SAFETY: Kimura from Modified Mount 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 Modified Mount exploits the asymmetric structure of Modified Mount to create powerful shoulder lock mechanics with built-in base stability. With one leg posted for balance and the across-body knee pinning the opponent’s torso, the top practitioner has a natural platform for isolating the near-side arm and securing the figure-four grip. The posted leg provides exceptional stability during the grip fight, preventing bridge-and-roll reversals that frequently disrupt Kimura attempts from standard mount. This makes Modified Mount one of the more secure positions from which to commit to the Kimura without risking a position loss.
The Modified Mount configuration naturally angles the attacker’s body toward the near-side arm, reducing the distance and effort needed to secure the wrist-and-elbow control that defines the Kimura. Unlike standard mount where the attacker must shift weight significantly to one side, Modified Mount pre-positions the hips for rotational pressure on the shoulder. The across-body knee serves dual purposes: maintaining mount control while simultaneously blocking the opponent’s ability to turn into the attacker and relieve shoulder torque.
Strategically, this submission chains effectively with armbars and americanas from the same position. When the opponent defends the Kimura by straightening the arm, the armbar becomes immediately available through an S-mount transition. When they grip their own belt or shorts to prevent rotation, switching to the americana on the trapped arm creates a constant dilemma. This submission network makes the Kimura from Modified Mount a cornerstone attack for top-position practitioners who build mount-based submission systems around forcing sequential defensive reactions.
Category: Joint Lock Type: Shoulder Lock Target Area: Shoulder joint, rotator cuff, and shoulder capsule Starting Position: Modified Mount From Position: Modified Mount (Top) 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 | Modified Mount | 25% |
| Counter | Closed Guard | 13% |
Attacker vs Defender
| Attacker | Defender | |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Execute and finish | Escape and survive |
| Key Principles | Use the posted leg as a stability anchor so you can commit b… | Keep the near-side arm glued to your body with elbow tight t… |
| Options | 7 execution steps | 4 defensive options |
Playing as Attacker
Key Principles
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Use the posted leg as a stability anchor so you can commit both hands to the grip fight without fear of reversal
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Maintain chest-to-chest pressure through the across-body knee to prevent the opponent from turning into you during the Kimura setup
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Isolate the wrist before threading the figure-four — never reach under the elbow without wrist control first
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Finish with hip rotation and body mechanics, not arm strength — the rotation comes from turning your torso
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Pin the opponent’s wrist to the mat beside their head before applying rotational pressure for maximum mechanical advantage
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Chain the Kimura with the armbar and americana to create a three-way dilemma where each defense opens another attack
Execution Steps
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Secure modified mount control: Settle into Modified Mount with your posted leg on the side of the arm you intend to attack. Across-…
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Isolate the near-side wrist: Use your hand closest to the posted leg to grab the opponent’s near-side wrist. If they grip their o…
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Thread the figure-four grip: Once the wrist is controlled, slide your other hand under the opponent’s elbow from the outside and …
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Detach the arm from the body: With the figure-four secured, use combined hip pressure and grip strength to peel the opponent’s elb…
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Pin the wrist to the mat: Drive the opponent’s wrist toward the mat beside their head using a painting motion. The wrist shoul…
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Generate rotational finish: With the wrist pinned to the mat, rotate the opponent’s forearm toward their feet by lifting their e…
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Maintain control through the finish: Throughout the finishing rotation, keep your posted leg planted firmly for base and your across-body…
Common Mistakes
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Sitting upright to apply the Kimura, lifting chest off the opponent
- Consequence: Creates space for the opponent to turn into you, bridge effectively, or recover guard by hip escaping into the gap
- Correction: Keep your chest heavy on the opponent’s torso throughout the entire setup and finish. The rotation comes from your hips and torso turning as a unit, not from sitting up and pulling with your arms.
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Reaching under the elbow before securing wrist control
- Consequence: Opponent straightens the arm and escapes the threading attempt, or traps your reaching hand against their body
- Correction: Always isolate and control the wrist first. The figure-four threading is step two — never skip wrist isolation. If you cannot get the wrist, use the paint brush technique or switch to americana to force a reaction.
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Trying to finish with arm strength instead of hip rotation
- Consequence: Arms fatigue rapidly against the opponent’s grip defense, and the submission lacks the torque needed to force the tap against a strong defender
- Correction: Drive the finish with your entire body rotating as a unit. Turn your torso toward the mat, drive your hips forward, and let your skeletal structure generate the rotational force. Your arms hold the grip; your body creates the pressure.
Playing as Defender
Key Principles
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Keep the near-side arm glued to your body with elbow tight to your hip — wrist isolation is the attacker’s first step and your first line of defense
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If the wrist is captured, straighten the arm immediately to prevent the figure-four threading — a straight arm cannot be Kimura-locked
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Escape toward the posted leg side where the attacker’s weight distribution is weakest and structural control is most compromised
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Frame on the attacker’s hips rather than chest — hip frames create space for escape without exposing your arms to isolation
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Recognize the point of no return — once the wrist is pinned to the mat with a locked figure-four, tap immediately rather than risking shoulder injury
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Use the attacker’s commitment to the Kimura grip as an opportunity to bridge and escape, since both their hands are occupied and cannot post
Recognition Cues
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Attacker’s hand reaches for your near-side wrist on the posted-leg side while maintaining chest pressure through the across-body knee
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You feel the attacker’s second hand sliding under your elbow or tricep area, attempting to thread the figure-four grip
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Attacker begins incrementally walking your wrist away from your body using small hand-over-hand movements (paint brush technique)
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You feel the figure-four grip lock around your arm — your wrist controlled by one hand and the attacker’s other hand gripping their own wrist under your elbow
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Attacker drives your wrist toward the mat beside your head while increasing chest pressure to prevent you from turning
Escape Paths
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Bridge toward the posted leg and hip escape to recover half guard or closed guard while the attacker’s hands are committed to the Kimura grip
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Straighten the arm to defeat the figure-four and immediately frame on the attacker’s hips to create space for a hip escape
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Turn into the attacker to close the shoulder rotation angle, then use the turning momentum to drive into a scramble position
From Which Positions?
Match Outcome
Successful execution of Kimura from Modified Mount leads to → Game Over
All submissions in BJJ ultimately converge to the same terminal state: the match ends when your opponent taps.