Kimura Control Bottom

Kimura Control Bottom represents a defensive yet opportunistic position where the bottom practitioner has secured a Kimura grip on their opponent while being on their back or side. This position emerges frequently from failed guard passes, scrambles, or as a defensive response to top pressure. The Kimura grip—characterized by securing the opponent’s wrist with one hand while threading the other arm under their armpit and clasping your own wrist—provides exceptional control over the opponent’s posture, shoulder mobility, and base.

While classified as a bottom position, Kimura Control Bottom is far from purely defensive. The grip itself creates a powerful fulcrum that can be used to off-balance opponents, create space, facilitate sweeps, or even finish the submission directly. The position is particularly valuable in no-gi grappling where it compensates for the lack of collar and sleeve grips, though it remains highly effective in the gi as well. Understanding how to maintain this control while managing distance, creating angles, and capitalizing on the opponent’s defensive reactions is essential for transforming a potentially disadvantageous position into a pathway to dominance.

The beauty of Kimura Control Bottom lies in its dual nature: it simultaneously defends against passes and attacks while threatening both positional advancement and submission. High-level practitioners like Craig Jones and Garry Tonon have demonstrated how this position can be a central component of a comprehensive ground game, seamlessly transitioning between defensive frames, sweeps, and submission attempts based on opponent reactions.

Position Definition

• Bottom practitioner maintains Kimura grip on opponent’s arm with wrist control and figure-four lock, creating a rigid connection that controls shoulder mobility and restricts opponent’s posting ability while isolating the arm from generating effective pressure
• Bottom practitioner’s body is positioned on back or side with hips mobile enough to create angles and distance, preventing opponent from establishing stable chest-to-chest pressure or completing the pass while maintaining the structural integrity of the grip
• Opponent is partially extended or compromised in their base due to the Kimura grip, unable to fully posture up or apply maximum pressure while defending the shoulder lock threat, creating a constant tension between defending submission and advancing position
• Bottom practitioner’s free arm is actively framing against opponent’s hip, shoulder, or creating space to prevent full consolidation to mount or side control while maintaining the Kimura grip structure and managing optimal distance for both defensive and offensive purposes

Prerequisites

• Kimura grip established with proper wrist control and figure-four configuration securing opponent’s arm
• Opponent engaged in passing attempt or pressure from top position creating control opportunity
• Bottom practitioner has defensive frames or hip mobility to prevent immediate pass completion
• Understanding of basic Kimura mechanics, shoulder lock principles, and grip retention fundamentals
• Ability to maintain grip under pressure while managing distance and creating angles for attacks

Key Defensive 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

Available Escapes

Kimura Sweep → Side Control

Success Rates:

• Beginner: 40%
• Intermediate: 55%
• Advanced: 70%

Rolling Kimura → Mount

Success Rates:

• Beginner: 30%
• Intermediate: 45%
• Advanced: 60%

Kimura to Back Take → Back Control

Success Rates:

• Beginner: 25%
• Intermediate: 40%
• Advanced: 55%

Triangle Setup → Triangle Control

Success Rates:

• Beginner: 30%
• Intermediate: 45%
• Advanced: 60%

Omoplata Sweep → Omoplata Control

Success Rates:

• Beginner: 25%
• Intermediate: 40%
• Advanced: 55%

Technical Standup → Standing Position

Success Rates:

• Beginner: 35%
• Intermediate: 50%
• Advanced: 65%

Underhook Sweep from Half → Half Guard

Success Rates:

• Beginner: 35%
• Intermediate: 50%
• Advanced: 65%

Kimura from Guard → Kimura

Success Rates:

• Beginner: 35%
• Intermediate: 50%
• Advanced: 65%

Guard Recovery → Closed Guard

Success Rates:

• Beginner: 40%
• Intermediate: 55%
• Advanced: 70%

Opponent Counters

• Kimura Defense → Side Control (Opponent Success: 45%)
• Rolling Kimura Escape → Turtle (Opponent Success: 40%)
• Base Widening → Half Guard (Opponent Success: 50%)
• Pressure Pass → Mount (Opponent Success: 35%)
• Grip Break → Side Control (Opponent Success: 40%)

Counter-Attacks

• Kimura Sweep → Side Control
  • Opponent attempts to pass by driving forward with weight
• Rolling Kimura → Mount
  • Opponent rolls to defend shoulder pressure or escape grip
• Kimura to Back Take → Back Control
  • Opponent turns away to escape Kimura pressure exposing back
• Triangle Setup → Triangle Control
  • Opponent posts free hand near hip creating triangle opportunity
• Technical Standup → Standing Position
  • Opponent backs away to defend Kimura creating space to stand

Decision Making from This Position

If opponent drives forward with weight attempting to complete pass while defending Kimura:

• Execute Kimura Sweep → Side Control (Probability: 55%)
• Execute Rolling Kimura → Mount (Probability: 45%)

If opponent turns away or rolls to escape Kimura shoulder pressure:

• Execute Kimura to Back Take → Back Control (Probability: 60%)
• Execute Rolling Kimura Escape → Turtle (Probability: 50%)

If opponent widens base and posts with free hand near hips to defend:

• Execute Triangle Setup → Triangle Control (Probability: 50%)
• Execute Omoplata Sweep → Omoplata Control (Probability: 45%)

If opponent backs away or creates distance to defend Kimura submission threat:

• Execute Technical Standup → Standing Position (Probability: 65%)
• Execute Guard Recovery → Closed Guard (Probability: 55%)

If opponent attempts to stack or apply vertical pressure while defending grip:

• Execute Underhook Sweep from Half → Half Guard (Probability: 50%)
• Execute Kimura from Guard → Kimura (Probability: 45%)

Common Defensive Mistakes

1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

Training Drills for Defense

Kimura Grip Retention Under Pressure

Bottom partner establishes Kimura grip from guard or half guard. Top partner attempts to break grip using hand fighting, pressure, and movement while trying to pass. Bottom partner maintains grip and adjusts position for 2-minute rounds. Focus: grip endurance, wrist control, and maintaining figure-four lock under dynamic pressure.

Duration: 5 rounds of 2 minutes

Kimura Sweep Flow Drill

Starting from Kimura Control Bottom with partner applying moderate passing pressure. Bottom partner uses Kimura grip to execute sweep variations: basic Kimura sweep to side control, rolling Kimura to mount, and back take when opponent turns away. Partner offers different defensive reactions (driving forward, backing away, turning) to create realistic sweep opportunities. Emphasize smooth transitions between sweep options based on opponent’s weight distribution.

Duration: 10 minutes continuous flow

Kimura to Triangle/Omoplata Transitions

Partner establishes Kimura Control Bottom while opponent defends by posting free hand or widening base. Practice recognizing posting patterns and smoothly transitioning to triangle setups when hand is near hip or omoplata when opponent’s weight shifts forward. Focus on maintaining Kimura grip during initial phases of transition before releasing to secure new position. Alternate between submission options based on opponent’s defensive posture.

Duration: 15 minutes with position reset

Distance Management with Frames and Grips

Bottom partner maintains Kimura grip while top partner applies various passing pressures (knee slice, over-under, stack). Bottom partner coordinates free arm frames with hip movement and Kimura grip adjustments to maintain optimal distance—close enough to threaten sweeps and submissions, far enough to prevent pass completion. Practice creating angles and space without releasing primary grip control.

Duration: 3-minute rounds, 6 rounds total

Escape and Survival Paths

Direct Kimura Finish

Kimura Control Bottom → Off-balance with grip → Kimura from Guard → Won by Submission

Triangle Transition Path

Kimura Control Bottom → Opponent posts near hip → Triangle Setup → Triangle Control → Triangle Choke → Won by Submission

Back Attack Path

Kimura Control Bottom → Opponent turns to defend → Kimura to Back Take → Back Control → Rear Naked Choke → Won by Submission

Sweep to Mount Submission

Kimura Control Bottom → Rolling Kimura → Mount → Kimura from Mount → Won by Submission

Omoplata Path

Kimura Control Bottom → Opponent drives forward → Omoplata Sweep → Omoplata Control → Omoplata → Won by Submission

Success Rates and Statistics

Skill Level	Retention Rate	Advancement Probability	Submission Probability
Beginner	50%	40%	25%
Intermediate	65%	55%	40%
Advanced	80%	70%	55%

Average Time in Position: 30-90 seconds before transition or resolution

Related Positions and Techniques

• Kimura Trap - Comprehensive system built around this control position with multiple attack chains
• Half Guard - Common position where Kimura Control is established from bottom
• Closed Guard - Primary guard position for securing initial Kimura grip
• Kimura - Primary submission threat from this control position
• Triangle Control - Common transition when opponent defends Kimura by posting
• Omoplata Control - Alternative shoulder lock when opponent drives into grip
• Kimura to Back Take - High-percentage transition when opponent turns away
• Rolling Kimura - Dynamic sweep option that maintains submission threat
• Danaher Straight Jacket System - Systematic approach to Kimura control and applications
• Americana Control - Similar shoulder lock control from bottom position
• Kimura from Guard - Direct submission finish from this control position
• Kimura from Half Guard - Common entry point for establishing this control