Submission · shoulder lock

Kimura from side control

A shoulder lock from side control. Classic and effective: it works as a finish and as control for your transitions.

Flow map

1 in · 1 out

Starting position

You are hereKimura from side controlSubmission

Where it leads

Match overTap

Prerequisites

Mechanics · 3 steps

Grab the wrist

The wrist is your anchor. Without a solid grip you can't build the figure-four and you'll lose the position.

Correctness test ·His wrist is pinned against your belly, not floating in the air.

Build the figure-four

Your far arm goes under his arm and grabs your own wrist. That's what creates the lever on the shoulder joint.

Correctness test ·Your hands are locked together with his elbow between them.

III

Lift the elbow and bring his arm behind his back

Turning the arm toward his back is the direction of the lock. Elbow up means pressure on the shoulder.

Correctness test ·He tries to roll or he taps. That's how you know the lock is on.

Defenses · if he… then you…

Opponent

Your response

Opponent

Glues his elbow to his hip and blocks the rotation

Your response

Don't force it. Move to north-south for a better angle: you get the full lever there.

Opponent

Grabs your belt or pants to stop the arm from moving

Your response

Pull his hand off the hip, lift it and turn it over his head (shoulder crunch).

Common mistakes

Going for the submission too early

You focus on the finish instead of control. You leave too much room to escape and lose the position.

Forcing the finish instead of moving to north-south

You lose the angle and the leverage: he turns and slips out of the lock.

No control of the elbow

He turns his body and escapes. Without the elbow locked in, you have no lever.

DRILLS · IMPROVEMENT EXERCISES

Section in development. Plan: for each technique/position I'll add solo or partner drills to strengthen your movement patterns and timing.