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BJJ Fundamentals

Lesson 48 – Kimura Escapes

Warm Up (5min)

Partner Drills

  • North-South Elbow Drive

Lesson (25min)

    Head Mount Kimura Escape

    1. Start in north-south (bottom)
    2. Uke transitions to a head mount kimura by applying a figure four grip on your top arm
    3. Grip on top of uke’s wrists and pull towards your chest
    4. Turn towards uke so that your elbow slips towards the mat
    5. Frame on uke’s hips with your hands and push away to completely break their kimura grip

    Head Mount Kimura to Side Kimura

    1. Continue from head mount kimura (uke is now the person on bottom)
    2. Turn to face the front of uke’s body
    3. 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
    4. Step into a wide base, with uke’s head between your legs

    Side Kimura – Escape

    1. Continue from side kimura
    2. Use your free hand to reach under uke’s body and post on their far side elbow
    3. Bring your knee to the inside of uke’s elbow
      • Lock out your frame (stiff-arm) to make enough room for your knee to come through
    4. Use the strength of your legs to separate uke’s kimura grip
    5. Establish a forearm frame in front of uke’s head to keep your arm safe

    Side Kimura – Triangle Counter

    1. Continue from side kimura, with your knee inside uke’s elbow
    2. Use the strength of your legs to separate uke’s kimura grip
    3. Step over uke’s elbow with your heel and push their upper body close to your hips
    4. Push uke’s head down with your hand and throw your leg over, establishing an inverted triangle
      • It is possible to get to a strangle here, but that is not the focus of this lesson
    5. As uke pulls away from the threat of the triangle, use the space created to re-guard