{"slug":"kimura","name":"Kimura","aliases":["double wrist lock","gyaku ude garami","reverse keylock"],"category":"submission","format":"both","level":"fundamental","summary":"A bent-arm shoulder lock and control grip used to submit, sweep, pass, take the back, or restrain the upper body.","overview":["The kimura controls the opponent's wrist with one hand while the other arm loops behind their elbow to connect a figure-four grip. Although known as a shoulder lock, the grip is equally important as a positional control system.","Kimura traps link guard sweeps, half-guard passes, back takes, armbars, and side-control attacks. The finish depends on keeping the elbow bent and controlling shoulder rotation rather than wrenching the hand in isolation."],"keyPrinciples":["Keep the opponent's elbow bent and separated from their torso.","Connect the figure-four grip close to the shoulder line.","Control body rotation before moving the hand behind the back.","Use gradual pressure because shoulder range differs widely."],"entries":[{"label":"Closed guard","description":"Sit up around a posted hand and connect behind the elbow."},{"label":"Side control","description":"Isolate the near arm as the defender frames or turns."},{"label":"Half guard","description":"Capture the far arm to sweep, take the back, or assist a pass."}],"continuations":[{"label":"Back control","description":"Follow the trapped arm around the torso as the opponent turns."},{"label":"Armbar","description":"Move over the shoulder line while maintaining wrist control."},{"label":"Sweep","description":"Use the isolated shoulder to remove the opponent's post."}],"defenses":[{"label":"Elbow connection","description":"Keep the elbow close to the ribs before the figure-four grip closes."},{"label":"Grip fight","description":"Separate the attacker's hands and recover wrist position."},{"label":"Turn with the shoulder","description":"Follow the pressure to protect the joint while recovering posture."}],"relatedTechniqueSlugs":["side-control","armbar","back-control","closed-guard"],"athleteSlugs":["masahiko-kimura","garry-tonon","marcus-almeida","rubens-charles"],"rulesetNote":"The submission is widely recognized, but age, belt, finishing direction, and ruleset can change what is legal. Train the finish under qualified supervision and check the current event rules.","historyNote":"The Brazilian name commemorates judoka Masahiko Kimura and his 1951 match with Hélio Gracie; judo commonly describes the lock as gyaku ude-garami.","sources":[{"label":"IBJJF rule book and rules resources","url":"https://ibjjf.com/books-videos","type":"rules"},{"label":"ADCC official rules and legal-technique guides","url":"https://adcc-official.com/pages/adcc-rules","type":"rules"},{"label":"International Judo Federation technique catalogue","url":"https://judo.ijf.org/","type":"reference"}],"lastUpdated":"2026-07-25","url":"https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/kimura","markdownUrl":"https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/kimura.md","jsonUrl":"https://www.ossmeta.com/api/public/techniques/kimura","relatedTechniques":[{"slug":"side-control","name":"Side Control","url":"https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/side-control"},{"slug":"armbar","name":"Armbar","url":"https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/armbar"},{"slug":"back-control","name":"Back Control","url":"https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/back-control"},{"slug":"closed-guard","name":"Closed Guard","url":"https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/closed-guard"}],"associatedAthletes":[{"slug":"masahiko-kimura","name":"Masahiko Kimura","url":"https://www.ossmeta.com/athletes/masahiko-kimura"},{"slug":"garry-tonon","name":"Garry Tonon","url":"https://www.ossmeta.com/athletes/garry-tonon"},{"slug":"marcus-almeida","name":"Marcus Almeida","url":"https://www.ossmeta.com/athletes/marcus-almeida"},{"slug":"rubens-charles","name":"Rubens \"Cobrinha\" Charles","url":"https://www.ossmeta.com/athletes/rubens-charles"}],"sourceSite":{"name":"Ossmeta","url":"https://www.ossmeta.com"}}