The Kimura from Bottom Half Guard: A Complete Breakdown

The Kimura is a versatile submission that can be executed from various positions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and bottom half guard is no exception. By mastering the Kimura from bottom half guard, you can effectively control your opponent’s movements and even finish the fight. In this guide, we will break down the essential techniques for executing the Kimura from bottom half guard. 

Setting up the Kimura

To set up the Kimura from bottom half guard, you need to control your opponent’s arm. You can do this by using an underhook to control their far arm. Once you have the underhook, you can work to get your opponent’s arm across your body, towards your opposite hip. This will create the leverage you need to execute the Kimura.

Gripping the Kimura

Once you have your opponent’s arm in the right position, you need to grip their wrist with one hand and their elbow with the other. This grip will allow you to rotate their arm, putting pressure on their shoulder joint. It is essential to keep a tight grip on your opponent’s arm throughout the submission.

Finishing the Kimura

To finish the Kimura, you need to rotate your opponent’s arm towards their back, while keeping their elbow pinned to your chest. This will create an intense pressure on their shoulder joint, forcing them to tap. You can also finish the Kimura by rolling over your opponent, forcing them to give up their back, where you can finish with a rear-naked choke.

Countering common defenses

Your opponent may try to defend the Kimura by clasping their hands together, preventing you from getting the proper grip. In this case, you can switch to a different submission, such as a sweep or an armbar. Another common defense is for your opponent to try to roll out of the submission. To counter this, you need to keep your opponent’s arm close to your chest and use your legs to control their movement.

Drilling and training

To master the Kimura from bottom half guard, you need to spend time drilling the techniques and training them in live sparring. It is essential to work on both sides, so you can execute the submission from any position. Drilling also helps you to develop the muscle memory needed to execute the Kimura quickly and effectively.


The Kimura from bottom half guard is a powerful submission that can help you to control your opponent and finish the fight. By mastering the techniques outlined in this guide, you can confidently execute the Kimura from bottom half guard and add it to your arsenal of submissions. With consistent practice and training, you can become a formidable opponent on the mats.