⚠️ 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 Rates: Beginner 35%, Intermediate 50%, Advanced 65%
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
Key Principles
- Maintain heavy chest pressure throughout the attack to prevent escape via hip movement
- Isolate the near-side arm by controlling the wrist before establishing the figure-four grip
- Position your hips perpendicular to opponent’s body to maximize rotational leverage
- Use your head pressure on opponent’s far shoulder to prevent them turning into you
- Create the figure-four grip with your arms forming a strong structural frame
- Apply rotational pressure away from opponent’s head while lifting the elbow upward
- Monitor partner’s tap signals constantly as north-south angle creates rapid joint stress
Prerequisites
- Establish stable north-south control with chest pressure across opponent’s sternum and diaphragm
- Opponent’s near-side arm must be extended or framing against your body (not trapped under their body)
- Your hips positioned perpendicular to opponent’s torso for maximum leverage angle
- Control opponent’s far shoulder with your head pressure to prevent them turning away
- Your base is wide and stable with knees spread to resist opponent’s hip escape attempts
- Grip control established on opponent’s wrist before committing to the figure-four lock
Execution Steps
- Secure North-South Control: From north-south position, distribute your weight heavily across opponent’s chest and upper torso. Your head should pressure their far shoulder to prevent rotation. Spread your knees wide for base and position your hips perpendicular to their body. The opponent will naturally frame or push against your body with their near-side arm, creating the opportunity for attack. (Timing: 2-3 seconds to establish stable control) [Pressure: Firm]
- Isolate and Control the Wrist: As opponent extends their near-side arm to frame or create space, thread your arm closest to their legs underneath their forearm. Capture their wrist with a firm grip, pulling it slightly away from their body. Your grip should be palm-to-palm with your thumb toward their thumb, creating strong wrist control that prevents them from pulling the arm back to safety. (Timing: 1-2 seconds to secure wrist control) [Pressure: Moderate]
- Establish Figure-Four Grip: While maintaining wrist control with your lower hand, reach your upper arm (the one near their head) over the top of their arm and grab your own wrist to complete the figure-four configuration. Your upper arm’s elbow should be positioned over their elbow, creating a strong structural frame. Ensure your grip is tight and your arms form a solid mechanical connection—any looseness here reduces your leverage significantly. (Timing: 2-3 seconds to establish secure grip) [Pressure: Moderate]
- Adjust Hip Position and Create Angle: With the figure-four secured, adjust your hips to optimize leverage. Your hips should remain perpendicular to opponent’s body. Some practitioners step their leg closest to opponent’s head across and over to create additional base. Maintain chest pressure while creating slight space for your arms to work. The angle is critical—you want your body positioned so that rotating away from opponent’s head creates maximum torque on their shoulder. (Timing: 1-2 seconds for positioning) [Pressure: Firm]
- Apply Lifting Pressure to Elbow: Begin the submission by lifting opponent’s elbow upward toward the ceiling while maintaining your figure-four grip. This lifting motion creates initial stress on the shoulder joint. Your upper arm (the one controlling the elbow) does most of the work here. Keep your elbows tight to your body for maximum mechanical efficiency. Apply this pressure SLOWLY over 2-3 seconds, monitoring carefully for tap signals. (Timing: 2-3 seconds progressive pressure) [Pressure: Moderate]
- Rotate Arm Away from Head: While maintaining upward elbow pressure, begin rotating their entire arm away from their head—toward their legs. This rotational movement creates extreme torque on the shoulder joint, particularly the rotator cuff and anterior capsule. The combination of lifting and rotating generates the submission. Apply this rotation EXTREMELY SLOWLY over 3-4 seconds. The north-south angle creates deceptive leverage—what feels like moderate pressure to you is intense stress on their shoulder. Stop immediately at any tap signal. (Timing: 3-4 seconds with progressive pressure) [Pressure: Firm]
- Control and Finish: Continue the controlled rotation while maintaining all other pressure points—chest weight, head pressure on far shoulder, and figure-four grip integrity. If opponent attempts to roll toward the submission to relieve pressure, maintain your hip position and follow their movement while keeping the rotational stress constant. The submission finishes when shoulder joint stress forces the tap. In training, stop well before maximum pressure and release immediately upon tap. (Timing: Variable based on opponent response—always controlled) [Pressure: Maximum]
Opponent Defenses
- Opponent pulls elbow tight to body and hides arm (Effectiveness: High) - Your Adjustment: Before they can fully retract the arm, use your chest pressure and head position to bait them into re-extending the arm to create space. Alternatively, transition to far-side armbar or switch to alternative attacks like the north-south choke to force them to react.
- Opponent rolls toward the submission (into you) to relieve shoulder pressure (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Adjustment: Follow their roll by moving your hips in the same direction while maintaining the figure-four grip. As they roll toward you, they often expose their back—be prepared to transition to back control by releasing the Kimura and establishing seat belt control.
- Opponent bridges explosively to disrupt your base (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Adjustment: Maintain wide knee base and heavy chest pressure to absorb the bridge. If they create significant disruption, temporarily release rotational pressure (not the grip) and reestablish positional control before continuing the submission. Prioritize position maintenance over submission completion.
- Opponent grabs their own belt or gi pants with trapped hand (grip fighting) (Effectiveness: Low) - Your Adjustment: This defensive grip actually immobilizes their arm in a vulnerable position. Maintain your figure-four and continue applying rotational pressure—their own defensive grip prevents them from following the rotation, increasing joint stress. They will typically release the grip quickly once pressure increases.
Test Your Knowledge
Q1: Why is application speed more critical for the Kimura from north-south compared to Kimuras from other positions? [SAFETY-CRITICAL] A: The north-south angle creates significantly more leverage on the shoulder joint than traditional side control or guard-based Kimuras. The perpendicular body position and the combination of lifting and rotating away from the head generates extreme torque with minimal effort. This deceptive leverage means that what feels like moderate pressure to the person applying it can be intense joint stress for the recipient. Partners may not have sufficient time to recognize danger and tap before injury occurs if the submission is applied quickly. Therefore, extremely slow application (5-7 seconds minimum) is essential to give partners adequate opportunity to tap safely.
Q2: What are the minimum three tap signals you must recognize when applying the Kimura from north-south, and why is constant monitoring essential? [SAFETY-CRITICAL] A: The three primary tap signals are: (1) verbal tap or submission call, (2) physical hand tap on your body or the mat, and (3) physical foot tap on the mat. Additionally, any distress vocalization, panic signal, or rapid head movement should be treated as a tap. Constant monitoring is essential because the north-south position covers much of opponent’s upper body, potentially limiting their ability to tap with their free hand. Combined with the rapid onset of joint stress from the favorable leverage angle, you must watch for any indication of submission—including non-standard signals—and release immediately. Partners may panic if they cannot tap clearly, increasing injury risk.
Q3: What is the correct sequence for releasing the Kimura from north-south after receiving a tap signal? [SAFETY-CRITICAL] A: The release protocol follows this sequence: (1) immediately cease all rotational pressure on the shoulder to eliminate joint stress, (2) release the wrist control grip first while maintaining the arm in a safe position, (3) gently guide the arm back to a neutral position alongside the opponent’s body without dropping it suddenly, (4) gradually reduce chest pressure to allow the partner to recover breathing, and (5) check with your partner verbally before continuing training to ensure they are not injured. This systematic release prevents additional injury that could occur from sudden release or dropping the controlled arm.
Q4: Why is maintaining chest pressure throughout the submission attempt more important than in other top positions? A: North-south control relies heavily on chest pressure to prevent opponent’s hip escape and rotation. Unlike side control where you have more points of control (crossface, hip positioning), north-south offers fewer control mechanisms. Your chest pressure is the primary tool preventing opponent from shrimping away or turning into you. If you lighten this pressure while attempting the Kimura, opponent can create the hip movement necessary to escape or reverse position. Additionally, the perpendicular body alignment in north-south means your weight distribution must remain constant—any shift away from the chest pressure allows opponent to exploit the gap. Maintain heavy chest pressure throughout the entire submission sequence to ensure positional security.
Q5: What is the biomechanical advantage created by the perpendicular hip position in the north-south Kimura? A: The perpendicular hip position (your hips at a 90-degree angle to opponent’s body) creates optimal leverage for the Kimura because it allows you to rotate their arm away from their head while maintaining stable base and control. When your hips are perpendicular, rotating your upper body naturally creates torque on their shoulder joint without requiring significant strength. This angle also prevents opponent from following the rotation by turning their body—their hips are pinned by your chest pressure while your perpendicular positioning allows you freedom of movement. If your hips were parallel to theirs, you would lose this mechanical advantage and have to muscle the submission, reducing effectiveness and increasing escape opportunities.
Q6: How do you adjust your attack when opponent defends by rolling toward the submission, and what higher-value position can you secure? A: When opponent rolls toward the Kimura to relieve shoulder pressure, you must follow their rotation while maintaining the figure-four grip initially. As they turn into you, their back becomes exposed. At this point, you have a choice: either maintain the Kimura grip and continue applying pressure from the new angle, or release the wrist control and transition to back control by establishing the seat belt grip (one arm over their shoulder, one under their armpit). The back control transition is often higher-value because back control offers multiple submission opportunities and awards maximum points in competition. The key is recognizing that their rolling defense, while effective against the Kimura, creates a different vulnerability you can exploit.
From Which Positions?
Expert Insights
- Danaher System: The Kimura from north-south represents one of the most mechanically efficient shoulder locks in our arsenal due to the perpendicular body alignment and the dual-axis pressure system. The critical element most practitioners misunderstand is the relationship between vertical elbow elevation and horizontal rotation—these must occur simultaneously to create true joint stress. From north-south, we possess superior leverage compared to traditional side control Kimuras because our body weight naturally loads through the opponent’s chest while our arms are free to work independent of weight distribution. The safety consideration is paramount: this angle creates approximately 40% more torque on the shoulder complex than standard Kimuras, meaning injury occurs much faster. I emphasize to my students that the progression must be lifting the elbow first to establish tension in the joint capsule, then adding rotation gradually. The opponent’s defensive options are severely limited from north-south, which paradoxically increases our responsibility for controlled application. We must train this submission with heightened safety awareness, understanding that our mechanical advantage becomes our partner’s vulnerability. The intelligent practitioner uses this position not merely to finish, but to force defensive reactions that open alternative attacks—the Kimura grip itself becomes a powerful control mechanism even when the submission doesn’t materialize.
- Gordon Ryan: In competition, the Kimura from north-south is a high-percentage finish that I’ve used successfully at the highest levels, but there’s a significant difference between competition application and training room application that practitioners must understand. In competition, when I secure north-south control and isolate that near arm, I’m finishing the Kimura with maximum pressure and speed because the goal is winning the match. However, in the training room, this same submission requires completely different handling—I’m applying it over 5-7 seconds minimum and stopping at much lighter pressure than I would in competition. The reason this position is so effective in matches is that most opponents don’t realize how much danger they’re in until it’s too late—the angle is deceptive. I’ve finished multiple high-level black belts with this because they’re focused on escaping north-south and don’t prioritize hiding that arm until I’ve already established my grips. My advice for competition use: once you get the figure-four locked, don’t hesitate or give them time to adjust—finish decisively. For training: that same decisive finish becomes extremely dangerous to your partners, so you must override your competitive instincts and apply it slowly. The setup I prefer is attacking the north-south choke first, getting them to frame with that near arm, then immediately switching to the Kimura. That reaction-based entry is much higher percentage than just hunting for the arm directly.
- Eddie Bravo: The north-south Kimura is interesting because it’s a traditional jiu-jitsu position giving you this super modern, high-leverage finish, and the safety dynamics are completely different than what most people think about with other Kimuras. In the 10th Planet system, we’re big on the Kimura grip as a control tool more than just a finish—we use it to break people down, move them around, set up other attacks. From north-south specifically, what I like is how it connects to our whole system of never staying static. If they defend the Kimura by rolling into it, you’re flowing right into back control—that’s beautiful jiu-jitsu right there, where one attack chains into superior position. But here’s what I tell my students about safety: this angle is sneaky dangerous because you don’t feel like you’re cranking that hard, but your partner’s shoulder is getting torqued way harder than you think. I’ve seen people get hurt from this in the gym because the person applying it didn’t realize how much pressure they were using—it’s that deceptive leverage thing. So we drill this super slow, and I mean glacially slow, until people develop that sensitivity to how much pressure they’re actually applying. In training, I’d rather you lose position than hurt your training partner rushing this submission. But the technical evolution here is cool—we’re seeing more people using that step-over variation where you swing your leg across their head for even more leverage, which is great for competition but requires even more safety awareness in training. The whole key is understanding that traditional doesn’t mean less dangerous—sometimes the old school techniques are old school because they work so efficiently they can cause damage quickly.