Kimura and Kimura Trap Overview
by Team Digitsu
Updated: April 16, 2024
The Kimura is a fundamental technique in Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ), a grappling martial art that emphasizes ground fighting and submission holds. This move is not only popular in BJJ but also in various forms of martial arts due to its effectiveness and versatility. The technique involves manipulating your opponent's arm, applying pressure on the shoulder joint, which can lead to a submission or a transition to a more dominant position. Understanding the Kimura is crucial for your grappling arsenal whether you're a novice practitioner or refining your advanced skills.
Named after Masahiko Kimura, a legendary judoka who famously defeated Helio Gracie using this lock, the Kimura has etched its place in the history of martial arts. While the technique's origins are rooted in Judo, known there as 'ude-garami', it was Kimura's proficiency and the high-profile nature of his victory that led to the technique bearing his name within the BJJ community. As you advance in your BJJ journey, you'll find that the Kimura can be applied from various positions, making it a versatile and powerful tool in both competitive and practice scenarios.
Origins of Kimura in BJJ
The Kimura lock, a formidable submission, owes its origins to a historic match between Masahiko Kimura and Helio Gracie and has evolved significantly from its judo roots to become an integral part of BJJ and MMA.
Masahiko Kimura and Helio Gracie
Masahiko Kimura, a judo legend, cemented his legacy in the world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu when he used the submission, now named after him, to defeat Helio Gracie in 1951. This encounter underscored the effectiveness of the hold and formed a direct link between judo and BJJ, celebrating the former’s influence on the latter.
Evolution from Judo to BJJ
Originally known as gyaku ude-garami in judo, the Kimura lock underwent adaptation to suit the nuances of BJJ’s ground-based grappling. It transformed from a technique primarily used for control in judo into a powerful submission hold within BJJ, reflecting the art’s emphasis on joint locks.
Influence in MMA and UFC
In the realm of MMA and organizations like the UFC, the Kimura has demonstrated its versatility and strength as a submission technique against high-caliber opponents. Its robust application in both BJJ and MMA showcases its enduring relevance and the seamless integration of classical judo techniques into modern combat sports.
Understanding the Kimura Lock
The Kimura Lock, a powerful shoulder joint manipulation, is a fusion of mechanics and strategic leverage. It targets the complex structures of the shoulder, exploiting the biomechanics to secure a submission.
Mechanics and Leverage
Employing the Kimura Lock requires a deep understanding of leverage. This technique acts by creating a fulcrum on your opponent's elbow and applying pressure on the wrist, which effectively turns their arm into a lever. The force you apply is magnified due to the lever action, allowing you to control your opponent's arm and amplify the submission pressure, even with a strength disadvantage.
- Key Points:
- Establish control over the wrist and elbow.
- Position your arms to amplify force through leverage principles.
Correctly positioning your body is crucial in maximizing this leverage. It’s essential to anchor your grip firmly around your opponent's wrist and ensure your elbow is snugly under their shoulder. This precise alignment allows you to exert maximal force with minimal effort.
Anatomy of a Kimura
Understanding the anatomical leverage points is vital for an effective Kimura Lock. To execute the technique:
- Secure your opponent's wrist with one hand.
- Use your other hand to lock your own wrist, forming a figure-four grip.
- Ensure your chest is close to their triceps to restrict arm movement.
The shoulder is the primary focus of the Kimura, endangering the joint if the opponent doesn't tap out. The lock also applies secondary pressure on the elbow and wrist, but to a lesser extent. However, be aware that applying excessive force can lead to serious injury to the shoulder lock, due to the intense torque generated.
- Specific Targets:
- Primary: Shoulder joint
- Secondary: Elbow and wrist joints
By manipulating these aspects of your opponent's anatomy, you can execute a Kimura from various positions, transforming it from a mere hold to an effective submission tool.
Kimura from Guard Positions
Mastering the Kimura from various guard positions is essential in BJJ as it's a powerful submission technique that leverages the opponent's arm by manipulating the joints. Precision in securing the Kimura grip and controlling the opponent's body is critical.
Closed Guard to Kimura
In the closed guard, your legs are wrapped around the opponent, and your focus is to break their posture. To execute a Kimura, establish a firm wrist control on the arm you're attacking. Ensuring your own hips and shoulders create the necessary angles, turn slightly to the side, and secure your arm over their arm, locking your wrist onto your own wrist—this is the Kimura grip. This position reduces their base and sets the stage for finishing the submission.
Half Guard Kimura Variations
The half guard position provides several opportunities for a Kimura. When your legs entangle one of the opponent's legs, you can use your free leg to create leverage and move your hips to find the angle for the Kimura. If they have their arm close to your body, establish the Kimura grip, using their perceived safety against them. Control is critical here; use your legs to manage the distance and keep your base to avoid being flattened out.
Kimura from Full Guard
In the full guard, you have more control over the opponent's posture. With your legs closed around their hips, use your grip to break their posture down and isolate an arm. By moving your hips out to create an angle, you can attach the Kimura grip, forcing their hand behind their back. It's vital to keep your guard tight to prevent them from regaining their base and posture, ultimately leading to a successful submission.
Kimura as a Control Technique
The Kimura is not just a submission; it's a dynamic control technique that allows you to dominate your opponent's movements. Harnessing the power of the Kimura can lead to advantageous positions and successful transitions.
Kimura Trap System
The Kimura Trap System is a strategic framework that uses the Kimura grip as a form of leverage and control. By securing your opponent's wrist and twisting their arm behind their back, you create a situation where their options are limited. This system focuses on keeping the opponent's arm trapped, which can be pivotal in controlling their posture and movements.
Top Side Control and Kimura
When in top side control, integrating a Kimura can elevate your ability to maintain the position and exert pressure on your opponent. By threading your arm through the opponent's closest arm and connecting your hands, you establish a firm grip that affords you the upper hand. This can prevent escape attempts and serve as a precursor to finishing submissions.
Kimura for Sweeps and Transitions
Utilizing a Kimura grip can be instrumental when attempting sweeps or looking for transitions. As you grip the Kimura and apply pressure, you force your opponent to react, often creating openings for sweeps. When executed correctly, the Kimura grip becomes a multi-purpose tool—facilitating movement into more dominant positions or setting up a chain of submission attempts.
Defending Against Kimura Submissions
Mastering defensive strategies against Kimura submissions is as important as the offensive techniques. Your ability to escape and counter will significantly improve your resilience in grappling matches.
Escape Techniques
Hip Escape: A fundamental movement in Jiu-Jitsu, the hip escape is essential when your arm is caught in a Kimura grip. Shifting your hips away reduces the leverage your opponent has, creating space to pull your arm out.
- Re-gripping: Immediately grab the inside of your own thigh or pants with the hand that's being attacked. This adjustment prevents your opponent from fully extending your arm to complete the submission.
- Rolling: In certain positions, if your opponent commits fully to the Kimura, rolling in the direction of the lock can lead to a reversal or escape.
Remember, timing is crucial.
Counters to Common Kimura Setups
Prevention is Key: The most effective counter to any Kimura setup is prevention. Maintain a strong defensive posture with your elbows close to your body and be wary of extending your arms.
- Arm Positioning: If you sense a Kimura setup, keep your arm bent at a 90-degree angle and tight against your body. This position makes it harder for the opponent to isolate and control your wrist.
- Hand Fighting: A proactive hand fighting strategy can help you disrupt your opponent’s grip before they can secure the Kimura. Consistently challenge their control by grip breaking and using your hands to protect the targeted arm.
Kimura Variations and Related Techniques
The Kimura is a versatile submission technique that can lead to various related joint locks and setups. Understanding its variations and the differences with similar techniques enhances your grappling arsenal.
The Americana and Differences
The Americana is often compared to the Kimura due to its similar joint lock mechanics. However, the Americana targets your opponent's shoulder joint from a different angle. While the Kimura torques the arm behind the opponent's back, the Americana involves bending the arm at the elbow and lifting it upwards, applying pressure on the shoulder. Unlike the Kimura, which can also be referred to as a double wristlock, the Americana is often executed when you have a top position, such as from the mount or side control.
Advanced Kimura Entries and Setups
For advanced practitioners, entries and setups become key to successfully applying the Kimura. One technique includes the triangle choke transition, where you shift from a triangle attempt to a Kimura when your opponent defends the initial submission. This showcases the duality of attacks, making you a more formidable grappler.
Another method involves using the Kimura grip as a control point to transition to other submissions, such as the armbar, if the opponent manages to defend the Kimura attempt. This strategy offers a seamless flow between Kimura variations and related joint locks, giving you an edge on the ground.
