Student Objectives:
The student will apply the Kimura from the Head Sit position with good technique with a compliant partner.
The student will explore the controlling dynamics of the Kimura Grip by applying the Kimura from the Head Sit position.
Teaching Cues:
Head Sit
Kimura Grip
In and Up
Turn Away
Knuckles to Spin
Lesson: Head Sit Kimura
The assisting student will lay in the Broken Turtle position with their head facing the practicing student. The assisting student will then place their hands on their belt knot.. The practicing student will enter the Head Sit position by placing one knee on each side of the assisting student’s head and then sliding forward until their pelvis makes contact with the top shoulder of the assisting student.
Once in the Head Sit position, the practicing student will secure the Kimura Grip. First by leaning forward and pressing the center of the chest on the assisting student’s tricep, and then by grabbing the wrist of the top arm with the hand. Once the arm is trapped by the wrist and the chest, the hand practicing student’s free arm will enter at the back of the elbow pit and continue under the arm until it can firmly grasp their own wrist.
After securing the Kimura grip the practicing student should reinforce the grip by pulling the assisting student's hand inward, towards their own shoulder, and then upward with their forearm that is inside the elbow pit. The “in” and “up” pressures should be extremely dominating and create a pressure that makes escaping the Head Sit position difficult.
To finish the Kimura, the practicing student should rotate their entire core in the direction of the assisting student's chest. This includes rotating the Kimura grip away from the trunk of the assisting student as well. This is to break any defensive grips that could prevent a rotation of the arm towards the back.
Once the hand has been freed by rotating the body, the practicing student should sit straight up with exaggerated posture. This can include lifting up dramatically on the arm, shoulder and wrist. The rotation of the Kimura then continues towards the back of the assisting student until the moment it breaks the plane of the back. Once the assisting student’s hand breaks the plane of the back the direction then switches quickly to place the assisting student’s knuckles to their own spine.
Placing the controlled arms knuckles on the spine of the assisting student prevents the assisting student from grabbing anything to defend, but it also isolates the shoulder in a unique way. The practicing student should take note of the exceptional pressure created when the Kimura is finished slowly, and with great care, continuing the rotation of the Kimura grip away from the spine. The correlation that you’re looking to emphasize is “knuckles to spine”, and the dramatic pressure increases by then laterally moving the knuckles away from the spine.
Possible Extensions:
The Kimura Armbar from Broken Turtle pairs very well from this position. There are some slight changes to the angle. Check the Kimura Armbar lesson plan to understand the movement and how it is applied in the Head Sit position.
Transitioning to the Back Control can be achieved by transitioning the legs off of the Head Sit. Simply remove the knee from the side that is covering the face and place it behind the head. The practicing student’s other knee will be in that area, but it can be moved to create space. Once both knees are orientated on the back side of the assisting student it is important to get Head Control. The preferred method would be to flair the elbow of the arm that is controlling the assisting student’s head and then scoop their head with the space inside the elbow pit. This will be much easier if the “in” and “up” were overemphasized in the previous steps.
Once the head is scooped and controlled on the inside of the elbow pit, the practicing student should step over the belt/hip with the foot and sit. Have the practicing student emphasize a falling towards the hip that stepped over and use the hands to pull the assisting student up to a strong Back Control.
A transition back to Side Control will be important as well. This transition will be important when future opponent’s go back flat trying to defend the Head Sit Kimura. Reference the lesson from Side Control Kimura to understand the finer points of this transition and it’s controlling dynamics.
Possible Refinements:
Make sure the practicing student has positive wrist posture as it greatly increases both the controlling aspects and finishing aspects of the Kimura.
Younger children often have increased flexibility and may not feel any tightness in the shoulder. For this reason, have student tap immediately after the knuckles touch the spine and do not include any extra rotation of the core. While it is important for the students to understand the finishing mechanics of the Head Sit Kimura, it is not more important than a healthy shoulder. Make sure to instruct students on how to tap. While in the Head Sit position there is a good bit of control of the assisting student’s upper body.
While in the Head Sit position it is important to squeeze your knees when performing the above lesson. However, there is a point of diminishing returns. The knees should be pinched firmly, but not so hard that it compromises the base of the practicing student. Also, take great care that the practicing student is not squeezing directly over the face of the assisting student.
Reference materials:
Teaching Reflections:
How did I do teaching?
What could I do better next time?
Did the student gain proficiency in lesson material?