Kimura Trap System

Submission Chain Advanced difficulty

What is Kimura Trap System?

The figure-four grip can help you move an opponent even when the kimura finish is unavailable.

The figure-four grip can help you move an opponent even when the kimura finish is unavailable. This guide connects the grip to positional control, transitions and submission choices, with attention to keeping the shoulder controlled during practice.

Use the implementation sequence to choose a training focus, the connected techniques to study each position, and the course recommendation to explore a detailed video explanation. This is BJJGraph’s study guide; it is not an official course outline or a substitute for coached practice.

Study this system with BJJ Fanatics

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Kimura: Enter The System

with John Danaher

Who it suits: Students building a connected attack around one grip. This is a kimura focus, not a survey of every submission.

Explores the kimura grip as a control that connects positional transitions and submission options.

View course & syllabus on BJJ Fanatics →

Core Principles

• Use the kimura grip as a control mechanism first, submission second
• Create cascading dilemmas where every defensive choice leads to a different attack
• Maintain constant shoulder rotation pressure to prevent opponent’s escape
• Connect multiple positions through the kimura grip as a common thread
• Prioritize position advancement over immediate submission attempts
• Use the trapped arm as a handle to steer opponent’s body
• Recognize that the kimura grip neutralizes half of opponent’s defensive capacity

Key Components

Kimura Grip Establishment (Creates the control foundation from which all other system elements flow) The foundational element involves securing the figure-four grip on the opponent’s arm with proper hand positioning and shoulder alignment. The grip must be deep enough to control the shoulder girdle while maintaining mechanical advantage through proper arm angles. This requires understanding the difference between a shallow grip (easily escaped) and a deep, controlling grip that immobilizes the opponent’s shoulder complex.

Back Take Pathway (Provides primary offensive pathway when opponent defends submission) When the opponent defends the kimura by extending their arm or driving into you, this defensive movement creates the opportunity to climb onto their back. The trapped arm becomes an anchor point for establishing back control, with the kimura grip naturally transitioning into seat belt control. Understanding the timing of when to release the kimura grip and secure the back is critical for smooth execution.

Mount Transition (Advances positional dominance while maintaining offensive pressure) From positions like side control or half guard, the kimura grip allows for controlled transitions to mount by using the trapped arm to prevent the opponent’s ability to create frames or establish defensive structure. The shoulder rotation inherent in the kimura makes it biomechanically difficult for opponents to prevent the mount transition while defending their arm.

Submission Finishes (Provides multiple offensive endpoints to capitalize on defensive errors) The system includes multiple submission endpoints beyond the standard kimura, including americana variations, wristlocks, and shoulder locks. The key is recognizing which finish is appropriate based on the opponent’s defensive posture and arm position. Competition-level execution requires understanding the nuanced differences between finishes and when each becomes available.

Rolling Kimura Mechanics (Adds dynamic movement dimension to break static defensive postures) The rolling kimura represents an advanced expression of the system where the practitioner performs a forward roll while maintaining the kimura grip, using rotational momentum to break the opponent’s defensive structure. This technique is particularly effective when the opponent successfully prevents static kimura attacks by maintaining strong posture or base.

Implementation Sequence

1. Grip Establishment: Secure the kimura grip from your starting position (side control, half guard, or turtle). Ensure deep hand positioning with your controlling hand gripping your own wrist, not just fingers. Apply immediate shoulder rotation pressure to test opponent’s defensive awareness. Key points:

• Deep grip with wrist-to-wrist connection, not finger interlock
• Elbow positioning tight to your own body for leverage
• Immediate pressure application to prevent early escape

2. Initial Control Development: Establish positional control using the kimura grip as your primary control mechanism. Drive the opponent’s hand toward their hip to create shoulder rotation and postural compromise. Use your body weight and positioning to prevent them from turning into you or creating space. Key points:

• Shoulder rotation is continuous, not static
• Hip positioning prevents opponent’s hip escape
• Head pressure controls upper body movement

3. Reaction Reading: Observe how the opponent responds to the kimura threat. If they extend the arm to relieve pressure, prepare for back take. If they pull the arm tight to their body, prepare for mount transition. If they attempt to roll through, follow with rolling kimura mechanics. Key points:

• Every defensive movement creates specific offensive opportunities
• Delay commitment until opponent reveals their defensive choice
• Maintain grip integrity regardless of which pathway opens

4. Pathway Selection: Commit to your offensive pathway based on opponent’s defensive reaction: back take (if they extend), mount (if they pull tight), submission (if they remain static), or rolling attack (if they attempt to turtle). Execute the chosen pathway while maintaining constant pressure on the trapped shoulder. Key points:

• Smooth transition without telegraphing intention
• Maintain shoulder rotation throughout transition
• Use trapped arm as navigation handle

5. Secondary Attack Chain: If the primary attack is defended, immediately recognize the new position and available secondary attacks. From back control, threaten chokes. From mount, threaten armbars and ezekiels. From turtle, return to initial kimura establishment. The system loops continuously until submission or dominant position is secured. Key points:

• Never abandon the system entirely - always loop back to kimura control
• Secondary attacks should flow naturally from the position achieved
• Opponent fatigue accumulates through constant decision-making pressure

6. System Mastery Integration: Advanced practitioners integrate the kimura trap into their overall game strategy, recognizing kimura opportunities from standing, guard, and scramble positions. The system becomes a default problem-solving framework rather than a specific technique sequence, allowing for creative applications across all positional contexts. Key points:

• Pattern recognition becomes automatic through repetition
• Creative variations emerge from deep system understanding
• Opponent’s awareness of the system creates additional opportunities

Where to begin in the instructional

Use the positional-control sections to study how the grip can remain useful when the direct finish is blocked.

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Explore the course contents on BJJ Fanatics: Kimura: Enter The System →

What Challenges Will You Face?

• Opponent keeps elbow tight to body, preventing deep kimura grip establishment: Use collar ties, underhooks, or head control to extend the arm slightly before attempting grip. Alternatively, use shallow grip initially and progressively work to deepen it through small adjustments and pressure application. Create angles by moving your body rather than forcing the grip immediately.
• Losing the grip during transitions between positions: Focus on maintaining wrist-to-wrist contact rather than finger grip strength. During transitions, allow some arm rotation to relieve pressure temporarily while maintaining the grip structure. Practice grip endurance training to build forearm stamina for extended holding periods.
• Opponent successfully rolls through the rolling kimura attempt: Anticipate the counter-roll and use their momentum to establish front headlock or anaconda choke position. If they successfully escape, immediately return to your guard system rather than chasing. Improve rolling kimura timing by drilling the entry from multiple starting angles.
• Difficulty recognizing which pathway to take in real-time scrambles: Slow down decision-making through positional sparring focused solely on kimura trap scenarios. Develop pattern recognition by drilling all three primary pathways (back, mount, submission) from the same starting position. Create decision-tree mental models for common defensive responses.
• Opponent uses superior strength to simply pull their arm free: Redirect focus from grip strength to body positioning and angle creation. Use hip positioning and shoulder pressure to multiply your holding power. If strength disparity is significant, emphasize the back-take pathway which requires less pure grip strength. Consider that losing the grip may indicate poor initial establishment rather than insufficient strength.

How to Measure Your Progress

Grip Establishment Rate: Percentage of opportunities where you successfully establish deep kimura control from various starting positions Proficiency indicators:

• Beginner: 30-40% success rate, primarily from static side control
• Intermediate: 50-65% success rate, including half guard and turtle positions
• Advanced: 70%+ success rate, including dynamic scrambles and standing scenarios

Pathway Recognition Speed: Time elapsed between opponent’s defensive movement and your commitment to the appropriate attack pathway Proficiency indicators:

• Beginner: 3-5 seconds of observation before committing
• Intermediate: 1-2 seconds, making decision within one opponent movement cycle
• Advanced: Instant recognition with simultaneous or anticipatory response

Position Advancement Rate: Percentage of kimura controls that result in improved position or submission regardless of specific pathway Proficiency indicators:

• Beginner: 40-50% result in position improvement
• Intermediate: 60-75% result in back control, mount, or submission threat
• Advanced: 80%+ result in dominant position or submission finish

System Persistence: Ability to maintain system pressure through multiple defensive sequences before completing attack Proficiency indicators:

• Beginner: Single-layer attacks, abandoning system after first defense
• Intermediate: Two-layer sequences, following initial attack with one backup option
• Advanced: Three+ layer chains, maintaining system framework through extended exchanges

How to Train This System Effectively

Drilling Approach

The Kimura Trap System should be developed through progressive layering of complexity. Begin with static grip establishment from side control, focusing on proper hand positioning and shoulder rotation mechanics without resistance. Progress to light resistance drilling where the partner provides specific defensive responses (extending arm, pulling tight, attempting to roll). Advanced drilling involves positional sparring starting from kimura control with the explicit goal of completing the back take, mount transition, or submission finish. Each training session should include repetitions of all three primary pathways to build automatic recognition patterns. Film review of both successful and failed attempts accelerates learning by revealing subtle positioning errors and timing issues. Partner rotation is essential to expose yourself to different body types, strength levels, and defensive strategies.

Progression Path

Fundamental Mechanics (Focus: Grip establishment, basic shoulder rotation, understanding the three primary pathways conceptually) - Weeks 1-4 Static Position Development (Focus: Executing each pathway from side control with compliant partner, building muscle memory for transitions) - Weeks 5-12 Reactive Drilling (Focus: Partner provides specific defensive responses, developing pathway recognition and decision-making speed) - Weeks 13-24 Dynamic Integration (Focus: Applying system from half guard, turtle, and scramble positions with progressive resistance) - Weeks 25-40 Competition Application (Focus: Full resistance positional sparring and live rolling with explicit focus on kimura hunting) - Weeks 41-52 Advanced System Integration (Focus: Creative variations, standing applications, combination with other submission systems) - Ongoing refinement

Common Mistakes

• Pursuing the submission finish prematurely before establishing positional control
• Releasing the grip too early during transitions, allowing opponent to recover arm position
• Using excessive upper body strength instead of proper body positioning and leverage
• Failing to maintain constant shoulder rotation pressure throughout the sequence
• Telegraphing intentions by shifting weight before committing to pathway choice
• Neglecting grip fighting in the initial establishment phase, accepting shallow grips
• Abandoning the system entirely after one failed attempt instead of looping back

Which Positions, Transitions, and Principles Connect to This System?

• Kimura Trap (Position) - Primary control position from which the entire system operates
• Kimura to Back Take (Transition) - Primary offensive pathway when opponent extends trapped arm
• Rolling Kimura (Transition) - Dynamic variation to break opponent’s static defensive structure
• Kimura (Submission) - Primary submission finish from static control position
• Reverse Kimura (Submission) - Reverse grip variation expanding finishing options when standard kimura rotation is blocked
• Kimura from Half Guard (Submission) - Alternative entry from bottom position with sweep integration
• Front Headlock (Position) - Connected control position enabling snap-down to kimura and back-take sequences
• Side Control (Position) - Primary starting position for kimura trap establishment
• Half Guard (Position) - Alternative entry position for bottom player applications
• Turtle (Position) - Common opponent defensive position that enables kimura attacks
• Back Control (Position) - Primary target position for back take pathway
• Mount (Position) - Secondary target position for mount transition pathway
• North-South (Position) - Transitional position offering kimura opportunities during passing
• Control Maintenance (Principle) - Foundational principle for maintaining kimura grip throughout transitions
• Submission Chains (Principle) - Conceptual framework for linking kimura to other submission attempts
• Fork Attacks (Principle) - Core philosophy of creating multiple bad choices for opponent
• Transition Management (Principle) - Guides smooth movement between positions while maintaining control
• Position Chains (Principle) - Framework for chaining positional attacks from kimura control through back, mount, and submission pathways
• Positional Sparring (Principle) - Training methodology for developing kimura trap recognition and pathway selection through focused repetition
• Danaher Straight Jacket System (System) - Complementary arm control system with similar control philosophies
• Back Attack System (System) - Target system when kimura trap successfully achieves back take
• North-South to Kimura (Transition) - Alternative entry pathway from north-south position
• Americana (Submission) - Related shoulder lock submission with similar mechanics

Take one idea into your next session

Pick one kimura entry from the map. Ask your partner to hide the hand and practise a controlled positional transition.

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Check the sample and current price on BJJ Fanatics: Kimura: Enter The System →