going to move round to north-south, so again you may want to block their legs from running after you by putting a hand on the mat, near their bum (although it should be a bit harder for them to turn if you've locked up that arm). As you move around, you want to jam the knee that begins nearest their hips into their armpit, sliding your lower leg under their arm as you move around. That makes it harder for them to escape. If you can't manage that, slide your knee over their free arm once you've got to north south. It is useful to maintain some kind of control on that free arm, as otherwise they can use it to try and create some space to escape.

You essentially end up sitting on their head, so in drilling, be aware that you don't want to crush your partner. You can take a bit of the weight off by transferring it to your knees: obviously in competition, that's less of a concern. As you sit up, make sure their elbow is glued to your chest.

The next important step is to establish a figure four on their trapped arm, which can be easier said than done. One simple method Kev showed me is to put your free hand in place, ready to grab their wrist. Next, turn your head away from their arm: this will push your shoulder forwards, which will then also knock their arm forwards, putting the wrist right into your waiting hand. It's then simple to complete the figure four grip.

To finish the kimura, simply turn back in the other direction, pushing their wrist towards the side their elbow is pointing . Alternatively, you can also bring the elbow of your non-clamping arm to their trapped arm side. Turn your body so you're facing their head, then apply the kimura from that lower position.

If you make a mistake while looking to apply the kimura from that upright position, or they simply defend well, you might find that they are able to grab their own belt or gi. This will make it tough to complete the submission. You can try pulling in the direction their knuckles are pointing, or Roy Dean's option of using rhythm to break that grip. Push their arm towards them twice, as if you are really trying to break their grip, then yank hard in the other direction (aiming for the direction in which their fingers are weakest).

Should none of that work, you can instead switch to an armbar. Bring your knee up on their trapped arm side. This will enable you to put your whole body into it when you turn towards their other side, which should break their grip. Make sure you keep that figure four grip, as it is about to prove useful. If possible, you also want to try and slip your foot into the armpit of their free arm, which should help prevent their escape attempt.

Pinch your knees together to control their arm, in what is sometimes called a 'Japanese armbar' position (I'm not sure why: something from Japan, I guess? Or maybe Pancrase? Leave a comment if you know). You don't have both your legs over their body, which means that the hitchhiker escape is a possibility. It's called that because they lead with their thumb pointing the way out, turning their body and walking around.

However, because you have that figure-four grip, they can't use it anymore. If they try to turn away, you can just apply the kimura. In order to relieve the pressure, they'll have to turn back. You can then drop to the mat, switching your grip to finish the armbar as normal.

There was still plenty of time left after that, so I asked if they wanted to learn another technique or go to sparring. The students opted for the latter. That bonus technique is still up my sleeve if I need it next time. :)