Closed Guard Kimura
Gyaku Ude Garami
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About This Technique
Closed Guard Kimura
The Kimura is a classic submission that targets the opponent's shoulder joint by isolating and applying pressure. It is named after Masahiko Kimura, a judo master who famously used it to defeat Helio Gracie.
Position:
- Position Name: Closed Guard
- Top or Bottom: Bottom
Japanese Name: Gyaku Ude Garami (a similar arm lock in Judo)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preparation:
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Secure the Closed Guard:
- While on your back, wrap your legs around the opponent's waist and lock your ankles together. This is the closed guard position.
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Control the Posture:
- Use your arms to pull your opponent close.
- Avoid letting them posture up by keeping your knees active and squeezing your legs.
Isolating the Arm:
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Engage the Overhook:
- Break the posture by either pulling their head down or using your abs to curl forward.
- With your right hand, overhook their left arm by shooting your arm over and gripping their wrist with your left hand.
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Brace for Control:
- Plant your left foot firmly on their hip and use your right hand to control their elbow, maintaining pressure and preventing it from straightening.
Executing the Kimura:
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Open and Angle Your Body:
- Use your left foot on their hip to angle your upper body, stepping out to your side.
- This is crucial in creating the leverage needed.
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Establish the Kimura Grip:
- Slide your right hand underneath their left arm and reach for their wrist, gripping it with your right hand.
- Firmly clasp your left wrist with your own left hand, forming a strong figure-four grip.
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Break Their Posture:
- Use your hip movement to pull their left arm into a position parallel to their back.
- Push their wrist towards the back of their head as if to paint it down on the mat.
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Finish the Submission:
- Move their wrist towards the back of their head, while simultaneously straightening your back to increase the leverage and apply the lock.
- Continue to exert pressure until they tap or a verbal submission is declared.
Key Points to Remember:
- Maintain Control: Keep their posture broken and control of their arm throughout.
- Angle Is Crucial: Ensure sufficient angle is created for leverage. Without the angle, the torque on the shoulder is lessened.
- Safe Execution: Always perform submissions with vigilance to avoid joint injuries.
How to Execute
Closed Guard Kimura from Closed Guard Position
The Kimura from Closed Guard is a powerful submission move utilized in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Here are the step-by-step instructions on how to perform this move.
Step 1: Starting Position
Start in the closed guard position, which is on your back with your opponent between your legs, your legs wrapped around their waist and your ankles crossed together.
Step 2: Establishing a Grip
Reach up with your right hand and grab your opponent's left wrist. Make sure to grip firmly to control the arm and prevent them from escaping.
Step 3: Control Opponent's Arm
With your left hand, reach under your opponent's left arm and through the space between both of your bodies. Your aim is to grab your own right wrist (which is holding the opponent's left wrist). This will form a figure-four lock around the opponent's arm.
Step 4: Breaking Posture
Break your opponent's posture by pulling them forward with your legs and arms. As you do this, pivot your body to the right, bringing your left leg over your opponent's back to secure the position.
Step 5: Execute the Kimura
To execute the Kimura, keep your opponent's arm bent at a 90-degree angle and start to lift their elbow by pulling your right hand towards you while pushing their hand away.
Warning: Be careful when executing this move as it applies a lot of pressure on the opponent's shoulder.
Remember: It's crucial to maintain control throughout the entire move. If your opponent manages to post their hand on the ground, it could be difficult to finish the Kimura. If this happens, transition into another move or reset your position.
Please note that these instructions assume a right-handed grip. If you're left-handed or prefer to grip with your left hand, simply reverse the instructions.
Practicing this move with a partner who is knowledgeable in BJJ will help enhance your skills and ensure correct form. Always remember to perform these techniques in a controlled environment, under the supervision of a trained BJJ instructor.