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. The figure-four configuration acts simultaneously as a steering wheel, an anchor preventing separation, and a submission threat that keeps the opponent reactive rather than proactive in their defense.
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. The transition creates a classic dilemma: defend the shoulder lock and expose the back, or protect the back and risk the submission finish. This forced choice is what makes the Kimura to Back Take one of the most reliable positional advancement tools in the modern grappling arsenal.
From Position: Kimura Trap (Top) Success Rate: 58%
Possible Outcomes
| Result | Position | Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Success | Back Control | 58% |
| Failure | Kimura Trap | 30% |
| Counter | Half Guard | 12% |
Attacker vs Defender
| Attacker | Defender | |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Execute technique | Prevent or counter |
| Key Principles | Maintain Kimura grip control throughout the entire transitio… | Address the Kimura grip early - prevention of the grip is th… |
| Options | 6 execution steps | 4 defensive options |
Playing as Attacker
Key Principles
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Maintain Kimura grip control throughout the entire transition as your primary connection to the opponent
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Use progressive submission pressure to force opponent’s defensive movement rather than attempting to finish immediately
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Follow opponent’s roll or turn rather than forcing their direction of movement
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Keep chest-to-back connection during the position change to prevent space creation
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Establish seat belt grip before releasing Kimura control to maintain overlapping control systems
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Control opponent’s hips with legs to prevent escape once hooks are inserted
Execution Steps
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Secure Kimura grip: Establish figure-four Kimura grip on opponent’s arm with their elbow bent and hand behind their back…
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Pressure the submission: Increase Kimura pressure by lifting opponent’s hand toward their shoulder blade while driving their …
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Read defensive movement: Recognize opponent’s defensive pattern - typically rolling toward the trapped arm to relieve shoulde…
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Follow the roll: As opponent begins rolling, maintain your Kimura grip absolutely while using your body weight to fol…
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Climb to back position and insert hooks: As opponent completes their roll, use your Kimura grip as an anchor point while bringing your inside…
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Transition to seat belt control: Once both hooks are secured and opponent cannot immediately escape, begin transitioning from Kimura …
Common Mistakes
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Releasing Kimura grip too early during transition
- Consequence: Opponent escapes the sequence entirely and can recover guard or achieve reversal
- Correction: Maintain the Kimura lock throughout the entire back take until seat belt control is fully established with both hooks secured
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Forcing opponent to roll rather than following their natural defensive movement
- Consequence: Creates scramble situation where control is lost and opponent can counter or escape
- Correction: Apply pressure and create the dilemma, then follow their response. Let them give you the back rather than taking it forcefully
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Allowing space to develop between your chest and opponent’s back during roll
- Consequence: Opponent can turn back into you or escape to guard before hooks are established
- Correction: Maintain heavy chest pressure and shoulder connection throughout transition. Your weight should follow them continuously with hips driving into their lower back
Playing as Defender
Key Principles
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Address the Kimura grip early - prevention of the grip is the strongest defense against the entire sequence
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Control the speed and direction of your own movement rather than trying to remain completely static against pressure
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Keep elbows tight to your body to deny space for hook insertion during any rolling or turtling motion
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Turn into the attacker when possible rather than turning away, as facing them eliminates the back take angle
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Prioritize recovering inside position and guard frames over simply escaping the grip under pressure
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Avoid panic rolling or explosive uncontrolled movement which creates the exact back exposure the attacker seeks
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Use two-on-one grip fighting on the Kimura configuration to strip or weaken the figure-four before pressure escalates
Recognition Cues
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Attacker secures figure-four Kimura grip and begins lifting your hand toward your shoulder blade while driving elbow across your body
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Attacker shifts weight off your hips and begins repositioning to follow your body rotation, indicating they want you to roll
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Attacker applies progressive submission pressure in pulses rather than committing to the finish, suggesting they are using the Kimura as a positional tool
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You feel increasing shoulder pressure that makes staying flat untenable and creates an instinctive urge to roll toward the trapped arm
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Attacker’s chest lifts slightly from your torso as they prepare to follow your movement rather than pinning you down
Defensive Options
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Two-on-one grip strip on the Kimura figure-four before pressure escalates - When: Early in the sequence before the attacker applies significant shoulder pressure or begins following your movement
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Turn into the attacker by rotating your body to face them during the roll, establishing frames on their shoulder and hip - When: During the rolling phase when you must move but can choose the direction of your rotation
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Turtle tight with elbows pinched and deny hooks by keeping knees together and hips low to the mat - When: When the roll has already occurred and you cannot turn to face the attacker, as a damage control measure to prevent hook insertion
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.