The Kimura, much like any other technique, is usually taught as a series of steps.
First do this… Then move your hand here… Then adjust your body this way… Then finish by doing this other thing.
It can be a lot to remember, but it’s always easier to remember all the steps and adjustments if you understand WHY you’re doing them.
When I first learned about the Kimura armlock attack I got lots of contradictory, conflicting advice about applying this submission. This was most notable when it came to the grip for the Kimura: some people told me that I absolutely had to control my opponent’s wrist with all 5 fingers together, but other people said it was OK to grab with your fingers on the opposite side of the wrist from your thumb.
Fortunately I’ve learned the Kimura from some very good instructors who specialise in that submission (Marcus Soares, Erik Paulson, Roy Harris, just to name a few…) and they were more than happy to sort me out.
In the video below I explain exactly how to grip when you’re applying the Kimura (regardless of whether you’re applying it from top or bottom), and – most importantly – why gripping in this manner makes the submission much more powerful and harder to escape.
Little hinges move big doors, and little tweaks in BJJ make HUGE differences!