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Kimura Trap System: Complete BJJ Guide

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Intermediate · Gi & No-Gi · Submission Attack System

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The kimura trap transforms a single shoulder lock into a complete positional and submission system. Once you control the kimura grip, you have access to the kimura finish, back takes, armbar entries, and guard passes — all from one grip.

Contents

    The Kimura Grip

    The kimura grip is a figure-4 arm control: your hand grabs their wrist, your other arm passes under their elbow and grabs your own wrist. This creates a powerful lever against the shoulder joint.

    Kimura Finish Mechanics

    Rotate their arm toward their back, moving their hand toward their shoulder blade. The shoulder joint has a limited external rotation range — when exceeded, the tap comes quickly.

    💡 Pro Tip: The most common kimura failure is losing the grip position. Keep both hands connected even while transitioning between attacks.

    Kimura to Back Take

    When they defend the finish by rolling, follow the roll and take their back. The kimura grip controls their arm as you climb onto their back for seat belt control.

    1. Apply kimura pressure
    2. When they roll to their knees, follow
    3. Maintain grip while climbing to back position
    4. Transition to seat belt grip on their chest

    Kimura to Armbar

    If they straighten their arm to defend the kimura rotation, transition immediately to an armbar. Their defense becomes your setup for a different submission.

    Guard Passing with Kimura

    From top half guard or side control, use kimura grip to control their arm while you pass. The arm control prevents their guard recovery and framing.

    Kimura from Guard

    Attack kimura from closed guard by controlling their wrist and bumping their elbow up. Pull their arm across your chest before executing the rotation.

    ⚠️ Safety Note: The kimura is extremely powerful — tap early. The shoulder can be injured quickly once proper torque is applied.

    Related Techniques

    See also: Americana Guide, Omoplata System, Back Control System, Kimura Guide

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    More Questions

    How do I transition from a failed Kimura attempt to a better position?

    If your opponent defends the Kimura and you can't secure the grip, focus on maintaining pressure and hip control. Look to transition to a side control or mount by clearing their hips and re-establishing a dominant position, rather than just letting go.

    What are the common mistakes people make when trying to set up the Kimura Trap?

    A common mistake is over-committing to the initial Kimura grip without establishing proper body positioning. This can leave you vulnerable to sweeps or allow your opponent to escape the trap easily. Another mistake is not controlling the opponent's hips, which is crucial for preventing them from turning into you or creating space.

    How can I use the Kimura Trap to set up other submissions?

    The Kimura Trap is excellent for creating opportunities for other attacks. Once you have the opponent's arm isolated and their body turned, you can often transition to an armbar, triangle choke, or even a darce choke as they attempt to defend the initial Kimura.

    Common BJJ Problems & FAQ

    Q: When I try to set up the Kimura Trap System: Complete BJJ Guide from guard, my opponent just pulls their arm out, what am I doing wrong biomechanically?

    You're likely not isolating the opponent's arm effectively. Ensure your legs create a strong barrier, preventing them from posturing up, while your arm hooks their bicep and your other arm secures the wrist, creating a rigid frame that prevents their elbow from escaping.

    Q: How can I effectively finish the Kimura Trap System: Complete BJJ Guide submission without putting too much strain on my own shoulder or elbow?

    Focus on hip pressure and body rotation rather than pure arm strength. Drive your hips into the opponent's side while simultaneously rotating your torso away, using your body's leverage to create the torque on their shoulder joint, minimizing strain on your own extremities.

    Q: My opponent keeps stacking me when I attempt the Kimura Trap System: Complete BJJ Guide from side control, how do I prevent this and maintain the submission?

    You need to control their base and prevent them from posturing up. Keep your chest tight to their body and use your far-side arm to hook their hip, preventing them from driving their weight down and forward, which allows you to maintain the angle for the Kimura Trap System: Complete BJJ Guide.

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