Kimura

⚠️ SAFETY: Kimura targets the Shoulder joint, rotator cuff, and shoulder capsule. Risk: Rotator cuff tear (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, subscapularis). Release immediately upon tap.

The Kimura is one of the most versatile and high-percentage shoulder locks in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, named after judoka Masahiko Kimura who famously used it to defeat Helio Gracie in 1951. This figure-four grip shoulder lock attacks the opponent’s arm by rotating it behind their back, creating severe pressure on the shoulder joint, rotator cuff muscles, and shoulder capsule. What makes the Kimura exceptional is its applicability from virtually every position in grappling - top, bottom, standing, or transitional - making it a fundamental technique that spans all belt levels. The Kimura serves dual purposes: as a direct finishing submission and as a powerful control position that opens numerous sweeps, transitions, and secondary attacks. The grip itself creates such dominant control that even without completing the submission, practitioners can use it to manipulate opponents, take the back, or advance position. The mechanical advantage generated by the figure-four grip allows smaller practitioners to control and submit larger opponents through proper technique rather than strength alone.

Category: Joint Lock Type: Shoulder Lock Target Area: Shoulder joint, rotator cuff, and shoulder capsule Starting Position: Side Control Success Rates: Beginner 40%, Intermediate 55%, Advanced 70%

Safety Guide

Injury Risks:

Injury	Severity	Recovery Time
Rotator cuff tear (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, subscapularis)	High	3-9 months with potential surgery requirement
Shoulder capsule damage and dislocation	CRITICAL	6-12 months, may require surgical repair
Labral tear (glenoid labrum)	High	4-8 months, often requires arthroscopic surgery
Bicep tendon strain or rupture	Medium	6-12 weeks for strain, 3-6 months for rupture

Application Speed: SLOW and progressive - 3-5 seconds minimum in training, allowing partner time to recognize danger and tap

Tap Signals:

• Verbal tap (saying ‘tap’ or making any verbal distress sound)
• Physical hand tap (multiple taps with free hand)
• Physical foot tap (multiple taps with either foot)
• Any distress signal including screaming or unusual sounds

Release Protocol:

1. Immediately stop all rotational pressure the instant tap is felt or heard
2. Return the arm toward neutral position (externally rotate back to starting position)
3. Release the figure-four grip completely
4. Allow partner to self-assess shoulder mobility before continuing
5. Never release suddenly or allow arm to spring back forcefully

Training Restrictions:

• Never spike or jerk the submission - rotation must be smooth and controlled
• Never use competition speed or surprise attacks in training
• Always ensure partner has at least one hand free to tap
• Do not apply while partner is in awkward body position that prevents tapping
• Never combine with weight pressure that restricts breathing while finishing
• Respect immediate taps without testing partner’s pain tolerance

Key Principles

• Figure-four grip integrity: Lock your own wrist with palm-to-palm contact, creating an unbreakable frame that cannot be hand-fought
• Elbow isolation and pinning: Control opponent’s elbow close to your body or pinned to the mat to prevent arm straightening escapes
• Shoulder rotation mechanics: The submission comes from rotating the shoulder joint, not pulling the arm - move perpendicular to the arm
• Hip connection for control: Keep your hips connected to opponent’s body to prevent them from rolling or turning into the lock
• Posture and base maintenance: Maintain strong base throughout to prevent counters and ensure you can apply pressure safely
• Progressive pressure application: Increase rotation gradually, allowing partner time to tap before structural damage occurs
• Multiple threat creation: Use the Kimura grip to threaten submissions, sweeps, and transitions simultaneously

Prerequisites

• Establish dominant position with significant control (side control, mount, or guard with breaking posture)
• Isolate one of opponent’s arms away from their body or defending position
• Secure proper figure-four grip with your palm against your own wrist (not grabbing your gi or their gi)
• Control opponent’s elbow position - must keep it close to your body or pinned to prevent straightening
• Establish hip connection and base to prevent opponent from rolling or turning into the lock
• Ensure opponent has ability to tap with free hand before applying rotation
• Create angle that allows perpendicular rotation of the shoulder joint

Execution Steps

1. Establish control position and arm isolation: From dominant position (side control, mount, or guard), identify the near arm you will attack. Control opponent’s wrist with your same-side hand, preventing them from framing or defending. Use your body weight and positioning to prevent their escape while isolating this arm from their other defensive tools. (Timing: Take 2-3 seconds to establish solid control) [Pressure: Moderate]
2. Thread your other arm under opponent’s isolated arm: Slide your opposite hand under their tricep area, threading it through the space between their arm and body. Your hand should emerge on the far side of their arm, reaching toward where you will establish the grip. Keep their elbow close to your body during this threading motion to prevent them from straightening their arm as a defense. (Timing: 1-2 seconds for threading motion) [Pressure: Light]
3. Complete the figure-four grip: Grab your own wrist with the hand that threaded under their arm, creating a figure-four configuration. The grip should be palm-to-palm or palm-to-wrist - never grip your own gi or their gi. Ensure the grip is tight and secure before applying any pressure. Their arm should be bent at approximately 90 degrees with their hand pointed toward their own head or shoulder. (Timing: 1-2 seconds to secure grip properly) [Pressure: Firm]
4. Establish proper angle and elbow control: Adjust your body position to create perpendicular alignment to their shoulder joint. Pinch their elbow tight to your body or pin it to the mat using your chest and shoulder. This elbow control is critical - if they can straighten their arm, the Kimura becomes ineffective. Your hips should be connected to their body to prevent rolling escapes. (Timing: 2-3 seconds to optimize positioning) [Pressure: Firm]
5. Begin controlled rotation toward their back: Slowly rotate their hand toward their back, moving perpendicular to their arm rather than pulling it. The rotation should be smooth and progressive, not jerky. Maintain elbow control throughout - the elbow should not move away from the pinning position. Keep your elbows tight to your body to maximize leverage and control. (Timing: 3-5 seconds of progressive rotation) [Pressure: Moderate]
6. Increase rotation pressure until tap: Continue rotating their hand toward their opposite hip or toward the ceiling (depending on position and angle). Maintain constant elbow pinning - the shoulder will rotate further as you lift or rotate their hand. Stop immediately upon any tap signal. The finish requires only 3-5 inches of additional rotation once proper position is achieved. Never force or spike the finish. (Timing: 2-4 seconds to finish, stop immediately on tap) [Pressure: Firm]
7. Control and transition options: If opponent defends by grabbing their own belt or gi, do not force the submission. Instead, use the Kimura grip to control their posture and threaten transitions to back take, mount advancement, or alternative submissions. The grip itself is a powerful control position even without finishing. Maintain connection and base throughout any transition. (Timing: Continuous control until transition or release) [Pressure: Moderate]

Opponent Defenses

• Grabbing own belt or gi pants to prevent rotation (Effectiveness: High) - Your Adjustment: Do not fight the grip war. Instead, use the Kimura control to transition: roll them over for back take, switch to armbar by stepping over the head, or use it to advance position to mount. The belt grab prevents the finish but creates other opportunities.
• Straightening the arm completely to remove bend at elbow (Effectiveness: High) - Your Adjustment: This defense defeats the Kimura mechanically. Prevent it by keeping their elbow pinned close to your body or the mat. If they succeed in straightening, transition to different attacks like wrist locks, or re-establish elbow bend by using your body weight to fold their arm.
• Rolling forward into the lock to relieve shoulder pressure (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Adjustment: Anticipate the roll and follow them through, maintaining the grip and control. Their roll often gives you their back - maintain the Kimura grip and establish back control with seat belt. Alternatively, use their momentum to sweep them if you’re on bottom.
• Posturing up and lifting you to relieve pressure (from guard) (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Adjustment: Use your legs to break their posture back down. If they succeed in standing, the Kimura becomes a stand-up wrestling position - you can use it to stand with them or sweep them. Never let go of the grip as it provides control even while standing.
• Turning toward you to change the angle and relieve pressure (Effectiveness: Low) - Your Adjustment: This defensive turn often worsens their position. Maintain the grip and use their turn to take their back or advance to mount. The Kimura grip remains powerful through their rotation. Follow their movement and establish new control as they expose their back.

Common Mistakes

• Mistake: Yanking or spiking the submission quickly without progressive pressure [CRITICAL DANGER]
  • Consequence: Severe shoulder injury to partner, potential rotator cuff tear or dislocation without time to tap
  • Correction: Always apply rotation slowly over 3-5 seconds minimum in training. The submission should feel like inevitable increasing pressure, not a sudden spike. Partner must have time to recognize danger and tap safely.
• Mistake: Failing to control the elbow, allowing opponent to straighten arm [Low DANGER]
  • Consequence: Complete loss of submission leverage as the arm-straightening defense neutralizes the shoulder rotation
  • Correction: Pin the elbow tight to your body or to the mat using your chest. The elbow must remain bent and immobilized for the Kimura to function. Treat elbow control as equally important as the grip itself.
• Mistake: Using incorrect grip: grabbing your own gi, their gi, or interlocking fingers [Low DANGER]
  • Consequence: Weak control that can be broken through hand fighting, loss of leverage and pressure
  • Correction: Always use palm-to-palm or palm-to-wrist grip on your own wrist. This creates a frame that cannot be broken by hand fighting. Practice the grip in isolation until it becomes automatic.
• Mistake: Pulling the arm away from their body instead of rotating the shoulder [Medium DANGER]
  • Consequence: Ineffective pressure on shoulder joint, easily defended, and potential for you to lose position
  • Correction: The submission comes from rotation perpendicular to their arm, not from pulling it. Keep their elbow close and rotate their hand toward their back or opposite hip. Think circular motion, not linear pulling.
• Mistake: Losing hip connection, allowing opponent to create space and roll [Low DANGER]
  • Consequence: Opponent escapes via forward roll or creates enough space to remove your grips
  • Correction: Maintain constant hip pressure against opponent’s body. Your weight should prevent them from creating the space needed to roll or escape. Keep your base wide and hips heavy throughout the finish.
• Mistake: Applying submission while opponent cannot tap (both hands trapped) [CRITICAL DANGER]
  • Consequence: Partner suffers injury because they physically cannot signal submission even if they want to
  • Correction: Always ensure opponent has at least one hand free to tap before applying finishing pressure. This is a fundamental safety principle. If both arms are trapped, establish control but do not finish until they can tap.
• Mistake: Forcing the finish against belt or gi grip defense [Low DANGER]
  • Consequence: Frustration, wasted energy, and missed opportunities for better positions or transitions
  • Correction: Recognize when opponent has successfully defended the finish. Use the Kimura grip for control and transition to back takes, sweeps, or alternative submissions. The grip is valuable even without the finish.

Variations

Kimura from Closed Guard: Opponent postures in your closed guard. Break their posture by pulling their head down and attacking the posting arm. Secure the Kimura grip and either finish by opening your guard and rotating, or use the grip to sweep them over your shoulder. (When to use: When opponent posts their hand on the mat or reaches for grips, exposing their arm)

Kimura from Side Control: Classic position for Kimura. Opponent’s near arm is isolated as they frame or attempt to escape. Slide your under-arm through, secure the grip, and rotate their hand toward their back while maintaining chest pressure. (When to use: Most common and highest percentage position when opponent frames with near arm)

Kimura from Mount: When opponent frames or benches to create space from mount, attack the extended arm. Secure the grip and either finish from mount or use it to transition to S-mount for better leverage. (When to use: When mounted opponent pushes or frames, extending their arm)

Kimura from Half Guard: Secure the Kimura grip on opponent’s underhook or crossface arm. Use the control to prevent their pass and either sweep them using the grip as leverage or transition to the back as they defend. (When to use: Essential half guard technique when opponent commits to underhook or crossface)

Kimura from Turtle: Opponent is in turtle and posts an arm for base. Secure the Kimura grip and use it to roll them to their side or back, maintaining the grip throughout the rotation for a finish or back take. (When to use: When turtle opponent posts an arm wide for base, creating the opportunity)

Kimura from Standing: During standing exchanges, secure the Kimura grip on opponent’s lead arm. Use it to control their posture and either throw them with the grip or take them down while maintaining control. (When to use: In stand-up exchanges when opponent reaches or posts their arm)

Kimura from North-South: Transition to North-South and isolate the near arm. Secure the Kimura grip with modified body positioning and rotate their hand toward their own hip, using your body weight for control. (When to use: Natural transition from side control or when opponent turns into you)

Reverse Kimura: Instead of rotating their hand toward their back, rotate it toward their head and away from their body. This creates wristlock pressure combined with shoulder rotation. (When to use: When traditional Kimura angle is blocked but you maintain the grip)

Rolling Kimura: From standing or scrambling positions, secure the grip and initiate a rolling motion, using momentum to take opponent to the mat while maintaining the Kimura control throughout the roll. (When to use: During scrambles or when opponent resists static Kimura attempts)

Test Your Knowledge

Q1: What is the minimum application time for a Kimura in training, and why is this critical? [SAFETY-CRITICAL] A: The minimum application time is 3-5 seconds of progressive, controlled rotation. This is critical because the shoulder joint, rotator cuff, and shoulder capsule can be severely damaged without adequate time for the partner to recognize the danger and tap. Shoulder injuries from submissions often require surgery and 6-12 months recovery, so slow application is a fundamental safety principle that must never be compromised.

Q2: What must you ensure about your opponent’s body position before finishing a Kimura, and what injury could occur if you don’t? [SAFETY-CRITICAL] A: You must ensure your opponent has at least one hand completely free to tap before applying finishing pressure. If both hands are trapped or they are in a position where they cannot physically signal submission, they could suffer a rotator cuff tear, shoulder dislocation, or labral tear because they cannot tap even if they recognize the danger. This is a critical safety violation that can cause permanent damage.

Q3: Why is controlling the opponent’s elbow position essential for the Kimura, and what happens mechanically if you fail to do this? A: Controlling the elbow by pinning it close to your body or to the mat prevents the opponent from straightening their arm. If the arm straightens completely, the Kimura loses all mechanical advantage because shoulder rotation requires the arm to be bent. A straight arm neutralizes the submission entirely as the shoulder joint cannot be effectively rotated when the arm is extended. The elbow control is as critical as the grip itself.

Q4: What is the correct grip for a Kimura, and why are other grip variations ineffective or dangerous? A: The correct grip is palm-to-palm or palm-to-wrist contact with your own wrist, creating a figure-four frame. Gripping your own gi, their gi, or interlocking fingers creates weak control that can be broken through hand fighting. The palm-to-wrist grip creates an unbreakable frame and ensures force is transmitted efficiently. Incorrect grips also make it harder to release quickly upon a tap, creating a safety issue.

Q5: What is the proper direction of force application for a Kimura, and why is pulling the arm away from the body ineffective? A: The force must be applied perpendicular to the arm, rotating the hand toward the opponent’s back or opposite hip in a circular motion. Pulling the arm away from the body is ineffective because it does not create the necessary shoulder rotation that causes the submission. The mechanical principle is rotation of the shoulder joint while keeping the elbow stationary, not linear pulling which the opponent can resist with shoulder strength.

Q6: When opponent grabs their own belt to defend the Kimura, what should you do and why is forcing the finish incorrect? A: When opponent grabs their belt, you should recognize this as a successful defense and transition to other attacks rather than forcing the submission. Appropriate transitions include rolling them for a back take, switching to an armbar by stepping over the head, or using the control to advance position. Forcing against a belt grip is ineffective, wastes energy, and creates injury risk if you spike it attempting to break their defense. The Kimura grip itself provides control for multiple attacking options.

Q7: What are the immediate steps you must take upon receiving a tap during a Kimura application? [SAFETY-CRITICAL] A: Immediately stop all rotational pressure the instant the tap occurs. Return the arm toward neutral position by externally rotating it back to the starting position - never let it spring back forcefully. Release the figure-four grip completely. Allow your partner to self-assess their shoulder mobility before continuing training. The release must be controlled and deliberate to prevent additional injury from sudden release of tension on the shoulder joint.

Q8: From a strategic perspective, why is the Kimura considered one of the most versatile submissions in BJJ? A: The Kimura is versatile because it can be applied from virtually every position - top, bottom, standing, transitional, guard, turtle, side control, mount, and scrambles. Beyond being a direct submission, the grip creates powerful control that enables sweeps, back takes, position advancement, and chains to other submissions. Even when the submission itself is defended, the grip controls the opponent’s posture and movement, making it a fundamental technique across all belt levels and strategic situations.

Training Progressions

Technical Understanding and Grip Mastery (Weeks 1-2)

• Focus: Learn proper figure-four grip, hand positioning, and basic body mechanics without any shoulder rotation. Practice threading the arm and establishing grips on compliant partners. Study shoulder anatomy and injury mechanisms. Understand all tap signals and release protocols.
• Resistance: Zero resistance
• Safety: Focus entirely on grip mechanics and body positioning. No pressure application. Study the anatomy of shoulder injuries to understand why slow application is critical.

Slow Practice with Verbal Communication (Weeks 3-4)

• Focus: Execute complete technique with ultra-slow rotation over 7-10 seconds. Partner provides constant verbal feedback about pressure levels. Practice from side control only initially. Drill tap recognition and immediate release protocols repeatedly.
• Resistance: Zero resistance
• Safety: Partner should tap early at first sign of any discomfort. Practice emergency tap recognition including verbal, hand, and foot taps. Drill release protocol until automatic.

Position Variation Introduction (Weeks 5-8)

• Focus: Begin practicing Kimura from multiple positions: closed guard, half guard, mount, turtle. Each position requires different body mechanics. Continue ultra-slow application with 5-7 second minimum. Partner maintains ability to tap freely from all positions.
• Resistance: Mild resistance
• Safety: Ensure partner has free hand to tap from every position before applying pressure. Some positions trap both arms - modify these for training safety.

Defense Integration and Flow Drilling (Weeks 9-12)

• Focus: Practice against common defenses: belt grabs, arm straightening, rolling escapes. Learn to transition to other techniques when Kimura is defended. Develop recognition of when to abandon the submission versus when to continue. Maintain slow application throughout.
• Resistance: Realistic resistance
• Safety: Increased resistance must not increase application speed. Partner practices defending and recognizing when to tap despite wanting to escape. Discuss safe tap timing.

Live Positional Sparring (Months 4-6)

• Focus: Apply Kimura during positional sparring from specific positions. Begin recognizing opportunities during live rolling. Develop strategic understanding of when Kimura is available versus when to choose different attacks. Practice grip fighting to establish the position.
• Resistance: Full resistance
• Safety: Training partners must have established trust. Both practitioners understand tap protocols. Continue 3-5 second minimum application. Respect taps immediately without testing limits.

Advanced Integration and Chain Development (Months 6+)

• Focus: Chain Kimura with other submissions and positions. Use Kimura grip for back takes and sweeps. Develop personal variations based on body type and game style. Apply during full sparring with technical precision. Recognize subtle setup opportunities.
• Resistance: Full resistance
• Safety: Advanced practitioners must model perfect safety for lower belts. Never increase application speed despite technical proficiency. Understand that experienced partners may have previous shoulder injuries requiring extra caution.

From Which Positions?

• Side Control
• Mount
• Closed Guard
• Half Guard
• Turtle
• North-South
• Standing Position
• Kimura Control
• Kimura Trap
• Open Guard

Related Submissions

• Armbar from Side Control
• Armbar from Mount
• Armbar from Guard
• Americana
• Americana from Side Control
• Americana from Mount
• Omoplata
• Triangle Choke
• Guillotine Choke
• Kimura from Side Control
• Kimura from Mount
• Kimura from Guard
• Kimura from Half Guard
• Kimura from North-South
• Kimura from Turtle

Additional Related Content

• Kimura Trap - Specialized control position built entirely around Kimura grip mechanics
• Kimura to Back Take - Primary transition when opponent defends Kimura finish by rolling or turning
• North-South to Kimura - Common transition path from side control through north-south to Kimura setup
• Rolling Kimura - Dynamic variation using momentum and rolling motion to establish the submission
• Rolling Kimura Escape - Counter-technique that can reverse the position when defending
• Side Control - Most common and high-percentage position for Kimura application
• Half Guard - Key position for bottom player to attack Kimura on opponent’s underhook
• Gift Wrap - Alternative shoulder control position that can transition to Kimura
• Omoplata - Related shoulder attack that targets similar joint structures with different mechanics
• Reverse Kimura - Variation that combines shoulder rotation with wrist lock pressure
• Crucifix - Advanced control position where Kimura can be applied with both arms trapped
• Americana - Closely related shoulder lock with opposite rotational direction

Expert Insights

• Danaher System: The Kimura represents one of the most mechanically sound joint locks in grappling because it leverages the figure-four grip structure to create overwhelming force multiplication against the shoulder joint’s weakest plane of motion. The key to understanding the Kimura systematically is recognizing that it functions on three distinct levels: first as a submission that attacks the rotator cuff and shoulder capsule through internal rotation; second as a control position that dominates the opponent’s upper body and posture through grip-based manipulation; and third as a transitional tool that creates pathways to superior positions, particularly back control. The most common error I observe is practitioners treating the Kimura purely as a submission when in reality, the grip itself provides such dominant control that the submission becomes almost secondary to the positional advantages it creates. From a safety perspective, the shoulder joint is particularly vulnerable to rotational stress, and the Kimura must be applied with progressive pressure over several seconds in training. The rotator cuff muscles tear easily under sudden load, and shoulder dislocations from improper application can require surgical intervention. I emphasize to my students that competition application differs dramatically from training application - in training, you must give your partner adequate time to recognize danger and tap, typically 3-5 seconds minimum of progressive rotation.
• Gordon Ryan: The Kimura is one of my highest percentage techniques because it works at every level of competition and against every body type when executed with proper timing and pressure. What makes it so effective in competition is that opponents must respect the submission threat even if they’re defending it successfully, which opens up back takes and position advancement. I use the Kimura grip constantly as a control position - even when I know I won’t finish the submission, the grip allows me to manipulate my opponent’s entire upper body and prevent their defensive frames. The key difference between training and competition is application speed: in competition, once I have the position secured, I’m finishing it as fast as technically possible to prevent escapes; in training, I’m applying it slowly over 3-5 seconds minimum because shoulder injuries end careers and I need healthy training partners. I’ve seen too many training room injuries from people spiking Kimuras, and it’s completely unnecessary - if you have the position, you don’t need to rush it in training. The belt grip defense is the most common at high levels, and when someone gets it, I immediately transition rather than fighting a grip war - usually I’ll take their back or advance to mount using the Kimura control. The technique has won me matches at every level from purple belt to black belt worlds, which proves its effectiveness when you drill the entries, recognize the opportunities, and maintain relentless pressure once you have the grip.
• Eddie Bravo: The Kimura is fundamental to the 10th Planet system because we’ve built entire positions around that grip structure - the Kimura Trap being the most obvious example where we create a control position specifically to hunt the Kimura while threatening sweeps and back takes simultaneously. What I love about the Kimura is its versatility in no-gi grappling where you don’t have collar grips to rely on - the figure-four on the wrist gives you the same level of control that gi grips provide, making it essential for no-gi competition. We drill Kimuras from every position including inverted guard, rubber guard transitions, and truck positions where most people don’t even look for it. The innovation in our system comes from recognizing that the Kimura grip can be established in scrambles and transitions, not just from static positions. Safety-wise, we’re extremely careful with shoulder locks at 10th Planet because we’ve all had shoulder injuries and know how devastating they are. I tell students that in training, the Kimura should feel like slow, increasing pressure where your partner has time to tap three times over before anything bad happens. In competition, it’s a different story - you secure it and finish it fast. But in the training room, we’re building each other up, not tearing each other down, so slow, controlled application is non-negotiable. The creativity with Kimuras is endless - we’re constantly finding new entries from positions like dogfight, lockdown, and even inverted positions. It’s a submission that rewards innovation while still maintaining its effectiveness through fundamental mechanical principles.