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Kimura Trap System Finish

SubmissionNo-gi joint lock chainBelt: blue+Risk: moderateIBJJFADCCNo-GiSub-OnlyMMA

The Kimura Trap System Finish is a submission chain utilizing the kimura grip to control and submit opponents from a variety of positions, both top and bottom. It is a versatile tool for capitalizing on opponent’s defensive reactions, enabling transitions to armlocks, back takes, or even leg attacks.

Start
Kimura grip anywhere
End
Submission
Prerequisites: Kimura grip mechanics · Shoulder pinch control · Hip switch movement · Back take from turtle

Steps

  1. 1
    Establish Kimura Grip
    Secure a figure-four kimura grip on opponent’s far arm, using your outside hand to grab their wrist and your inside arm to thread under their arm, grabbing your own wrist. Maintain elbow pinch and wrist control.
  2. 2
    Break Opponent’s Posture
    Drive their arm away from their torso using your kimura grip, keeping your chest heavy on their triceps and your hips close to their body to prevent rotation or posture recovery.
  3. 3
    Switch Your Hips
    Rotate your hips to face perpendicular to your opponent (90°), posting your outside foot if necessary for base, and keep your inside knee tight to their body to block their hip movement.
  4. 4
    Isolate the Shoulder
    Pin their wrist to their lower back or hip line, using your inside elbow to wedge against their ribs, and flare your outside elbow for maximal shoulder exposure.
  5. 5
    Finish the Kimura Lock
    Lift their elbow while rotating their wrist behind their back, maintaining a tight figure-four grip and using your whole body to apply pressure—not just your arms.
  6. 6
    Transition if They Roll
    If opponent rolls forward to escape, follow by keeping the kimura grip, swinging your leg over their head (if on top) or stepping over their body (if bottom), and finish the kimura from north-south or take the back if their defense exposes it.
  7. 7
    Counter Their Grip Defense
    If opponent grabs their own shorts or belt, switch to a straight armlock by sliding your shin across their face and prying their grip, or transition to an armbar by stepping over their head and sitting back.
  8. 8
    Monitor for Back Exposure
    If opponent tries to turn away or tripod, insert your knee behind their shoulder and thread your far hook for a back take, maintaining the kimura grip until seatbelt control is established.

Key details most people miss

  • Keep your chest glued to their triceps or shoulder to prevent them from rotating out or posturing up.
  • Use your hips and core rotation for the finish, not just arm strength—think of turning your whole torso.
  • The outside elbow should flare up and away from your body to maximize shoulder torque and minimize escape space.
  • Always anticipate and follow their roll by maintaining the kimura grip, never letting your arms disconnect.
  • When transitioning to back takes, lead with your knee and hook insertion before releasing the kimura grip.

Common mistakes

  • Allowing space between your chest and their arm lets them rotate and escape the kimura trap.
  • Failing to switch your hips perpendicular makes it easy for opponent to flatten you or regain posture.
  • Trying to finish with arm strength alone results in weak pressure and potential grip breaks.
  • Neglecting to control their far hip or leg allows them to roll free or scramble to top position.
  • Letting go of the kimura grip too early during transitions loses both control and submission threat.

Counters & responses

They try: Opponent grabs their own shorts/belt to block kimura
You do: Switch to straight armlock by prying their grip with your shin across their face and extending their arm.
They try: Opponent rolls forward to escape
You do: Follow the roll, keep the kimura grip, and finish from north-south or transition to the back as they expose it.
They try: Opponent posts up and tries to stand
You do: Use the kimura grip to off-balance, sit through to the far hip, and attack with a rolling kimura or back take.
They try: Opponent clamps their elbow to their side tightly
You do: Insert your knee between their arm and torso to wedge and pry their elbow away for isolation.
They try: Opponent turns away and turtles
You do: Thread your near-side hook and transition to back control while maintaining the kimura grip.

Drill prescription

6 rounds × 3 minutes; 50% resistance; alternate attacker/defender roles. Attacker must secure a kimura grip and finish or transition to back/armlock at least 3 times per round. Track successful finishes and clean transitions.

How the masters teach it

Videos are still being curated for this technique. AI suggests these instructors:
David Avellan — Pioneered the modern kimura trap system, emphasizing transitional control and chaining submissions from the kimura grip.Marcelo Garcia — Integrates kimura trap to back takes and armlocks from both top and bottom, focusing on seamless grip retention.John Danaher — Systematizes the kimura as a control position, detailing precise grip mechanics and transitions to leg entanglements.Gordon Ryan — Applies the kimura trap extensively in no-gi, especially for back exposure and submission chaining in competitive settings.
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