The figure-four shoulder lock that controls opponents everywhere. Named after Masahiko Kimura.
The kimura (ude-garami) is a figure-four shoulder lock that attacks the shoulder joint by rotating the arm behind the opponent's back. Named after Masahiko Kimura who famously used it to defeat Helio Gracie in 1951.
The kimura is available from almost every position — closed guard, half guard, side control, mount, and even standing. Its versatility and control-oriented nature make it one of the most useful submissions in BJJ.
Unlike many submissions, the kimura doubles as a control tool. A locked kimura grip restricts the opponent's entire upper body even when the finish is not available.
Follow these steps to execute the Kimura correctly. Every step matters — skipping one leads to a failed attempt.
Secure your opponent's wrist while trapping their body in your control. Closed guard and half guard are common starting positions.
Grab your opponent's wrist with one hand, then thread your other arm behind their arm and grip your own wrist. This creates the figure-four structure.
Pin their body with your legs or position to prevent them from rolling out. Without body control, any kimura attempt fails.
Rotate the arm so the hand moves toward the back of their head. The elbow must stay bent at roughly 90 degrees for maximum shoulder pressure.
Slowly rotate the arm. The shoulder joint is delicate — never jerk. Your training partner needs time to tap.
These are the most common errors people make when attempting the Kimura. Recognize them in your own game and fix them systematically.
A loose figure-four grip slips during the rotation. The opponent escapes before the shoulder is compromised.
Fix: Lock the grip hard from the start. Your grip hand must stay on the wrist until the submission finishes.
Without trapping the opponent's body, they will roll, belly-down out of the kimura.
Fix: Pin their far side with your legs or hip. Control must extend beyond the arm.
Rotating the wrong way turns the kimura into an americana and wastes the position.
Fix: The wrist should trace toward the back of their head, not toward their hip.
A straight arm becomes an armbar, not a kimura. Keep the elbow bent at 90 degrees.
Fix: Maintain the bend in the elbow throughout the rotation.
The Kimura is a beginner-level technique that is tested and refined at different stages of belt progression. White belts learn the mechanics, blue belts refine the setups, and purple belts integrate it into complex chains.
Mastery of core techniques like the Kimura is one of the things professors evaluate when considering a promotion. Beyond time in grade, your practical application of fundamentals matters.
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Open CalculatorYes, when applied slowly. The kimura gives training partners clear feedback before the shoulder is compromised. Always tap early.
Nearly — the kimura works from closed guard, half guard, side control, mount, turtle, and standing. It is one of the most versatile BJJ submissions.
The kimura is an old judo technique. It was named kimura in BJJ after Masahiko Kimura used it to break Helio Gracie's arm in a famous 1951 match.
Yes. A locked kimura grip restricts the opponent's entire upper body and is frequently used as a control point before finishing or transitioning.
The mechanics are identical. Only the setup varies — gi grips may involve sleeve or collar grips before locking the figure-four.
Every BJJ practitioner builds an A-game over years — a small set of techniques they execute reliably under pressure. This technique either belongs in your A-game or sets up something that does. Drilling it for 6 to 12 months produces measurable skill gains; sporadic attempts produce nothing.
Track which techniques you actually finish in rolling. After 3 months of logging, the pattern becomes obvious: 3 to 5 techniques produce 80 percent of your finishes. Double down on what works. The 80/20 rule applies to BJJ technique selection more strongly than almost any other sport.
No technique exists in isolation. Each move chains into others. The mount, for instance, sets up armbars, americanas, ezekiel chokes, and back takes. Understanding the chains is what separates blue belts from purple belts. Your technique drilling should always include "what happens next" — the failed attempt that flows into another option.
The BJJ Belt Progress app logs your training sessions and helps you identify patterns in what you actually finish versus what you attempt. Data-driven A-game development accelerates progression.
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