SAFETY: Kimura from North-South targets the Shoulder joint, rotator cuff, and surrounding ligaments. Risk: Rotator cuff tear (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis damage). Release immediately upon tap.
The Kimura from North-South is a powerful shoulder lock that exploits the vulnerable arm position inherent to north-south control. This submission represents a high-percentage finishing option from one of the most stable top positions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The north-south position provides exceptional control over the opponent’s upper body while creating natural opportunities to isolate and attack the near-side arm. When the opponent frames or attempts to create space, their arm becomes exposed to the figure-four grip that characterizes the Kimura lock. The mechanical advantage from north-south is significant—you can generate rotational pressure on the shoulder joint while maintaining heavy chest pressure that prevents hip escape. The angle of attack differs from traditional side control or guard-based Kimuras, requiring adaptations in grip placement and finishing mechanics. Understanding the proper application speed and safety protocols is essential, as the north-south angle can generate extreme leverage on the shoulder complex with minimal warning to training partners.
Category: Joint Lock Type: Shoulder Lock Target Area: Shoulder joint, rotator cuff, and surrounding ligaments Starting Position: North-South Success Rate: 58%
Safety Guide
Injury Risks:
| Injury | Severity | Recovery Time |
|---|---|---|
| Rotator cuff tear (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis damage) | High | 4-8 months with surgical intervention; 6-12 weeks for partial tears with physical therapy |
| Anterior shoulder dislocation with labral damage | High | 3-6 months minimum; potential for chronic instability requiring surgery |
| AC joint separation or clavicle stress | Medium | 4-8 weeks for grade I-II; 3-4 months for grade III requiring surgical repair |
| Bicep tendon strain or tear at shoulder attachment | Medium | 6-12 weeks for strains; 3-6 months for complete tears |
Application Speed: EXTREMELY SLOW and progressive - minimum 5-7 seconds from initial pressure to submission. The north-south angle creates deceptive leverage that can injure before partner recognizes danger.
Tap Signals:
- Verbal tap or verbal submission call
- Physical hand tap on opponent’s body or mat
- Physical foot tap on mat
- Any distress vocalization or panic signal
- Rapid head shaking or nodding
Release Protocol:
- Immediately cease all rotational pressure on the shoulder
- Release the wrist control grip first to eliminate tension
- Gently guide the arm back to neutral position alongside opponent’s body
- Reduce chest pressure gradually to allow partner to recover breathing
- Check with partner verbally before continuing training
Training Restrictions:
- Never spike, jerk, or apply explosive force to the submission
- Never use competition-speed application in training rolls
- Always ensure partner has at least one arm free to tap
- Stop immediately at first sign of discomfort even without tap
- Never force the submission if opponent’s shoulder mobility is limited
- Avoid training this submission with partners recovering from shoulder injuries
Outcomes
| Result | Position | Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Success | game-over | 60% |
| Failure | North-South | 25% |
| Counter | Half Guard | 15% |
Attacker vs Defender
| Attacker | Defender | |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Execute and finish | Escape and survive |
| Key Principles | Maintain heavy chest pressure throughout the attack to preve… | Keep elbows pinned tight to your ribcage at all times to pre… |
| Options | 7 execution steps | 4 defensive options |
Playing as Attacker
Key Principles
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Maintain heavy chest pressure throughout the attack to prevent escape via hip movement
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Isolate the near-side arm by controlling the wrist before establishing the figure-four grip
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Position your hips perpendicular to opponent’s body to maximize rotational leverage
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Use your head pressure on opponent’s far shoulder to prevent them turning into you
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Create the figure-four grip with your arms forming a strong structural frame
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Apply rotational pressure away from opponent’s head while lifting the elbow upward
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Monitor partner’s tap signals constantly as north-south angle creates rapid joint stress
Execution Steps
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Secure North-South Control: From north-south position, distribute your weight heavily across opponent’s chest and upper torso. Y…
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Isolate and Control the Wrist: As opponent extends their near-side arm to frame or create space, thread your arm closest to their l…
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Establish Figure-Four Grip: While maintaining wrist control with your lower hand, reach your upper arm (the one near their head)…
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Adjust Hip Position and Create Angle: With the figure-four secured, adjust your hips to optimize leverage. Your hips should remain perpend…
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Apply Lifting Pressure to Elbow: Begin the submission by lifting opponent’s elbow upward toward the ceiling while maintaining your fi…
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Rotate Arm Away from Head: While maintaining upward elbow pressure, begin rotating their entire arm away from their head—toward…
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Control and Finish: Continue the controlled rotation while maintaining all other pressure points—chest weight, head pres…
Common Mistakes
-
Applying submission too quickly without progressive pressure
- Consequence: High risk of shoulder injury to training partner, potentially causing rotator cuff tears or labral damage before they can safely tap
- Correction: Always apply the submission over minimum 5-7 seconds with gradually increasing pressure. The north-south angle creates deceptive leverage—be extra cautious with application speed.
-
Loosening chest pressure while attempting the Kimura
- Consequence: Opponent can hip escape or roll out, defeating the submission and potentially escaping to a neutral or superior position
- Correction: Maintain constant heavy chest pressure throughout the entire submission sequence. Your weight distribution should remain primarily on opponent’s upper torso even as your arms work the figure-four lock.
-
Poor figure-four grip with loose or improper hand positioning
- Consequence: Loss of mechanical leverage allows opponent to straighten their arm or slip out of the lock, wasting the positional opportunity
- Correction: Ensure your wrist-to-wrist grip is tight with proper thumb alignment. Your upper arm’s elbow must be positioned directly over opponent’s elbow to create a solid structural frame. Check grip integrity before applying pressure.
Playing as Defender
Key Principles
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Keep elbows pinned tight to your ribcage at all times to prevent arm isolation and deny the attacker wrist control
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Fight hands immediately when you feel wrist control being established—grip fighting before the figure-four locks is your highest-percentage window
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Use hip movement to create angles that reduce the attacker’s chest pressure and disrupt their perpendicular alignment
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Roll toward the submission (into the attacker) rather than away when the figure-four is locked—rolling away increases shoulder torque
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Tap early and decisively—the north-south angle creates deceptive leverage that can cause injury faster than you expect
Recognition Cues
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Attacker’s hand slides underneath your forearm or reaches for your wrist while maintaining north-south chest pressure
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You feel the attacker shift their weight to one side while one of their arms threads over the top of your arm toward their own wrist
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Attacker adjusts their hips to a more perpendicular angle relative to your body while maintaining chest contact
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You feel a figure-four grip configuration locking around your arm with increasing tightness at the elbow and wrist
Escape Paths
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Bridge and hip escape toward the attacked side to break the figure-four grip and recover to half guard or closed guard
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Roll into the attacker (toward the Kimura side) to relieve shoulder pressure, potentially reaching turtle or exposing their back for a reversal
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Straighten the trapped arm explosively before the figure-four consolidates, then retract the elbow tight to your body to reset to north-south defense
From Which Positions?
Match Outcome
Successful execution of Kimura from North-South leads to → Game Over
All submissions in BJJ ultimately converge to the same terminal state: the match ends when your opponent taps.