Kimura from Modified Scarf Hold

SAFETY: Kimura from Modified Scarf Hold targets the Shoulder and elbow joint. Risk: Shoulder dislocation or torn rotator cuff from excessive external rotation. Release immediately upon tap.

Play as Attacker Play as Defender

The Kimura from Modified Scarf Hold is a high-percentage shoulder lock that exploits the superior arm control inherent in the modified scarf hold position. The chest-to-chest pressure and near-arm entrapment characteristic of this pin create ideal conditions for isolating the opponent’s arm and applying the figure-four double wrist lock to attack the shoulder through forced external rotation.

This submission capitalizes on the positional advantages unique to modified scarf hold. The bottom player’s near arm is already partially compromised by the pinning mechanics, requiring minimal positional adjustment to secure the kimura grip. The attacker transitions from control to attack by threading under the trapped arm, establishing the figure-four grip, and using a combination of hip pressure and rotational force to walk the wrist behind the opponent’s back. The mechanic is particularly effective because the chest pressure limits the defender’s ability to create space, sit up, or generate the frames needed to prevent arm isolation.

The Kimura from Modified Scarf Hold appears frequently in both gi and no-gi competition at all levels. Its reliability stems from the natural grip availability and the submission chain it creates. Defenders who straighten their arm to prevent the kimura expose themselves to americanas, while those who grip their own body create a battle of leverage the attacker typically wins through superior positioning. Advanced practitioners integrate this attack into a systematic flow between kimura, americana, and armbar threats that forces the defender into progressively worse positions with each defensive reaction.

Category: Joint Lock Type: Arm Lock Target Area: Shoulder and elbow joint Starting Position: Modified Scarf Hold From Position: Modified Scarf Hold (Top) Success Rate: 50%

Safety Guide

Injury Risks:

Injury	Severity	Recovery Time
Shoulder dislocation or torn rotator cuff from excessive external rotation	CRITICAL	3-6 months, may require surgical repair
Torn shoulder labrum from rotational force exceeding joint range of motion	High	4-8 months, often requires arthroscopic surgery
Elbow hyperextension or ligament sprain from combined rotational and extension force	Medium	2-6 weeks with rest and rehabilitation

Application Speed: SLOW and progressive. The shoulder joint has limited external rotation range and injuries occur rapidly once that range is exceeded. Never jerk, spike, or explosively crank the kimura. Apply steady, incremental pressure and give your partner time to recognize and signal submission.

Tap Signals:

• Verbal tap (saying ‘tap’ or any distress signal)
• Physical hand tap on partner, own body, or mat
• Physical foot tap on mat with either leg
• Any unusual vocalization, screaming, or distress signal

Release Protocol:

1. Release immediately upon any tap signal without hesitation
2. If in doubt about whether a tap occurred, release and re-establish position
3. Gradually release rotational pressure rather than dropping the arm suddenly to avoid secondary strain
4. Check partner’s shoulder mobility and comfort after release before continuing

Training Restrictions:

• Never apply full-speed kimura cranking during drilling or light sparring rounds
• Apply the finish slowly and progressively in all training contexts regardless of partner skill level
• Beginners should practice grip mechanics and positioning without applying finishing rotational pressure
• White and blue belts should drill the sequence at reduced intensity with emphasis on control, not speed

Outcomes

Result	Position	Probability
Success	game-over	50%
Failure	Modified Scarf Hold	30%
Counter	Half Guard	20%

Attacker vs Defender

	Attacker	Defender
Focus	Execute and finish	Escape and survive
Key Principles	Maintain chest pressure throughout the entire submission seq…	Keep your near-side elbow glued to your ribs at all times—th…
Options	8 execution steps	3 defensive options

Playing as Attacker

→ Full Attacker Guide

Key Principles

• Maintain chest pressure throughout the entire submission sequence—never sacrifice positional control for grip acquisition

• Use body mechanics rather than arm strength to generate rotational force on the shoulder joint

• Isolate the elbow from the ribs before attempting any rotational finish—this is the critical control threshold

• Apply progressive, steady pressure rather than explosive cranking to allow safe training and reliable competition finishes

• Treat the kimura grip as a control position first and a submission second—the grip itself creates offensive options

• Chain between kimura and americana based on the defender’s arm angle, converting every defensive reaction into a new attack

Execution Steps

• Consolidate Modified Scarf Hold control: From established Modified Scarf Hold, ensure your chest is heavy on the opponent’s chest with their …

• Thread arm under opponent’s near tricep: While maintaining chest pressure, release the head wrap or arm control and slide your near-side arm …

• Secure the figure-four kimura grip: Grab the opponent’s wrist with your threading hand using a thumb-around grip. Simultaneously bring y…

• Clear the elbow from the ribs: Use your hip pressure and body weight to pry the opponent’s elbow away from their ribcage. Drive you…

• Pin the upper arm to the mat: Once the elbow clears the ribs, drive the opponent’s upper arm to the mat using downward pressure fr…

• Walk the wrist behind the opponent’s back: Begin rotating their forearm behind their back by walking the wrist in small controlled increments t…

• Apply finishing rotational pressure: Continue the external rotation until you meet significant resistance from the shoulder joint reachin…

• Secure the tap and release safely: Maintain finishing pressure until the opponent signals submission through verbal or physical tap. On…

Common Mistakes

• Releasing chest pressure to reach for the arm with both hands

  • Consequence: Opponent immediately sits up, creates frames, or turns to recover guard during the momentary loss of top pressure
  • Correction: Keep your chest heavy on the opponent throughout the entire grip transition—thread one arm at a time while maintaining body weight on their torso

• Attempting to rotate the arm before clearing the elbow from the ribs

  • Consequence: The ribs act as a structural block preventing rotation, resulting in wasted energy and the opponent successfully anchoring their defense
  • Correction: Dedicate time and effort to prying the elbow away from the ribs using hip pressure and knee wedging before any rotational attempt

• Using arm strength rather than body mechanics to generate the finishing rotation

  • Consequence: Rapid grip fatigue, inconsistent finishing pressure, and inability to overcome strong opponents who can resist arm-only force
  • Correction: Rotate your entire upper body to generate torque through the figure-four grip—your arms transmit force, they do not create it

Playing as Defender

→ Full Defender Guide

Key Principles

• Keep your near-side elbow glued to your ribs at all times—this single habit defeats the majority of kimura attempts before they begin

• Recognize the submission threat early by feeling for the attacker’s arm threading under your tricep

• Anchor your near arm by gripping your own belt, lapel, or far-side hip to create structural resistance against arm isolation

• Exploit the attacker’s transition from pin control to submission grip—this is when their chest pressure is lightest and escape windows open

• Time your bridge and escape attempts for the moment the attacker commits both hands to the figure-four, temporarily reducing their base

• If the figure-four is locked, prioritize preventing elbow separation from your ribs over attempting to break the grip directly

Recognition Cues

• Opponent releases their head wrap or arm control around your head and begins threading their arm underneath your near-side tricep

• You feel the attacker’s hand sliding between your upper arm and your ribcage, seeking to emerge on the wrist side of your near arm

• Opponent shifts their weight slightly and frees both hands simultaneously, indicating transition from pinning grips to submission grips

• Sudden increase in downward pressure on your near arm as the attacker begins prying your elbow away from your body

Escape Paths

• Bridge toward the attacker during the grip transition phase and insert your knee to recover half guard before the figure-four is consolidated

• Straighten your arm forcefully and retract your elbow back to your ribs before the attacker can establish rotational control

• Roll away from the attacker explosively if the figure-four is locked but elbow is not yet pinned, pulling your arm free during the roll

• Turn into the attacker and get chest-to-chest, using the proximity to neutralize the rotational angle needed for the finish

Variations

Standard Kimura from Modified Scarf Hold: Classic entry where the attacker releases the head wrap, threads under the near arm tricep, and secures the figure-four grip while maintaining heavy chest pressure. The finish involves walking the wrist behind the opponent’s back using hip pressure and body rotation. (When to use: Default attack when the near arm is accessible and the opponent is not actively clasping hands or anchoring their arm)

Step-Over Kimura: After securing the figure-four grip, the attacker steps their far leg over the opponent’s head while maintaining the kimura grip. This creates additional rotational leverage by pinning the opponent’s head with the leg and allows the attacker to finish from a north-south angle. (When to use: When the opponent is defending by rolling toward the attacker or when additional leverage is needed to overcome strong grip defense)

Kimura to Back Take: Instead of finishing the kimura directly, the attacker uses the figure-four grip as a control handle to roll the opponent face-down. As the defender turns to relieve shoulder pressure, the attacker follows and establishes back control while maintaining the kimura grip for continued threat. (When to use: When the opponent rolls or turns to defend the kimura finish, converting their defensive movement into a positional advancement opportunity)

From Which Positions?

• Modified Scarf Hold
• Kesa Gatame
• Side Control

Related Submissions

• Americana from Kesa Gatame
• Arm Triangle from Scarf Hold
• Americana from Side Control
• Kesa Gatame Arm Crush
• Americana
• Armbar from Side Control

Additional Related Content

• Modified Scarf Hold - Starting position from which this submission is initiated
• Kesa Gatame - Related starting position offering similar kimura opportunities with different body angle
• Side Control - Parent position family from which modified scarf hold is derived
• Kimura Trap - Control position reached when kimura grip is secured but not yet finished
• Americana - Alternative submission when opponent straightens arm defending the kimura
• Arm Triangle from Scarf Hold - Alternative choke submission available from similar scarf hold positioning
• North-South - Transition option available when kimura attempt fails and opponent creates space

Match Outcome

Successful execution of Kimura from Modified Scarf Hold leads to → Game Over

All submissions in BJJ ultimately converge to the same terminal state: the match ends when your opponent taps.