MMA Training: Spinning Arm Bar from Side Control
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Spinning Armbar to Kimura·OpenMatFitness
This video goes over the Spinning Arm Bar from Side Control. A key principle to internalize when drilling this move is t…
Spinning Armbar to Kimura
SubFamilySpinning・アームバー・To・キムラ(Spinning Armbar to Kimura)
Translation: spinning armbar to kimura
Overview
History & Origin
The Spinning Armbar to Kimura is a technique demonstrated in Saulo Ribeiro's systematic BJJ methodology. [1]
Effectiveness
Effective as part of a submission chain from side control. [1]
Lineage
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu lineage. [1]
Competition Record
Used in UFC and professional MMA competition
Images
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Spinning Armbar to Kimura specific mechanics
Joints Involved — Varies by technique
Force Vector — Submission-specific
Position & Entry
From side control — Execute the spinning armbar to kimura
Variants
Not yet documented
Videos
Side Control Over Hook to Kimura Submission - Jiu-Jitsu Tech with Matt Darcy
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Spinning Armbar to Kimura·GuerrillaJJ
Matt Darcy shows one of his favorite submissions from side control. The power of this over hook to kimura is unbelievabl…
Closed Guard Armbar Spin Under - Jiu-Jitsu Tech with Matt Darcy
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Spinning Armbar to Kimura·GuerrillaJJ
Guerrilla Jiu-Jitsu San Jose head instructor Matt Darcy shows an awesome way to finish an armbar from your closed guard …
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3 videosWhat Instructors Say
The spinning armbar to kimura represents a transitional submission chain executed from side control, with instructors offering complementary approaches. GuerrillaJJ's Matt Darcy emphasizes a methodical progression from an overhook position in side control or north-south stance, wherein the practitioner secures a kimura grip (thumb into the armpit, palm catching the wrist) before executing either a finish or transitioning to an armbar. Darcy stresses maintaining a tripod position with elevated knees, pulling the hands to the belt, driving the shoulder forward, and rotating the hip to allow the arm to fall into submission position without touching the knees to the ground initially. OpenMatFitness provides a mechanical variant focusing on the spinning transition itself: from a low, controlled side control with chest-on-chest contact, the top player hooks the shoulder with the underarm, elevates the opponent onto his side, steps the near-side knee over the head, switches hips, and spins to execute the armbar while securing the far-side calf across the opponent's face to prevent counter-positioning. Both instructors agree on maintaining tight knee control against the ribs and emphasize proper thumb orientation (facing upward) during the armbar finish. Darcy's approach prioritizes the kimura grip's joint-locking properties, while OpenMatFitness prioritizes the spinning mechanics and positional control during the transition.
Synthesized from 3 instructors
- GuerrillaJJ — Side Control Over Hook to Kimura Submission - Jiu-Jitsu Tech with Matt Darcy: Detailed the overhook-to-kimura setup from side control and north-south position, including the tripod mechanics, hand placement (thumb to armpit, palm catch), hip rotation, and optional transition to armbar without knee contact
- GuerrillaJJ — Closed Guard Armbar Spin Under - Jiu-Jitsu Tech with Matt Darcy: Demonstrated the spinning mechanics and SAP (shoulder-armpit-pants) position variations, emphasizing guard lock maintenance, leg placement, elbow alignment, and safeguard positioning during the spin
- OpenMatFitness — MMA Training: Spinning Arm Bar from Side Control: Provided detailed mechanical breakdown of side control fundamentals, the shoulder hook and spin transition, knee stepping mechanics, calf placement across the face, and thumb orientation during the armbar finish
Learn This Technique
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
7
Very High7/10
Submission technique requiring tap or risk of injury
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Advanced
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
— IBJJF — Legal at all belt levels
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— kansetsu-waza
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDF— ADCC — Legal — all submissions legal in ADCC
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— Unified MMA — Legal submission technique
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— FIAS Sport Sambo — Legal
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDF— FIAS Combat Sambo — Legal
FIAS Combat Sambo RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓Practise the transition smoothly (Ribeiro & Howell, 2008)
Common Mistakes
!Rushing the technique
!Losing position during transition
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Side control → Spinning Armbar to Kimura attempt → Chain to next technique
Sources & References
Primary Source
Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro & Howell, 2008)
1Book[1] Ribeiro, S. and Howell, K. (2008). Jiu-Jitsu University. Victory Belt Publishing. ISBN 978-0-9815044-3-8. Technical Editor: John Danaher.
description, historyOrigin: sourced from Ribeiro, S
2Citation[1] Ribeiro, S. and Howell, K. (2008). Jiu-Jitsu University. Victory Belt Publishing. ISBN 978-0-9815044-3-8. Technical Editor: John Danaher.
description, historyOrigin: sourced from Ribeiro, S
Community
Athletics
Good top pressure and arm control
Notes
The spinning armbar to Kimura chain appears in Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro): 'the practitioner on the bottom has given the top player everything he needs to control the arm and go for a spinning armbar, straight armlock, or Kimura.' If the armbar fails, the Kimura grip is immediately available on the same arm. (Ribeiro, Jiu-Jitsu University)
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I prevent my opponent from recovering guard when I'm in side control before attempting the spinning armbar?
Keep your hips low and your chest on his chest to minimize space between your bodies. Position your knees tight against his ribs on both sides, and use your knee closest to his head to come inside his elbow and flare it out. This control prevents him from getting his knees in or playing butterfly guard.
What's the correct hand and arm positioning to secure side control before the spin?
Take the arm closest to his head and place it under his neck, then use your other hand to come under his armpits and clasp your hands together to create a tight harness. This keeps him locked down before you begin the spinning motion.
How do I finish the armbar once I've spun to the other side?
Make sure his thumb is facing up toward the sky, then pull down on the pinky side while squeezing your knees together and elevating your hips up. Keep your calf across his face to prevent him from sitting up and countering.
What's the key detail for controlling the arm position during the spin?
Position your knee in the crook of his armpit as you spin to the other side, and ensure his elbow stays in line with your body throughout the transition before applying the finishing squeeze.
How does the Spinning Armbar to Kimura work?
The Spinning Armbar to Kimura is a combination technique where a spinning armbar attempt that encounters defence transitions directly into a kimura grip. Ribeiro demonstrates this chain as a fundamental submission flow from side control.
Where does the Spinning Armbar to Kimura come from?
The Spinning Armbar to Kimura is a technique demonstrated in Saulo Ribeiro's systematic BJJ methodology.
Is the Spinning Armbar to Kimura legal in competition?
IBJJF: legal — Legal at all belt levels; IJF: legal — Legal — elbow joint lock (kansetsu-waza), one of the permitted submission cat…; ADCC: legal — Legal — all submissions legal in ADCC; Unified MMA: legal — Legal submission technique; FIAS Sport Sambo: legal — Legal; FIAS Combat Sambo: legal — Legal
How dangerous is the Spinning Armbar to Kimura?
Danger rating 7/10. Submission technique requiring tap or risk of injury
How do I set up the Spinning Armbar to Kimura?
The standard setup chain: Side control → Spinning Armbar to Kimura attempt → Chain to next technique.
How do I defend against the Spinning Armbar to Kimura?
Standard counters include: Defend the initial grip / Create space / Bridge and escape.
How effective is the Spinning Armbar to Kimura in competition?
Used in UFC and professional MMA competition
What are common mistakes when doing the Spinning Armbar to Kimura?
Top errors to watch for: Rushing the technique / Losing position during transition.
What are other names for the Spinning Armbar to Kimura?
The Spinning Armbar to Kimura is also known as Spinning Armbar to Kimura, Spin Armbar Kimura Transition.