Kimura
Figure-four shoulder lock that controls the arm from guard, side control, and north-south — a staple sweep and submission.
shoulder lock
Overview
The kimura uses a figure-four grip on the wrist to rotate the shoulder. It connects naturally to hip-bump sweeps from closed guard, back takes when the opponent rolls, and finishes from side control and north-south.
#Setup
- Control the wrist and elbow on one side — often after a hip bump or when the opponent posts.
- Thread your far hand over the wrist and grab your own wrist to form the figure-four.
- Pin the elbow to your body and remove slack before applying rotation.
#Execution
- Lift the elbow while driving the wrist toward the opponent’s spine.
- Walk your hips toward their head in side control to increase leverage.
- Apply pressure gradually along the shoulder line, not by yanking the wrist.
#Finishing
- Keep the elbow pinned — floating elbows escape easily.
- Switch to a top kimura when they roll; follow with a gift wrap or back take.
Key Concepts
- Figure-four grip first, rotation second.
- Hip bump creates the posting arm that feeds the kimura.
- The kimura is a positional tool as much as a submission.
Primary Entries
- Hip-bump sweep when the opponent posts a hand on the mat.
- Side control when they frame on your hip with a straight arm.
- Failed armbar when you retain wrist control during the scramble.
Follow-Ups
- Back take when the opponent rolls away from kimura pressure.
- Armbar when they straighten the arm to defend.
- North-south finish after passing with the grip intact.
Training Drills
- Hip-bump to kimura chain from closed guard.
- Side control kimura walk with progressive shoulder pressure.
- Roll-through back take when partner defends the lock.
Related Techniques
Deepen your study with complementary positions and attacks.
Summary
Learn the kimura as grip-fighting infrastructure. It sweeps, submits, and opens back takes from the most common white-belt scrambles.