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Kimura

Brazilian jiu-jitsu / Popular

Attack the kimura from guard, side control and half guard.

What coaches agree on

  • From closed guard, work the opponent's hands off your body and onto the mat before you attack the arm - this opens the path to isolate it.
  • Once you've got the figure-four locked, switch to a thumbless grip - it holds longer and won't tweak your thumb.
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  • Treat the kimura grip as a control position, not just a finish - when your opponent rolls or spins away, follow them to the back rather than fighting to hold them still.

Common mistakes

  • Trying to muscle the finish by pulling or pushing with just the arms instead of turning your hips and whole body into the lock - it stalls out against a strong or bigger opponent.
  • Locking the figure-four with your elbows spread wide apart, which weakens the grip and lets the arm slip free.