Kimura Trap

Kimura Trap from Kimura is a transition between related positions built around a handful of repeatable controls. Attacker has the supine kimura but the opponent is walking around toward the head, dropping the elbow and pushing the top arm to free the lock. Another common starting shape: attacker has a kimura grip but the opponent is straightening the trapped arm to weaken the lock. The ideas that hold it together are hip-escape sit-up, leg wedge, and elbow elevation.

The kimura trap chain is a sequence of small controls, not one athletic burst. Hip-escape by walking the feet to bring the hips back. Quickly post up to the knees, choosing knees-up or sprawl based on timing. Elevate the trapped elbow and drive forward to turn the opponent away. Wedge a leg behind the opponent's back so they cannot flatten out again. Grip slightly lower, capturing just past the wrist on the palm side. Use a curling action to keep leverage against elbow extension. Avoid gripping high on the forearm, which gives the opponent leverage to straighten. Scoot the body low while keeping pressure on the kimura grip. Attacker has hip-escaped, posted up on the knees and driven the kimura forward to turn the opponent away, landing chest-behind-shoulder with legs jammed behind the back.

Later in the kimura trap, wrist leverage, anti-extension grip, and knee jam tend to decide whether the position stays on track. Watch for these mistakes: Being too slow with the sit-up so the elbow drops free. Gripping too high on the forearm. Letting the opponent straighten the arm and reverse the hand. Trying to insert a hook the opponent can kick off as they rise. The high-percentage version of kimura trap from kimura is the one you can still chain when the next position is contested.