Kimura Trap Bottom is a highly effective control position from the bottom where the practitioner secures a Kimura grip on the opponent’s arm while establishing positional control through underhooks, lockdown, or other retention mechanisms. This position represents a paradigm shift in bottom-side control thinking, transforming what would traditionally be a defensive position into an offensive platform. The Kimura grip serves as both a control mechanism and an offensive threat, allowing the bottom player to off-balance, sweep, or submit the opponent while maintaining defensive integrity.
The position is most commonly entered from half guard bottom, side control bottom, or turtle when the opponent overcommits with their arm placement or fails to defend the Kimura grip establishment. The bottom practitioner uses the Kimura grip to control the opponent’s shoulder and arm, creating a mechanical advantage that disrupts the top player’s base and posture. This grip, combined with hip positioning and leg entanglement, creates a system where the bottom player can systematically work toward sweeps, back takes, or submissions despite being in what appears to be an inferior position.
The Kimura Trap Bottom exemplifies modern BJJ’s emphasis on creating offensive opportunities from defensive positions. Rather than simply surviving or escaping, the practitioner uses the Kimura grip as an anchor point to control distance, manipulate the opponent’s weight distribution, and create dilemmas that force reactions. The system includes high-percentage techniques like the Old School Sweep, rolling Kimura, and back takes that all stem from the same foundational grip, creating a cohesive attacking system rather than isolated techniques.
Strategically, the position forces top players into impossible choices—they must simultaneously defend the Kimura submission, prevent sweeps, and maintain positional control, but cannot effectively address all three threats. This creates predictable defensive reactions that the bottom player can exploit with predetermined counters. The position is particularly effective in both gi and no-gi contexts, with the Kimura grip providing reliable control regardless of friction and grip variations available. Advanced practitioners use the Kimura Trap Bottom as their primary half guard system, often preferring it to traditional underhook-based approaches due to its superior control and finishing mechanics.
Position Definition
- Practitioner maintains Kimura grip on opponent’s arm with figure-four configuration (practitioner’s outside hand grips their own wrist after threading under opponent’s arm), ensuring deep grip placement near opponent’s elbow for maximum control and leverage while preventing grip breaks through constant inward pressure and elbow positioning that protects the lock structure
- Practitioner’s body positioned on bottom with shoulders on or near mat, using hips and legs to create connection with opponent through half guard lockdown, butterfly hooks, or other retention mechanisms that prevent opponent from settling weight and establishing stable top control while maintaining mobility for sweeping and transitional movements
- Opponent positioned on top or side with trapped arm extended forward or pulled across their body, creating structural weakness in their base as the Kimura grip forces their shoulder into compromised position and limits their ability to distribute weight effectively or establish stable posting positions with their compromised arm
- Practitioner maintains active hip positioning and frame management with free arm, using shoulder pressure, forearm frames, or underhooks to control distance and prevent opponent from achieving crushing pressure or advancing position while working the Kimura system, creating space necessary for sweeping mechanics and preventing complete flattening that would neutralize offensive options
Prerequisites
- Opponent commits arm forward or across body in half guard, side control, or turtle position, creating opportunity to thread arm under and establish Kimura grip
- Practitioner able to secure deep Kimura grip with proper hand positioning (own wrist grip) before opponent recognizes threat and withdraws arm
- Practitioner maintains some form of guard retention or hip mobility to prevent opponent from completely flattening and establishing crushing top pressure
- Sufficient space and mobility to work hips and execute sweeping or off-balancing movements despite being on bottom
Key Defensive Principles
- Maintain deep Kimura grip with figure-four configuration positioned as close to opponent’s elbow as possible for maximum control and submission threat
- Use Kimura grip to control opponent’s shoulder and disrupt their base by pulling arm across their body or driving it behind their back, forcing weight shifts
- Keep hips mobile and active, using lockdown, butterfly hooks, or hip movement to prevent opponent from settling weight and establishing stable position
- Create constant dilemmas where opponent must choose between defending Kimura submission, preventing sweep, or maintaining top position control
- Use free arm strategically for frames, underhooks, or additional control points that complement the Kimura grip and enable offensive transitions
- Maintain proper distance control to prevent opponent from posturing away and breaking Kimura grip or driving forward to establish crushing pressure
- Work systematically through Kimura Trap System sequences (sweeps, back takes, submissions) rather than forcing single techniques, flowing between options based on opponent reactions
Available Escapes
Old School Sweep → Mount
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 50%
- Intermediate: 65%
- Advanced: 75%
Kimura to Back Take → Back Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 45%
- Intermediate: 60%
- Advanced: 75%
Kimura from Half Guard → Kimura Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 35%
- Intermediate: 50%
- Advanced: 65%
Rolling Kimura → Mount
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 30%
- Intermediate: 45%
- Advanced: 60%
Underhook Sweep from Half → Side Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 45%
- Intermediate: 60%
- Advanced: 70%
Half Guard Sweeps → Side Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 40%
- Intermediate: 55%
- Advanced: 68%
Transition to Omoplata → Omoplata Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 25%
- Intermediate: 40%
- Advanced: 55%
Lockdown Sweeps → Half Guard
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 35%
- Intermediate: 50%
- Advanced: 65%
Decision Making from This Position
If opponent widens base and posts far leg to defend Kimura submission:
- Execute Old School Sweep → Mount (Probability: 70%)
- Execute Rolling Kimura → Mount (Probability: 55%)
If opponent turns into Kimura grip to alleviate shoulder pressure or defend submission:
- Execute Kimura to Back Take → Back Control (Probability: 75%)
- Execute Transition to Truck → Truck (Probability: 60%)
If opponent drives forward aggressively to flatten hips and neutralize Kimura system:
- Execute Rolling Kimura Escape → Mount (Probability: 65%)
- Execute Underhook Sweep from Half → Side Control (Probability: 60%)
If opponent pulls arm back and attempts to extract from Kimura grip:
- Execute Kimura from Half Guard → Kimura Control (Probability: 80%)
- Execute Transition to Omoplata → Omoplata Control (Probability: 50%)
Escape and Survival Paths
Direct Kimura Finish Path
Kimura Trap Bottom → Kimura from Half Guard → Kimura Control → Kimura
Sweep to Mount Submission Path
Kimura Trap Bottom → Old School Sweep → Mount → Kimura from Mount
Back Take to Submission Path
Kimura Trap Bottom → Kimura to Back Take → Back Control → Rear Naked Choke
Omoplata Transition Path
Kimura Trap Bottom → Transition to Omoplata → Omoplata Control → Omoplata
Success Rates and Statistics
| Skill Level | Retention Rate | Advancement Probability | Submission Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 55% | 40% | 25% |
| Intermediate | 70% | 60% | 40% |
| Advanced | 80% | 75% | 55% |
Average Time in Position: 45-90 seconds before sweep or submission attempt
Expert Analysis
John Danaher
The Kimura Trap Bottom position represents a fundamental shift in how we conceptualize bottom positions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Traditionally, being on bottom was viewed purely as a defensive predicament requiring escape or guard retention. However, the Kimura grip transforms this dynamic entirely by creating what I call a ‘control inversion’ - the bottom player actually controls the top player’s shoulder girdle and arm structure more effectively than the top player controls the bottom player’s body. This is achieved through the mechanical advantage of the figure-four grip combined with intelligent hip positioning that prevents the opponent from settling their weight. The key insight is that the Kimura grip doesn’t just threaten submission; it fundamentally disrupts the opponent’s ability to maintain base, distribute weight effectively, or advance position. Every defensive reaction the top player makes - widening base, turning into the grip, pulling the arm back, or driving forward - creates a specific mechanical vulnerability that we can exploit with predetermined techniques. This systematic approach eliminates uncertainty and creates a clear decision tree where each opponent reaction leads to a specific counter-technique with high probability of success.
Gordon Ryan
In competition, the Kimura Trap Bottom is one of my most reliable positions when I end up on bottom in half guard or even from turtle. What makes it so effective at the highest levels is that it forces the top player into impossible choices - they can defend the Kimura submission, defend the sweep, or try to maintain position, but they can’t do all three simultaneously. Against elite competitors who are strong enough to resist pure strength-based sweeps, the Kimura grip gives me a leverage multiplier that makes their superior size or strength irrelevant. I’ve finished world champions with the Kimura directly from this position, but more commonly I use it to set up the Old School Sweep or transition to the back when they turn to defend. The position is particularly effective in no-gi where the Kimura grip is even more reliable than gi grips, and it translates perfectly to MMA scenarios where being on bottom is inevitable. My advice for competitors is to drill the entire Kimura Trap system until the transitions between sweeps, back takes, and submissions become automatic based on opponent reactions - hesitation gets you flattened and passed.
Eddie Bravo
The Kimura Trap Bottom, which we call ‘Hindulotine’ territory in the 10th Planet system, is the perfect example of how a submission grip becomes a position in itself. We’ve built an entire subsystem around the Kimura from bottom positions because it works at every level from white belt to black belt worlds. What I love about it is the creativity it enables - you’re not just hitting the Kimura finish, you’re using that grip to invert, roll, sweep, take the back, or transition to other attacks like the Omoplata or Triangle. The Lockdown combined with the Kimura grip creates what I call a ‘trap within a trap’ where the opponent is dealing with both leg entanglement preventing them from passing and arm entanglement preventing them from posturing or base. We’ve developed specific sequences like the Electric Chair sweep and Old School that work perfectly from this position, and we’ve found that the Kimura grip is actually more reliable than traditional underhook control in many situations. The position embodies the 10th Planet philosophy of turning bad positions into attacking positions - you might be on bottom, but you’re the one dictating the action and creating submission threats. Keep that grip deep, keep your hips alive, and trust the system.