Kimura Dilemma: Figure-Four Strangle or Twist vs Free Head and Arm
Mat mode
3:00
Tell the roomSubmit by only one of two paths: create a figure four with your legs and squeeze until they tap (strangle), or get their hand behind their back and twist until…
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Notes (this phone)
ATTACKER (KIMURA / LEGS AROUND HEAD AND ARM)
POSITION
You start with a kimura grip. Fall to the side of your partner's back. Place one leg under their head like a pillow, the other leg underneath their near arm, and connect ankle to ankle (alpha star — ankle to ankle).
OBJECTIVE
Submit by only one of two paths: create a figure four with your legs and squeeze until they tap (strangle), or get their hand behind their back and twist until they tap (kimura).
CONSTRAINTS
You may let go of the kimura grip to readjust. If their hands are together, the figure-four strangle path is the usual read; if they separate their hands, the twist path opens — that dilemma is the game. If the mat blocks your twist, move your body to create leverage. Legs closed around the head and arm matter for the twist finish. Tap and release on any finish pressure; reset on a tap. Switch roles after either player wins.
WIN CONDITION
They tap to the figure-four leg strangle, or to the arm twisted behind the back.
DEFENDER
POSITION
Your head and near arm are inside their connected legs; they have (or started with) a kimura grip.
OBJECTIVE
Free your head and arm from the circle of their legs.
CONSTRAINTS
Escape ends their attempt. Tap early if the shoulder or neck loads; reset on a tap. Switch roles after either player wins.
WIN CONDITION
Your head and arm are free of their leg circle.
Reference video
Open video · Bodega Jiu Jitsu (Kyvann Gonzalez)
Bodega Jiu Jitsu (Kyvann Gonzalez), CLA - Kimura Dilemma Game (free video on the Bodega Jiu Jitsu YouTube channel).
Problem
You start with a kimura grip.
Tell the room
Submit by only one of two paths: create a figure four with your legs and squeeze until they tap (strangle), or get their hand behind their back and twist until they tap (kimura). Free your head and arm from the circle of their legs.
Setup
You start with a kimura grip. Fall to the side of your partner's back. Place one leg under their head like a pillow, the other leg underneath their near arm, and connect ankle to ankle (alpha star — ankle to ankle). Your head and near arm are inside their connected legs; they have (or started with) a kimura grip.
Score
They tap to the figure-four leg strangle, or to the arm twisted behind the back. Your head and arm are free of their leg circle.
Rules
- You may let go of the kimura grip to readjust.
- If their hands are together, the figure-four strangle path is the usual read; if they separate their hands, the twist path opens — that dilemma is the game.
- If the mat blocks your twist, move your body to create leverage.
- Legs closed around the head and arm matter for the twist finish.
- Tap and release on any finish pressure; reset on a tap.
- Switch roles after either player wins.
- Escape ends their attempt.
- Tap early if the shoulder or neck loads; reset on a tap.
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