What is the primary anatomical structure attacked by the Kimura from Kimura Trap?

The primary target is the glenohumeral shoulder joint, attacked through forced internal rotation of the humerus, driving the bent forearm and wrist behind the opponent's back. The figure-four grip generates rotational torque that exceeds the shoulder's natural range of motion, threatening dislocation of the humeral head from the glenoid fossa. Secondary stress is applied to the elbow's medial collateral ligament when the arm is bent during rotation.

What signs show their shoulder is nearing its limit during the Kimura finish?

Primary indicators include involuntary facial grimacing, verbal distress signals, the opponent's body beginning to rotate involuntarily toward the direction of pressure, and visible strain in the shoulder musculature. The trapped arm begins to move more freely as soft tissue resistance decreases near the structural limit. You must release before reaching actual failure—the tap should come well before the breaking point, and you must apply pressure slowly enough to allow it.

What must be controlled before moving from the Kimura Trap into the finishing sequence?

Before attempting the finish, verify a deep figure-four grip near the opponent's elbow, an intact half guard or lockdown entanglement holding their base, your hips off the mat with your near elbow posted so your chest turns toward them, and their defensive grips broken or significantly weakened. Attempting the finish without all four results in a low-percentage attempt that wastes energy and often lets them flatten you and pass.

When can the opponent no longer defend the Kimura Trap finish by muscle alone?

The critical threshold occurs when the opponent's hand is driven past the plane of their own back with the elbow pinned close to their torso. Once the wrist crosses behind the hip line while you hold the angle from your side and the leg entanglement still denies them their base, the mechanical disadvantage becomes too severe for muscular defence alone. Before that point, grip defence and posturing away remain viable for them.

They posture up and make space during your Kimura Trap finish: what adjustment stops the escape?

Follow them up rather than trying to hold them down — you have no weight to pin with. Come higher onto your near elbow and shoulder as they posture, keep the figure four pulled tight to your own chest, and use the lockdown or half guard to break their base so their posture costs them their balance. If they genuinely clear the space, abandon the immediate finish and re-consolidate the trap; never release the grip to chase their posture.

How do you adjust the Kimura grip when their arm is slippery with sweat?

Switch from a standard wrist-on-wrist grip to a deeper figure-four where your hand wraps around your own forearm rather than just gripping the wrist, creating a larger contact surface that resists slipping. Additionally, squeeze your elbows together to create compression that locks the configuration in place regardless of friction. In no-gi, the monkey grip with thumbless configuration on the opponent's wrist provides the most secure connection.

Kimura from Kimura Trap Attacker | BJJ Submission Guide

SAFETY: Kimura from Kimura Trap targets the Shoulder joint (glenohumeral) and elbow. Risk: Shoulder dislocation (glenohumeral subluxation or full anterior dislocation). Release immediately upon tap.

Executing the Kimura from Kimura Trap means finishing a shoulder lock from underneath, and the whole difference from the top version is where the control comes from. You have no weight to give: the anchor is your LEGS. The half guard entanglement or lockdown is what stops the opponent standing up, backing out, or driving past to flatten you, and if you lose it the grip controls nothing. You create the finishing angle by hip-escaping onto your side and coming up onto your near elbow and shoulder, turning your chest toward them — not by walking your feet around their head, which is a top mechanic and is not available to you. The rotational force comes from your torso turning as you come up, plus your legs pulling their base out from under them. Recognise the moment: attempting the finish while you are still flat on your back is the single most common way this is wasted, because a flat spine gives you no arc to rotate through. From here the finish has two legitimate routes — complete it from the bottom as you come onto your side, or roll them and arrive on top with the lock already loaded.

From Position: Kimura Trap (Bottom)

Film Study

Watch Kimura from Kimura Trap (Attacker) in action — curated instructionals

Kimura Trap Setup Tutorial (No-Gi) — taught by FreeChannelOpen · 1:31 · Watch on YouTube

Kimura Trap finish — taught by Rudy Fields · 0:46 · Watch on YouTube

Kimura Trap submission at Pan Ams — taught by Luke Ruffo · 1:29 · Watch on YouTube

Key Attacking Principles

What are the key principles for executing Kimura from Kimura Trap?

Verify deep figure-four grip positioning near the opponent’s elbow before committing to the finish—shallow grips near the wrist lack sufficient leverage
Create the finishing angle by hip-escaping onto your side and coming up onto your near elbow, never by walking your feet around their head — that is the top finish and you do not have it
Generate rotational force by turning your torso as you come up and by pulling their base with your legs, not by weight and not by arm strength
Keep the leg entanglement live for the entire sequence — the half guard or lockdown is your only substitute for the top player’s chest pressure, and without it the grip controls nothing
Break defensive grips systematically before applying final rotational pressure rather than trying to power through clasped hands
Apply the finish with slow progressive pressure in a smooth arc motion, never jerking or spiking the arm behind the opponent’s back

Prerequisites

What do you need before attempting Kimura from Kimura Trap?

Deep figure-four Kimura grip established near the opponent’s elbow with secure wrist-on-wrist or wrist-on-forearm connection
Half guard or lockdown entanglement intact on the opponent’s near leg, denying them the option to stand, back out or step over
Opponent’s defensive grips neutralized or weakened to the point where rotational force can overcome remaining resistance
Your hips off the mat and your near shoulder able to lift — a flattened spine leaves no arc to rotate the arm through
Opponent’s far-side arm controlled or neutralized to prevent frames that could create escape space during the finish

Execution Steps

How do you execute Kimura from Kimura Trap step by step?

Consolidate Kimura Grip Depth: Verify your figure-four grip is positioned deep near the opponent’s elbow, not their wrist. Tighten the lock by squeezing your elbows together toward your centerline and ensuring your wrist grip is secure. The gripping hand should control their wrist with a firm thumb-in configuration while your other hand wraps your own wrist. (Timing: 2-3 seconds to verify and adjust grip before proceeding)
Anchor With the Legs: Confirm the half guard entanglement on the opponent’s near leg, closing the lockdown if their base is strong. This is the bottom player’s substitute for chest pressure: it is what prevents them standing, backing away, or stepping over to flatten you while your arm is committed to the grip. (Timing: Continuous throughout the entire finishing sequence)
Create Finishing Angle: Hip-escape onto your near side and come up onto your near elbow, turning your chest toward the opponent. Each degree you turn increases the angle between your torso and their shoulder line, which is where the leverage comes from. The goal is to get your chest facing their trapped arm rather than the ceiling — finishing while flat on your back leaves no arc to rotate through. (Timing: 5-8 seconds of progressive angle adjustment with small deliberate steps)
Break Defensive Grips: If the opponent has clasped their hands together or grabbed their own clothing to prevent arm rotation, use systematic grip-breaking techniques. Insert your knee between their clasped hands, use your free hand to peel their top hand, or apply a stepover with your leg to create separation. Never attempt to power through a strong defensive grip without breaking it first. (Timing: 3-10 seconds depending on grip strength and defensive commitment)
Initiate Arm Rotation: Begin driving the opponent’s trapped wrist away from their body and toward the mat behind their back in a smooth arc motion. Use your hip rotation and body weight to generate the force rather than pulling with your arms alone. Keep your elbows squeezed tight and let the figure-four structure transfer your body’s rotational energy into the shoulder lock. (Timing: Slow and progressive over 3-5 seconds—never explosive or jerking)
Paint Hand Behind Back: Continue the arc motion driving the opponent’s hand behind their back and below their waistline. The arc should follow a path that takes the hand outward from their body, then backward and downward behind their back. Keep your legs pulling their base and your near elbow posted so they cannot follow the rotation by turning into you or by flattening you back down. (Timing: 3-5 seconds of controlled progressive rotation)
Apply Progressive Finishing Pressure: Increase rotational pressure gradually as the opponent’s hand moves further behind their back. The shoulder joint approaches its mechanical limit as the wrist passes the hip line. Listen and watch for tap signals throughout this phase. The finish should feel like slowly tightening a vice rather than an explosive crank. Maintain position to hold the submission if the opponent does not tap immediately. (Timing: 2-4 seconds of progressive pressure increase until tap)

Possible Outcomes

Result	Position	Probability
Success	game-over	50%
Failure	Kimura Trap	30%
Counter	Half Guard	20%

Opponent Defenses

How might your opponent defend against Kimura from Kimura Trap?

Opponent clasps hands together using gable grip or S-grip to prevent arm rotation (Effectiveness: High) - Your Response: Use systematic grip breaks: insert knee between their hands, peel top hand with your free hand, or apply stepover pressure. If grip persists, walk angle further toward their head to increase baseline shoulder pressure even without rotation. → Leads to Kimura Trap
Opponent straightens trapped arm and attempts to extract from figure-four grip (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Maintain wrist control and immediately switch to armbar by swinging your leg over their face while keeping the wrist trapped. Their straightened arm actually facilitates the armbar transition. If armbar is not available, re-bend the arm and re-establish figure-four depth. → Leads to Half Guard
Opponent bridges and rolls toward the Kimura side to relieve shoulder pressure and create scramble (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Follow their roll by maintaining the Kimura grip and transitioning to back control as they expose their back. Use their rolling momentum to swing your top leg over and establish hooks. The grip ensures offensive threat throughout the transition. → Leads to Kimura Trap
Opponent tucks elbow extremely tight to their ribcage preventing any finishing angle development (Effectiveness: High) - Your Response: Walk feet further toward their head to create an even sharper angle that gradually pries the elbow away from the body. Alternatively, transition to north-south position where the different leverage angle often opens the elbow. Use the Kimura threat to advance position to mount if the finish stalls. → Leads to Kimura Trap

Common Attacking Mistakes

What mistakes should you avoid when executing Kimura from Kimura Trap?

1. Attempting to finish the Kimura using arm strength alone without creating proper body angle

Consequence: Rapid energy depletion with low finishing percentage, especially against strong opponents who can resist arm-only pressure indefinitely
Correction: Walk feet in arc toward opponent’s head to create perpendicular finishing angle, then use hip rotation and body weight to drive the finish rather than arm muscles

2. Finishing flat on your back instead of coming up onto your near elbow and side

Consequence: Opponent creates escape space through bridging or hip movement, may roll out of submission or recover guard position entirely
Correction: Hip-escape and post on the near elbow BEFORE the rotation starts — a flat spine has no arc to rotate through, and the finish becomes an arm-strength contest you will lose from underneath

3. Attempting to power through the opponent’s clasped-hand defense rather than breaking grips systematically

Consequence: Wasted energy and failed submission attempt, often resulting in loss of the Kimura grip entirely as fatigue sets in from fighting the defensive connection
Correction: Use technique-based grip breaks including knee insertion, hand peeling, and stepover methods before applying rotational pressure to the freed arm

4. Applying the finish with explosive jerking motion rather than slow progressive pressure

Consequence: Risk of catastrophic shoulder injury to training partner including dislocation or rotator cuff tear, potential disqualification in competition for dangerous application
Correction: Apply all rotational pressure in a slow, smooth arc motion that allows the opponent time to recognize the threat and tap safely before any structural damage occurs

5. Establishing shallow Kimura grip near the opponent’s wrist rather than deep near the elbow

Consequence: Insufficient leverage for the finish, easier for opponent to straighten arm and escape, and reduced control throughout the submission attempt
Correction: Always thread your arm deep under the opponent’s tricep and establish the figure-four as close to their elbow as possible before committing to the finishing sequence

6. Failing to recognize when the opponent rolls to defend and missing the back take opportunity

Consequence: Opponent escapes the Kimura attempt by rolling and recovers to a neutral or defensive position without the attacker capitalizing on the exposed back
Correction: Stay connected to the opponent’s movement throughout the finish attempt—when they roll, follow immediately by maintaining grip and swinging leg over to establish back control

7. Starting the finishing sequence before the opponent’s defensive grips and posture have been sufficiently broken down

Consequence: Low-percentage submission attempt against intact defensive structure, wasting energy and potentially losing the Kimura grip position entirely
Correction: Systematically neutralize defensive grips, come up onto your side to establish the angle, and confirm the leg entanglement is still holding before initiating the rotational finishing phase

Training Progressions

How do you train Kimura from Kimura Trap (Attacker)?

Phase 1: Grip Mechanics - Figure-four grip depth and configuration Drill establishing and maintaining deep Kimura grip near the elbow with correct hand positioning. Practice grip transitions between wrist-on-wrist and wrist-on-forearm configurations. Develop squeeze mechanics that lock the figure-four in place. No resistance, focus purely on technical precision of grip establishment.

Phase 2: Dominant Angles - Hip-escaping to the angle and coming up onto the elbow From established Kimura Trap Bottom, practise hip-escaping onto the near side and posting on the elbow while keeping the figure four closed and the lockdown live. Partner remains passive. Develop the coordination of holding the grip, holding the legs, and turning the torso simultaneously.

Phase 3: Finishing Mechanics - Progressive rotational pressure application Practice the complete finishing arc from grip consolidation through angle creation to arm rotation and progressive pressure application. Partner provides light defensive tension but taps appropriately. Emphasize slow progressive pressure and proper body mechanics over arm strength.

Phase 4: Counter Integration - Responding to defensive reactions during the finish Partner cycles through common defensive responses: clasping hands, tucking elbow, straightening arm, rolling to escape. Practice appropriate counter for each defense including grip breaks, angle adjustments, armbar transitions, and back takes. Build automatic response patterns.

Phase 5: Live Application - Finishing under progressive resistance Positional sparring starting from Kimura Trap with partner providing genuine resistance. Practice recognizing optimal finishing windows, managing energy during extended submission attempts, and chaining the Kimura finish with positional transitions when the direct finish is defended.

Kimura from Kimura Trap Attacker