Kimura Trap: The Secret to Dominating from Top Half Guard

Top half guard is a dominant position in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu that offers a wide range of submission options. One of the most popular and effective submissions from this position is the Kimura. The Kimura is a versatile submission that can be executed from various positions, but it is especially effective from top half guard. In this article, we will discuss the Kimura Trap, a highly effective technique that can help you dominate from top half guard and submit your opponent with ease.

Understanding the Kimura Trap:

The Kimura Trap is a highly effective technique that involves trapping your opponent’s arm and shoulder with your own arm and leveraging your body weight to submit your opponent. The key to this technique is controlling your opponent’s arm and shoulder, which can be achieved by isolating the arm with your leg and securing the shoulder with your arm.

Setting up the Kimura Trap from Top Half Guard:

To set up the Kimura Trap from top half guard, start by controlling your opponent’s arm with your arm and using your leg to isolate the arm. Once you have secured the arm, transition to a high mount position and secure the shoulder with your free arm. From here, you can begin to apply pressure and leverage your body weight to submit your opponent.

Executing the Kimura Trap:

To execute the Kimura Trap, start by securing your opponent’s arm and shoulder as described above. Once you have the arm and shoulder secured, use your body weight to apply pressure and leverage your opponent’s arm into a vulnerable position. From here, you can apply pressure to the arm and shoulder to force your opponent to tap out.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

One common mistake when executing the Kimura Trap is failing to secure your opponent’s arm and shoulder properly. This can result in your opponent escaping the position or countering the submission. It is also important to maintain control of your opponent’s body and not allow them to escape or transition to a more advantageous position.

Kimura Trap Variations:

There are several variations of the Kimura Trap that you can use to catch your opponent off guard and submit them with ease. Some of these variations include using the Kimura Trap to transition to other positions, such as the back mount or side control.

Drilling the Kimura Trap:

Drilling the Kimura Trap is essential for mastering this technique and making it a part of your arsenal. You can practice drilling the Kimura Trap with a partner or on a grappling dummy, focusing on perfecting your technique and becoming comfortable with the mechanics of the submission.


The Kimura Trap is a highly effective technique that can help you dominate from top half guard and submit your opponent with ease. By understanding the mechanics of the submission and drilling the technique regularly, you can add the Kimura Trap to your arsenal and become a more well-rounded BJJ practitioner.