⚠️ SAFETY: Kimura from Turtle targets the Shoulder joint, rotator cuff, and associated ligaments. Risk: Rotator cuff tear (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, subscapularis). Release immediately upon tap.
The Kimura from Turtle is a powerful shoulder lock submission that capitalizes on the opponent’s defensive turtle position. When executed properly, this technique isolates the arm through a figure-four grip while controlling the opponent’s posture, creating significant torque on the shoulder joint. The turtle position provides unique mechanical advantages for the Kimura, as the opponent’s weight distribution and defensive posture naturally expose the arms. This submission can be approached from various angles including traditional top turtle control, front headlock positions, or transitional scrambles. The Kimura from turtle serves multiple strategic purposes: it can be used as a direct finish, as a powerful control position to break down the turtle and transition to back control, or as a means to roll the opponent and establish dominant top positions like mount or side control. The technique’s effectiveness stems from the combination of grip control, hip pressure, and proper angle creation that prevents the opponent from defending effectively while maintaining the structural integrity needed to apply safe, controlled pressure to the shoulder joint.
Category: Joint Lock Type: Shoulder Lock Target Area: Shoulder joint, rotator cuff, and associated ligaments Starting Position: Turtle Success Rates: Beginner 35%, Intermediate 55%, Advanced 70%
Safety Guide
Injury Risks:
| Injury | Severity | Recovery Time |
|---|---|---|
| Rotator cuff tear (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, subscapularis) | High | 3-6 months with surgery, 6-12 weeks conservative treatment |
| Shoulder dislocation (glenohumeral joint separation) | High | 6-12 weeks, potential chronic instability |
| Labrum tear (glenoid labrum damage) | High | 4-6 months with surgical repair |
| Biceps tendon strain or rupture | Medium | 4-8 weeks for strain, 3-6 months for rupture |
| AC joint sprain (acromioclavicular separation) | Medium | 2-6 weeks depending on grade |
Application Speed: SLOW and progressive - minimum 3-5 seconds application time in training, never explosive
Tap Signals:
- Verbal tap (saying ‘tap’ or any verbal submission)
- Physical hand tap on partner or mat (minimum 2 taps)
- Physical foot tap on mat or partner
- Any verbal distress signal or physical indication of pain
- Screaming or crying out
Release Protocol:
- Immediately stop all rotational pressure on the shoulder
- Maintain grip control while releasing rotational torque
- Gently lower the arm back to neutral position
- Release the figure-four grip slowly
- Allow partner to move shoulder freely and assess
- Check with partner verbally before continuing training
Training Restrictions:
- Never spike, jerk, or explosively apply rotational pressure
- Never use competition speed or intensity in training rolls
- Always ensure training partner has clear tap access with free hand
- Stop immediately at any sign of discomfort or resistance
- Never force the position if partner’s shoulder is already compromised
- Avoid training this submission on partners with pre-existing shoulder injuries
- Do not combine with sudden weight drops or dynamic movements
Key Principles
- Establish firm figure-four grip with proper hand positioning before applying any rotational pressure
- Control opponent’s posture and prevent forward movement using body weight and hip pressure
- Create the proper angle by positioning perpendicular or slightly past perpendicular to opponent’s body
- Isolate the arm by keeping the elbow tight to your body and preventing escape routes
- Apply pressure through controlled rotation of the forearm toward the opponent’s head, not through explosive jerking motions
- Maintain constant connection between your chest and the opponent’s shoulder to prevent space creation
- Use your hips and legs to control the opponent’s base and prevent them from rolling through the submission
Prerequisites
- Opponent is in defensive turtle position with weight distributed on hands and knees
- You have established top control with at least one hand controlling near the opponent’s head or shoulders
- Opponent’s arm is exposed and accessible, ideally with elbow away from body or reaching forward
- You have created an angle that allows access to the arm without being directly behind opponent
- Your base is stable with good positioning to prevent opponent from standing or rolling
- You have broken opponent’s defensive posture or created commitment that exposes the arm
- Space exists to insert your arm under opponent’s arm and establish the figure-four grip
Execution Steps
- Secure initial arm control: From top turtle position, identify the exposed arm (typically the arm furthest from you or posting forward). Use your near hand to control the opponent’s wrist or tricep area. Apply downward pressure to prevent them from pulling the arm back to their body. Position your body at approximately 45-90 degrees to their torso to create the proper attacking angle. (Timing: Establish control before opponent recognizes the threat) [Pressure: Moderate]
- Thread your attacking arm: Thread your attacking arm (same side as their exposed arm) underneath their arm, moving from outside to inside. Your forearm should pass under their tricep/elbow area. Keep your elbow tight and maintain constant contact with their arm. Your hand should emerge on the inside of their arm, near their head. Maintain hip pressure on their back to prevent them from sitting back or rolling away. (Timing: Quick insertion while maintaining control) [Pressure: Moderate]
- Establish figure-four grip: With your threading arm now under their arm, reach across and grab your own wrist with your opposite hand, creating the characteristic figure-four configuration. The opponent’s wrist should be controlled with your initial controlling hand. Ensure the grip is tight and positioned with your forearm across the back of their shoulder. Your elbows should be close together, creating a solid structural frame. The opponent’s arm should be bent at approximately 90 degrees or slightly more. (Timing: Secure grip before applying rotational pressure) [Pressure: Firm]
- Adjust body position and angle: Once the figure-four is secured, adjust your body position to optimize leverage. Move your hips and chest closer to the opponent’s shoulder, eliminating space between your chest and their shoulder blade. Your body should be positioned perpendicular or slightly past perpendicular to the opponent’s body. Establish a strong base with your legs, typically with one knee on the mat and the other foot posted for stability. Keep your head low and chest tight to their shoulder to prevent them from rolling. (Timing: Positional adjustment before applying submission pressure) [Pressure: Firm]
- Break opponent’s base: Use your body weight and hip pressure to break the opponent’s turtle posture. Drive your chest into their shoulder while pulling their trapped arm slightly away from their body. This forces them off balance and prevents them from using their base to defend. You may need to use your legs to hook or control their far leg to prevent rolling. The goal is to flatten them slightly or force them to post with their free hand, making the Kimura inevitable. (Timing: Progressive pressure to establish control) [Pressure: Firm]
- Apply controlled rotational pressure: With everything secured, begin applying the submission by rotating their forearm toward their head (or in some variations, toward their back). The rotation should come from your entire upper body structure, not just your arms. Keep the opponent’s elbow tight to your body as you rotate. Apply pressure SLOWLY and progressively over 3-5 seconds minimum in training. Watch for the tap and be prepared to release immediately. The pressure should feel like a continuous, controlled rotation rather than a sudden jerk. Maintain chest-to-shoulder contact throughout to prevent escape. (Timing: Slow, progressive application over 3-5 seconds minimum) [Pressure: Maximum]
- Maintain control through finish or transition: If the opponent taps, immediately stop rotational pressure while maintaining positional control, then release as per safety protocol. If they defend by rolling with the pressure, be prepared to follow them into the roll while maintaining the figure-four grip, potentially transitioning to mount or side control. If they attempt to sit back, use the Kimura grip to take their back or transition to a more dominant position. The Kimura from turtle is as much a control position as a submission, offering multiple attacking and transitional opportunities. (Timing: Maintain until tap or transition opportunity) [Pressure: Maximum]
Opponent Defenses
- Pulling trapped arm back to body and tucking elbow tight (Effectiveness: High) - Your Adjustment: Before they can fully retract the arm, use your body weight to drive into their shoulder and control their posture. Move your hips forward to cut off the angle of escape. If needed, use your legs to hook their far leg and prevent them from sitting back. Alternatively, abandon the submission and transition to back control or another dominant position while maintaining the Kimura grip for control.
- Rolling forward or to the side with the Kimura direction (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Adjustment: Follow the roll while maintaining the figure-four grip and keeping your chest connected to their shoulder. As they roll, use the momentum to establish mount or side control position. The Kimura grip remains intact and can be used to control them in the new position. Some practitioners intentionally use the Kimura to initiate this roll, accepting the positional advancement even if the submission doesn’t finish.
- Standing up or attempting to posture up from turtle (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Adjustment: Use the Kimura grip to prevent them from fully standing. Pull their trapped arm down and across their body while driving your weight into their shoulder. This typically forces them back to the mat or allows you to take their back as they attempt to stand. If they do achieve standing position, you can use the Kimura grip to execute a standing Kimura or transition to other takedown opportunities.
- Grabbing their own gi or belt with the trapped hand (Effectiveness: High) - Your Adjustment: If they secure a defensive grip on their gi or belt, breaking this grip becomes the immediate priority. Use your free hand to strip the grip, or adjust your angle to make maintaining the grip painful or impossible. You can also use increased hip pressure and body weight to force them to release the grip to post and defend their base. In some cases, transitioning to a different attack while maintaining top control may be more efficient.
- Bridging explosively or bucking to create space (Effectiveness: Low) - Your Adjustment: Anticipate the explosive movement and maintain heavy chest pressure on their shoulder. Use your legs to establish a wide, stable base that cannot be easily displaced. As they bridge, their energy expenditure often creates better submission opportunities as they tire. If they create momentary space, immediately close the distance and re-establish chest-to-shoulder contact. Their explosive movements often expose other attacks like the transition to back control.
Test Your Knowledge
Q1: What is the minimum time frame you should use when applying rotational pressure during the Kimura from turtle in training, and why is this critical? [SAFETY-CRITICAL] A: You must apply rotational pressure slowly and progressively over a minimum of 3-5 seconds in training. This is critical because the shoulder joint is extremely vulnerable to injury, and explosive or rapid application can cause rotator cuff tears, shoulder dislocation, or labrum damage before your partner can safely tap. The slow application allows your partner time to recognize the danger, make the decision to tap, and signal submission before injury occurs. In training, the goal is technical development and safety, not speed of submission.
Q2: What are the proper immediate steps to take when your training partner taps to the Kimura from turtle? [SAFETY-CRITICAL] A: Upon recognizing any tap signal (verbal, hand tap, foot tap, or distress signal), you must immediately: (1) Stop all rotational pressure on the shoulder while maintaining grip control; (2) Maintain the positional control while releasing rotational torque; (3) Gently lower the arm back to neutral position; (4) Slowly release the figure-four grip; (5) Allow your partner to move their shoulder freely and assess condition; (6) Check verbally with your partner before continuing training. Never release abruptly or allow the arm to snap back, as this can also cause injury.
Q3: Why is it critical to keep the opponent’s elbow tight to your body during the Kimura from turtle, and what happens if you allow space? A: Keeping the opponent’s elbow tight to your ribcage throughout the submission is critical because this connection creates the leverage needed for the shoulder lock and maintains structural integrity of the position. If you allow the elbow to float away from your body, you lose leverage immediately, making the submission weak and easily defendable. The opponent can then use the space to turn their body, relieve pressure on the shoulder, or completely escape the submission. The elbow-to-body connection is what transforms the figure-four grip into an effective submission mechanism rather than just a controlling grip.
Q4: Describe the optimal body angle when attacking the Kimura from turtle and explain why this positioning is superior to attacking from directly behind the opponent? A: The optimal body angle is approximately 45-90 degrees perpendicular to the opponent’s torso, rather than directly behind them. This perpendicular positioning provides several advantages: (1) Better access to thread your arm under theirs and establish the figure-four grip; (2) Superior leverage for applying rotational pressure to the shoulder; (3) Better ability to prevent them from rolling forward or standing up to escape; (4) Easier to maintain chest-to-shoulder contact throughout the submission; (5) Creates better angle for using body weight and hip pressure to control their posture. Attacking from directly behind makes grip establishment difficult, reduces leverage, and allows opponent to easily roll forward or stand to escape.
Q5: What should you do if your opponent secures a defensive grip on their own gi or belt while you’re attempting the Kimura from turtle? [SAFETY-CRITICAL] A: If the opponent secures a defensive grip on their gi or belt, you should recognize this as an effective defense and respond appropriately rather than forcing through with excessive pressure. Options include: (1) Use your free hand to methodically strip their defensive grip; (2) Adjust your angle or increase hip pressure to make maintaining the grip painful or untenable; (3) Use body weight and positional pressure to force them to release the grip to defend their base; (4) Transition to a different attack (such as taking the back or establishing crucifix control) while maintaining your dominant position. Never use explosive or excessive force to overcome the defensive grip, as this significantly increases injury risk and violates training safety protocols.
Q6: When executing the rolling Kimura variation from turtle, what is the strategic advantage of this approach compared to finishing from the top position? A: The rolling Kimura variation offers strategic advantages when the opponent maintains strong defensive posture and won’t submit from the top turtle position. By initiating the forward roll with the Kimura grip secured, you accomplish multiple objectives: (1) You sweep the opponent and establish dominant top position (typically mount or side control) while maintaining the submission grip; (2) The rolling motion often overcomes their base and defensive structure that was effective in turtle; (3) You gain positional points in competition while maintaining the submission threat; (4) The dynamic movement can surprise opponents who are focused solely on defending the static Kimura. This variation exemplifies the concept of using submissions as vehicles for positional advancement, not just as finishing techniques.
From Which Positions?
Expert Insights
- Danaher System: The Kimura from turtle represents a perfect example of the dual nature of submissions in our systematic approach - they function simultaneously as finishing mechanisms and as powerful control positions that enable positional advancement. From a biomechanical perspective, the turtle position creates unique structural vulnerabilities because the defensive athlete must distribute weight across four points of contact while maintaining arm positioning that inevitably exposes submission opportunities. The Kimura specifically exploits the shoulder’s inherent structural weakness when the arm is isolated and rotated beyond its natural range of motion. What makes this position particularly valuable in our system is that the figure-four grip gives you enormous control over the opponent’s upper body, allowing you to dictate whether you finish the submission or use the grip to break down the turtle structure and access the back. In training, you must be exceptionally careful with shoulder locks because the rotator cuff complex can be damaged before the athlete feels sufficient pain to tap - this is why we mandate slow, progressive application and immediate release protocols. The safety consideration is not optional, it is fundamental to ethical training. The technical key is maintaining chest-to-shoulder contact throughout the sequence, as any space creation allows the opponent to relieve pressure or escape entirely.
- Gordon Ryan: The Kimura from turtle is one of my highest-percentage attacks when opponents try to stall in turtle position, especially in no-gi where the turtle is a common defensive refuge. In competition, I use this primarily as a position-breaking tool rather than always hunting for the tap - the threat of the Kimura forces opponents to react, and their reactions open up back takes, which score points and lead to the rear naked choke. The key difference between my competition application and training application is intensity and speed, but even in competition I maintain structural control and progressive pressure - I never spike submissions because that’s both dangerous and often less effective than controlled pressure. When training this technique, you need to develop the sensitivity to feel when your partner is in danger well before they tap. I’ve trained with this submission for thousands of hours, and I can tell you that shoulder injuries are career-altering, so taking your time in training is not being soft, it’s being professional. The rolling Kimura variation is particularly useful when opponents have strong turtle defense - you accept the positional advancement to mount or side control while keeping the submission grip, giving you multiple attacking options. Focus on using the Kimura grip to dominate position first, submission second. That mentality keeps you safe in training while building a more complete attacking system.
- Eddie Bravo: The Kimura from turtle is a fundamental attack in our system, but we approach it with some unique variations that make it even more dangerous. One thing we emphasize in 10th Planet is the connection between the Kimura and our truck position - if you have the Kimura from turtle and they defend well, you can often transition into the truck system which opens up twister and calf slicer attacks. The creativity comes from not seeing the Kimura as just one technique, but as a gateway into an entire network of control positions and submissions. We also work a lot on the rolling Kimura variation because it fits our philosophy of constant movement and creating scrambles where our systematic approach gives us advantages. But here’s something that’s absolutely non-negotiable in our training culture: safety on shoulder locks. I’ve seen too many people hurt in training from careless shoulder lock applications, and that’s completely unacceptable. We drill safety protocols constantly - slow application, immediate release, checking in with partners about shoulder health, never training this on someone with a pre-existing shoulder issue. The innovation and creativity we’re known for is built on a foundation of training partners who can train consistently without injuries, and that requires religious adherence to safety standards. When you’re working this technique, think about control and connection first, submission second. The Kimura grip from turtle gives you so much control that you can use it to create the scrambles and transitions that define modern jiu-jitsu.