The Kimura is a powerful submission, but it’s ALSO a giant handle. The really cool thing is that you can use that handle to move your opponent around OR move yourself around your opponent.
In the video below I’ll give you a fantastic example of using the Kimura as a handle to immobilise your opponent while you pass his guard.
This is one of my very favorite Kimura setups…
Important Note: Most people attempting the Kimura will try to control the wrist first and only then move on to lock in the rest of the figure 4 grip. And while that’s certainly not wrong, it is telegraphic and gives your opponent a decent chance to pummel his arm free.
Whenever possible, my preferred approach is to control the armpit first and only then work my way down to the wrist. I find this to be a much higher percentage attack, especially
Imagine that some guy in hipwaders is waving a fishing rod around at the banks of a river and you want to grab the rod.
It would be really hard to grab the moving tip of the rod, but if you started at the handle – the part that’s moving the least – then you could work your way towards the end of the rod.
That’s exactly what you’re doing with his arm in this technique. Start at the shoulder, then move down the arm until you have the whole thing locked up. Then pass his half guard, keep the grip, and tap him out!
Stephan
P.S. Click here to download my free PDF guide to the 12 major Kimura positions, including the major attacks and submissions from each.
P.P.S. Check out The Kimura Roadmap, my positional approach to mastering the Kimura and tapping out more training partners and competition opponents.