Standing Kimura
Standing kimura — figure-four shoulder lock applied and finished from standing. Russian tie, underhook, and single leg defence entries.
Adapted from the original page. Grappling.Games did not write this. Sources.
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The standing kimura is the standing entry and finish dimension of the kimura system — the same figure-four shoulder lock applied before the attacker and opponent are on the ground. The submission mechanism is identical to the ground kimura: internal shoulder rotation loading the posterior capsule and cuff through a bent-arm figure-four grip. What changes is the positional context: the attacker must manage their own base, the opponent can step through the lock, and the mat is not available to block the opponent’s movement the way it is on the ground.
This page is a companion to the Kimura page and the Kimura Control page. Read those pages first — they cover the fundamental mechanics of the figure-four grip, the finish mechanics, and the kimura system logic. This page covers what changes when you are doing all of that standing up.
The standing kimura connects the ground kimura system to the standing game via the Russian tie, underhook battle, and single leg defence — three of the most common clinch positions in no-gi grappling. The standing kimura is therefore not exotic; it is available from positions that are encountered in almost every match.
Elevated RiskStanding Kimura is an elevated risk technique. The kimura loads the posterior capsule and posterior rotator cuff in internal rotation and extension. The injury mechanism — labrum tear, rotator cuff damage, ligament rupture — is the same whether applied standing or from the ground. The standing context does not reduce the injury risk; it may increase it because the submission can be applied dynamically while both players are moving and the attacker may not feel the tap immediately in a scramble. Serious injury can occur Shoulder injury from the kimura is not gradual — the capsule and cuff can tear suddenly when the rotation reaches or exceeds their load tolerance. In a scramble, both players may be moving when the threshold is crossed..
If you are new to this technique: read this section before anything else. Understanding the danger is part of understanding the technique.
The person applying the technique is responsible for releasing immediately.
Communicate before drilling. Know your partner's experience level with this position.