Kesa-Gatame Position

Features 10 Free YouTube Videos Covering Defense (Survival, Escapes, and Counter Offense) and Offense (Control and Submissions)

Want to improve your kesa-gatame? This page compiles video instructables logically and systematically. This structure will allow you to see your and your opponent's options from the back mount and learn how to handle these scenarios.

Survival (Defense) From Kesa Gatame Position

How to Defend Kesa Gatame Position

[Click for Video] Kesa Gatame Sucks! Here's How to Defend It (Robin Gieseler): If you can't prevent the kesa-gatame, which you can do by 'combing your hair' as they move from side control, you'll want to hide the arm and attempt one of several defensive options, which are outlined here.

Escapes From Kesa Gatame Position

How to Escape the Kesa-Gatame Position

[Click for Video] HOW TO ESCAPE KESA GATAME (Travis Stevens): Three escapes are covered and how to combine them for an effective escape system. Escape 1: Step over and grab the leg. Escape 2: Bridge and roll. Escape 3: Escaping the hips out and rolling on top.

[Click for Video] How to Escape Kesa Gatame and the Headlock (Stephan Kesting): This video covers escaping the headlock, how to stay on your side to avoid pressure (and tapping), and the bridge and roll escape.

[Click for Video] Kesa Gatame Escape - The Basics (Tom Davey): Two escapes are covered in this video. 1: Hide the inside arm by bridging towards your opponent and pulling the elbow in and then get the hook on their leg. 2: Grab behind and hook arms together, run your feet until your hips get underneath his. Bridge get their head on the mat, turn your shoulders to get on top.

Submissions From Kesa Gatame Position

How to Attack Your Opponent in Kesa-Gatame

[Click for Video] Kesa Gatame Attacks (Robin Gieseler): This video covers various attacks from the Kesa-Gatame position, including the Americana, armbar, kimura, wrist lock, arm triangle, and Ezekiel.

[Click for Video] The Kesa Gatame Kill System (Tom Davey): Tap your partner and make them suffer along the way! This video covers when to go to kesa-gatame (opponent gets underhook in side control). Also the submissions: Americana, armbar, head and arm choke (for when your opponent pushes against your head)

How to Perform the Head and Arm Choke

[Click for Video] Kesa Gatame Into Head And Arm Choke! (Tom Davey): This submission is excellent to perform when your opponent pushes at your head to escape. Put your head at their elbow (for leverage) and shove their arm in. Your inside hand palm will be down, and your outside palm up. Lift your hips and pull in for the choke.

How to Perform the Triangle Choke

[Click for Video] Kesa Gatame Arm trap to Triangle (Jeremy Arel): Triangle submission from the jiu-jitsu form of kesa-gatame.

How to Perform the Guillotine Choke

[Click for Video] Kesa Gatame to Guillotine Choke (Jeremy Arel): A choke from kesa-gatame that will involve trapping the inside arm between your legs before going for the choke. Watch the video for the details!