Double wrist lock mechanics, kimura trap, and entries from guard, top, and back.
The Kimura: A Submission and a Control System
The kimura (double wristlock/ude garami) is unique: it is both a submission and a positional control system. The "kimura trap" uses a kimura grip to maintain position, sweep, and transition even when the immediate submission is defended. Understanding the kimura as a system rather than a single technique unlocks enormous offensive potential.
Kimura Mechanics
The kimura attacks the shoulder's internal rotation limit. The trapped arm rotates internally (thumb toward opponent's back) until the shoulder cannot rotate further, then the elbow joint is compressed. The finish requires:
- Your near hand grips their wrist (from below)
- Far hand grips your near wrist to create a figure-4
- Arm bent at 90Β° (important β this maximizes torque)
- Drive the hand toward their back, away from your body
Kimura from Closed Guard
- Isolate near arm β push it to the outside with hip escape
- Establish wrist grip from below, figure-4 grip
- Open guard, hip escape to far side
- Sit up and rotate elbow over their wrist
- Finish by driving hand behind their back
Kimura Trap from Side Control
Lock the kimura grip from side control. Instead of immediately going for the submission, use it to:
- Control their movement (they cannot bridge, shrimp, or turn)
- Walk around to north-south for armbar finish
- Take the back when they try to turn away
- Step over to mount while maintaining grip
π‘ Kimura trap principle: Never let go of the kimura grip. If they straighten the arm (defending submission), walk to north-south and finish the armbar. If they turn away, follow to the back. The kimura grip controls everything.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I finish the kimura against someone who clasps their hands?
Clasping hands (defending kimura) is common. Solutions: take the back (they give up back trying to clasp), walk to north-south armbar (straightened arm becomes armbar), or break the grip by using your elbow to pry their top hand off while driving the trapped arm with your body weight.
What is the kimura trap?
The kimura trap is a positional system built around maintaining the kimura grip. Once you have a kimura grip, you do not go for the submission immediately β instead you use the grip as a control handle to transition between back takes, armbars, and sweeps. Developed most notably by Gordon Ryan and Danaher.
Kimura vs omoplata β which is better?
They target the same joint (shoulder) from different directions. Kimura gives you more positional control and can be used from top and bottom. Omoplata is a guard-specific technique but allows a sweep even when the submission fails. Learn both β they complement each other.