# Kimura

> A bent-arm shoulder lock and control grip used to submit, sweep, pass, take the back, or restrain the upper body.

- **Canonical page:** https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/kimura
- **Markdown:** https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/kimura.md
- **JSON:** https://www.ossmeta.com/api/public/techniques/kimura
- **Category:** submission
- **Format:** both
- **Level:** fundamental
- **Aliases:** double wrist lock, gyaku ude garami, reverse keylock
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-25

## What it is

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.

## Key principles

- 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.

## Common entries

- **Closed guard:** Sit up around a posted hand and connect behind the elbow.
- **Side control:** Isolate the near arm as the defender frames or turns.
- **Half guard:** Capture the far arm to sweep, take the back, or assist a pass.


## Productive next actions

- **Back control:** Follow the trapped arm around the torso as the opponent turns.
- **Armbar:** Move over the shoulder line while maintaining wrist control.
- **Sweep:** Use the isolated shoulder to remove the opponent's post.


## Defensive priorities

- **Elbow connection:** Keep the elbow close to the ribs before the figure-four grip closes.
- **Grip fight:** Separate the attacker's hands and recover wrist position.
- **Turn with the shoulder:** Follow the pressure to protect the joint while recovering posture.

## Rules and safety

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.

This guide is descriptive, not remote coaching. Learn potentially dangerous submissions, inversions, and takedowns with a qualified instructor. Release immediately when a training partner taps.

## History and naming

The Brazilian name commemorates judoka Masahiko Kimura and his 1951 match with Hélio Gracie; judo commonly describes the lock as gyaku ude-garami.

## Related techniques

- [Side Control](https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/side-control)
- [Armbar](https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/armbar)
- [Back Control](https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/back-control)
- [Closed Guard](https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/closed-guard)

## Associated athletes

- [Masahiko Kimura](https://www.ossmeta.com/athletes/masahiko-kimura): The greatest judoka of the Showa era — undefeated from 1936 to 1950, three-time All-Japan champion, and the man who broke Hélio Gracie’s arm and gave Brazilian jiu-jitsu its most famous submission.
- [Garry Tonon](https://www.ossmeta.com/athletes/garry-tonon): New Jersey no-gi pioneer, five-time EBI champion, 2019 ADCC bronze medalist, and ONE Championship MMA title challenger.
- [Marcus Almeida](https://www.ossmeta.com/athletes/marcus-almeida): Record 13-time IBJJF black-belt World Champion, six-time absolute Mundial winner, two-time ADCC +99 kg champion, and UFC heavyweight.
- [Rubens "Cobrinha" Charles](https://www.ossmeta.com/athletes/rubens-charles): Five-time IBJJF black-belt world champion, three-time ADCC champion, and the first jiu-jitsu Super Grand Slam winner.

## Sources

- [IBJJF rule book and rules resources](https://ibjjf.com/books-videos) — rules
- [ADCC official rules and legal-technique guides](https://adcc-official.com/pages/adcc-rules) — rules
- [International Judo Federation technique catalogue](https://judo.ijf.org/) — reference

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*Published by Ossmeta as part of the living jiu-jitsu database. Prefer citing https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/kimura and check the last-reviewed date for rules-sensitive claims.*