Tips To Improve Your Kimura From Side Control With Straight Arm Lock

/in , , /by

Tips To Improve Your Kimura From Side Control With Straight Arm Lock

12034370_10153584212140907_5381847168925998198_o-2Since I was a white belt, one of my best submissions has been the kimura from side control. I’ve just had a knack for catching it. Maybe it’s the wrestler in me that feels comfortable in side control and maybe it’s the fact that I have short arms which makes the figure four lock of the kimura a strong position for me.

Either way, over the years of using the kimura I’ve definitely found some different tips and techniques that have made the submission more effective. In fact, it’s effective enough that I still routinely  use it successfully against Black Belts.

For me, the litmus test to whether or not a move is effective or not is if I can use it against an opponent of similar skill. There are always slick techniques that I can hit against less skilled people. But if I can hit it against a person of the same level, then that means it’s a solid move.

The kimura from side control definitely isn’t the prettiest technique out there and doesn’t have as many steps as a lot of techniques. But the simplicity and the detail of the few steps it does have is beautiful in a way. It’s such a simple technique. But that’s kind of the cool thing about Brazilian Jiu-jitsu. Even with a simple technique, if you take the time to refine it, it can become an unstoppable weapon.

I’ve included a match where I used the technique successfully in competition. If you would like to see what it looks like in action vs just shown as a technique then check out this video as well.

 

Below is the demonstration of the technique. In the video I demonstrate some simple tips to improve your kimura from side control. I also add in a straight arm lock attack that you can throw in when your opponent tries to straighten their arm out of the lock.

 

 

4 Leg Locks From Half Guard: Countering the Underhook

/in , , /by

In this video I demonstrate how to do 4 different leg locks from Half Guard.

This is one of my favorite leg series. 1 because I love using the back step and 2 because it is a relatively safe position for my feet while being able to attack my opponent.

You can use it from Half Guard either as a counter to the person’s under hook, or you could even use it offensively by baiting the person by letting them get the under hook.

 

Chewy

 

BJJ Self Defense (Grab and Pull)

/4 Comments/in , , , /by

In this video I demonstrate how to use the outside single leg from wrestling and BJJ and combine it with one of the most effective self defense techniques available. Again, this shows that even Sport BJJ techniques can be as BJJ Self Defense for unfortunate situations.

Also, keep in mind. This is a joke and all in good fun.

 

Scissor Sweep To Triangle Choke : Beginner Setup

/in , , /by

 

Scissor Sweep To Triangle Choke : Beginner Triangle Choke Setup

This is one of my favorite techniques to show to my white belts. It’s a solid triangle choke setup using the scissor sweep. It utilizes the motion of the scissor sweep to setup the triangle choke. Because most white belts spend a ton of time drilling scissor sweeps. It makes it easy to use early on. That said, the move is still effective even at the higher levels and there are plenty of techniques that can be used from this position. I actually used this technique last week against a brown belt while we were doing situational rolling from inside the full guard. If you’re working from your full guard, give it a try and see if it fits into your game.

Also, just in case you’re curious. In one of my previous videos I showed a no gi style triangle choke (view it here No Gi Triangle Choke )

The biggest tip I can give for this particular triangle choke setup is to really punch that leg through. It throws the person off balance and makes finishing the triangle choke much easier.

 

Try it out and let me know if it works for you. Shoot me a message or leave a comment!

-Chewy

 

3 ways to take the back with the kimura

/in , , /by

 

In this video I demonstrate 3 ways to take the back using the Kimura / figure four lock with the arms. This is definitely one of those moves that takes commitment since you’ll be putting yourself at a possible disadvantage. But there is something to be said about relaxing on the mat when you’re training and just being able to abandon position and go for something. I have plenty of students who are so stiff and find themselves unable to just “pull the trigger” and go for something. I know for myself personally I was very rigid and unable to just play around on the mat till I was a purple belt. I was always so worried about winning and losing and not giving up position. But I found that the more relaxed I stay and the more often I just rolled the dice and went for a submission (even the obscure ones) the better I got, and the more submissions I began to hit in competition. True story, most of my wins as a black belt have come by way of submission.

But with that said, if you’re able to maintain a strong lock with the arms you’ll probably find that even if you aren’t able to get to back mount, you’ll still be able to maintain some control or even snag another submission like an armor.

I love trying to find more uses for the kimura lock since you can find it in almost every position. Anyways, watch the video and give the technique a try.

Thanks!

Chewy

Triangle Choke Finish For Short Legs

/in , , /by

In this video one of my students, Nate, shows a triangle choke setup and finish. Right after I show a little tip on finishing the triangle choke even if you have issues reaching the full shin to back of the knee depth. This can happen if you have shorter legs or your opponent is a little larger, or in the case of the video. Both!

I was shown this particular tip by a really solid BJJ instructor Robin Giesler out of Ohio when I was a brown belt. After seeing the adjustment my ability to hit a triangle choke shot through the roof.

Check it out. Hope the triangle choke tip helps!

-Chewy

 

No Gi Triangle Choke From Closed Guard

/in , , /by

 

No Gi Triangle Choke From Closed Guard

I have plenty of students who have trouble adjusting to no gi after being primarily gi BJJ practitioners. In this video I show one of my favorite gi or no gi triangle choke setups. I also go into some of the details on how to finish the triangle choke.

As you’ll see in this video. Adjusting from the gi to the no gi isn’t as big of a deal as you might think. Most of it simply involves changing your grips.

Working more for over hooks and under hooks is a good start.

 

Give this no gi triangle choke a try. If it works, let me know. Leave a comment below or shoot me a message!

Chewy

 

Guillotine Choke, Ezekiel and Darce from Turtle

/in , , /by

I’ve recently gone down that guillotine choke rabbit hole. This started a few months ago after watching several friends who use the technique with lots of success. It’s versatile, it’s quick and even if it fails, often times the opponent has to focus 100% on defense of the choke. This leaves them vulnerable and opens up lots of sweeps and other options.

In the video below I show a 3 choke series that starts from the turtle position and begins with the guillotine choke. I don’t dissect each technique piecemeal as I imagine most people are well aware of these techniques and know how to finish them. But I do show how you could attempt to chain them together.

If you do have any questions regarding the different techniques. Feel free to leave a comment.

Good luck with your head hunting.

-Chewy

 

A Sneaky Keylock Submission From Back Mount

/in , , /by

A Sneaky Keylock Submission From Back Mount

So last week we had a terrible winter storm in Louisville. During the days I was trapped inside the house. My roommate, brown belt and little brother from another mother, Chad, drilled and filmed a couple of videos with me. The lighting is a little dark in the video so I apologize for that but the move is fun.

As I’ll explain in the video. This is a super sneaky move. It’s one of those moves that is like magic at first but can be easy to defend later on. It is useful for setting up other attacks though, which I’ve done for several years successfully in competition and gym training. If you’re already proficient at the Back Mount position. Give this Keylock variation a try.

 

Chewy

Sneaky Lapel Choke from a failed Rear Naked Choke

/in , , /by

A lot of times I find myself in a frustrating situation. I manage to get my arm under the chin of my opponent but I can’t seem to finish the choke. Most commonly they will take two hands against my one to defend the rear naked choke.

I’ve personally burnt my forearms out plenty of times trying to finish the rear naked choke in this situation. Now, I’ve always been a big fan of using the collar and lapels to attack and this is simply another way to do it. What I like about this technique is that as your opponent pulls away (which they want to at this point), they are actually setting up your next attack. I didn’t mention it in the video, but be as sneaky with this lapel choke as possible. What I mean by that is don’t leave the end of your gi dangling in their face. Switch the grip as quickly and smooth as possible. Attempting to keep it out of your opponent’s eyesight so they don’t get alarmed.

Give this lapel choke a try. If it works, let me know! If you have any questions, feel free to shoot me a message.

Oh and I apologize for me an my student’s shenanigans in this video.

-Chewy