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Kimura: BJJ Complete Guide
The kimura has stayed relevant since Masahiko Kimura used it to beat Helio Gracie in 1951. Here is the grip, the angle, and the system behind it.
The Grip That Started It All
The kimura is a shoulder lock. It's named after judoka Masahiko Kimura, who used it to defeat Helio Gracie in 1951. The lock uses a figure-four grip on the wrist and elbow. It rotates the shoulder past its safe range. Few submissions have stayed this relevant for this long.
The Figure-Four Grip
- Control your opponent's wrist with one hand.
- Reach under their elbow with your other arm.
- Grab your own wrist, forming a closed loop around their arm.
- Rotate the trapped arm behind their back to finish.
The 90-Degree Angle Rule
The kimura works best at one angle. Your opponent's arm needs to sit at 90 degrees to their body. Too straight, and you lose leverage. Too tucked, and you can't rotate it far enough. Adjust your grip first. Only commit to the finish once that angle locks in.
The Kimura Trap System
The kimura grip does more than finish fights. It sets up sweeps, back takes, and other attacks too. Many top competitors use the grip as a control tool. They threaten the submission while hunting for a better position. Z-guard is one of the most common positions this exact grip shows up from, since a broken-posture opponent stuck behind the knee shield often has nothing left to defend the arm with.
Common Mistakes
- Rushing the rotation before you find the correct 90-degree angle.
- Losing the wrist grip mid-transition. Your opponent can straighten the arm.
- Forgetting to control the hip. That lets them roll out of danger.
Defending the Kimura
Clasp your hands together. Keep your elbow tight to your body the moment the grip starts forming. This one habit stops most kimura attempts before they get dangerous.
Watch for the wristlock hiding inside a stalled kimura attempt, too — if your opponent's elbow stays too tight to rotate the shoulder, your hand is often already controlling their wrist well enough to finish there instead. Our tarikoplata guide is a modern evolution of this exact grip, worth learning once the kimura feels natural.
Tagged with:#kimura#shoulder lock#submissions
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it called the kimura?
It's named after Masahiko Kimura, a judoka who used the technique to defeat Helio Gracie in a famous 1951 match, and the name stuck in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu ever since.
What is the kimura trap system?
A strategic approach where the kimura grip is used as a control tool to set up sweeps, back takes, and transitions, not just as a submission attempt.
Is the kimura legal at white belt?
Yes. It is legal at every belt level under IBJJF rules, since it targets the shoulder rather than a smaller or more fragile joint.
What is the difference between a kimura and an americana?
Both use the same figure-four grip on a bent arm. The kimura rotates the hand down behind the back, while the americana rotates it up toward the head.
Sources & Further Reading
About the Author
Mohsin AyubBJJ practitioner, 6 years — Gracie Barra
Founder & Editor, BJJ Sportswear
Mohsin has trained Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for six years at Gracie Barra and has competed at IBJJF-affiliated tournaments. He writes about competition, gear, and athlete careers, and founded BJJ Sportswear to help grapplers find equipment and information they can trust.
- Six years training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at Gracie Barra
- Competed at IBJJF-affiliated tournaments
- Writes on BJJ competition, gear testing, and athlete careers
This article was last reviewed and updated on 2026-08-01.