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Kimura

Overview

Section titled “Overview”

Kimura as a positional control tool, not just a submission

Section titled “Kimura as a positional control tool, not just a submission”

The kimura grip as a hub

Section titled “The kimura grip as a hub”

Connects closed guard, half guard, side control, N-S, back control, passing, standing.

Anatomy of the kimura

Section titled “Anatomy of the kimura”

Core Mechanics and Concepts

Section titled “Core Mechanics and Concepts”

Alignment and the kimura

Section titled “Alignment and the kimura”

The kimura grip (figure-four mechanics)

Section titled “The kimura grip (figure-four mechanics)”

Key positional battle: elbow placement

Section titled “Key positional battle: elbow placement”

Kimura grip vs seatbelt (when to switch)

Section titled “Kimura grip vs seatbelt (when to switch)”

T-Kimura (Kimura Trap)

Section titled “T-Kimura (Kimura Trap)”

Entries

Section titled “Entries”
  • From back control
  • From passing guard
  • From half guard
  • From single leg counter

Dilemma: getting on top vs taking the back

Section titled “Dilemma: getting on top vs taking the back”

Attacks with bottom leg

Section titled “Attacks with bottom leg”

Attacks with top leg

Section titled “Attacks with top leg”

Control and position

Section titled “Control and position”

Attacks

Section titled “Attacks”
  • Back take
  • Sit up to armbar
  • Sit up to back take

North South Kimura

Section titled “North South Kimura”

Safety

Section titled “Safety”

Submission: pulling kimura vs pushing kimura

Section titled “Submission: pulling kimura vs pushing kimura”

Side triangle vs kimura dilemma

Section titled “Side triangle vs kimura dilemma”

Kimura from Bottom

Section titled “Kimura from Bottom”

Defense and Escapes

Section titled “Defense and Escapes”
  • Passing vs kimura
  • Escaping T-Kimura
  • Escaping N-S kimura

Summary

Section titled “Summary”

Coaching Guide

Section titled “Coaching Guide”

Common entries and sequences

Section titled “Common entries and sequences”

Kimura from closed guard. The guard player stuffs the opponent’s wrist to the mat and sits up, reaching over the opponent’s shoulder to lock the figure-four grip. Falls back, shifting hips to the side for a better angle.

Kimura trap as takedown defense (single leg counter). When an opponent shoots for a single leg, the defender leans over and secures a kimura grip on the far arm. Often leads to T-Kimura position, used to off-balance or roll to top.

Rolling kimura from top half guard. As the bottom player props up on their elbow to escape or sweep, the top player pins the wrist and rolls over the opponent’s shoulder into T-Kimura or N-S position.

Kimura to back take transition. From T-Kimura or top control, the attacker uses the grip to rotate the opponent’s torso. By spinning behind and heisting up, the attacker throws in hooks while the kimura grip pins the shoulder.

Kimura from side control and north south. From side control, the attacker isolates the arm and transitions to N-S kimura position for the finish.

Common problems and cues

Section titled “Common problems and cues”
Section titled “Recommended games”

Resources

Section titled “Resources”