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Modified Scarf Hold Top | BJJ Position Guide | BJJ Graph

Oct 25, 202515 min read

Modified Scarf Hold Top

bjjstatepincontrolscarf_holdmodified

State Properties

  • State ID: S256
  • Point Value: 3 (Dominant control position)
  • Position Type: Pin/control position
  • Risk Level: Low to Medium
  • Energy Cost: Low
  • Time Sustainability: Long

State Description

Modified Scarf Hold Top is a variation of the traditional Kesa Gatame that incorporates modified arm control and hip positioning to address BJJ-specific escape patterns. Unlike the classical scarf hold where the practitioner wraps around the head, this variation emphasizes under-arm control and adjusted hip placement to prevent common BJJ escapes while maintaining exceptional control. This position offers enhanced submission opportunities, particularly to arm locks and transitions to dominant positions. The modification creates a more versatile control platform that balances the immobilizing power of traditional Kesa Gatame with the dynamic offensive opportunities required in modern BJJ competition.

The position evolved as BJJ practitioners recognized that traditional Kesa Gatame, while powerful, left vulnerabilities to sophisticated escape sequences. By modifying the arm control and hip placement, this variation addresses those weaknesses while preserving the core controlling elements. The Modified Scarf Hold has become particularly popular in no-gi competition where the control mechanisms don’t rely on gi grips, though it remains highly effective in gi as well.

Visual Description

The practitioner sits beside the opponent’s upper body, oriented towards their head at approximately a 45-degree angle rather than perpendicular. The practitioner’s near-side arm threads under the opponent’s trapped arm, controlling at the wrist or establishing a figure-four grip on the tricep, creating direct arm isolation without wrapping the head. The far-side arm posts on the mat near the opponent’s far hip or threads under their far-side lat for additional control. The practitioner’s hip is wedged tightly into the opponent’s near-side armpit, with their body weight distributed across the opponent’s chest and shoulder. The practitioner’s legs are spread wide with the near leg bent and posted near the opponent’s head, while the far leg extends toward the opponent’s legs for base stability. The opponent lies on their back with one arm trapped and controlled, their head free but their upper body completely immobilized by the practitioner’s strategic weight distribution and positional leverage. This configuration creates exceptional control through isolated arm control while maintaining the mobility to transition rapidly to submissions or improved positions.

Key Principles

  • Under-Arm Control: Establish and maintain control under the opponent’s trapped arm rather than around their head
  • Hip Wedge Pressure: Drive the hip into opponent’s armpit to eliminate space and prevent turning
  • Strategic Weight Distribution: Place weight across opponent’s chest and shoulder to limit breathing and movement
  • Wide Base Configuration: Maintain spread legs for stability while enabling rapid transitions
  • Dynamic Positioning: Keep body angle adjustable to counter escape attempts and facilitate transitions
  • Arm Isolation Focus: Prioritize control of the trapped arm as the primary control mechanism
  • Transitional Readiness: Position body to enable quick transitions to mount, side control, or submissions

Prerequisites

  • Understanding of Kesa Gatame fundamentals
  • Proficiency with under-arm control mechanics
  • Weight distribution and pressure application skills
  • Recognition of arm lock opportunities from pins
  • Familiarity with scarf hold escape patterns

State Invariants

  • Control of opponent’s near-side arm via under-arm threading
  • Top player’s hip wedged against opponent’s armpit
  • Top player oriented towards opponent’s head at 45-degree angle
  • Wide base with legs spread for stability
  • Weight distribution across opponent’s upper chest and shoulder
  • Opponent’s movement severely restricted by arm control and pressure

Defensive Responses (When Opponent Has This State)

Offensive Transitions (Available From This State)

Counter Transitions

Expert Insights

John Danaher: Views the Modified Scarf Hold as a superior variation for BJJ because it addresses the primary weakness of traditional Kesa Gatame—vulnerability to the far-side underhook escape. By modifying the arm control to thread under rather than wrap around, the practitioner maintains control while creating direct pathways to high-percentage arm locks. Emphasizes that the modification isn’t merely defensive but offensive, as the under-arm position creates immediate submission threats that force the opponent into defensive immobility. Systematizes the position as part of a pin progression where practitioners learn to flow seamlessly between Modified Scarf Hold, traditional side control, and mount based on opponent reactions.

Gordon Ryan: Uses Modified Scarf Hold extensively in competition as both a control position and submission platform. Focuses on what he terms “pressure layering” where multiple pressure vectors are applied simultaneously—hip pressure into the armpit, chest pressure across the shoulder, and arm isolation pressure on the trapped limb. Emphasizes the importance of maintaining offensive awareness even from this dominant position, constantly evaluating opportunities for arm locks or transitions to mount. Advocates for using the position strategically when opponent’s defense is focused elsewhere, as the transition from side control to Modified Scarf often catches opponents off-guard.

Eddie Bravo: Has integrated Modified Scarf Hold concepts into his Twister Side Control system, viewing the position as a gateway to unorthodox submissions. Emphasizes the importance of what he calls “arm clearance” where the trapped arm is isolated so completely that it cannot interfere with attacking the far side of the opponent’s body. Focuses on connecting Modified Scarf Hold to specialized 10th Planet submissions and back attacks, treating the position as transitional rather than terminal. Advocates for maintaining constant movement and pressure variation to prevent opponent adaptation.

Common Errors

  • Insufficient hip pressure into armpit → Opponent creates space to turn and escape → Correction: Drive hip deeply into armpit, eliminating all space between hip and opponent’s body → Recognition: If you feel opponent’s body turning toward you, hip pressure is inadequate
  • Head position too high → Creates space underneath for opponent to insert frames → Correction: Keep head low and tight to opponent’s upper chest, limiting vertical space → Recognition: If opponent can wedge their free arm between your bodies, your head position needs adjustment
  • Weak under-arm control → Trapped arm escapes or provides leverage for turning → Correction: Maintain tight figure-four or wrist control on trapped arm, keeping it isolated from opponent’s body → Recognition: If trapped arm can move freely or touch opponent’s torso, control is insufficient
  • Narrow base configuration → Vulnerability to bridge and roll escapes → Correction: Spread legs wide with one extended toward opponent’s legs, creating stable base → Recognition: If opponent’s bridges move your upper body significantly, base is too narrow
  • Static weight distribution → Opponent adapts and finds escape pathways → Correction: Adjust weight dynamically, shifting between chest and shoulder pressure based on opponent’s movements → Recognition: If opponent is making steady progress in their escape attempts, vary pressure distribution
  • Delayed transition recognition → Missing optimal moments for submissions or position advancement → Correction: Maintain awareness of arm lock setups and mount opportunities, transitioning preemptively → Recognition: If opponent is defending the pin but you’re not attacking, you’re missing offensive opportunities
  • Excessive focus on control without offense → Energy-inefficient static holding → Correction: Integrate submission threats continuously, using opponent’s defensive reactions to maintain control → Recognition: If you’re expending significant energy just holding position, add offensive pressure

Training Drills

  • Modified Scarf Maintenance Against Progressive Resistance: Start with partner offering 25% resistance to Modified Scarf Hold, progressively increasing to 100% over multiple rounds. Focus on maintaining hip pressure, arm control, and weight distribution as resistance increases. Partner should attempt specific escapes (bridge and roll, far-side frame, turning) while practitioner adjusts position to maintain control. 5 rounds of 2 minutes each at different resistance levels.
  • Transition Flow Sequences: Practice flowing between Modified Scarf Hold, traditional side control, mount, and north-south in continuous sequences. Partner remains defensive but offers opportunities for transitions. Focus on maintaining control through transitions and recognizing optimal moments to change positions. Emphasize smoothness and timing rather than speed. 10 minutes of continuous flow.
  • Arm Lock Entry Repetitions: Starting from established Modified Scarf Hold, practice entries to far-side armbar, modified kesa arm lock, and americana with partner offering progressive defensive resistance. Focus on recognizing setup cues and executing entries with precision. 20 repetitions of each submission entry at 50% resistance, then 10 at 75% resistance.
  • Escape Defense Scenarios: Partner starts in bottom position with specific escape assigned (bridge and roll, underhook escape, far-side frame). Practitioner must recognize escape attempt and adjust Modified Scarf Hold to counter it. Cycle through all major escape patterns. Focus on preemptive adjustments rather than reactive scrambles. 15 repetitions of each escape scenario.
  • Dynamic Control Pressure Drill: Maintain Modified Scarf Hold while constantly adjusting pressure distribution—shift weight from chest to shoulder, vary hip pressure, change arm control grip. Partner provides feedback on which pressure variations create most discomfort and control. Develop sensitivity to subtle positional adjustments. 5 minutes of continuous adjustment practice.

Decision Tree

If opponent bridges strongly toward you:

Else if opponent frames with far-side arm:

Else if opponent attempts to turn away from you:

Else if opponent creates space with hip escape:

Else (opponent defensive but not escaping):

Position Metrics

  • Success Rate: 75% control retention (competition data)
  • Average Time in Position: 40-90 seconds
  • Submission Probability: Beginner 25%, Intermediate 40%, Advanced 55%
  • Transition Advancement Probability: Beginner 50%, Intermediate 65%, Advanced 80%
  • Position Loss Probability: Beginner 25%, Intermediate 15%, Advanced 10%

Optimal Paths

Fastest submission path (direct attack): Modified Scarf Hold Top → Far Side Armbar → Armbar Control → Won by Submission Reasoning: Far side armbar is immediately available from Modified Scarf Hold with high success rates due to arm isolation

High-percentage path (systematic control): Modified Scarf Hold Top → Transition to Mount → Mount → Mount to Armbar → Won by Submission Reasoning: Transitioning to mount increases control and submission success rates, trading immediate attack for positional dominance

Alternative submission path (arm lock variation): Modified Scarf Hold Top → Modified Kesa Arm Lock → Arm Lock Control → Won by Submission Reasoning: Direct arm lock from the position capitalizes on arm isolation without requiring transition

Positional advancement path (conservative progression): Modified Scarf Hold Top → Side Control Transition → Side Control → Submission Chain → Won by Submission Reasoning: If Modified Scarf control is weakening, transition to traditional side control maintains dominance with different control mechanisms

Origins and Evolution

Modified Scarf Hold Top evolved as BJJ practitioners adapted traditional Judo Kesa Gatame to address the sophisticated escape sequences developed in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. While classical Kesa Gatame wraps the head and arm together, BJJ competitors discovered this configuration left vulnerabilities to underhook escapes and turning defenses that were less common in Judo’s shorter pin times. The modification—threading under the arm rather than wrapping the head—emerged in the early 2000s as competitors sought to maintain Kesa Gatame’s controlling power while addressing these specific escape patterns. This evolution exemplifies BJJ’s adaptive nature, where traditional positions are continuously refined based on competitive experience.

Competition Considerations

Modified Scarf Hold scores 3 points in IBJJF rules as a side control variant when maintained for 3 seconds. In ADCC, it establishes dominant position scoring. The position is particularly effective in no-gi competition where traditional Kesa Gatame’s gi-dependent controls are unavailable. Time management consideration: the position is sufficiently controlling to maintain when protecting a lead, but offers enough submission threats to use aggressively when behind. Strategic application involves using Modified Scarf Hold as a “surprise” transition from traditional side control, as opponents often prepare defenses for standard pins but not this variation.

Computer Science Analogy

Modified Scarf Hold Top functions as an optimized version of a control algorithm in the BJJ state machine, implementing improvements that address known vulnerabilities in the original implementation (traditional Kesa Gatame). The modification represents a form of “defensive programming” where potential failure modes (underhook escapes, turning defenses) are anticipated and neutralized through architectural changes (under-arm control instead of head wrapping). This creates a more robust control state with fewer exploitable vulnerabilities while maintaining the core functionality (opponent immobilization and submission opportunities) of the original system.

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