Exploring an arm-lock (diary entry)

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We began the lesson with a revision of all basic functional and relevant training exercises from breakfalls to shadow boxing and finally back onto the leading knee principle touched up last week. However, this time we followed the shadow version of the lead knee strike and double leg takedown with a direct application. As explained before, the leading knee principle is an example of using two different techniques to drive maximum power off the leading leg. Usually we look to generating maximum force off the rear leg. The best examples of this are Thairound kick and a rear hand strike – hook or cross. They apply very well in a self-defence situation. Nevertheless, a lot of force can certainly be generated through the lead limb too. The lead knee is particularly devastating when using a pendulum style shifting motion. The applications were practiced with partners in a one-for-one style light sparring scenario. In both instances we started in the clinch.

We then looked at the Kimura arm-lock. This move, also known as a reverse keylock and ude-garami amongst other things, is a technique generally, but not exclusively, applied on the ground. Although seen in judo and sombo competitions it gained popularity through Brazilian jiu jitsu. The move gained the name "Kimura" off Masashiko Kimura, the famous judo heavyweight who beat BJJ legend Helio Gracie using it during their titanic match. 

Usually submissions are taught after positions, but seeing as the class were pretty familiar with positions I thought it would be interesting to start with the actual technique and explore the different places it could be applied. After all this is the way we often train strikes. We began with the Kimura from a standing position. Then we looked at its application from a standard guard on the ground. Finally we looked at it as a defensive technique when someone has passed your guard. The lesson finished with a couple of rounds of MMA sparring