Student Objectives:
The student will use Rock the Baby to connect the Forearm Wedge to the the Kimura using good technique with a compliant partner.
The student will use the Rock the Baby to connect the Kimura to the Underhook
Teaching Cues:
Headsit Kimura
S Grip
Rock the Baby
Underhook
Backstep
Side Control
Forearm Wedge
Headsit
Rock The Baby
Kimura
Lesson: Rock the Baby Kimura Connector
The Rock the Baby technique is easiest to learn from the Headsit Position. Students attempting to learn this technique should have already had the Headsit Kimura lesson first to properly understand the Headsit position. After reviewing the Headsit Kimura, the assisting student should lay in the Broken Turtle position and the practicing student should secure a Kimura in the Headsit position.
Once in the starting position, the practicing student will start to transition to the Rock the Baby grip by altering the Kimura Grip. The practicing student should let go of the hand that is grabbing their own wrist and lift it up towards the opposite shoulder and into their own chest. This will create tension on the pit of the elbow while also pinning it to the chest. Once the arm is secured in this fashion, the practicing student will then let go of the assisting student’s wrist and make an S-Grip with their hands. The grip should be high towards the practicing student's own shoulder.
To execute the transition, the practicing student will move the S-Grip in a rocking motion from the high position by one shoulder, to in front of the belly, and then back up high again by the opposite shoulder. The goal is to slide the S-Grip from the front side of the assisting student’s body, through the elbow pit, to the back side of the assisting student’s body.
Once the hand passes through the assisting student’s elbow pit the S-Grip can be released. At this point the practicing student should have an Underhook and they can place that hand on the floor before back stepping to the Side Control position.
Once in Control, the practicing student should then move to the Forearm Wedge by using a Sloth Grip on the back of the assisting student’s tricep and forcing the forearm into the chest/solar plexus of the assisting student. This, combined with the other hand posting, should allow a lot of control to pull the assisting student up on their side while not allowing them to easily belly down or place their back on the floor.
Once the Forearm Wedge is secured, the practicing student should step over the head and enter into the Head Sit position. Next, the practicing student will take the posted hand and make an S-Grip. With the Headsit, and the hands in the S-Grip, the practicing student will again Rock the Baby to thread the hands back through the elbow pit of the assisting student. Once the hands clear to the front side of the assisting student, the practicing student will transition their grip into the Kimura Grip by first grabbing the assisting student’s wrist with their hand, and then grabbing their own wrist.
Possible Extensions:
It is important for students to understand that Rock the Baby is used to connect the Kimura with the Underhook AND the Underhook to the Kimura. It is important for students to practice going to and from both of these controls fluidly.
The Gift Wrap is a variation of the Kimura grip. If the Gift Wrap is applied in the Broken Turtle position, the practicing student can transition to the Headsit position by maintaining the Kimura Grip and unlooping the assisting student’s head. This is done by simply flaring the elbow of the arm behind the head and stepping over the head with the leg closest to the head. Once in the Kimura Headsit, have the practicing student apply the above lesson plan to get to Side Control with the Underhook.
Have the practicing student apply the Gift Wrap to Back Control Transition. Once in the Back Control, have the practicing student maintain the Kimura Grip. Then the practicing student will remove the hook on the same side as their arm is under the armpit and place the foot behind the knee pit of the assisting student. Then the practicing student will remove their other hook and place it flat on the floor. Once the second hook is removed, the practicing student will use the foot in the back of the assisting students' knee pit to lift and kick the assisting student over their other leg (what was previously the 2nd hook). Once this has been accomplished, the practicing student will Shrimp away while maintaining the Kimura Grip. When possible, they will then belly down, and come up into the Broken Turtle position with the Kimura Grip. This will lead them directly into the transition above where they can step over the head and enter the Headsit position. Then Rock the Baby, Underhook and backstep to Side Control.
Possible Refinements:
Commonly, the practicing student’s grips will get loose during the transition of the S-Grip. Emphasize that grip, apply upward and inward pressure on the elbow pit before Rocking the Baby.
When utilizing the back step to move to Side Control, make sure the practicing student is being heavy with the trunk of their body. This will increase the control and make it difficult for future opponents to fight the Underhook.
As with all of the Kimura applications, make sure the practicing student has positive wrist posture and maintains control with their entire body. This is done by pressing the chest against the tricep, but also by applying inward/upward pressure on the grip into the chest.
Reference materials:
Teaching Reflections:
How did I do teaching?
What could I do better next time?
Did the student gain proficiency in lesson material?