The Reverse Kesa-Gatame, or Reverse Scarf Hold, or Ushiro Kesa-Gatame, is a position in BJJ you want to know about. Whenever you attain it, you’re more likely to win than when you’re in other dominant positions. Therefore, it’s important to understand, both theoretically and practically.
This article is dedicated to the Reverse Kesa-Gatame and attacks from it. After reading this article, I’m confident that you’ll be able to (1) start practicing this position, and (2) become comfortable with several attacks once you’re in it.
These two traits are missing in many grapplers’ skill sets. You’ll be able to bypass these grapplers by understanding what it takes to perfect your Reverse Kesa-Gatame, and with it, the ability to control and maneuver your opponents.
I want you folks to get on the mat already. So without further ado, let’s dive into the first section of this article.
What Is the Reverse Kesa-Gatame?
Unlike the traditional Kesa-Gatame position, the Reverse version utilizes different grips and body parts. You’ll be able to attain a similar level of control. However, do know that the Reverse Kesa-Gatame is less effective in the eyes of some grapplers. Therefore, it’s less researched and used in the professional scene.
The Reverse Kesa-Gatame is a variation of the Scarf Hold position, which is when you hook your arm across the opponent’s head while sending your close leg so it’s in line with his spine. The Reverse version, however, utilizes underhooking the opponent’s armpit with your arm while facing his feet and grabbing his leg.
Its execution will differ if you’re in the Gi compared to the No-Gi. Consequently, it can be quite intimidating to learn one or the other. We’ll go over both versions, which don’t differ in as many aspects as you think, in the following section.
For now, understand one primary difference: you’re facing the opponent’s feet instead of his head, like in the standard Kesa-Gatame.
So the question remains, is the Reverse variation worth learning? What are my options from this position, and which submissions should I learn first to get the most results?
In the following two sections, we’ll answer these questions precisely, so stay tuned!
How to Reverse Kesa-Gatame
Let’s now discuss an important thing to understand if you desire to start getting results with the Reverse Kesa-Gatame; that thing is its setup, or how you can attain it in the first place. We all understand that you can attack your opponent if you attain the Reverse Scarf Hold. But how do you attain it in the first place? Let’s review that right now!
Setting up the Reverse Kesa-Gatame position calls you to be in Side Control. The next step will be to underhook the opponent’s armpit, which you can do by placing your elbow next to his armpit and pushing toward his head. Finally, you send your close leg to his feet while grabbing his thigh.
You want to ensure you grab his thigh. Naturally, you’ll need to base yourself on your other leg (the one you didn’t kick back.) Once you base yourself on your 2nd leg, you’ll gain more control and maneuverability over your opponent.
Remember! BJJ is all about control. The more control you have, the more options you have, and the more likely you are to win the fight. Whether it’s a street fight or a friendly roll, you’ll boost your grappling skills if you focus on attaining a dominant position over your opponent/training partner—and go for an attack.
Ensure you do that in that order. You first attain more control by attaining a dominant position, and only then do you attack. If you’re not as familiar with the best positions in BJJ, follow this link to learn about the best ones you must learn to call yourself a grappler.
Reverse Kesa-Gatame Attacks
Alright. Let’s now dive into the last section of this article. This part is going to review 3 attacks you must learn and get comfortable with to become a solid user of the Reverse Kesa-Gatame position.
Having more options is almost always the answer in BJJ. If you desire to become a better grappler, you must understand the next thing I’m about to say. You want to be as dynamic as possible, so you’ll be as unexpected as possible.
And how unexpected can you be if you know to use 10 attacks? On the other hand, if you’re familiar and comfortable with 50 attacks, you’re more likely to be dynamic; hence, you’re more likely to be unexpected and force the opponent to tap.
So now, let’s cover 3 options you want to familiarize yourself with.
#1 – Armbar
This Armbar variation is, perhaps, the most unique one I’ve encountered thus far. When researching this article and coming up with the best attacks from this position, this one caught my eye.
Understanding the basics of the Armbar attack—isn’t difficult. You’ll be able to catch your opponents off-guard and hyperextend one of their arms. But what’s so special about this variant is the fact that you’re using your legs to isolate his arm, rather than both your arms.
Here’s how it works:
- Start in Reverse Kesa-Gatame
- Push your hips to your opponent’s armpit
- Square back up (to Side Control)
- Your opponent frames your shoulder with his arm
- Isolate the hand he framed with
- Control his wrist with your right arm
- Control his other arm with your left arm
- Move your outside leg to his left shoulder
- Place your left foot near his head
- Bring your left knee up
- Pull your elbow to your head
- Get the tap
Here’s a visual aid for you, so you can see how this Armbar variation plays out in real-time.
Learn more about the Armbar by following this link.
#2 – Kimura
The Kimura is one of BJJ’s most popular and influential submissions. You must learn the Kimura to even consider calling yourself a BJJ trainee. So if that’s the first time you’ve heard of it, I recommend following the next link to learn the basics of the Kimura.
Anyways, I’ll assume you’re quite familiar with its basics already. From the Reverse Scarf Holf, you can begin to attack the opponent’s shoulder by isolating the desired arm and hyperextending it. This will allow you to force your opponent to tap.
I love this Kimura variation because many of your training partners won’t expect you to go for it from the Ushiro Kesa-Gatame. Rather, they might expect you to try and transition into a more dominant position. However, because you’re not most grapplers, you’ll be able to surprise your opponents and get the victory.
Here’s how to perform the Kimura from the Reverse Kesa-Gatame position:
- Start in Reverse Kesa-Gatame
- Let the opponent swim their hand inside yours
- Grab their wrist with your right hand
- Grab your right wrist with your left hand
- You now have the Kimura Lock
- Tighten your Kimura Lock
- Hyperextend his isolated arm by pushing his arm down
- Base yourself on your left foot
- Put all your body weight on his arm
- Get the tap
#3 – Brabo Choke
The last attack we’ll review is the Brabo Choke. This choke can be an excruciating experience for anyone you perform it against. Not only that—but setting it up won’t be as difficult as many grapplers think.
So it’s going to be both easy to learn and effective; indeed, a powerful combination. If you’re unfamiliar with the Brabo Choke and its basics, you can follow the link at the end of this section to learn everything you need to know about it.
This is the 3rd, and last, attack we’ll review. Once you’re finished with this article, it’ll be best if you start practicing everything you’ve learned thus far. So now, let’s see how you can perform it yourself:
- Start in Reverse Scarf Hold
- Push your hip back
- Isolate the opponent’s arm by pushing your hips back
- Slide your right arm below his neck
- Kick your other legs back
- Transition to the North-South position
- Trap the opponent’s head and arm
- Bend your right arm
- Grab your right biceps
- Squeeze your arms
- Get the tap
Indeed, an excruciating experience!
And if you want to learn more about the Brabo Choke and how to perform it correctly and effectively, follow this link!
Final Words
This was the Reverse Scarf Hold—or—Ushiro Kesa-Gatame. Whatever you want to call it, it doesn’t matter as long as you know how it works. Furthermore, if you know to finish from it, you’ll be well-off in the future of your BJJ journey.
This is what I intended to do with this article: allow you to learn about the basics of the Ushiro Kesa-Gatame position. Your next step is to get on the mat and gain real experience. Please, don’t skip real practice, as nothing will replace that, ever!
Here are other articles you’d enjoy reading:
Kesa-Gatame 101 – Attacks & Escapes (BJJ)
BJJ 101: North-South Position – Basics & Attacks & Tips
Attacking the Turtle Position in BJJ – 7 Submissions
BJJ’s 9 Best Back Submissions – Behind Enemy Lines!