SAFETY: Americana from Kimura Trap targets the Shoulder joint (specifically glenohumeral joint and rotator cuff). Risk: Rotator cuff tear (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor). Release immediately upon tap.
Executing the Americana from Kimura Trap requires reading your opponent’s defensive reaction to the Kimura threat and smoothly redirecting pressure from internal (Kimura) to external (Americana) shoulder rotation. The figure-four grip is already established, so you change the direction of force rather than reconfiguring your hands. This makes the transition nearly invisible to the defender, who is focused on protecting against the Kimura. From underneath you hold them with the leg entanglement rather than with weight: the half guard or lockdown is what stops them driving forward, standing, or straightening the arm while you switch direction. The finish relies on trapping the opponent’s elbow against your own chest or the mat as a fixed fulcrum while driving their wrist in a controlled arc, applying progressive external rotation to the glenohumeral joint. Their own Kimura defence — elbow tight, hand low — is exactly the starting position the Americana wants.
From Position: Kimura Trap (Bottom)
Film Study
Watch Americana from Kimura Trap (Attacker) in action — curated instructionals
Kimura Roll to Americana — taught by The Art of Fighting · 1:19 · Watch on YouTube
Americana Trap — taught by Thomas Lisboa · 4:03 · Watch on YouTube
Key Attacking Principles
What are the key principles for executing Americana from Kimura Trap?
- Read the Kimura defense before committing to the Americana redirect—the opponent must have their elbow pinned and hand driven low for the transition to work
- Maintain identical figure-four grip throughout the transition; no grip adjustment is needed between Kimura and Americana
- Pin the opponent’s elbow to the mat as the primary fulcrum point before applying rotational pressure to the wrist
- Use chest and shoulder weight to immobilize the opponent’s upper body during the finish rather than relying on arm strength
- Apply the paintbrush motion slowly and progressively, driving the wrist in an arc along the mat rather than lifting it upward
- Keep your own elbows tight to your body throughout the finish to maximize leverage and prevent the opponent from creating space
Prerequisites
What do you need before attempting Americana from Kimura Trap?
- Established figure-four Kimura grip from Kimura Trap Bottom with grip depth near the opponent’s elbow, not their wrist
- Half guard or lockdown entanglement intact, preventing the opponent from driving forward, standing, or backing out during the switch
- Opponent has committed to Kimura defense by pulling their elbow tight to their body and driving their hand toward the mat
- Your hips off the mat and your near elbow posted, so you have an arc to drive the wrist through rather than being flat underneath them
- The opponent’s trapped arm elbow is accessible for pinning to the mat as the Americana fulcrum
Execution Steps
How do you execute Americana from Kimura Trap step by step?
- Threaten the Kimura finish: From Kimura Trap Top with the figure-four grip secured near the opponent’s elbow, begin pulling their wrist upward behind their back as if finishing the standard Kimura. Apply enough pressure to force a genuine defensive reaction but do not fully commit your weight to the Kimura direction. (Timing: 2-3 seconds of progressive Kimura pressure)
- Read the defensive reaction: Feel for the opponent pulling their elbow tight against their ribs and driving their hand toward the mat. This is the most common Kimura defense at intermediate and advanced levels. Their arm will feel heavy and resistant to upward movement. This is your trigger to redirect. (Timing: Immediate recognition, under 1 second)
- Redirect wrist pressure downward: Without adjusting your figure-four grip, reverse the direction of pressure on the opponent’s wrist. Instead of pulling upward for the Kimura, press their wrist downward toward the mat on the far side of their body. Flow with their defensive momentum rather than fighting against it. (Timing: Smooth transition over 1-2 seconds)
- Pin the elbow to the mat: As you redirect the wrist, use the figure-four structure and your near shoulder to trap the opponent’s elbow against your own chest. That elbow contact point becomes the fulcrum for the Americana lever. Without the elbow fixed, the submission has no point to generate rotational force against. (Timing: Simultaneous with wrist redirection)
- Settle weight and establish finishing position: Come up onto your near elbow and turn your chest into the opponent so the trapped elbow is clamped between your torso and their own body. Pull their base toward you with the entangled leg to increase the angle. Your legs and your turning torso supply the pressure that a top player would supply with weight. (Timing: 1-2 seconds to settle position)
- Apply the paintbrush finish: With the elbow pinned and your weight settled, drive the opponent’s wrist in a slow arc along the mat away from their body. Imagine painting a line on the mat with their knuckles. This creates progressive external rotation of the shoulder joint. Keep the motion parallel to the mat rather than lifting upward. (Timing: 3-5 seconds of slow, controlled pressure)
- Increase pressure to completion: Progressively increase the arc of the wrist movement while maintaining the elbow pin. The opponent will reach their rotational limit and tap. If they resist, micro-adjust your chest position closer to their head to increase leverage. Never jerk or spike the pressure—maintain steady, progressive force throughout. (Timing: 1-3 seconds to tap, stop immediately on tap signal)
Possible Outcomes
| Result | Position | Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Success | game-over | 68% |
| Failure | Kimura Trap | 21% |
| Counter | Closed Guard | 11% |
Opponent Defenses
How might your opponent defend against Americana from Kimura Trap?
- Straightening the arm to prevent the elbow pin and eliminate the Americana fulcrum (Effectiveness: High) - Your Response: If the opponent straightens their arm, you lose the Americana angle but gain a direct path back to the Kimura by pulling their now-extended wrist behind their back. The straight arm also exposes armbar opportunities. Flow back to Kimura immediately. → Leads to Kimura Trap
- Bridging explosively and turning toward you to relieve shoulder pressure and create scramble opportunity (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Ride the bridge by keeping your weight connected and your base wide. As they bridge, their elbow often lifts off the mat—re-pin it as they settle. If they commit to turning, follow to back control while maintaining the grip. Their bridge wastes energy while you conserve through patient pressure. → Leads to Kimura Trap
- Pulling trapped arm across their body to reguard and create distance for guard recovery (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: If they pull the arm across their centerline, they are moving it back into Kimura territory. Immediately redirect back to the Kimura finish. This cross-body arm position also exposes arm triangle and north-south choke opportunities. Follow their arm movement and attack the opening they create. → Leads to Closed Guard
- Gripping their own belt or pants with the trapped hand to create a fixed anchor point (Effectiveness: Low) - Your Response: Grip anchoring delays the finish but does not escape the position. Maintain steady pressure and break the grip by turning your torso further and pulling their base with the entangled leg. Their grip will fatigue before your structure does. Alternatively, peel the grip by driving your free forearm across it. → Leads to Kimura Trap