Kimura BJJ: White Belt Biomechanical Guide
☰Contents
Master the Kimura joint lock in BJJ. Precise biomechanics, injury prevention, and drill progressions for white belts. Learn setup, execution, and counters.
White
The Kimura is a powerful shoulder lock typically initiated from Closed Guard or side control, aiming to hyperextend the opponent's shoulder joint.
White belts often struggle by applying excessive, uncontrolled force, leading to ineffective attempts and potential injury for both practitioners.
The key to a successful Kimura lies in isolating the opponent's arm and using your body to create a stable lever, rather than relying solely on brute strength.
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Grips & Mechanics
- From closed guard, secure your opponent's right arm with your left arm, gripping their wrist with your left hand (a "baseball grip").
- Your right arm then snakes *under* their trapped arm, reaching across their back to grip your own left wrist.
- Shift your hips slightly to your left, creating a narrow base and angling your body away from your opponent's head.
- Use your legs to maintain control of their hips, preventing them from posturing up or escaping.
- Begin to pull their elbow towards your chest, keeping their wrist close to your body.
- Simultaneously, lean back slightly, using your core to drive your hips forward and create separation at their shoulder.
- Apply upward pressure on their wrist while maintaining downward pressure on their elbow, rotating their arm into a shoulder lock.
- Continue to drive your hips forward until they tap, ensuring your body remains angled and your base narrow.
⚠️ White Belt Warnings
- Applying the Kimura by "pulling hard" with your arms while your hips are squared to your opponent can overextend their elbow joint if they try to resist by straightening their arm, potentially tearing the UCL (ulnar collateral ligament).
- Instead, focus on isolating the arm and driving your hips forward to create the shoulder rotation, maintaining a slight bend in their elbow.
- Grabbing the opponent's gi instead of their wrist/arm can lead to the grip slipping and loss of control, potentially allowing them to escape and counter.
- Always secure a firm grip on the opponent's wrist with your "baseball grip" and then your own wrist to maintain control of the limb.
- Trying to force the Kimura by arching your back excessively without proper hip engagement can strain your lumbar spine and be ineffective.
- Engage your core and drive your hips forward to generate the rotational force, keeping your back relatively straight.
Drill Progressions
- Solo drilling: Practice the grip sequence (baseball grip on wrist, then grip own wrist) and hip movement 10 times per side.
- Partner drill (no resistance): With a compliant partner, execute the full Kimura sequence from closed guard, focusing on precise body positioning and grip exchange. 5 reps per side.
- Partner drill (light resistance): Partner offers minimal resistance to the setup and initial movement. Focus on maintaining control and hip angle. 5 reps per side.
- Controlled drilling: Partner actively tries to defend by posturing or turning out, but you maintain control and attempt to finish. 5 reps per side.
- Live rolling (controlled): Attempt the Kimura from closed guard during light sparring, focusing on proper setup and execution, accepting escapes. 5 attempts per side.
- Live rolling (full intensity): Integrate the Kimura attempt into your sparring. Focus on recognizing opportunities and executing with proper mechanics, understanding that it may not always finish.
When to Use & Counters
- WHEN TO ATTEMPT:
- When your opponent is postured up in your closed guard and you have an arm isolated.
- When you have transitioned to side control and can isolate an arm before they can establish defensive frames.
- When you have successfully swept or passed to a position where an arm is accessible for control.
- PRIMARY COUNTERS:
- Escape the grip: The opponent can attempt to "hide" their thumb by turning their hand inwards, breaking your grip, and then rotating their arm out.
- Stacking and Posturing: The opponent can "stack" their weight onto you, driving their hips forward, and then posture up to relieve pressure and escape.
- Arm Rotation Defense: The opponent can attempt to rotate their arm in the opposite direction of the Kimura, often by bringing their elbow closer to their body and "pulling" their arm free.
Related Video
Watch step-by-step breakdowns from black belt instructors:
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📋 Competition Rules
⚙️ Recommended Gear
Common BJJ Problems & FAQ
Wrist pain during the Kimura often stems from gripping your own wrist too tightly or at an awkward angle, or from applying pressure before the arm is fully isolated. Ensure you have a firm "baseball grip" on their wrist and then a relaxed grip on your own wrist, with your elbows relatively close to your body. The primary pressure should come from your hips driving forward, not your wrists straining.
Against a larger opponent, leverage and precise biomechanics are paraMount. Focus on a very narrow base, keeping your hips close to theirs and your body angled away. Drive your hips forward with significant force to create the shoulder rotation, rather than trying to pull their arm towards you. Ensure their elbow stays slightly bent to prevent them from straightening and creating a power advantage.
The optimal time to attempt a Kimura from closed guard is when your opponent is postured up and their weight is slightly forward, creating a gap. This allows you to secure the arm isolation and begin the hip movement before they can fully retract their arm or establish strong defensive frames. Avoid attempting it when they are very tight and controlling your hips.
🥋 Related Techniques
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