SAFETY: Kimura from Side Control targets the Shoulder joint (rotation and elevation). Risk: Shoulder dislocation (anterior or posterior). Release immediately upon tap.
The Kimura from Side Control is one of the most fundamental and high-percentage shoulder locks in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, offering exceptional control and finishing potential from a dominant top position. This submission targets the shoulder joint through figure-four grip mechanics, creating rotational and elevational stress that forces the tap. From side control, the attacker has superior positioning, weight distribution, and multiple angles to establish the lock while the opponent’s mobility is severely restricted. The technique’s versatility allows for seamless transitions to other submissions, back takes, or positional advancements if the opponent defends. The Kimura grip itself becomes a powerful control mechanism, enabling the top player to manipulate the opponent’s posture, break their defensive frames, and create submission opportunities even when the finish isn’t immediately available. This makes it an essential tool for maintaining offensive pressure from side control while constantly threatening the finish.
Category: Joint Lock Type: Shoulder Lock Target Area: Shoulder joint (rotation and elevation) Starting Position: Side Control From Position: Side Control (Top) Success Rate: 62%
Safety Guide
Injury Risks:
| Injury | Severity | Recovery Time |
|---|---|---|
| Shoulder dislocation (anterior or posterior) | High | 6-12 weeks with potential surgical intervention |
| Rotator cuff tear (supraspinatus, infraspinatus) | High | 8-16 weeks, may require surgery |
| Labrum tear (SLAP lesion) | High | 12-24 weeks with surgical repair |
| Biceps tendon strain or rupture | Medium | 4-8 weeks for strain, 12+ weeks for rupture |
Application Speed: SLOW and progressive - 3-5 seconds minimum from position establishment to submission pressure
Tap Signals:
- Verbal tap (saying ‘tap’ or any verbal signal)
- Physical hand tap on opponent or mat
- Physical foot tap on mat
- Any distress vocalization or signal
Release Protocol:
- Immediately release rotational pressure on the arm
- Lower the opponent’s arm back toward the mat in controlled manner
- Release the figure-four grip completely
- Allow opponent to move arm freely and check for injury
- Never jerk or spike the arm during release
Training Restrictions:
- Never apply explosive or jerking motions to the shoulder
- Always pause at 50-70% pressure to allow tap response time
- Never use competition finishing speed during drilling
- Stop immediately if partner cannot tap with free hand
- Avoid training this submission with injured or recovering partners
Outcomes
| Result | Position | Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Success | game-over | 60% |
| Failure | Side Control | 25% |
| Counter | Closed Guard | 15% |
Attacker vs Defender
| Attacker | Defender | |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Execute and finish | Escape and survive |
| Key Principles | Establish dominant side control with chest pressure before a… | Keep your near elbow glued to your ribcage to prevent arm is… |
| Options | 7 execution steps | 4 defensive options |
Playing as Attacker
Key Principles
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Establish dominant side control with chest pressure before attacking the arm
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Secure the figure-four grip with proper wrist and forearm positioning for maximum leverage
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Control the opponent’s hip and prevent them from turning into you during the finish
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Maintain tight connection between your elbow and their body to prevent arm escape
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Apply pressure through elevation and rotation simultaneously, not jerking motions
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Use your body weight and positioning rather than pure arm strength
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Keep your base wide and stable throughout the submission sequence
Execution Steps
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Establish Dominant Side Control: From side control, drive your chest weight into the opponent’s chest and shoulder area, eliminating …
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Isolate the Near Arm: Using your near-side hand, reach under the opponent’s near arm (the arm closest to you) and grip the…
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Thread Your Arm for Figure-Four Grip: While maintaining wrist control with your near hand, thread your far arm over their arm and reach fo…
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Control the Hip and Establish Base: Post your near-side knee tight against the opponent’s near hip to prevent them from turning into you…
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Elevate the Elbow: With the figure-four grip secured, begin lifting their elbow toward the ceiling while keeping it clo…
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Rotate the Arm Behind the Back: Once the elbow is elevated to approximately 90 degrees from their body, begin rotating their hand to…
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Finish with Walking Motion: If needed for the finish, walk your hips toward their head while maintaining the figure-four grip an…
Common Mistakes
-
Attempting the Kimura grip before establishing solid side control pressure
- Consequence: Opponent easily escapes their hips or turns into you, nullifying the submission attempt and potentially losing top position
- Correction: Always establish dominant side control first with chest pressure and hip control. Only attack the arm once your weight is settled and their movement is restricted.
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Allowing space between your elbow and their body during the figure-four grip
- Consequence: Opponent can straighten their arm and break the submission structure, escaping the lock completely
- Correction: Keep both elbows tight and close to their torso throughout the entire sequence. Your forearms should form a tight loop around their arm with no gaps.
-
Forgetting to control the opponent’s hip with your knee
- Consequence: Opponent turns into you and escapes the submission, potentially reversing position or taking your back
- Correction: Post your near knee tight against their near hip before elevating the arm. This blocks their primary escape route and maintains your dominant angle.
Playing as Defender
Key Principles
-
Keep your near elbow glued to your ribcage to prevent arm isolation - the submission cannot begin without separating your elbow from your body
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Fight the grip before it is established, not after - hand fighting to prevent the figure-four is far easier than breaking it once locked
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Turn into the attacker (toward their legs) as your primary escape direction, reducing rotational pressure on the shoulder while creating back take opportunities
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Maintain a strong connection between your trapped arm and your own body using belt grips, pants grips, or clasping your hands together
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Time your explosive escape attempts during the attacker’s transitions between control phases, when their weight distribution shifts
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Never allow both elevation and rotation to be applied simultaneously - block one vector and the submission cannot finish
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Accept the loss of side control position if necessary to save the arm - guard recovery is always preferable to shoulder injury
Recognition Cues
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Opponent shifts their near-side hand from head control to reach under your near arm, indicating they are beginning the arm isolation phase
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Opponent’s far arm begins threading over your near arm while maintaining wrist control, setting up the figure-four grip structure
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Opponent adjusts their knee position to block your near hip, shifting from pure control to submission-focused base with their weight moving toward your arm
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You feel your near elbow being pried away from your ribs while chest pressure increases on your shoulder to pin it to the mat
Escape Paths
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Turn into the attacker to reduce shoulder rotation, fight the grip to break the figure-four, and recover to closed guard or half guard as the attacker’s base is disrupted
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Bridge explosively toward the Kimura side when the attacker shifts weight to finish, using the reversal momentum to break free and recover guard or achieve top position
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Straighten the arm to break the figure-four grip structure, immediately reconnect the elbow to the ribs, and use the reset to initiate standard side control escape sequences
From Which Positions?
Match Outcome
Successful execution of Kimura from Side Control leads to → Game Over
All submissions in BJJ ultimately converge to the same terminal state: the match ends when your opponent taps.