SAFETY: Kimura from S 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 S Mount exploits one of the most dominant positions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to attack the shoulder joint through rotational force. When the top practitioner establishes S Mount with perpendicular body alignment, the opponent’s near arm is isolated between the legs. The natural defensive response of keeping the arm bent to defend the armbar creates an ideal Kimura opportunity. Rather than fighting to extend the arm for an armbar finish, the attacker secures a figure-four grip on the wrist and uses the mechanical advantage of the S Mount angle to rotate the shoulder past its safe range of motion.
What makes this variation particularly effective is the control infrastructure already in place from S Mount. The leg over the head and the leg across the torso prevent escape while the hip-to-shoulder connection eliminates defensive space. The Kimura attack from this position benefits from gravity, bodyweight pressure, and structural leg control simultaneously. The opponent’s mobility is severely compromised, making standard Kimura defenses like straightening the arm or rolling through nearly impossible to execute successfully.
This submission chains naturally with the armbar from S Mount, creating a powerful dilemma for the defender. When the opponent bends their arm to defend the armbar, they expose themselves to the Kimura. When they straighten to defend the Kimura, they feed the armbar. This attack-counterattack dynamic makes S Mount one of the most submission-rich positions in modern grappling, and the Kimura is a critical weapon in the S Mount submission arsenal that every serious practitioner must understand from both sides.
Category: Joint Lock Type: Shoulder Lock Target Area: Shoulder joint, rotator cuff, and shoulder capsule Starting Position: S Mount From Position: S 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 by externally rotating back to starting position
- Release the figure-four grip completely and allow partner to self-assess shoulder mobility
- Never release suddenly or allow arm to spring back forcefully
- Allow partner adequate recovery time before continuing training
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 | S Mount | 25% |
| Counter | Closed Guard | 13% |
Attacker vs Defender
| Attacker | Defender | |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Execute and finish | Escape and survive |
| Key Principles | Secure figure-four grip only after confirming hip-to-shoulde… | Prevent the figure-four grip above all else - once locked, t… |
| Options | 7 execution steps | 4 defensive options |
Playing as Attacker
Key Principles
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Secure figure-four grip only after confirming hip-to-shoulder connection is tight and opponent cannot create space
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Use body rotation and hip drive to generate Kimura force rather than arm strength alone
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Maintain heavy hip pressure on opponent’s shoulder throughout the entire submission sequence to prevent rolling escapes
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Pin opponent’s elbow to the mat before initiating rotation to create the fulcrum point for maximum leverage
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Treat the Kimura and armbar as a linked pair - threaten one to open the other based on defensive response
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Control the pace of rotation progressively in training, never jerking or spiking the shoulder joint
Execution Steps
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Confirm S Mount Control: Verify your perpendicular body alignment is solid with hips tight against opponent’s shoulder. Near …
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Identify Kimura Window: Recognize the Kimura opportunity when opponent bends their trapped arm to defend the armbar threat. …
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Thread the Figure-Four: Slide your near hand under their wrist from the outside, threading between their forearm and torso. …
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Lock the Figure-Four Grip: Complete the figure-four by gripping your own wrist with your far hand, locking the configuration ti…
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Pin the Elbow: Drive their elbow firmly to the mat using your body weight and the figure-four structure. Their uppe…
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Apply Rotational Pressure: Move their hand in a controlled paint-brush arc toward their lower back, generating force through hi…
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Complete the Finish: Maintain constant hip pressure on their shoulder while continuing the rotation past the point of com…
Common Mistakes
-
Releasing wrist control prematurely to transition to the figure-four grip
- Consequence: Opponent pulls their arm free during the grip transition window, escaping the submission opportunity entirely
- Correction: Maintain continuous control throughout the grip change. Thread your near hand under the wrist while your far hand still controls it, creating an overlapping control sequence with no gap.
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Lifting hips off opponent’s shoulder to get better angle for rotation
- Consequence: Creates space that allows opponent to pull arm free, hip escape, or initiate a rolling escape from the position
- Correction: Keep hips heavy and glued to opponent’s shoulder throughout the entire rotation. Generate force through body rotation and grip mechanics, not by lifting and repositioning.
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Using arm strength alone to force the Kimura rotation
- Consequence: Rapid fatigue without completing the submission, and opponent outlasts the attempt while you burn energy fruitlessly
- Correction: Engage your entire body in the rotation. Hip drive and torso rotation provide the primary force. Your arms maintain the grip structure while your body generates the rotational power.
Playing as Defender
Key Principles
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Prevent the figure-four grip above all else - once locked, the submission is extremely difficult to escape
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Keep your trapped arm bent and glued to your body, gripping your own collar or belt to create structural resistance
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Use your free hand to control the opponent’s near hip, creating frames that enable hip escape movement
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Time defensive actions to the opponent’s grip transitions when their control is momentarily weakened
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Hip escape toward opponent’s legs to create distance and disrupt the perpendicular S Mount angle
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Tap immediately if the figure-four is locked and rotation has begun past your comfortable range of motion
Recognition Cues
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Opponent begins threading their near hand under your wrist from the outside while maintaining S Mount control
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You feel the opponent shifting from wrist-pulling pressure to a wrapping motion around your forearm
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Opponent’s grip changes from two-on-one wrist control to one hand sliding under while the other maintains position
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Your bent-arm defense against the armbar suddenly feels like it is being exploited rather than resisted
Escape Paths
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Hip escape toward opponent’s legs during grip transition to recover closed guard position
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Bridge and turn to disrupt S Mount angle, then extract trapped arm and recover to half guard or mount bottom
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Pull trapped arm back aggressively during opponent’s grip change and immediately frame to create distance
From Which Positions?
Match Outcome
Successful execution of Kimura from S Mount leads to → Game Over
All submissions in BJJ ultimately converge to the same terminal state: the match ends when your opponent taps.