Whizzer Throw
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Whizzer To Kimura·Matt Arroyo Jiu Jitsu
http://www.mattarroyo.com Learn as Matt Arroyo shows his whizzer throw to defend the single leg take down.
Whizzer To Kimura
SubFamilyウィザーから木村(Wizā kara Kimura)
HybridTranslation: whizzer to kimura
Overview
The Whizzer To Kimura subfamily covers the transition from a defensive whizzer position into an offensive kimura (double wrist lock) submission, converting a defensive position into an attacking opportunity. [1] The transition is natural because the whizzer's overhook position already controls the opponent's arm — by grabbing the opponent's wrist with the free hand, the defender converts the overhook into a figure-four grip that is the kimura. [1],[2] The whizzer-to-kimura transition demonstrates the fundamental grappling principle that defence and offence are seamlessly connected. [2],[3]
History & Origin
The whizzer-to-kimura transition became a well-known defensive weapon through MMA and BJJ, where fighters discovered that the whizzer's arm position naturally set up the kimura grip. [1] The transition exemplifies the grappling philosophy of turning defensive positions into offensive opportunities. [2],[3]
Effectiveness
The whizzer to kimura transitions from an overhook defence directly into a kimura submission. [1]
Lineage
This transition connects wrestling defence with BJJ submissions. [1]
Competition Record
Used in MMA and BJJ competition. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Preventing or reducing the effect of an incoming attack through physical interception, evasion, or structural positioning
Joints Involved — Varies by defence type — blocks use arms/shins, evasions use head/body movement, sprawls use hips
Force Vector — Opposing or tangential to the attack — either absorbing, redirecting, or evading the incoming force
Defensive Principle — Economy of motion — the best defence uses minimal movement to neutralise the maximum threat
Position & Entry
From clinch or ground — When the opponent secures a controlling grip, use two-on-one, stripping, or peeling motions to break their hold
As preemptive defence — Break the opponent's grip before they can execute their intended technique
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
3
Moderate3/10
Sprawls and stuffs involve sudden body weight displacement; knee/hip strain risk
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
— Unified MMA — Legal defensive technique
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— IBJJF — Legal — defensive techniques are fundamental to g...
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— IJF — Legal defensive action
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDF— ADCC — Legal
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— UWW — Legal defensive technique
UWW International Wrestling Rules, January 2026PDF— FIAS Sport Sambo — Legal
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓The whizzer-to-kimura transition converts the defensive whizzer into an offensive kimura grip — one of the most effective counters in grappling and MMA (Sakuraba, Quintet Techniques, 2019)
✓The transition: from the whizzer position, your overhooking arm is already wrapped over the opponent's arm — redirect the grip to their wrist
✓Grab the opponent's wrist with your whizzer hand, then use your free hand to grip your own wrist — this creates the kimura (double wristlock) grip
✓The kimura from the whizzer position works because the opponent's arm is already trapped — they've committed their arm forward into the underhook
✓Finish options: from standing, hip-throw them and finish on the ground; from clinch, pull guard with the kimura grip; from the cage, drag them down
✓The whizzer-to-kimura is especially effective against wrestlers who commit deeply to the underhook
✓In MMA, this technique has produced numerous victories — Sakuraba, Frank Mir, and many others have used it at the highest level
✓Drill the transition from the clinch: partner gets underhook → you whizzer → transition to kimura grip → finish
Common Mistakes
!Reaching for the wrist without maintaining the whizzer pressure — keep the overhook tight while transitioning
!Not securing the figure-four grip (hand on your own wrist) before trying to finish — the single-hand kimura has no power
!Trying to finish the kimura from standing without a plan — standing kimuras are hard to finish; take it to the ground
!Releasing the hip pressure when transitioning to the kimura grip — maintain hip contact throughout
!Attempting the kimura when the opponent has their arm straight — the kimura works best when the arm is bent
!Not controlling the opponent's posture during the finish — if they posture up, the kimura becomes harder to complete
!Over-rotating the shoulder without controlling the wrist — the wrist must be controlled for the kimura to apply force correctly
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Anticipate the Attack — read the opponent's intention through body cues
2Execute Defence — apply the specific defensive technique with proper timing
3Recover Stance — return to a balanced fighting position immediately
4Counter or Disengage — capitalize on the opening or create safe distance
Sources & References
Primary Source
Boxing (Edwin Haislet, 1940)
1BookFreestyle Wrestling (Petrov, 1977)
Alias sources — [1] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008) [2] Fundamentals of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (Danaher, 2012) [3] Wrestling Coaching Manual (USA Wrestling, 2015)
2BookWrestling Physical Conditioning Encyclopedia (Cejudo & Holliday, 2015)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003)
3OtherJapanese Martial Arts Hybrid Terminology
Mixed Japanese-Western terminology — combines traditional Japanese terms with katakana loanwords
4CitationFreestyle Wrestling (Petrov, 1977)
Alias sources — [1] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008) [2] Fundamentals of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (Danaher, 2012) [3] Wrestling Coaching Manual (USA Wrestling, 2015)
5CitationWrestling Physical Conditioning Encyclopedia (Cejudo & Holliday, 2015)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003)
Community
Athletics
Requires
grip fighting technique, forearm endurance, timing
Favours
strong hands and forearms, quick stripping motions
Key muscles
forearm flexors/extensors, wrist rotators, biceps
Sub-techniques
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a whizzer and a kimura grip?
A whizzer is an over-hook position used to defend against a takedown by keeping your leg between the opponent's legs and lifting to disrupt their balance. According to Matt Arroyo, it's distinct from other grips and is especially effective when the opponent is driving hard into you.
How do I escape when someone has a tight whizzer on my arm?
Matt Arroyo emphasizes constantly pushing your foot to the floor while lifting and pushing with the over-hook to get your leg free. If the opponent's grip is tight, focus on trying to get their head down while maintaining upward and outward pressure with your leg.
When should I throw someone using a whizzer?
The whizzer throw works best when your opponent is driving hard into you and trying to take you down. As Matt Arroyo explains, you lift your leg up to raise their hips and feet off the ground, then commit fully by throwing them over your head.
What if I can't push my opponent's head down during a whizzer?
If you can't push the head down because it's positioned too high or out of reach, Matt Arroyo suggests using an over-hook instead and focusing on lifting and pushing to free your leg rather than trying to control the head.
How does the Whizzer To Kimura work?
The Whizzer To Kimura subfamily covers the transition from a defensive whizzer position into an offensive kimura (double wrist lock) submission, converting a defensive position into an attacking opportunity. The transition is natural because the whizzer's overhook position already controls the opponent's arm — by grabbing the opponent's wrist with the free hand, the defender converts the overhook into a figure-four grip that is the kimura.
Where does the Whizzer To Kimura come from?
The whizzer-to-kimura transition became a well-known defensive weapon through MMA and BJJ, where fighters discovered that the whizzer's arm position naturally set up the kimura grip. The transition exemplifies the grappling philosophy of turning defensive positions into offensive opportunities.
Is the Whizzer To Kimura legal in competition?
Unified MMA: legal — Legal defensive technique; IBJJF: legal — Legal — defensive techniques are fundamental to grappling; IJF: legal — Legal defensive action; ADCC: legal — Legal; UWW: legal — Legal defensive technique; FIAS Sport Sambo: legal — Legal
How dangerous is the Whizzer To Kimura?
Danger rating 3/10. Moderate — sprawls and stuffs involve sudden body weight displacement; knee/hip strain risk
How do I set up the Whizzer To Kimura?
The standard setup chain: Anticipate the Attack → Execute Defence → Recover Stance → Counter or Disengage.
How do I defend against the Whizzer To Kimura?
Standard counters include: Timing — attack when the defence is recovering or between movements / Feint — use deception to create openings in the defensive structure / Angle Change — attack from an unexpected angle that the defence does not cover.
What are the variants of the Whizzer To Kimura?
Common variants: Standard defence (primary defensive technique from the most common position); Reactive defence (triggered by the opponent's attack, minimal movement for …); Proactive defence (anticipating the attack and positioning to neutralise it …); Counter defence (using the defensive movement to create an immediate count…).
How effective is the Whizzer To Kimura in competition?
Used in MMA and BJJ competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Whizzer To Kimura?
Top errors to watch for: Reaching for the wrist without maintaining the whizzer pressure — keep the overhook tight while transitioning / Not securing the figure-four grip (hand on your own wrist) before trying to finish — the single-hand kimura has no power / Trying to finish the kimura from standing without a plan — standing kimuras are hard to finish; take it to the ground / Releasing the hip pressure when transitioning to the kimura grip — maintain hip contact throughout.
What are other names for the Whizzer To Kimura?
The Whizzer To Kimura is also known as Wizā kara Kimura, Overhook Kimura, Whizzer-To-Double Wristlock, Overhook-To-Kimura Transition.