Rolling Kimura Escape

Escape

The Rolling Kimura Escape is used to escape a kimura grip by inverting and rolling through to disrupt the opponent's control angle and leverage — commonly needed when caught in kimura control or the kimura trap during scrambles. The roll neutralizes the shoulder lock threat by removing the rotational force on the trapped arm, leading to a scramble where neither player has a dominant position.

Quick Reference

Key principles

  • · Roll in the direction that relieves rotational pressure on your trapped shoulder, not against it.
  • · Keep your trapped elbow tight to your body throughout the roll to prevent the kimura from being re-secured at a worse angle.
  • · Use explosive hip movement to initiate the roll rather than relying on upper body strength alone.
  • · Anticipate your opponent posting or sprawling by committing fully to the roll and following through past halfway.
  • · Time the roll when the opponent shifts weight to finish the kimura, exploiting their momentary commitment to the submission.

Execution

  1. 1 When the opponent attacks the kimura from their control position, grip your own wrist or belt to buy time and prevent the immediate submission.
  2. 2 Tuck your chin and drive off your feet, rolling over the shoulder of your trapped arm in the direction your hand is being forced.
  3. 3 Continue the roll explosively, pulling your trapped arm through and turning your body completely to face the opponent.
  4. 4 As you complete the roll, immediately strip or fight the kimura grip using the momentum and newly created angle.
  5. 5 Disengage to a neutral scramble position, establishing base on your knees or feet before the opponent can re-engage.

Common mistakes

  • × Rolling in the wrong direction (against the kimura torque), which accelerates the submission and can cause shoulder injury.
  • × Hesitating mid-roll or only going halfway, leaving you in a worse position with your back exposed and the kimura still locked.
  • × Failing to keep the elbow tight during the roll, allowing the opponent to extend the arm and transition to an armbar.

Where it lands

The position you end up in.

Scramble Position

Use it against

The Rolling Kimura Escape is an answer to these.

Kimura submission