Escape the kimura

Before it’s locked

• Keep your arms tight; don’t reach across their body
• If they grab your wrist, grab your own belt or thigh
• Face them; don’t let them take your back

The main escape

1. Grab your own belt, pants or thigh so they can’t rotate the arm
2. Turn your body toward them to take the angle away
3. Sit up into them or come up on your knees
4. Recover guard, or pass if you were on top

Escape roadmap

The seven stages of this escape. Work from the top: the earlier you act, the less you need the later stages.

1. 1
   Prevent

   • Keep your arms tight; don’t reach across their body
   • Don’t leave a hand posted on the mat
2. 2
   Defensive posture

   • Face them; don’t let them turn you away
   • Keep the elbow on your ribs
3. 3
   Hand fight

   • Grab your own belt, pants or thigh
   • Peel their wrist grip with your free hand
4. 4
   Make space

   • Turn your body toward them
   • Sit up into them or come up on your knees
5. 5
   Clear the structure

   • Pull your elbow back to your hip
   • Take the angle away by turning with the arm
6. 6
   Late escape

   • Turn your whole body the way they’re cranking so the shoulder isn’t twisting alone
   • Tap when your shoulder starts to rotate and you feel joint pressure
7. 7
   Back to safety

   • Recover half guard or guard
   • Or come up on your knees, elbows tight

Escape options

Drill it

My notes

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