SAFETY: Kimura from Butterfly Guard targets the Shoulder joint, rotator cuff, and shoulder capsule. Risk: Rotator cuff tear (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, subscapularis). Release immediately upon tap.
The Kimura from Butterfly Guard is a high-percentage shoulder lock attack launched from the bottom position, leveraging the unique mechanical advantages of butterfly hooks to off-balance the opponent while securing the figure-four grip. Unlike Kimura attacks from closed guard or half guard, the butterfly guard version benefits from the seated upright posture and active hook engagement, allowing the attacker to use elevation and angle changes to expose the opponent’s arm and create finishing opportunities. The setup integrates naturally with butterfly guard offense, making it a seamless addition to an already threatening position.
The attack typically arises when the opponent posts a hand to defend against butterfly sweeps or reaches forward to establish grips, creating the opening for wrist control and the subsequent figure-four lock. The butterfly hooks serve a dual purpose during the attack: they prevent the opponent from posturing away to break the grip, and they provide the elevation needed to create rotational space for the finish. This integration of sweep threat and submission attack creates a powerful dilemma where the opponent must choose between defending the sweep and exposing the arm, or defending the Kimura and becoming vulnerable to elevation.
Advanced practitioners chain the Kimura attempt directly off failed or feinted butterfly sweeps, using the opponent’s defensive hand posting as the entry point. The position also offers natural transitions to the Kimura Trap when the opponent resists the initial rotation, allowing the attacker to maintain the grip and advance to a more dominant finishing position. The butterfly guard Kimura rewards practitioners who develop sensitivity to weight distribution shifts and timing, as the technique depends heavily on catching the opponent in transitional moments rather than forcing the grip against a fully defended posture.
Category: Joint Lock Type: Shoulder Lock Target Area: Shoulder joint, rotator cuff, and shoulder capsule Starting Position: Butterfly Guard From Position: Butterfly Guard (Bottom) Success Rate: 62%
Safety Guide
Injury Risks:
| Injury | Severity | Recovery Time |
|---|---|---|
| Rotator cuff tear (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, subscapularis) | High | 3-9 months with potential surgery requirement |
| Shoulder capsule damage and dislocation | CRITICAL | 6-12 months, may require surgical repair |
| Labral tear (glenoid labrum) | High | 4-8 months, often requires arthroscopic surgery |
| Bicep tendon strain or rupture | Medium | 6-12 weeks for strain, 3-6 months for rupture |
Application Speed: SLOW and progressive - 3-5 seconds minimum in training, allowing partner time to recognize danger and tap
Tap Signals:
- Verbal tap (saying ‘tap’ or making any verbal distress sound)
- Physical hand tap (multiple taps with free hand)
- Physical foot tap (multiple taps with either foot)
- Any distress signal including screaming or unusual sounds
Release Protocol:
- Immediately stop all rotational pressure the instant tap is felt or heard
- Return the arm toward neutral position (externally rotate back to starting position)
- Release the figure-four grip completely
- Allow partner to self-assess shoulder mobility before continuing
- Never release suddenly or allow arm to spring back forcefully
Training Restrictions:
- Never spike or jerk the submission - rotation must be smooth and controlled
- Never use competition speed or surprise attacks in training
- Always ensure partner has at least one hand free to tap
- Do not apply while partner is in awkward body position that prevents tapping
- Never combine with weight pressure that restricts breathing while finishing
- Respect immediate taps without testing partner’s pain tolerance
Outcomes
| Result | Position | Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Success | game-over | 62% |
| Failure | Butterfly Guard | 25% |
| Counter | Closed Guard | 13% |
Attacker vs Defender
| Attacker | Defender | |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Execute and finish | Escape and survive |
| Key Principles | Maintain hook pressure throughout the attack to prevent oppo… | Keep elbows tight to your body and avoid posting hands on th… |
| Options | 6 execution steps | 4 defensive options |
Playing as Attacker
Key Principles
-
Maintain hook pressure throughout the attack to prevent opponent from posturing away or creating distance to break the figure-four grip
-
Secure the wrist before committing to the figure-four to avoid telegraphing the attack and giving the opponent time to retract their arm
-
Use the opposite hook as an elevator to create rotational space while the near hook controls distance and prevents escape
-
Keep elbows tight to your body during the figure-four lock to maximize mechanical advantage and minimize the grip space the opponent can exploit
-
Drive the finish by rotating the opponent’s wrist behind their back using hip movement and core rotation, not just arm strength
-
Chain the Kimura attempt with sweep threats so the opponent must choose between defending the lock and maintaining base
Execution Steps
-
Create the opening: Initiate a butterfly sweep or underhook attack to force the opponent to post their hand on the mat o…
-
Secure wrist control: Capture the exposed wrist with your same-side hand using a C-grip around the wrist, thumb on top. Im…
-
Establish the figure-four grip: Thread your opposite arm over the opponent’s trapped arm and grip your own wrist to complete the fig…
-
Adjust angle and hooks: Angle your body so your chest faces the opponent’s trapped shoulder. Maintain the near-side hook to …
-
Break defensive grip: If the opponent grabs their own shorts, belt, or opposite hand to defend, use a combination of wrist…
-
Finish with controlled rotation: Drive the opponent’s wrist behind their back using hip rotation and core engagement while keeping th…
Common Mistakes
-
Attempting the Kimura grip without first establishing wrist control
- Consequence: Opponent easily retracts their arm before the figure-four can be secured, wasting the opportunity and telegraphing future attempts
- Correction: Always secure the wrist with one hand first, pulling it toward your hip to isolate the arm before threading the second arm for the figure-four
-
Releasing hook pressure during the figure-four grip establishment
- Consequence: Opponent postures up and creates distance, allowing them to straighten the arm or disengage entirely from the submission threat
- Correction: Maintain active hook engagement throughout the grip transition, using the hooks to keep the opponent’s hips close and base compromised
-
Finishing with arm strength alone instead of hip rotation and core engagement
- Consequence: Rapid fatigue and insufficient rotational force against a resisting opponent, leading to grip failure and lost position
- Correction: Drive the finish by rotating your hips away from the opponent while keeping their elbow pinned to your torso, using your entire core as the primary force generator
Playing as Defender
Key Principles
-
Keep elbows tight to your body and avoid posting hands on the mat where they become vulnerable to wrist capture
-
Maintain strong upright posture to resist being pulled into the optimal Kimura finishing range by the attacker’s hooks
-
Recognize the wrist capture attempt early and immediately retract the arm before the figure-four can be established
-
Address the grip before it is fully locked - prevention is far more effective than escape once the figure-four is secured
-
Use posture and hip pressure to neutralize the hooks that provide the attacker with elevation and base-disruption capability
-
When caught in the grip, prioritize connecting your hands or grabbing your own body to prevent rotation before attempting to escape the grip entirely
Recognition Cues
-
Opponent reaches for your wrist with a C-grip after you post a hand or extend an arm during their sweep defense
-
Opponent’s opposite arm begins threading over your forearm while maintaining wrist control, indicating figure-four establishment
-
Opponent shifts their body angle to face your shoulder rather than squaring up to your chest, creating alignment for the rotational finish
-
Sudden increase in hook pressure combined with upper body pulling indicates the opponent is attempting to trap your arm and compromise your base simultaneously
Escape Paths
-
Retract the targeted arm before the figure-four is completed by pulling the elbow tight to your hip and straightening the arm
-
Drive forward to stack and pass while the attacker is committed to the grip, transitioning to top position
-
Circle away from the Kimura side to reduce rotation while peeling the figure-four grip with your free hand
-
Posture up explosively while keeping the trapped arm close to your body to create distance and break the grip
From Which Positions?
Match Outcome
Successful execution of Kimura from Butterfly Guard leads to → Game Over
All submissions in BJJ ultimately converge to the same terminal state: the match ends when your opponent taps.