Attacking With The Kimura – BJJ Tips From Danny Ives

What is a kimura lock?

A kimura is a technique that applies pressure to the shoulder and elbow joint. If you don’t tap out it could break those joints.

It’s most commonly used in styles such as Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Judo and Sombo.

In the grand scheme of things it’s a very simple technique to learn and for the most part, be applied in a real fight.

How old is the kimura lock? Old. Like, hundreds of years at the minimum. But just like I talked about with the jab, just because a technique is old doesn’t mean it won’t work.

A Classic Technique…

The kimura has earned the status of “classic”. Any technique that becomes a classic is good. It has to be because it stood the test of time.

The name kimura comes from a famous Japanese Judo fighter named Masahiko Kimura. In Brazilian Jiu-jitsu the Kimura lock is named after Masahiko Kimura, who is widely regarded as the greatest Judo player of all time.

There’s a whole back story just on him but that’s a story for another day (and blog).

When to use the kimura?

The cool thing about using kimura’s in your game is the versatility you have. Kimura’s can be used from the following positions:

• Closed Guard
• Open Guard
• Standing
• Half Guard Bottom
• Turtle Guard
• From the Back Take
• Half Guard Top
• Side Control
• Mount (Very Rare)
• From The Back Take

Not only that but also from an offensive and defensive standpoint. It’s not uncommon to see someone use a kimura to block a takedown like a single leg.

For those reasons and many others I’m a fan. I love the kimura. It’s a great finishing hold as well as a great techniques to control position.

I also love this technique because it works for all forms of martial arts combat. You’re sure to see the kimura in:

• MMA Events like The UFC
• BJJ w/ The Gi (Uniform)
• Self Defense aka Street Fights
• Nogi Grappling
• Sport Sombo
• Combat Sombo
• Army Combative’s

Youtube Kimura Videos To Study! AKA Your Homework.

For today’s video study you get to watch me (Danny) teach the kimura from bottom of turtle guard.

Here at Ivey League we call this a “Sakuraba Kimura”. I use this a lot and so do my students. The way I teach it in the video to me is the easiest to start with.

In the video I’ll fill you in on where the name Sakuraba Kimura comes from. I could go into it here come on dude that’s what the video’s for!

Watch the video below.

Pretty cool right? Now check out the other video below of the man himself, Sakuraba. He shows a bunch of ways to attack with the kimura.

Also a cool video right? Study up and be sure to test the kimura next time you get some live rolling in.

As always feedback will be welcomed. Leave a comment below or hit up the official Ivey league MMA facebook page.