lesson 3 guillotine, kimura, and sweeps
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Standard Kimura Sweep·Top Level Jiu-Jitsu·Added by Admin
guillotine, kimura, and sweeps
Standard Kimura Sweep
Genusキムラスイープ(Kimura Suīpu)
TransliterationTranslation: kimura sweep
Overview
The kimura sweep uses a figure-four (double wristlock) grip from closed guard to off-balance and sweep the opponent, exploiting the 'double trouble' principle — threatening the shoulder lock forces the opponent to defend, creating the opening for a sweep. [1] Named after Masahiko Kimura's defeat of Helio Gracie (1951), the grip was systematized as a complete sweeping and control platform by David Avellan's 'Kimura Trap System' (2012). [2] It is one of the first sweep-submission combinations taught in BJJ.
Kimura SweepKimura Grip SweepDouble Wristlock Sweep
History & Origin
Effectiveness
One of the highest-percentage sweep-submission combinations from closed guard. The dilemma between sweep and submission makes it extremely difficult to defend both simultaneously. [1]
Lineage
Kimura grip named after Masahiko Kimura (1951). Sweep application systematized by David Avellan (2012).
Competition Record
Used extensively at all belt levels in IBJJF competition as a fundamental closed guard sweep.
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Figure-four grip controls the opponent's elbow and forearm; attacker's armpit over the shoulder controls both shoulder and torso
Force Vector — Diagonal off-balancing — hip bump or bridge toward the trapped arm side while pulling the arm across the centerline
Leverage Principle — The figure-four creates a two-on-one mechanical advantage on the opponent's arm, making it impossible to post and maintain balance
Position & Entry
From closed guard — Secure figure-four grip on opponent's wrist, hip bump toward the trapped arm side to sweep
From half guard bottom — Secure kimura grip, bridge and roll toward the trapped side
From butterfly guard — Underhook to kimura grip, elevate with butterfly hook and sweep
Variants
Hip bump kimura sweep — hip bump creates the off-balancing moment
Half guard kimura rollover — from bottom half guard
Butterfly guard kimura — elevator sweep with kimura grip
Squirrel lock variation — from bottom side control using kimura grip to create a scramble
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
2
Low2/10
Very low danger as a sweep — the grip can transition to a 7/10 shoulder lock submission if the opponent refuses to concede the sweep
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Beginner
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
— Unified MMA — Legal defensive technique
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— IBJJF — Legal — escapes and sweeps are fundamental to BJJ...
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— IJF — Legal
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDF— 4 from mount/back
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— FIAS Sport Sambo — Legal
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDF— FIAS Combat Sambo — Legal
FIAS Combat Sambo RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓The kimura sweep is one of the first sweep-submission combinations taught in BJJ because it embodies the fundamental principle of using a submission threat to create positional advancement. The figure-four grip named after Masahiko Kimura (who defeated Helio Gracie on October 23, 1951 at Maracana Stadium) provides exceptional control of the opponent's arm and torso. David Avellan formalized the 'Kimura Trap System' in 2012, which systematized sweeps, passes, back takes, and submissions all from the kimura grip — proving it is not just a submission but a complete positional control platform. The key to the sweep is timing — the hip bump or bridge must coincide with the pull on the trapped arm to prevent the opponent from posting. If the sweep fails, the attacker can immediately threaten the kimura submission, creating a dilemma.
Common Mistakes
!Not breaking posture before attempting the sweep — the opponent must be off-balanced first
!Releasing the grip during the sweep — maintain the figure-four throughout the transition
!Not bridging explosively enough — the sweep requires commitment and hip drive
!Attempting the sweep without controlling the opponent's posting hand — they will simply post and resist
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Secure Figure-Four Grip — control opponent's wrist with double wristlock from guard
2Break Posture — pull opponent's arm across and down
3Hip Bump — explosive bridge toward the trapped arm side
4Complete the Sweep — roll opponent over while maintaining the grip
5Transition — establish top position or finish the kimura submission
Sources & References
Primary Source
David Avellan — The Kimura Trap System (2012)
1BookDavid Avellan — The Kimura Trap System (2012)
[2] Avellan — Kimura Trap System formalization
2OtherJapanese Martial Arts Community Terminology
BJJ World — Why The Kimura Sweep Is The Best BJJ Sweep (bjj-world.com) || David Avellan — The Kimura Trap System (2012) || Kingz — BJJ Kimura Complete Guide (kingz.com)
3OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
4CitationBJJ World — Why The Kimura Sweep Is The Best BJJ Sweep (bjj-world.com)
[1] BJJ World — kimura sweep mechanics and application
5CitationDavid Avellan — The Kimura Trap System (2012)
[2] Avellan — Kimura Trap System formalization
6CitationKingz — BJJ Kimura Complete Guide (kingz.com)
Community
Athletics
Requires
grip strength for figure-four, hip mobility for bridging
Key muscles
hip flexors, glutes, forearms, biceps
Frequently Asked Questions
When doing the kimura sweep sit-up, should I sit straight up toward my knees?
No, you should avoid sitting straight up toward your knees. Instead, you want to be turning as you come up, which helps control your opponent's arms during the sweep.
Where should my hand be positioned when I sit up for the kimura sweep?
Your hand that goes behind you should be placed on your hand (not your elbow) and centered on your body as much as possible—roughly aligned with a line through your nose and groin. This hand positioning on your hip helps generate proper mechanics.
How do I trap the opponent's arm after scooting my body to the side?
As your opponent pushes in, scoot your body over to get off the tracks, which jacks his arm out to the side and allows you to trap his leg. You should grab his wrist, feed through the arm, and grab your own wrist to secure the position.
When finishing the sweep, should I use my arms to push up or my body rotation?
Use your body rotation, not your arms. Turn your body to try to touch your elbow to the ground—it's your body doing the work, not arm pressure pushing up.
How does the Standard Kimura Sweep work?
The kimura sweep uses a figure-four (double wristlock) grip from closed guard to off-balance and sweep the opponent, exploiting the 'double trouble' principle — threatening the shoulder lock forces the opponent to defend, creating the opening for a sweep. Named after Masahiko Kimura's defeat of Helio Gracie (1951), the grip was systematized as a complete sweeping and control platform by David Avellan's 'Kimura Trap System' (2012).
Where does the Standard Kimura Sweep come from?
The kimura grip is named after Masahiko Kimura's defeat of Helio Gracie (1951). The sweep application evolved naturally in BJJ.
Is the Standard Kimura Sweep legal in competition?
Unified MMA: legal — Legal defensive technique; IBJJF: legal — Legal — escapes and sweeps are fundamental to BJJ, sweep from bottom scores 2…; IJF: legal — Legal; ADCC: legal — Legal, sweep scores 2 points (4 from mount/back); FIAS Sport Sambo: legal — Legal; FIAS Combat Sambo: legal — Legal
How dangerous is the Standard Kimura Sweep?
Danger rating 2/10. Very low danger as a sweep — the grip can transition to a 7/10 shoulder lock submission if the opponent refuses to concede the sweep
How do I set up the Standard Kimura Sweep?
The standard setup chain: Secure Figure-Four Grip → Break Posture → Hip Bump → Complete the Sweep → Transition.
How do I defend against the Standard Kimura Sweep?
Standard counters include: Post the free hand wide — prevent the off-balancing / Sit back to break posture control / Circle the trapped arm to break the grip / Stack the guard player.
What are the variants of the Standard Kimura Sweep?
Common variants: Hip bump kimura sweep (hip bump creates the off-balancing moment); Half guard kimura rollover (from bottom half guard); Butterfly guard kimura (elevator sweep with kimura grip); Squirrel lock variation (from bottom side control using kimura grip to create a sc…).
How effective is the Standard Kimura Sweep in competition?
Used extensively at all belt levels in IBJJF competition as a fundamental closed guard sweep.
What are common mistakes when doing the Standard Kimura Sweep?
Top errors to watch for: Not breaking posture before attempting the sweep — the opponent must be off-balanced first / Releasing the grip during the sweep — maintain the figure-four throughout the transition / Not bridging explosively enough — the sweep requires commitment and hip drive / Attempting the sweep without controlling the opponent's posting hand — they will simply post and resist.
What are other names for the Standard Kimura Sweep?
The Standard Kimura Sweep is also known as Kimura Suīpu, Kimura Sweep, Kimura Grip Sweep, Double Wristlock Sweep.