The Kimura to Back Take is a fundamental transition that exemplifies the principle of using submission threats to advance position. When an opponent defends the Kimura finish by pulling their elbow tight to their body or rolling with the lock, this creates a predictable defensive pathway that can be exploited to transition to back control. This transition is particularly effective because the opponent’s defensive instinct to protect their shoulder naturally exposes their back. The grip control established in the Kimura position provides exceptional leverage to maintain connection throughout the transition, making it one of the highest-percentage back take sequences available from side control or turtle positions. Understanding this transition fundamentally changes how practitioners approach the Kimura, transforming it from merely a submission attempt into a positional control system that offers multiple attacking pathways.
Starting Position: Kimura Control Ending Position: Back Control Success Rates: Beginner 35%, Intermediate 50%, Advanced 65%
Key Principles
- Maintain Kimura grip control throughout the entire transition
- Use submission pressure to force opponent’s defensive movement
- Follow opponent’s roll or turn rather than forcing direction
- Keep chest-to-back connection during position change
- Establish seat belt grip before releasing Kimura control
- Control opponent’s hips with legs to prevent escape
Prerequisites
- Secure Kimura grip with figure-four arm configuration locked
- Opponent’s trapped arm bent at approximately 90 degrees
- Strong shoulder pressure preventing opponent’s escape to guard
- Hip positioning that allows quick movement to follow opponent
- Opponent begins defensive rolling motion or turtling
- Weight distribution allowing rapid transition without losing control
Execution Steps
- Secure Kimura grip: Establish figure-four Kimura grip on opponent’s arm with their elbow bent and hand behind their back. Your grip hand should feed through under their arm, meeting your other hand in a strong configuration. Apply initial shoulder lock pressure to create discomfort and force a defensive reaction. (Timing: Maintain constant pressure until opponent begins moving)
- Pressure the submission: Increase Kimura pressure by lifting opponent’s hand toward their shoulder blade while driving their elbow toward their far hip. This creates the dilemma that forces their defensive response. Apply enough pressure that staying stationary becomes untenable, but maintain control rather than attempting to finish immediately. (Timing: Progressive pressure increase over 2-3 seconds)
- Read defensive movement: Recognize opponent’s defensive pattern - typically rolling toward the trapped arm to relieve shoulder pressure or turtling to protect the submission. Their body rotation toward the Kimura is the primary back exposure opportunity. Stay alert to their hip direction and shoulder rotation. (Timing: React immediately when movement begins)
- Follow the roll: As opponent begins rolling, maintain your Kimura grip absolutely while using your body weight to follow their rotation. Keep your chest connected to their upper back throughout the roll. Allow them to roll underneath you while you maintain top position, riding their movement like a wave rather than fighting it. (Timing: Continuous smooth following motion)
- Climb to back position: As opponent completes their roll, use your Kimura grip as an anchor point while bringing your inside leg over their hip. Insert your bottom hook first, then follow with top hook. Your chest should remain heavy on their upper back, preventing them from turning back into you. The Kimura grip functions as both control and barrier to escape. (Timing: Hooks inserted within 1-2 seconds of position change)
- Transition to seat belt control: Once both hooks are secured and opponent cannot immediately escape, begin transitioning from Kimura grip to seat belt harness. Slide your top arm across opponent’s neck or chest while bottom arm controls their opposite shoulder. Only release Kimura grip completely once seat belt configuration is established and hooks are deep. This final control transition must be smooth to prevent escape during grip change. (Timing: Grip transition takes 2-3 seconds with maintained pressure)
Opponent Counters
- Opponent grabs their own belt or pants to prevent arm isolation (Effectiveness: High) - Your Response: Use the static position to improve your angle and body positioning, then attack with small circular adjustments to break the grip rather than pure force. Consider transitioning to different attacks like arm triangle if they commit fully to the grip.
- Opponent posts and bases hard to prevent rolling (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Transition to other Kimura-based attacks such as the finish itself, or switch to taking the back from turtle by climbing over. Their rigid base creates different vulnerabilities you can exploit.
- Opponent rolls quickly in opposite direction (away from Kimura) (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: This counter-roll can actually work in your favor if anticipated. Follow their momentum and look for armbar opportunities or mount position as they roll away from the lock.
- Opponent tucks trapped elbow tight and refuses to move (Effectiveness: Low) - Your Response: Use the static control to systematically break down their defense by adjusting angles, applying progressive pressure, or threatening the submission finish. Their defensive rigidity prevents offense and you can patiently work to improve position.
Test Your Knowledge
Q1: Why is the Kimura grip maintained throughout the entire transition to back control? A: The Kimura grip serves multiple essential functions during the transition: it provides a secure connection point to the opponent that prevents separation during movement, it creates the initial submission threat that forces their defensive roll, it acts as a steering mechanism to control their rotation direction, and it prevents them from turning back into you once you begin taking the back. Releasing the grip prematurely eliminates all these control elements and typically results in losing position entirely.
Q2: What is the primary defensive reaction you are seeking to elicit from the opponent when applying Kimura pressure? A: You want the opponent to roll toward their trapped arm to relieve the shoulder pressure of the Kimura lock. This defensive rolling motion naturally exposes their back and creates the pathway for establishing back control. The submission threat creates a predictable defensive response that becomes the entry point for positional advancement. Understanding this action-reaction relationship is fundamental to using submissions as position-advancing tools rather than merely finish attempts.
Q3: In what sequence should hooks be established during the Kimura to back take transition, and why does this order matter? A: The bottom hook must always be established first, followed by the top hook. The bottom hook provides foundational control that prevents the opponent from escaping toward that side and creates a secure base from which to work. It also prevents them from turning back into you. Only after the bottom hook is deep and secure should you insert the top hook. Attempting to establish the top hook first leaves a major escape route open and makes it much easier for the opponent to defend or escape the position. This sequencing principle applies to nearly all back take scenarios.
Q4: How do you prevent losing control during the grip transition from Kimura configuration to seat belt harness? A: The key is never releasing the Kimura grip until the replacement control (seat belt) is already partially established. Both hooks must be fully secured first, providing lower body control. Then, slide your top arm across for the seat belt while your bottom Kimura arm remains locked. Only when the seat belt arm is in position and applying pressure do you release the Kimura configuration completely. Think of it as overlapping control systems - you always have at least one form of strong control active. If you release the Kimura grip before establishing replacement control, you create a window where the opponent can escape.
Q5: What adjustment should you make if your opponent posts aggressively and prevents the rolling motion necessary for the back take? A: When opponent establishes strong base and posts to prevent rolling, you have several systematic options: First, consider threatening the Kimura finish more aggressively to break their structural base with submission pressure. Second, transition to alternative attacks from the Kimura position such as arm triangle choke or moving to north-south for different angles. Third, if they remain turtled, adjust to attacking turtle position directly with traditional back takes. The principle is that their commitment to one defense (rigid posting) creates vulnerability to other attacks. Advanced practitioners will have 3-4 options from any Kimura control position.
Q6: Why is following the opponent’s defensive motion superior to forcing them to roll? A: Following their natural defensive movement is more effective because it conserves your energy, works with momentum rather than against it, maintains better control throughout the transition, and creates less opportunity for scrambles or reversals. When you force movement, the opponent feels the direction you are pushing and can brace or counter. When you apply pressure and follow their chosen defensive path, they are moving themselves into the position you want while believing they are defending successfully. This is a fundamental principle in jiu-jitsu - using the opponent’s energy and reactions rather than purely your own force.
Safety Considerations
The Kimura to Back Take transition is relatively safe compared to submission finishes, but practitioners must exercise appropriate control during execution. When applying initial Kimura pressure to create the defensive reaction, avoid explosive or excessive force that could injure the shoulder joint - the goal is to create movement, not injury. During the rolling phase, be aware of your weight distribution to avoid driving your shoulder or elbow into opponent’s head or neck. When establishing hooks, control your leg movements to avoid accidental strikes to the opponent’s lower back or kidneys. During training, communicate clearly with partners about resistance levels and pause immediately if either person loses control of the movement. The transition can be practiced safely at all skill levels with appropriate progressive resistance.
Position Integration
The Kimura to Back Take is a cornerstone transition in modern Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu that bridges submission attacks with positional advancement. It exemplifies the systematic approach of using submission threats not just as finishing mechanisms but as positional control and advancement tools. This transition integrates into multiple positional contexts: from side control as a primary attacking sequence, from turtle as a top position control system, from half guard as both an escape and attack mechanism, and even from standing scenarios. Understanding this transition fundamentally changes how practitioners approach the Kimura grip, transforming it from a single-purpose submission into a comprehensive control system. It connects directly to back control systems including seat belt management, body triangle application, and rear naked choke attacks. The transition also relates to the broader concept of creating defensive dilemmas where opponent’s logical defensive choices lead them into worse positions.
Expert Insights
- Danaher System: The Kimura to back take represents a perfect example of the submission-as-position concept that forms the foundation of systematic jiu-jitsu. What makes this transition mechanically superior is the maintenance of grip connection throughout positional change, creating what I call ‘unbroken control continuity.’ The Kimura grip functions as both offensive weapon and defensive barrier simultaneously. When you understand the biomechanics of shoulder rotation under load, you recognize that the opponent’s defensive roll toward the trapped arm is not merely one option among many - it is the highest-percentage defensive response to shoulder lock pressure. By systematically creating the conditions that make this defensive choice most attractive, you are essentially controlling the opponent’s decision-making process. The transition succeeds not through speed or athleticism, but through proper sequencing: submission pressure creates defensive movement, defensive movement exposes back, grip connection enables following, following creates hook opportunities, hooks establish positional dominance. Each phase flows inevitably into the next when executed with technical precision. This is why the Kimura system produces back takes at much higher rates than traditional wrestling-based methods - you are working with anatomical imperatives rather than against them.
- Gordon Ryan: In competition, the Kimura to back take is one of my highest-percentage sequences because it combines offense with exceptional risk management. When I lock the Kimura grip from side control or turtle, I’m not gambling on finishing the submission against a high-level opponent who defends well - I’m creating a control position where every defensive choice they make leads to additional attacking opportunities. If they stay static, I can work the submission finish or transition to other attacks. If they roll defensively, I take the back. If they counter-roll away, I can follow for mount or armbar. The key detail that separates elite execution from intermediate is the timing of hook insertion during their roll. You must insert the bottom hook the instant their back is exposed, not after they complete the roll. That split-second timing difference determines whether you get clean back control or end up in a scramble. In my matches, I’ll set up the Kimura deliberately to force the back exposure, especially against opponents I’ve studied who have predictable defensive patterns. The grip strength required to maintain connection during dynamic movement is substantial, which is why this transition becomes even more effective as matches progress and opponent’s grip fighting diminishes. It’s a position that gets stronger as the match continues, which is ideal for competition strategy.
- Eddie Bravo: The Kimura to back take is fundamental in 10th Planet system because it embodies our philosophy of creating chains and dilemmas where every defensive response leads to offensive opportunities. We drill this transition heavily from multiple contexts, but especially from the lockdown and half guard positions where the Kimura grip can be established from bottom position. What’s interesting about this transition is how it connects our shoulder lock attacks with our back attack system, creating seamless offensive flow. I teach students to think of the Kimura grip not as one technique but as a positional control system with multiple exits - the shoulder lock finish, the back take, the sweep, the arm triangle. When opponent doesn’t know which attack is coming, their defensive options become paralyzed by indecision. In no-gi especially, where grips are harder to maintain, the Kimura provides exceptionally secure control that’s difficult to strip. We also emphasize using the Kimura to back take as a transition within submission sequences - maybe you’re attacking a triangle from guard, opponent defends by posturing hard, you transition to Kimura, they roll defensively, now you’re on their back hunting for the rear naked. It’s about constant offensive pressure through linked attacks. The more your opponent has to defend, the more mistakes they make, and the Kimura system creates an enormous defensive burden.