Kuzure Kesa Gatame

Position
Also known as:
Kuzure Kesa-Gatame Modified Scarf Hold Modified Scarf Hold Top Broken Kesa Gatame

Kuzure Kesa Gatame is a modified scarf hold where the top player controls the opponent by threading the near arm under the opponent's far armpit instead of around the head, while still maintaining chest-to-chest pressure at an angle. It offers strong top control with easier transitions to submissions and other pins compared to traditional Kesa Gatame.

Quick Reference

Key principles

  • · The underhook on the far side armpit replaces the head control of traditional Kesa Gatame, creating a powerful clamp on the torso.
  • · Hip-to-hip connection and heavy chest pressure at an angle prevent the bottom player from creating frames or turning in.
  • · Keeping a wide base with the legs sprawled back and the near-side knee tight to the opponent's hip prevents bridge-and-roll escapes.
  • · Controlling the near-side arm with your free hand or by pinching it between your arm and body eliminates the opponent's primary framing tool.
  • · Anticipate the bottom player scooting hips away by adjusting your angle and following their movement to maintain chest contact.

Execution

  1. 1 From side control or traditional Kesa Gatame, thread your arm closest to the opponent's head under their far armpit, gripping their lat or securing a deep underhook.
  2. 2 Bring your chest down at an angle across their torso, sitting your hip close to theirs on the near side while controlling their near arm with your free hand or by trapping it against your body.
  3. 3 Sprawl your legs back with a wide base, keeping your near-side knee tight to their hip to block hip escapes.
  4. 4 Apply heavy shoulder pressure into their chest while maintaining the underhook grip, adjusting your angle as needed to follow their defensive movements.
  5. 5 From this stabilized position, transition to submissions such as Americana, Kimura, paper cutter choke, or advance to mount or north-south.

Common mistakes

  • × Sitting too upright without driving chest pressure into the opponent, which allows them space to frame, shrimp, and escape.
  • × Losing the underhook by not gripping deep enough under the far armpit, letting the bottom player pummel and recover a frame.
  • × Keeping legs too narrow or crossing feet, making it easy for the bottom player to bridge and roll you over the top.

Attacks & transitions

Offense available from Kuzure Kesa Gatame.

Kesa Gatame To Mount transition
7 less common
Americana From Side Control submission Far Side Armbar submission Kesa Gatame To North-South transition Kimura From Side Control submission Paper Cutter Choke submission Turtle Transition transition North South Choke submission

Escapes & defense

Getting out of Kuzure Kesa Gatame, or shutting it down.

Bridge And Roll escape Elbow Escape escape
5 less common
Arm Extraction escape Frame And Shrimp escape Ghost Escape escape Granby Roll escape Technical Standup escape

Kesa Gatame Family

Kesa Gatame