Kimura Control Top represents an offensive control position where the top practitioner has secured the Kimura grip on their opponent while maintaining top pressure and positional dominance. This position frequently emerges during passing sequences, from side control consolidation, or when capitalizing on opponent’s defensive frames that expose their arms. From top position, the Kimura grip transforms from a control mechanism into a direct submission threat, with the added advantage of gravity and weight distribution working in the top player’s favor.
The power of Kimura Control Top lies in its ability to simultaneously control the opponent’s movement, threaten submission, and facilitate transitions to even more dominant positions. Unlike bottom Kimura Control which must balance defensive and offensive priorities, top Kimura Control operates from a position of strength where the primary consideration is choosing between immediate submission finish or using the grip to advance to mount, back control, or north-south. The opponent’s defensive options are severely limited as any movement to escape the submission threat often exposes them to positional advancement.
Modern submission-focused competitors have demonstrated that Kimura Control Top can serve as a primary attacking position rather than merely a transitional control. The grip allows for nuanced pressure application, where subtle adjustments in angle, hip pressure, and shoulder positioning can force the opponent into increasingly compromised positions. Understanding how to maintain control while transitioning between submission finishing mechanics and positional advancement creates a systematic approach where every defensive reaction opens new attacking opportunities.
Position Definition
- Top practitioner maintains Kimura grip on opponent’s arm with wrist control and figure-four lock while applying downward pressure through chest and hips, creating constant shoulder rotation threat that restricts bottom player’s escape options and movement
- Top practitioner’s body weight is distributed strategically to prevent opponent from creating space or escaping, with hips low and chest pressure applied to control bottom player’s upper body while maintaining grip integrity throughout position changes
- Opponent’s trapped arm is isolated and elevated at an angle that threatens shoulder joint integrity, forcing defensive posture that limits their ability to frame, create space, or initiate escape sequences without increasing submission danger
- Top practitioner maintains perpendicular or angled positioning relative to opponent’s body to maximize leverage on shoulder joint while preventing opponent from rolling or turning into the grip to relieve pressure
Prerequisites
- Kimura grip established with proper wrist control and figure-four configuration from top position
- Top position advantage with ability to apply pressure and control opponent’s movement
- Opponent’s arm isolated and available for grip without strong defensive frames blocking access
- Understanding of shoulder rotation mechanics and safe pressure application for submission
- Ability to maintain top control while transitioning between submission and advancement options
Key Offensive 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
Available Attacks
Kimura from Side Control → Kimura
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 50%
- Intermediate: 65%
- Advanced: 80%
Transition to Mount → Mount
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 45%
- Intermediate: 60%
- Advanced: 75%
Kimura to Back Take → Back Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 40%
- Intermediate: 55%
- Advanced: 70%
North-South to Kimura → North-South
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 45%
- Intermediate: 60%
- Advanced: 75%
Kimura from Turtle → Kimura
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 40%
- Intermediate: 55%
- Advanced: 70%
Rolling Kimura → Mount
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 35%
- Intermediate: 50%
- Advanced: 65%
Kimura from North-South → Kimura
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 45%
- Intermediate: 60%
- Advanced: 75%
Side Control to Mount → Mount
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 50%
- Intermediate: 65%
- Advanced: 80%
Kimura from Mount → Kimura
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 55%
- Intermediate: 70%
- Advanced: 85%
Decision Making from This Position
If opponent defends by flattening arm and creating strong defensive frame:
- Execute Transition to Mount → Mount (Probability: 60%)
- Execute North-South to Kimura → North-South (Probability: 55%)
If opponent rolls away from pressure to defend shoulder lock:
- Execute Kimura to Back Take → Back Control (Probability: 65%)
- Execute Rolling Kimura → Mount (Probability: 55%)
If opponent’s arm is fully isolated with minimal defensive posture:
- Execute Kimura from Side Control → Kimura (Probability: 75%)
- Execute Kimura from North-South → Kimura (Probability: 70%)
If opponent attempts to create space with hip escape or bridge:
- Execute Side Control to Mount → Mount (Probability: 70%)
- Execute Kimura from Mount → Kimura (Probability: 65%)
If opponent turtles or turns to defend shoulder pressure:
- Execute Kimura from Turtle → Kimura (Probability: 60%)
- Execute Kimura to Back Take → Back Control (Probability: 65%)
Optimal Submission Paths
Direct Kimura from Side Control
Kimura Control Top → Isolate arm → Kimura from Side Control → Won by Submission
Mount to Kimura Finish
Kimura Control Top → Transition to Mount → Kimura from Mount → Won by Submission
Back Attack Path
Kimura Control Top → Opponent rolls to defend → Kimura to Back Take → Back Control → Rear Naked Choke → Won by Submission
North-South Kimura Path
Kimura Control Top → North-South to Kimura → Kimura from North-South → Won by Submission
Turtle to Back Take
Kimura Control Top → Opponent turtles → Kimura from Turtle → Kimura to Back Take → Back Control → Rear Naked Choke → Won by Submission
Success Rates and Statistics
| Skill Level | Retention Rate | Advancement Probability | Submission Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 60% | 50% | 45% |
| Intermediate | 75% | 65% | 60% |
| Advanced | 90% | 80% | 75% |
Average Time in Position: 20-60 seconds before submission or position change
Expert Analysis
John Danaher
Kimura Control from top position represents the optimal expression of this grip structure because gravity and weight distribution work synergistically with the mechanical advantage of the figure-four configuration. The fundamental principle to understand is that the Kimura grip creates what I call a ‘positional submission’—a control position where the submission threat is so immediate and dangerous that it functionally controls the opponent’s movement options even when you’re not actively finishing. From top position, this becomes extraordinarily powerful because you can use your bodyweight to remove the opponent’s ability to create defensive frames while simultaneously applying rotational pressure to the shoulder joint. The key technical element that separates effective from ineffective Kimura Control Top is hip position: your hips must remain low and heavy on the opponent’s torso to prevent them from creating the space necessary for escape, while your grip maintains the arm at the precise angle that maximizes shoulder vulnerability. When executed properly, the opponent faces an impossible choice: defend the immediate submission by keeping their structure tight and accepting whatever positional advancement you choose, or attempt to escape and immediately expose themselves to the finish. This is the essence of high-level control—creating positions where all defensive options lead to your advancement.
Gordon Ryan
From top position, Kimura Control is one of my highest-percentage finishing positions because it combines heavy pressure with immediate submission threat and gives you multiple backup options if the finish isn’t there. In competition, once I establish this grip from side control or north-south, I’m constantly feeling for the opponent’s defensive reactions—if they’re defending hard and keeping their structure tight, I know I can easily transition to mount or take the back while keeping the grip. If they make any mistake in their defense or try to create space, I immediately have the finish available. The beautiful thing about top Kimura is that unlike many submission positions where you have to compromise your base or position to finish, here you can maintain heavy top pressure throughout the entire finishing sequence. My go-to setup is from side control: I isolate the far arm, establish the grip, then immediately start working north-south positioning because that angle gives me the maximum leverage for the finish. If they roll away to defend, that’s actually my favorite reaction because it gives me the back take, and if they flatten out to prevent the roll, I have all the time in the world to work the submission. The key is never releasing that grip once you have it—use it as an anchor for everything else you do, whether that’s advancing position or finishing the submission.
Eddie Bravo
Top Kimura Control is absolutely devastating in no-gi because once you have that grip locked in, the opponent is basically fucked—they can’t effectively defend both the submission and the positional advancement at the same time. What we’ve developed in the 10th Planet system is using the Kimura grip from top not just as a submission finish, but as a systematic control position that connects to our entire top game. From this control, you can hit the classic Kimura finish, transition to mount while keeping the grip for even better leverage, take the back when they roll, or even set up arm triangles and other submissions when they defend. One of my favorite sequences is the Kimura from turtle—when someone turtles up, that arm is just sitting there waiting to be grabbed, and once you have the grip, you can basically steer them wherever you want like a motorcycle handlebar. We drill this extensively with what we call ‘Kimura flow,’ where you learn to maintain the grip through dynamic position changes and scrambles. The innovation we’ve added is combining Kimura Control with our twister side control and truck positions—when you understand how these positions connect, you can create absolutely brutal submission chains where every defense leads to another attack. The key is getting comfortable finishing from unconventional angles and positions, not just the textbook side control setup. Get that grip locked in tight and then get creative with how you use it.