Finish the Kimura Every Time! Jiu Jitsu Tutorial
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Kimura Lock·Matt Arroyo Jiu Jitsu
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Kimura Lock
SubFamily腕緘(Ude-garami)
TraditionalTranslation: arm entanglement
Overview
The Kimura lock (gyaku-ude-garami / double wristlock) is a shoulder lock where the attacker grips the opponent's wrist with one hand, threads the other arm under the opponent's elbow, and clasps a figure-four grip to rotate the shoulder joint behind the opponent's back. [1],[2] The figure-four configuration provides enormous leverage against the shoulder's rotational limits. [1] The Kimura is applicable from guard, mount, side control, north-south, and half guard, and serves both as a submission and as a powerful positional control tool for sweeps and transitions. [1],[3]
History & Origin
The technique is named after Masahiko Kimura, the legendary judoka who defeated Hélio Gracie in 1951 using gyaku-ude-garami (逆腕絡み, 'reverse arm entanglement') to break Gracie's arm. [1],[2] In catch wrestling, the same technique is called the double wristlock. [1] The Kimura has become one of the most studied submissions in modern grappling, with John Danaher and other instructors building entire systematic approaches around it. [1],[3]
Effectiveness
The Kimura (ude-garami) is both a high-percentage submission and one of the most powerful positional control tools in grappling. [1] The figure-four grip on the wrist and elbow generates enormous rotational force against the shoulder joint, which has limited range of motion in internal rotation behind the back. [1],[2] John Danaher describes the Kimura grip as the 'master key' of grappling because it enables submissions, sweeps, back takes, and guard passes from a single controlling position. [3]
Lineage
Ude-garami (腕緘) was codified in Kodokan Judo's kansetsu-waza by Jigoro Kano. [1] The technique became known as the 'Kimura' after Masahiko Kimura defeated Hélio Gracie in 1951 by breaking his arm with gyaku-ude-garami. [2] In catch wrestling, the same mechanic is called the double wristlock. [3] Modern systematization by John Danaher at Renzo Gracie Academy built an entire submission system around the Kimura grip. [4]
Competition Record
The Kimura is among the top ten most common submissions in UFC history. [1] Frank Mir's Kimura finish of Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira at UFC 140 (2011) resulted in a broken arm and remains one of the most dramatic finishes in UFC history. [1] Masahiko Kimura's defeat of Hélio Gracie in 1951 is one of the most significant bouts in martial arts history. [2]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Hyperextension of the elbow joint — the hips drive upward against the posterior humerus while controlling the wrist
Joints Involved — Elbow (extension beyond normal ROM), wrist (stabilized), shoulder (isolated and controlled)
Force Vector — Posterior-to-anterior force on the upper arm with fixed distal anchor at the wrist creates a lever arm across the elbow
Leverage Principle — Hips act as the fulcrum — the longer the lever (full arm extension), the less force needed to hyperextend
Position & Entry
From closed guard — Sit up, control opponent's wrist with both hands, fall to the side and apply figure-four grip, rotate the shoulder
From side control (top) — Isolate the near arm, secure the figure-four grip (wrist and forearm), peel the arm off the mat and rotate
From north-south — Control the near arm, thread the figure-four, walk hips back to increase rotational pressure
Variants
Standard kimura — figure-four grip rotating the shoulder from guard, side control, or north-south
Kimura trap — using the kimura grip as a controlling position to chain multiple attacks
Standing kimura — applied during a clinch or takedown exchange
Reverse kimura — attacking from the opposite rotation angle (Americana direction from kimura grip)
Videos
Kimura From Closed Guard For White Belts (Small Details To Improve Success)
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Kimura Lock·Chewjitsu
www.Chewjitsu.net In this video I show a kimura from closed guard. The kimura from closed guard is one of the essenti…
How To Do The Perfect Kimura From Side Control by John Danaher
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Kimura Lock·Bernardo Faria BJJ Fanatics
How To Do The Perfect Kimura From Side Control by John Danaher - Click Here To Check Out John Danaher's Instructional Vi…
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3 videosWhat Instructors Say
The Kimura lock is a shoulder joint lock requiring precise setup and finishing mechanics across multiple positions. Matt Arroyo Jiu Jitsu emphasizes the closed guard entry, stressing that the opponent's hands must be on the mat rather than on the attacker's body; this is achieved using leg pressure and the 'torpedo method'—following the opponent's hands persistently until they land flat. Arroyo prioritizes hooking high near the shoulder and armpit immediately after hand positioning to prevent the opponent from extracting their arm, then securing the figure-four grip with the thumb underneath, followed by methodical elbow-to-hip movements to displace the hand from the mat before swiveling perpendicular and applying the finish via body turn and wrist-to-back pressure. Chewjitsu, also addressing closed guard Kimura for white belts, agrees on the importance of getting hands to the mat and emphasizes arching the back to create a slope preventing the opponent from digging in. Chewjitsu stresses gripping the wrist (not the forearm) with two to three fingers, locking the arm straight, and transitioning to a thumbless grip when forming the figure-four to protect the thumb and maintain grip security with elbows pinched tight. Both Arroyo and Chewjitsu prioritize the sit-to-elbow position rather than sitting upright. John Danaher, presented by Bernardo Faria from side control, introduces a fundamentally different mechanical principle: the 'power line' concept operating diagonally across the opponent's body rather than perpendicularly to the chest. Danaher advocates for pull-dominant Kimuras (immobilizing the wrist while pulling the elbow) over push-dominant variations, positioning the attacker's hips over the opponent's opposite shoulder and head over the opponent's hip to create extreme shoulder and elbow tension. All three instructors agree the Kimura is highly effective when technical details are properly implemented.
Synthesized from 3 instructors
- Matt Arroyo Jiu Jitsu — Finish the Kimura Every Time! Jiu Jitsu Tutorial: Detailed closed guard setup using the torpedo method to establish hand positioning; emphasized hooking high near the shoulder-armpit junction; introduced the elbow-to-hip bulldozing technique to displace the opponent's hand; explained thumb-down grip preference and body-turn finishing mechanics.
- Chewjitsu — Kimura From Closed Guard For White Belts (Small Details To Improve Success): Clarified the importance of arching the back to create a slope preventing defensive digging; specified precise wrist-gripping technique using two to three fingers; advocated for thumbless grip when forming the figure-four to protect the hand; emphasized elbows-in positioning for lock strength and sitting to the elbow rather than upright.
- Bernardo Faria BJJ Fanatics — How To Do The Perfect Kimura From Side Control by John Danaher: Introduced the power-line concept—positioning the attacker diagonally from opponent's opposite hip to shoulder rather than perpendicular to chest; distinguished between push-dominant and pull-dominant Kimuras, advocating for pull-dominant mechanics; explained how extreme tension is created by proper hip and head positioning and subsequent body extension during the finish.
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
7
Very High7/10
The kimura (double wristlock) attacks the shoulder through forced internal rotation; risk of rotator cuff tears
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Illegal
— kansetsu-waza
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDFLegal
— IBJJF — Legal at all belt levels
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— 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
✓The kimura (double wrist lock, gyaku ude-garami) is a shoulder lock that internally rotates the shoulder — bending the opponent's arm behind their back using a figure-four grip (Kimura, My Judo, 1985)
✓Named after Masahiko Kimura, who defeated Hélio Gracie with this technique in 1951 — the submission that changed martial arts history
✓The figure-four grip: one hand grips the opponent's wrist (thumb toward their fingers), the other arm threads under their elbow and grabs your own wrist — creating a powerful lever
✓The kimura finishes by lifting the opponent's elbow while rotating the hand toward their back — the shoulder cannot resist this combined rotation and elevation
✓Kimura is available from guard (bottom), mount (top), side control (top), and north-south — making it one of the most versatile submissions in grappling
✓The kimura grip is more than a submission: it controls the opponent's shoulder, creating sweep opportunities from guard and back-take opportunities from everywhere
✓The kimura trap system uses the grip as a control position: maintaining the grip while transitioning between positions until the submission opens
Common Mistakes
!Not keeping the opponent's elbow close to their body — the elbow must be bent and close to the torso; a straight arm escapes the kimura
!Lifting the hand without controlling the elbow — both the hand rotation and the elbow elevation must happen simultaneously
!Attempting the kimura with the opponent's arm straight — bend the arm first; the kimura works on a bent arm
!Not using body weight to pin the shoulder — the shoulder must be flat on the ground; a raised shoulder absorbs the rotation
!Releasing the kimura grip when it doesn't finish immediately — the kimura grip is a control position; maintain it for sweeps and transitions even if the submission isn't available
!Applying from a weak position — the kimura requires positional control; attempting from a scramble usually fails
!Not training the kimura-armbar chain — when the opponent straightens the arm to defend the kimura, the armbar is open
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Control the Arm — isolate and grip the target arm
2Position the Hips — align hips perpendicular to the arm for maximum leverage
3Pinch Knees — squeeze knees together to prevent arm extraction
4Extend for the Finish — bridge hips up while pulling the wrist down to hyperextend the elbow
Sources & References
Primary Source
Kodokan Judo — Official Katame-waza Classification
1BookKodokan Judo — Official Katame-waza Classification
Kodokan — Ude-garami (腕緘) classification
2BookDrysdale, Robert. Opening Closed-Guard: The Origins of Jiu-Jitsu in Brazil (2020). ISBN: 979-8680602287
Alias sources — [1] Kodokan Judo (Kano, 1986) [2] Say Uncle (Melanson, 2013) [3] Wrestling Physical Conditioning Encyclopedia (Welker, 2010)
3BookDrysdale, Robert. The Rise and Evolution of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (2023). ISBN: 979-8358633087
Effectiveness sources — [1] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008) [2] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003) [3] Kimura Enter the System (Danaher, 2019, BJJ Fanatics)
Standard Japanese martial arts terminology (kanji/hiragana)
5OtherJapanese Martial Arts Standard Terminology (武道用語)
Established Japanese martial arts naming convention — native Japanese term (和語/漢語)
6CitationKodokan Judo — Official Katame-waza Classification
Kodokan — Ude-garami (腕緘) classification
7CitationDrysdale, Robert. Opening Closed-Guard: The Origins of Jiu-Jitsu in Brazil (2020). ISBN: 979-8680602287
Alias sources — [1] Kodokan Judo (Kano, 1986) [2] Say Uncle (Melanson, 2013) [3] Wrestling Physical Conditioning Encyclopedia (Welker, 2010)
8CitationDrysdale, Robert. The Rise and Evolution of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (2023). ISBN: 979-8358633087
Effectiveness sources — [1] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008) [2] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003) [3] Kimura Enter the System (Danaher, 2019, BJJ Fanatics)
Community
Athletics
Requires
grip strength, rotational power, shoulder/core stability
Favours
strong forearms and thick wrists
Key muscles
forearm flexors, rotator cuff, core rotators, deltoids
Notes
The term 'Kimura' appears in 523 passages across 65 books — the most referenced single technique name in our entire corpus. Named after Masahiko Kimura's 1951 victory over Helio Gracie. The technique (ude-garami in judo) existed for centuries before acquiring the personal name. (65 books in corpus; Kano, Kodokan Judo)
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should I grip the arm when setting up a Kimura from closed guard?
Grip at the wrist rather than the meat of the forearm, as this gives you a stronger grip that's much harder for your opponent to break. Chewjitsu emphasizes that after breaking posture, you should grab the wrist and lock that arm out straight, since a bent arm allows your opponent to easily roll their wrist and escape.
Why is it important to keep my arm locked out when attacking the Kimura?
If your arm is bent, your opponent can simply roll their wrist and bring their hand back to safety. By locking your arm out straight, your opponent has to pull their arm way back, making it far more difficult to escape. Chewjitsu stresses this detail as crucial for white belt success.
What's the correct way to sit up when finishing a Kimura from closed guard?
Open your guard with a small hip escape, shift your weight to your hip and side, then sit up to your elbow rather than straight up to your butt. This allows you to lean forward and prevents your opponent from simply driving you down. Make sure to pinch your elbows tight together and finish on your side, as the further your elbows are out, the weaker the submission becomes.
When should I hook the arm in a Kimura, and where exactly?
Hook the arm immediately and as high as possible at the shoulder and armpit, not down at the wrist or elbow. Matt Arroyo explains that most people grab the wrist first, which alerts the opponent to escape, but hooking high and tight to the armpit traps them so they can't rip their elbow free, giving you time to secure the lock.
How do I finish the Kimura if my opponent keeps their hand glued to the mat?
Get behind the submission by positioning yourself perpendicular to your opponent's arm, glue their elbow to your chest, and push their wrist toward their back using pressure rather than pulling. Matt Arroyo notes that you should drive forward with your hip, bulldozing their hand off the mat, and keep your leg high over their back to prevent them from rolling out.
What's the proper hip position when finishing a Kimura from side control?
According to John Danaher, position your hips on your opponent's shoulder and follow the diagonal power line that runs from their opposite hip to the opposite shoulder—positioning somewhere between north and south rather than perpendicular. Your head should go over their hip, which puts you on the correct power line to generate extreme breaking pressure.
How does the Kimura Lock work?
The Kimura lock (gyaku-ude-garami / double wristlock) is a shoulder lock where the attacker grips the opponent's wrist with one hand, threads the other arm under the opponent's elbow, and clasps a figure-four grip to rotate the shoulder joint behind the opponent's back. The figure-four configuration provides enormous leverage against the shoulder's rotational limits.
Where does the Kimura Lock come from?
The technique is named after Masahiko Kimura, the legendary judoka who defeated Hélio Gracie in 1951 using gyaku-ude-garami (逆腕絡み, 'reverse arm entanglement') to break Gracie's arm. In catch wrestling, the same technique is called the double wristlock.
Is the Kimura Lock legal in competition?
IBJJF: legal — Legal at all belt levels; IJF: banned — Only elbow joint locks (kansetsu-waza) permitted in judo — all other joint lo…; 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 Kimura Lock?
Danger rating 7/10. The kimura (double wristlock) attacks the shoulder through forced internal rotation; risk of rotator cuff tears
How do I set up the Kimura Lock?
The standard setup chain: Control the Arm → Position the Hips → Pinch Knees → Extend for the Finish.
How do I defend against the Kimura Lock?
Standard counters include: Clasp Hands — grip own wrist to prevent arm extension / Stack — drive forward to compress the attacker and relieve elbow pressure / Hitchhiker Escape — rotate the thumb toward the mat and roll to extract the arm.
What are the variants of the Kimura Lock?
Common variants: Standard kimura (figure-four grip rotating the shoulder from guard, side c…); Kimura trap (using the kimura grip as a controlling position to chain …); Standing kimura (applied during a clinch or takedown exchange); Reverse kimura (attacking from the opposite rotation angle (Americana dir…).
How effective is the Kimura Lock in competition?
The Kimura is among the top ten most common submissions in UFC history. Frank Mir's Kimura finish of Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira at UFC 140 (2011) resulted in a broken arm and remains one of the most dramatic finishes in UFC history.
What are common mistakes when doing the Kimura Lock?
Top errors to watch for: Not keeping the opponent's elbow close to their body — the elbow must be bent and close to the torso; a straight arm … / Lifting the hand without controlling the elbow — both the hand rotation and the elbow elevation must happen simultane… / Attempting the kimura with the opponent's arm straight — bend the arm first; the kimura works on a bent arm / Not using body weight to pin the shoulder — the shoulder must be flat on the ground; a raised shoulder absorbs the ro….
What are other names for the Kimura Lock?
The Kimura Lock is also known as Ude-garami, Double Wristlock, Chicken Wing.