As the attacker executing the Kimura Counter via Roll, your objective is to convert a deteriorating Kimura Trap position into a sustainable closed guard before the opponent fully extracts their arm and advances past your guard. This requires precise timing—you must recognize the moment when maintaining the Kimura grip transitions from viable offense to diminishing returns, then redirect the remaining grip leverage into rotational momentum. The roll is not a concession of defeat but a tactical repositioning that preserves your offensive capabilities. Your success depends on reading your opponent’s escape patterns, maintaining hip mobility under pressure, and executing a smooth transition that denies them the positional advancement they expect when they feel the Kimura weakening. The best practitioners make this transition seamlessly, arriving in closed guard with posture-breaking grips already established before the opponent realizes the Kimura threat has ended.
From Position: Kimura Trap (Bottom)
Key Attacking Principles
What are the key principles for executing Kimura Counter via Roll?
- Recognize the critical threshold where the Kimura grip shifts from viable offense to diminishing returns, and commit to the roll before position deteriorates further
- Use the opponent’s arm extraction force and posturing energy as fuel for your rolling motion rather than fighting against it
- Maintain continuous hip-to-hip connection throughout the transition to prevent the opponent from disengaging or creating passing angles
- Time the leg release and swing precisely—release lockdown or half guard hooks only when sufficient rotational momentum is established
- Transition grip configuration from Kimura to closed guard control grips during the roll itself, not after completing it
- Keep the rolling motion tight and controlled to minimize the exposure window between positions
Prerequisites
What do you need before attempting Kimura Counter via Roll?
- Active Kimura grip still intact with at least partial figure-four control, even if opponent is beginning to extract
- Hips turned toward opponent with enough mobility to initiate rotational movement despite bottom position
- Leg connection through lockdown, half guard hook, or butterfly hook providing an anchor for generating roll momentum
- Free arm positioned to assist the roll or prepared to establish immediate closed guard grips upon completion
- Awareness that Kimura grip is failing and continued grip fighting will result in complete position loss
Execution Steps
How do you execute Kimura Counter via Roll step by step?
- Recognize grip deterioration: Monitor the tension in your Kimura grip and feel for the opponent’s arm beginning to slip free or their posture strengthening beyond your ability to control. Key indicators include their elbow straightening, wrist rotating out of your grip, or successful posturing that breaks your hip connection. This recognition moment determines whether you transition to the roll or continue fighting for the Kimura.
- Secure hip connection and base: Before initiating any rolling motion, verify that your hips are turned toward your opponent with active leg connection through lockdown, half guard hooks, or butterfly hook. Plant your outside foot flat on the mat to create a posting point for generating rotational force. This connection provides the anchor point that converts your hip drive into the rolling momentum needed to complete the transition.
- Redirect grip energy into lateral rotation: Rather than pulling the Kimura grip upward toward submission or fighting to maintain static control against the opponent’s extraction, redirect the remaining grip pressure laterally across your body toward your opposite hip. This converts the opponent’s resistance vector into rotational momentum that powers the roll, using their defensive force against them rather than opposing it directly.
- Initiate hip rotation with bridge: Drive your bottom hip upward in a bridge while simultaneously rotating your torso toward your opponent, using the redirected Kimura grip as a steering mechanism for their upper body. Your hip movement should create a smooth arc that brings your body underneath and around the opponent’s base, generating the centripetal force needed to swing your legs into closed guard position.
- Release leg hooks and swing legs around waist: As your hip rotation creates sufficient momentum and spatial clearance, release the lockdown or half guard hook and swing your legs in a circular motion around the opponent’s waist. Time this release precisely—releasing too early loses the rotational anchor that powers the swing, while releasing too late prevents the legs from clearing around their body and completing the guard closure.
- Lock ankles and establish closed guard: Cross your ankles behind the opponent’s lower back as your legs complete the wrap around their waist. Squeeze your knees together immediately to establish control and prevent the opponent from posturing away or disengaging before you consolidate the position. Pull your heels into their lower back to break their posture and establish the characteristic closed guard control pressure.
- Transition to closed guard grips and break posture: Release the Kimura grip configuration and immediately establish standard closed guard control grips. In the gi, secure cross collar and sleeve control. In no-gi, establish a collar tie and wrist control or overhook. Break the opponent’s posture aggressively within the first two seconds of establishing closed guard to capitalize on their momentary disorientation from the positional transition.
Possible Outcomes
| Result | Position | Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Success | Closed Guard | 55% |
| Failure | Kimura Trap | 30% |
| Counter | Half Guard | 15% |
Opponent Counters
How might your opponent counter Kimura Counter via Roll?
- Opponent bases out wide and posts free hand to resist the rolling force (Effectiveness: High) - Your Response: Abandon the roll attempt and immediately re-engage the Kimura grip if still available, or transition to an underhook sweep from half guard. Their wide base often exposes them to Old School Sweep mechanics. → Leads to Kimura Trap
- Opponent drives forward aggressively to flatten your hips before the roll initiates (Effectiveness: High) - Your Response: Use their forward pressure to fuel a Rolling Kimura instead, which converts their drive into sweeping momentum. Alternatively, frame on their shoulder and re-establish hip angle before reattempting. → Leads to Kimura Trap
- Opponent strips the Kimura grip during the rolling transition before closed guard is established (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Immediately transition to half guard retention by inserting your knee shield and establishing frames. Prioritize preventing the pass rather than completing the roll to closed guard. → Leads to Half Guard
- Opponent sprawls hips back and pressures down through crossface to kill the rotational momentum (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Convert the roll attempt into a deep half guard entry by sliding underneath their sprawled hips. Their backward hip movement creates the space needed for a deep half entry. → Leads to Kimura Trap
Safety Considerations
What are the safety concerns for Kimura Counter via Roll?
The Kimura Counter via Roll involves rapid rotational movement that can stress the neck, shoulders, and spine. During the grip transition phase, the shoulder joint remains under residual Kimura pressure and sudden movement can cause injury if the grip is not released smoothly. Always practice at controlled speed before attempting in live sparring. Communicate with training partners before drilling to prevent unexpected rolls that could cause collision injuries. If you experience sharp pain in the shoulder or neck during execution, stop immediately and assess before continuing. Partners should avoid resisting with rigid, locked-out arms during the Kimura phase, as the rolling motion can amplify joint pressure unpredictably.