Why the Kimura Sweep is Essential from Half Guard
In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), Muay Thai, wrestling, and mixed martial arts (MMA), maintaining control from the bottom half guard is crucial. This position allows you to control your opponent's posture while setting up attacks like sweeps, submissions, or transitions. Among the most effective sweeps is the Kimura sweep, which leverages the iconic Kimura grip to disrupt balance and reverse positions.
Named after the double-wrist lock but used here offensively, this technique is a staple for grapplers at all levels. It's particularly valuable in MMA, where half guard often arises during scrambles or takedown defenses. Fighters like Demian Maia and Gordon Ryan have popularized variations, proving its reliability under pressure. Mastering it expands your guard retention and opens paths to dominant positions like mount or side control.
This guide breaks down the Kimura sweep as taught by Li MMA, with added insights for practical application across combat sports. Whether you're a beginner building fundamentals or an advanced competitor refining details, these steps will sharpen your game.
Prerequisites: Perfecting Your Half Guard Base
Before attempting the sweep, ensure a rock-solid half guard setup:
- Underhook the far arm: Secure deep control to limit their posture.
- Lock the legs: Trap their top leg with your inside leg, framing their hips with your outside knee.
- Posture control: Use your free hand to push their chest or neck, preventing them from standing or passing.
Common myth: Half guard is only defensive. Bust that—it's a launchpad for offense. With proper framing, even heavier opponents can't escape easily.
Step-by-Step Breakdown of the Kimura Sweep
Li MMA demonstrates this sweep methodically, emphasizing timing and leverage over strength. Follow these steps precisely, practicing slowly with a partner before drilling at speed.
Step 1: Establish the Kimura Grip
Start from bottom half guard. As your opponent postures up to break your guard or attack, slide your outside arm under their far armpit. Grip their wrist with your same-side hand (e.g., right hand on right wrist if underhooking with right arm). Your other hand cups behind their triceps or elbow for control. This "Kimura grip" locks their arm across their body, restricting movement.Tip: Rotate your elbow upward to deepen the grip. In MMA, this grip also threatens the actual Kimura submission if they resist.
Step 2: Break Their Posture
With the grip secured, pull their arm down across your centerline while pushing their head or shoulder with your free hand. Your legs stay active: inside shin hooks their thigh, outside foot frames their hip. This off-balances them forward, forcing weight onto their trapped leg.Practical example: In no-gi MMA or wrestling, add a collar tie with your framing hand for extra control, mimicking scenarios against strikers transitioning to ground.
Step 3: Load the Sweep
Scoot your hips slightly away to create space, then shrimp explosively toward the gripped side. Release your inside leg hook momentarily to reposition: swing it over their trapped leg, planting your foot flat for leverage. Your outside leg drives upward like a scissor, while the Kimura grip pulls their upper body down.Myth busted: You don't need explosive athleticism. Leverage from the hip escape multiplies your power—perfect for smaller fighters against bigger opponents in BJJ or Kickboxing ground exchanges.
Step 4: Execute the Sweep
Timing is everything. As they post their free hand to base out, pull hard on the Kimura grip to yank their elbow to the mat. Simultaneously, kick your loaded leg upward while pushing their hip away with your framing foot. Their balance collapses, rolling them over your body.Visualize it: Their trapped leg lifts, body follows the arm pull, landing you in top position—ideally knee-on-belly or side control.
Step 5: Finish Strong
Don't stop at the sweep. As you land on top, maintain the Kimura grip to transition to side control, mount, or the submission itself. In MMA, this chains into ground-and-pound or further subs like the Americana.Pro tip: Drill with resistance. Have your partner base out aggressively to simulate real rolls or fights.
Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them
- Grip too shallow: Results in arm escape. Solution: Thumb inside, fingers wrapping fully.
- Hip inactivity: No space created. Solution: Exaggerate the shrimp in warm-ups.
- Over-pulling: Fatigues your arms. Solution: Use body torque—rotate your torso with the pull.
Variations for Different Combat Sports
- BJJ Gi: Use sleeve grip instead of wrist for added control.
- No-Gi/MMA: Switch to a figure-four grip on the wrist for speed.
- Wrestling: Emphasize leg drive for explosive reversals.
- Muay Thai clinch transitions: From half guard pulls, sweep to counter leg kicks on the ground.
Training Drills to Internalize the Technique
1. Solo drills: Shadow the grips and hip movements 10x per side.
2. Partner flow: 5 minutes flowing the sweep without resistance, then add posture breaks.
3. Live rolling: Start every round in bottom half guard, aiming for 3 sweeps.
4. Competition prep: Simulate fatigue with 10x sweeps after burpees.
Gear up properly: A quality rash guard and shorts prevent slips, while supportive grappling dummies aid solo practice. Check out collections at Apollo MMA for durable BJJ and MMA apparel.
Advanced Insights: Integrating into Your Game
Chain the Kimura sweep with attacks like deep half entries or back takes. Against turtles or single-leg defenses, it's gold. Track your success rate in training logs to measure progress.
This technique embodies BJJ's leverage principle—small adjustments yield big reversals. Consistent drilling will make it instinctive, boosting your confidence in half guard battles.
Elevate your grappling today. Practice these steps, adapt to your style, and dominate from the bottom.
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