JitsFlow

Black belt · Submission · Key

North-south kimura to armbar

A kimura from north-south that turns into an armbar when they hide the arm. Use it when they clasp their hands or hold their body to stop the kimura.

Side control Submission

Chris Vamos - Kimura to Armbar from Side Control · Combat World · YouTube · shown in the gi; the mechanics carry over

Step by step

  1. From north-south with your chest on their chest, pick one arm. Grab that wrist with the hand on the same side.
  2. Reach your other arm under their upper arm and grab your own wrist for the kimura grip. Pull their elbow tight to your chest.
  3. Lift their elbow off the mat and drive their hand behind their back. If it goes, finish the kimura slowly.
  4. If they defend by clasping their hands or holding their own body, keep the kimura grip. Come up to your feet and step your leg over their head, then sit down tight to their trapped shoulder with your other leg across their chest.
  5. Break their grip by leaning back and pulling with the kimura grip while your legs push their body away.
  6. Finish slowly. Pinch your knees, keep their thumb up, and lift your hips a little at a time.

Details that make it work

  • The kimura grip is a handle. When they hide the arm from the kimura, the armbar opens, and the other way round.
  • Keep their elbow against your chest while you step over. Space at the elbow lets them pull out.

Common mistakes

  • Taking your weight off their chest as you step over, so they turn in and come up.
  • Letting go of the kimura grip to set up the armbar.

Drill it

Partner defends with a hand clasp. 10 reps each side: kimura grip, step over, break, slow armbar.

If it fails, or what comes next

How to defend it

Kimura and americana defense: Defense for the kimura and the americana: keep your elbows tight, connect your hands and turn into them. Use it from side control bottom and in their guard…

Track it in JitsFlow

Rate how well you know the North-south kimura to armbar, add it to your review queue and see where it fits on the flow map with every attack and escape.

Open in JitsFlow

Free. Works offline at the gym. Add it to your home screen.