⚠️ SAFETY: Kimura from Standing targets the Shoulder joint, rotator cuff, and posterior shoulder capsule. Risk: Rotator cuff tear (supraspinatus, infraspinatus tendons). Release immediately upon tap.
The Kimura from Standing represents one of the most versatile shoulder lock applications in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, bridging the gap between takedown control and submission finish. This technique capitalizes on the standing position’s dynamic nature, where opponents are often less defensive against upper body attacks while focused on maintaining balance and preventing takedowns. The standing Kimura serves multiple strategic purposes: it can force an immediate tap, create a dominant takedown opportunity, or establish superior positional control as both fighters transition to the ground. Unlike ground-based Kimura applications, the standing version requires acute awareness of weight distribution, base management, and the ability to control an opponent who maintains full mobility. The technique’s effectiveness stems from its integration with wrestling fundamentals—using the Kimura grip to break down posture, compromise base, and create cascading defensive dilemmas. Advanced practitioners use the standing Kimura as a systematic entry point, recognizing that even when the submission doesn’t finish, the control gained opens pathways to dominant positions including back takes, side control entries, and turtle attacks. The standing application demands precise technical execution combined with strategic timing, making it a cornerstone technique for practitioners transitioning between standing and ground phases of combat.
Category: Joint Lock Type: Shoulder Lock Target Area: Shoulder joint, rotator cuff, and posterior shoulder capsule Starting Position: Standing Position Success Rates: Beginner 35%, Intermediate 50%, Advanced 65%
Safety Guide
Injury Risks:
| Injury | Severity | Recovery Time |
|---|---|---|
| Rotator cuff tear (supraspinatus, infraspinatus tendons) | High | 6-12 months with surgery, extensive physical therapy |
| Posterior shoulder dislocation | CRITICAL | 3-6 months minimum, potential permanent instability |
| Shoulder capsule damage | High | 4-8 months, may require surgical repair |
| Biceps tendon strain or tear | Medium | 6-12 weeks for strain, 4-6 months for tear |
| Fall-related head or spine injury (from standing height) | CRITICAL | Variable, potentially permanent |
Application Speed: EXTREMELY SLOW and controlled - minimum 5-7 seconds, standing applications require extra caution due to fall risk
Tap Signals:
- Verbal tap (loudly, especially in standing)
- Physical hand tap on partner’s body or mat
- Physical foot tap or stomp
- Any distress vocalization
- Opponent going to knees (may indicate submission)
Release Protocol:
- Immediately stop all rotational pressure on the shoulder
- Maintain grip stability to prevent sudden arm release (controlled descent)
- Guide partner safely to ground if still standing
- Release wrist control first, then shoulder control
- Allow partner to externally rotate shoulder back to neutral position
- Check for injury and range of motion before continuing training
Training Restrictions:
- Never spike, jerk, or explosively rotate the shoulder joint
- Never use competition finishing speed in training (always 50% speed maximum)
- Never apply standing Kimura on beginners without extensive instruction
- Never prevent partner from tapping by controlling both arms
- Always ensure safe landing space and clear training area
- Never continue pressure if partner shows any sign of distress or instability
- Prohibit standing Kimura practice without instructor supervision for white belts
Key Principles
- Figure-four grip construction - Lock wrist control with opposite hand creating unbreakable mechanical advantage before attempting rotation
- Elbow height control - Elevate opponent’s elbow above shoulder height to maximize rotational leverage and prevent defensive posturing
- Hip positioning and base - Maintain wide, staggered stance with hips lower than opponent’s to generate upward lifting pressure while staying balanced
- Controlled descent management - Use Kimura control to guide opponent safely to ground, transitioning submission pressure throughout the takedown
- Progressive rotation application - Apply shoulder rotation incrementally in 10-15 degree segments, monitoring resistance and tap signals constantly
- Integration with takedown threats - Combine Kimura grip with forward pressure, trips, and off-balancing to create submission-or-takedown dilemmas
- Grip security over speed - Prioritize unbreakable grip establishment and control maintenance rather than rushing to finishing position
Prerequisites
- Secure double wrist control or single wrist control with collar tie establishing initial grip dominance before Kimura entry
- Identify opponent’s extended or reaching arm creating vulnerability window for wrist isolation and capture
- Establish close-range positioning within striking distance, eliminating space that allows opponent to retract arm safely
- Confirm stable base and posture with feet wider than shoulders, knees slightly bent, ready to absorb opponent’s defensive movement
- Create angle advantage by stepping offline from opponent’s centerline, positioning for optimal leverage on captured arm
- Verify clear training space behind and beside opponent to safely accommodate potential fall or controlled takedown
- Ensure partner awareness of standing submission training protocols and tap signal visibility before attempting
Execution Steps
- Wrist capture and isolation: From standing engagement (collar tie, wrist control, or clinch), identify opponent’s extended arm and secure deep wrist grip with your same-side hand. Pull wrist across opponent’s centerline while using free hand to control their shoulder or collar, preventing arm retraction. Step at 45-degree angle offline to compromise their base and create angle for figure-four construction. (Timing: 1-2 seconds - control establishment phase) [Pressure: Moderate]
- Figure-four grip lock construction: Thread your free hand under opponent’s trapped arm, reaching through to grab your own wrist (not hand) creating the classic Kimura figure-four configuration. Ensure your forearm makes contact with back of their upper arm creating structural frame. Squeeze elbows together to compress the lock and eliminate any loose space in the grip structure. This grip must be unbreakable before proceeding. (Timing: 2-3 seconds - critical grip security phase) [Pressure: Firm]
- Elbow elevation and posture disruption: Lift opponent’s trapped elbow upward and slightly away from their body, raising it above shoulder height. Simultaneously lower your own base by bending knees and widening stance. This elevation creates immediate shoulder discomfort and forces opponent onto toes, disrupting their defensive posture. Maintain constant upward pressure while staying heavy and stable in your own stance. (Timing: 2-3 seconds - position establishment) [Pressure: Firm]
- Initial rotation application (slow and controlled): Begin rotating opponent’s hand toward their spine while maintaining elbow elevation. Rotate in small 10-15 degree increments, monitoring resistance constantly. Keep their elbow pointing upward and away from body as you rotate. Walk your feet in small adjustments to maintain optimal angle. Watch for tap signals continuously - shoulder locks from standing finish quickly and unexpectedly. (Timing: 3-4 seconds minimum - never rush rotation) [Pressure: Moderate]
- Takedown integration or submission finish: As rotation pressure increases, opponent typically attempts to relieve pressure by lowering their body or turning away. Follow their movement by stepping through with inside leg, driving forward pressure, or executing outside trip. Control their descent using Kimura grip as handle, maintaining submission pressure throughout fall. Alternative: if standing finish is appropriate (competition, defensive scenario), continue progressive rotation until tap - NEVER SPIKE. (Timing: 2-3 seconds - transition or finish phase) [Pressure: Firm]
- Ground transition and continued control: Once opponent reaches ground (from tap evasion or controlled takedown), immediately transition Kimura control to dominant position: side control, north-south, or modified mount. Maintain figure-four grip throughout transition. Reassess submission opportunity from grounded position with superior control and increased leverage. From ground, can reapply finishing pressure with better mechanical advantage and safety. (Timing: 2-3 seconds - position consolidation) [Pressure: Moderate]
- Safety release and position maintenance: Upon tap signal, immediately cease all rotational pressure while maintaining grip stability. Guide partner’s arm back to neutral position in controlled manner - never release suddenly. If in dominant ground position, maintain positional control while releasing submission. Check partner’s shoulder mobility and ensure no injury before continuing training or competition. (Timing: Immediate upon tap recognition) [Pressure: Light]
Opponent Defenses
- Arm retraction and elbow pull-in toward ribs (Effectiveness: High) - Your Adjustment: Counter by immediately stepping closer, using body weight to prevent retraction, and securing collar tie or head control with free hand before attempting wrist isolation. Feint takedown attacks to force arm extension.
- Counter-rotation by spinning toward trapped arm (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Adjustment: Follow their rotation by circling in same direction while lifting elbow higher. Use their rotational momentum to elevate them onto toes and off-balance. Transition to back take opportunity if they over-rotate.
- Base widening and hip dropping to create heaviness (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Adjustment: Respond by increasing elbow elevation and stepping to angle rather than pushing straight forward. Use upward lifting pressure to compromise their lowered base. Combine with outside trip or inside trip to capitalize on their static positioning.
- Free hand grabbing their own wrist/hand (defensive grip) (Effectiveness: Low) - Your Adjustment: This defense only delays the submission. Continue rotation pressure which forces them to choose between maintaining grip or tapping. Often breaks their defensive grip through leverage. Can also attack with forward pressure or trips while they’re focused on grip battle.
- Explosive forward pressure and driving into you (Effectiveness: High) - Your Adjustment: Use their forward momentum against them by pulling and turning, executing sacrifice throw or allowing them to drive past while maintaining Kimura control. Land in top position with Kimura grip intact, now with superior position and leverage.
- Jumping guard or pulling guard to escape standing pressure (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Adjustment: Expected and advantageous response. Maintain Kimura grip as they pull guard, landing in their guard with established submission control. Immediately pass guard using Kimura as control handle, transitioning to side control or north-south with superior finishing position.
Test Your Knowledge
Q1: Why must the opponent’s elbow be elevated above shoulder height before applying rotational pressure in the standing Kimura? A: Elbow elevation above shoulder height is biomechanically critical because it pre-loads the shoulder joint into vulnerable position, compromises the opponent’s ability to use lat and pectoral muscles for defensive strength, forces them onto their toes disrupting base, and maximizes the mechanical advantage of the figure-four grip. Low elbow position allows opponent to use major muscle groups for defense and provides minimal submission pressure regardless of rotation applied.
Q2: What is the minimum time frame for applying rotational pressure in training, and why is this safety protocol essential for standing Kimura applications? [SAFETY-CRITICAL] A: Minimum 5-7 seconds of progressive, incremental rotation is required in training for standing Kimura applications. This extended timeframe (longer than ground Kimuras) is essential because: standing position increases fall risk and impact injury potential, shoulder joint damage occurs rapidly under rotational stress, tap signal visibility and recognition is more difficult in standing exchanges, and partner has less ability to verbally communicate distress while maintaining balance. The standing environment amplifies all injury risks, requiring proportionally slower application speeds and heightened awareness.
Q3: Describe the proper sequence for releasing a standing Kimura after receiving a tap signal, including fall prevention considerations? [SAFETY-CRITICAL] A: Upon tap recognition: (1) Immediately cease all rotational pressure while maintaining grip stability to prevent sudden release, (2) Actively guide partner safely to ground if still standing using Kimura grip as control handle, (3) Release wrist grip first allowing arm to decompress, (4) Release shoulder control while supporting their arm, (5) Allow partner to externally rotate shoulder back to neutral position at their own pace, (6) Assess for injury and ensure clear communication before continuing. The key principle is controlled, sequential release that prevents both continued submission pressure and sudden uncontrolled arm release that could cause secondary injury.
Q4: When opponent defends standing Kimura by counter-rotating toward their trapped arm, what are the two highest percentage responses and why? A: The two highest percentage responses are: (1) Follow their rotation while increasing elbow elevation and transition to back take by stepping behind them as they turn, converting their defensive rotation into back control entry with Kimura grip maintained, or (2) Use their rotational momentum to off-balance them with outside trip or inside trip, taking them to ground in dominant position with submission intact. Both responses capitalize on opponent’s committed movement rather than fighting against it, exemplifying the principle of using opponent’s energy and reactions to create submission-or-position dilemmas. Attempting to stop or reverse their rotation typically fails against determined defense.
Q5: What environmental safety considerations are mandatory before attempting standing Kimura in training, and what injuries are these precautions designed to prevent? [SAFETY-CRITICAL] A: Mandatory environmental precautions include: verifying 6-8 feet of clear matted space in all directions, positioning away from walls and equipment, ensuring no other training pairs in fall radius, and confirming adequate mat thickness for potential falls from standing height. These precautions prevent head trauma and concussions from uncontrolled falls onto hard surfaces, fractures or dislocations from impact with walls or equipment, and collision injuries with other practitioners. Standing submissions create inherent fall risk that ground techniques don’t present, requiring proactive environmental management as non-negotiable safety protocol.
Q6: Why is the standing Kimura considered a systematic position rather than purely a submission, and what strategic opportunities does this create? A: The standing Kimura functions as a systematic control position because the figure-four grip creates a steering mechanism that controls opponent’s entire body, not just the arm. This systematic nature creates multiple strategic pathways: forced takedowns where opponent drops to escape shoulder pressure, back take opportunities when opponent counter-rotates, guard pull reactions that land you in dominant passing position, and submission finishes in multiple positions (standing, transition, or ground). Advanced practitioners use standing Kimura as a position-control system that creates cascading dilemmas - opponent must choose between accepting takedown, giving back, or tapping to submission. This multi-pathway approach defines systematic position versus isolated submission technique.
Q7: What are the three most dangerous errors in standing Kimura application, and what catastrophic injuries can result from each? [SAFETY-CRITICAL] A: The three most dangerous errors are: (1) Explosive or jerking rotation causing immediate rotator cuff tears, posterior shoulder dislocations, or complete shoulder capsule ruptures requiring surgical repair and 6-12 month recovery, (2) Failing to control opponent’s descent causing uncontrolled falls from standing height resulting in head trauma, cervical spine injuries, or impact fractures, and (3) Ignoring or delaying tap signal recognition causing progressive shoulder destruction beyond repairable damage and permanent joint instability. All three errors share common root cause: prioritizing submission completion or competitive success over mandatory training safety protocols. These are career-ending injury risks that violate fundamental training ethics.
From Which Positions?
Expert Insights
- Danaher System: The standing Kimura represents a critical intersection between wrestling control and submission mechanics that most practitioners fundamentally misunderstand. The technique’s value lies not in its finishing rate - which is relatively low against experienced opponents in standing position - but in its systematic capacity to create cascading positional dilemmas. When you establish the figure-four grip from standing, you’ve created a steering mechanism that controls the opponent’s entire body through their shoulder girdle. This is mechanically similar to how a steering wheel controls a vehicle - small inputs create large directional changes. The standing Kimura should be conceptualized as a position that opens three primary pathways: forced takedown when opponent lowers their body to escape shoulder pressure, back take opportunity when they counter-rotate toward the trapped arm, and submission finish if they remain static and upright. Advanced practitioners recognize that the grip itself is the weapon, not the rotation. The rotation is merely one option within a systematic framework. From a safety perspective, the standing application demands exceptional control because falls from standing height combined with torqued shoulder position create catastrophic injury potential. The practitioner must develop the discipline to guide opponent’s descent actively, maintaining submission pressure throughout the controlled fall. This is technical maturity that separates dangerous practitioners from systematic ones. Train the standing Kimura primarily as a takedown setup that retains submission threat, and you’ll discover its true systematic value.
- Gordon Ryan: In competition, the standing Kimura is one of those techniques that looks spectacular when it works but rarely finishes against high-level opponents who understand positional defense. Here’s the reality: experienced grapplers will either immediately sit to guard when you establish the grip, drop to their knees to relieve shoulder pressure, or spin hard toward the trapped arm attempting to create scramble positions. All three responses are predictable and exploitable if you’re training the position correctly. My approach is to use the standing Kimura as a takedown threat that forces specific reactions I can capitalize on. When I lock the figure-four from standing, I’m not thinking ‘submission finish’ - I’m thinking ‘where is this taking us and how do I land in the most dominant position possible.’ If they sit to guard, I’m already passing with Kimura control established. If they drop to knees, I’m taking back or moving to side control. If they spin, I’m following into back control. The submission itself becomes almost secondary to the positional dominance the grip creates. That said, the standing finish does exist in competition, particularly against opponents who panic or freeze rather than moving defensively. The key is recognizing the finish window - it’s usually only 1-2 seconds when they’re standing static and you’ve achieved perfect elbow elevation and angle. In training versus competition, the speed difference is massive. In training, you apply this over 5-7 seconds minimum because shoulder injuries end careers and destroy training partners. In competition, if the finish is there, it happens much faster - but still controlled and progressive. Never spike it even in competition. The reputation cost of injuring opponents isn’t worth any victory. Train the standing Kimura as a systematic control position that creates takedown advantages, and occasionally you’ll catch the submission as a bonus.
- Eddie Bravo: The standing Kimura is one of those old-school catch wrestling techniques that got absorbed into BJJ and creates some really creative opportunities if you’re willing to experiment beyond the traditional applications. In the 10th Planet system, we look at standing control positions as entry points for ground sequences, and the standing Kimura fits perfectly into that philosophy. When you lock that figure-four grip from standing, you’ve basically got a joystick controlling where your opponent goes - and more importantly, you can guide them exactly into the positions where you’re most dangerous. One variation we drill heavily is the standing Kimura to sacrifice throw entry, similar to a tomoe nage but with the arm already controlled. You establish the Kimura, sit back pulling them over you, and land in mount or side control with the submission already locked. It’s dynamic, it’s unexpected, and it creates highlight-reel moments while giving you superior position even if the sub doesn’t finish immediately. The other application I love is using the standing Kimura to set up truck entries and twister positions. When they defend by dropping to their knees or turning into the grip, you can transition to truck control and access the whole leg-across-body system. Most people don’t see that connection, but it’s there if you’re drilling the transitions systematically. Now, safety on this technique is absolutely critical because we’re dealing with standing height falls combined with a locked shoulder - that’s a recipe for disaster if you’re being careless or aggressive. In our academy, standing submissions are treated with extra respect. We drill them slow, we tap early, and we never let ego or competition mindset creep into training applications. The standing Kimura should make your partner uncomfortable enough to react, but never hurt them. If you’re finishing standing Kimuras regularly in training, you’re applying them too hard and you’re going to injure somebody eventually. Respect the technique, respect your training partners, and use the standing Kimura as a creative position that opens multiple paths rather than just hunting for the tap from standing.