BJJ Fundamentals

Lesson 47 – Top Position Kimura

Partner Drills

Head Mount Kimura

Start in north-south
Use an elbow drive to tilt uke onto their side
Establish a figure-four grip on uke’s top arm
- Push uke’s wrist forwards to make room for your hand to come through
Step over uke’s head, so that their upper body is controlled between your legs with both of your knees on the ground
Move uke’s write behind their back and push it towards their scapula to finish the submission

Side Kimura

Continue from head mount kimura
Turn to face the front of uke’s body
Shrug your elbow over uke’s body, so that your armpit is over their hip
- Note that going down to the mat with your elbow in front of uke’s body might cause you to faceplant
Step into a wide base, with uke’s head between your legs
Apply turning pressure through your figure four grip to finish the submission
- Ensure that the force of your kimura is predominantly a pull (not a push) by bringing your elbow next to uke’s elbow, and leaning your upper body back and away

Cross Kimura

Continue from head mount kimura
Uke locks their hands together, making it hard to bring their wrist behind their back
Step one leg over uke’s body and sit back (similar to armbar position, but with uke face down)
- Ensure that the crook of your knee connects behind your wrist
Use the combined strength of your arms and legs to apply a turning force to uke’s arm, finishing the submission

Head Mount to Back Control

Continue from head mount kimura
Uke locks their hands together, making it hard to bring their wrist behind their back
Turn to face the back of uke’s body
- You will have to undo your figure four grip temporarily; use chest pressure behind uke’s elbow to help control their arm with just a single underhook
Establish a seatbelt kimura grip
Step over uke’s torso and roll backwards to establish your hooks, finishing in back control