BJJ Graph

Kimura Control

Dec 09, 20259 min read

Kimura Control is a fundamental control position in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu built around the Kimura grip—a figure-four configuration where one hand controls the opponent’s wrist while the other arm threads under their armpit to clasp your own wrist. This grip structure creates a powerful mechanical advantage that simultaneously restricts the opponent’s mobility, threatens shoulder lock submissions, and generates opportunities for sweeps, back takes, and positional advancement.

The position exists in two primary contexts: from bottom position where it serves as a defensive yet opportunistic control that can neutralize passing attempts and create sweep opportunities, and from top position where it functions as a dominant control that can lead directly to submissions or facilitate transitions to mount, back control, or other finishing positions. The Kimura grip’s versatility makes it effective across all levels of competition and training, from fundamental self-defense applications to high-level sport grappling.

What distinguishes Kimura Control from other grip-based positions is its dual-purpose nature. The grip itself acts as both a primary control mechanism and an immediate submission threat, forcing opponents into defensive postures that create secondary opportunities. Modern practitioners like Craig Jones, Gordon Ryan, and members of the Danaher Death Squad have elevated Kimura Control into a systematic approach, demonstrating how a single grip structure can anchor an entire positional game plan. Understanding the biomechanics of shoulder rotation, the principles of grip retention under pressure, and the decision trees for capitalizing on defensive reactions transforms Kimura Control from a simple grip into a comprehensive strategic position that connects guard work, passing, and submission finishing into a cohesive system.

Key Principles

  • Maintain unbreakable wrist control with grip fighting hand while keeping elbow tight to body to prevent arm extraction

  • Use figure-four configuration as a steering wheel to control opponent’s posture, balance, and movement options

  • Create submission threat first to force defensive reactions, then capitalize with positional advancement

  • Coordinate upper body Kimura grip with lower body positioning (legs, hips) for comprehensive control

  • Transition smoothly between submission finishing mechanics and sweep/back take opportunities based on opponent’s defensive priorities

  • Apply progressive pressure to test opponent’s structural integrity before committing to finish or transition

  • Integrate Kimura Control into systematic game plans connecting guard retention, passing, and top control

Top vs Bottom

 BottomTop
Position TypeDefensive with offensive optionsOffensive/Controlling
Risk LevelMediumLow
Energy CostMediumMedium
TimeMediumMedium to Long

Key Difference: Figure-four grip creates asymmetric control

Playing as Bottom

→ Full Bottom Guide

Key Principles

  • Maintain relentless wrist control with grip fighting hand while keeping elbow tight to prevent opponent from extracting their arm

  • Use the Kimura grip as a steering wheel to control opponent’s posture, driving them forward, pulling them off-balance, or creating lateral angles

  • Keep hips active and mobile, constantly adjusting distance to prevent opponent from settling weight while creating sweep opportunities

  • Integrate the free arm as a dynamic frame against hips or shoulders to manage distance and prevent consolidation to side control or mount

  • Transition smoothly between defensive frames, off-balancing attempts, and submission finishing mechanics based on opponent’s defensive reactions

  • Create a dilemma for the opponent: defend the shoulder lock and maintain base, or advance position but expose the submission

  • Use hip movement and angle changes to complement the Kimura grip, making it progressively more difficult for opponent to escape or counter

Primary Techniques

Common Mistakes

  • ❌ Releasing or loosening Kimura grip under pressure to adjust position

    • Consequence: Opponent escapes grip entirely and consolidates to dominant position (side control or mount) with full weight and pressure control
    • ✅ Correction: Maintain death grip on wrist and figure-four lock even when adjusting hips or creating angles—grip maintenance takes absolute priority over positional adjustment

  • ❌ Allowing opponent to settle their weight chest-to-chest without active hip movement

    • Consequence: Position becomes purely defensive with no sweep or submission opportunities as opponent’s weight pins bottom player and neutralizes Kimura mechanics
    • ✅ Correction: Keep hips in constant motion using shrimps, bridges, and angle changes to prevent opponent from establishing stable pressure while maintaining grip structure

  • ❌ Failing to frame with free arm against opponent’s hips or shoulders

    • Consequence: Opponent advances to full mount or side control consolidation despite Kimura grip as there’s no distance management or secondary control point
    • ✅ Correction: Use free arm dynamically to frame against hips when creating space or against shoulders when preventing forward pressure—coordinate frames with hip movement

  • ❌ Attempting to finish Kimura submission without first off-balancing or controlling opponent’s base

    • Consequence: Opponent easily defends by widening base and maintaining posture, then systematically works to escape grip or pass guard while submission threat is neutralized
    • ✅ Correction: Use Kimura grip as control mechanism first—off-balance opponent, compromise their base, then transition to finishing mechanics when structure is broken

  • ❌ Keeping legs static or inactive during Kimura control from bottom

    • Consequence: Opponent easily passes around legs or establishes leg control leading to mount or side control as lower body provides no defensive barrier
    • ✅ Correction: Integrate butterfly hooks, knee shields, or closed guard legs to complement upper body Kimura control and create comprehensive defensive structure

  • ❌ Focusing exclusively on submission finish while ignoring sweep opportunities

    • Consequence: Miss high-percentage sweeps when opponent defends submission by changing weight distribution and base positioning
    • ✅ Correction: Recognize Kimura control creates multiple pathways—when opponent defends submission by posting or changing base, immediately capitalize with sweeps to top position

Playing as Top

→ Full Top Guide

Key Principles

  • Maintain constant downward pressure through hips and chest while keeping Kimura grip tight to prevent space creation

  • Use grip to isolate and control opponent’s arm while systematically removing their defensive frames and escape options

  • Apply progressive pressure to shoulder joint, testing opponent’s defense before committing to full finish

  • Transition smoothly between submission finishing mechanics and positional advancement based on opponent’s defensive reactions

  • Control opponent’s near hip with free hand or knee to prevent them from rolling into or escaping the grip

  • Create submission-or-advancement dilemma where defending Kimura exposes mount or back take opportunities

  • Maintain low, heavy base with hips close to opponent to maximize pressure and minimize escape pathways

Primary Techniques

Common Mistakes

  • ❌ Allowing opponent to create space by elevating hips while maintaining grip

    • Consequence: Opponent escapes hip control and recovers guard or half guard position despite Kimura grip remaining intact
    • ✅ Correction: Keep hips low and heavy on opponent, using knee or free hand to control their near hip and prevent space creation—pressure maintenance equals position retention

  • ❌ Rushing to finish submission without first isolating arm and removing defensive frames

    • Consequence: Opponent successfully defends by keeping elbow connected to body or using free hand to defend, then works systematic grip break and escape
    • ✅ Correction: Systematically remove opponent’s defensive structures first: break frames, isolate arm, control hips, then apply submission mechanics when structure is fully compromised

  • ❌ Maintaining static position without transitioning when opponent successfully defends submission

    • Consequence: Position becomes stalemate with neither submission nor advancement occurring, wasting energy and opportunity while opponent works escape
    • ✅ Correction: When opponent successfully defends Kimura finish, immediately transition to mount, back, or north-south rather than forcing failed submission attempt

  • ❌ Releasing grip to establish better position before submission is defended

    • Consequence: Lose valuable control and submission threat, allowing opponent to recover defensive posture and escape to better position
    • ✅ Correction: Maintain Kimura grip during all transitions—use grip as anchor for positional advancement rather than releasing prematurely

  • ❌ Failing to control opponent’s near hip allowing them to roll into the grip

    • Consequence: Opponent successfully rolls to relieve shoulder pressure, potentially reversing position or escaping to turtle while neutralizing submission threat
    • ✅ Correction: Use free hand, knee, or hip position to control opponent’s near hip throughout control, preventing rolling escape and maintaining perpendicular angle

  • ❌ Applying excessive force to shoulder joint without progressive pressure testing

    • Consequence: Risk of injury to training partner and development of poor technical habits that won’t work against skilled opponents with good defense
    • ✅ Correction: Apply progressive pressure to test opponent’s defense, waiting for them to give the submission through defensive movement rather than forcing through structure

  • Kimura Trap - Advanced systematic approach building comprehensive attack chains around Kimura grip structure

  • Americana Control - Similar shoulder lock control using different grip configuration, often available from same positions

  • Omoplata Control - Alternative shoulder lock control that emerges when opponent defends Kimura by driving forward

  • Triangle Control - Common transition when opponent posts to defend Kimura, creating triangle entry opportunities

  • Gift Wrap - Control position that can evolve into Kimura grip from back control scenarios

  • Overhook Control - Related arm control that shares similar principles of isolating and controlling opponent’s arm

  • Half Guard - Common position where Kimura Control is established from both top and bottom perspectives

  • Closed Guard - Primary guard position for securing initial Kimura grip from bottom

  • North-South - Top position that frequently transitions to Kimura Control for submission finishing

  • Side Control - Dominant position where Kimura Control can be established and finished from top

  • Turtle - Transitional position where Kimura grip provides strong control and attack options

  • Front Headlock - Control position that can integrate Kimura grip for enhanced control and submission threats