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Reverse Scarf Hold Top | BJJ Position Guide | BJJ Graph

Oct 25, 202512 min read

Reverse Scarf Hold Top

bjjpositiontop-positionpinadvancedjudo

State Description

Reverse Scarf Hold Top (Ushiro Kesa Gatame) is a judo-derived pinning position that scores 3 points and represents an unusual but effective control position. In this position, you face away from your opponent’s head while maintaining heavy chest and hip pressure on their upper body, creating a disorienting control scenario with unique submission opportunities. The reverse orientation differentiates this position from traditional kesa gatame (scarf hold) and offers distinct mechanical advantages and vulnerabilities.

Unlike standard top positions, reverse scarf hold requires you to adapt to facing the opposite direction, which can be initially awkward but provides significant tactical advantages once mastered. The position excels at controlling opponents who attempt to turn into you from side control and offers submission angles not available from conventional pins. The trapped arm across the opponent’s body becomes a focal point for both control and attack.

This position is particularly effective against opponents unfamiliar with the configuration, as the unusual orientation disrupts their standard escape patterns. However, it requires precise weight distribution and pressure to prevent explosive bridging escapes. The position serves as an excellent transition hub to north-south, mount, or back control when opponent attempts to escape.

Visual Description

You are positioned with your back facing toward opponent’s head, perpendicular to their body at the upper torso level. Your near arm hugs their near arm tightly across their torso, trapping it against their body with your grip on their far side. Your chest presses down on their upper chest and shoulder area, with your head positioned low near their near shoulder for additional control. Your hips are dropped low and heavy onto their chest, distributing your weight to maximize pressure and minimize their ability to bridge.

Your near leg is bent with knee close to their side, providing a blocking mechanism against hip escapes. Your far leg extends outward for base stability, creating a wide platform that resists bridging and turning attempts. Your arms work in coordination—the near arm controlling their trapped arm, while your far arm can post for base or work for position improvement. The weight distribution focuses heavily through your hip and chest, creating downward pressure that pins them flat.

This creates a disorienting control situation where opponent cannot effectively use standard escape mechanics, while simultaneously opening unique submission opportunities on the trapped arm and exposed positions when they attempt to turn either direction.

Key Principles

  • Reverse Orientation Control: Facing away from opponent’s head creates unusual angles that disrupt their escape patterns and creates unique control mechanics
  • Hip Pressure Priority: Low, heavy hip placement on opponent’s chest is critical for preventing bridging escapes and maintaining the pin
  • Arm Trapping Mechanics: Securing opponent’s near arm across their body eliminates their primary defensive tool and creates submission opportunities
  • Base Width Configuration: Wide leg base with strategic knee placement resists bridging while allowing quick transitions when necessary
  • Transitional Flexibility: Recognizing when to maintain reverse scarf versus transitioning to more stable positions based on opponent’s reactions
  • Weight Distribution Management: Proper pressure application through chest and hips maximizes control while maintaining your own base stability

Offensive Transitions

From this position, you can execute:

Submissions

  • Reverse Americana → Americana Control (Success Rate: Beginner 25%, Intermediate 40%, Advanced 55%)

    • Attack far arm with reverse leverage, using the unusual angle for mechanical advantage

  • Arm Triangle Setup → Arm Triangle Control (Success Rate: Beginner 20%, Intermediate 35%, Advanced 50%)

    • Isolate near arm and apply head-arm triangle pressure from reverse angle

Position Improvements

  • Transition to North-South → North-South (Success Rate: Beginner 50%, Intermediate 65%, Advanced 80%)

    • Simple rotation to more stable and familiar pinning position

  • Back Take Transition → Back Control (Success Rate: Beginner 30%, Intermediate 45%, Advanced 60%)

    • When opponent turns into you, slide to dominant back control

  • Standard Kesa Gatame Switch → Kesa Gatame (Success Rate: Beginner 55%, Intermediate 70%, Advanced 85%)

    • Rotate to traditional scarf hold orientation for more familiar control

  • Mount Transition → Mount (Success Rate: Beginner 40%, Intermediate 55%, Advanced 70%)

    • Step over to mount as opponent turns or when creating opening

Defensive Responses

When opponent has this position against you, available counters:

Decision Tree

If opponent’s near arm is vulnerable and isolated:

Else if opponent attempts to turn into you:

Else if position feels unstable or opponent very defensive:

Else (solid control established):

  • Maintain position and build pressure (Probability: 75%)
    • Reasoning: Wait for submission opportunity or forced escape attempt

Expert Insights

John Danaher: “Reverse scarf hold represents a biomechanically sound but psychologically disorienting pin that exploits the opponent’s unfamiliarity with escape mechanics. The key is understanding that the reverse orientation inverts standard pressure vectors—what works in traditional pins often fails here. Focus on hip weight distribution rather than shoulder pressure, and use the trapped arm as both control mechanism and submission pathway.”

Gordon Ryan: “In competition, I use reverse scarf hold primarily as a transitional position when opponents turn into my side control. The position works best when they’re unfamiliar with it, creating hesitation and mistakes. Don’t force it if they’re bridging hard—instead, use their energy to transition to mount or north-south. The reverse americana from here can finish matches when opponents don’t recognize the danger until it’s too late.”

Eddie Bravo: “The reverse scarf hold fits into my system as an unconventional control position that creates confusion and opens unique attack angles. I particularly like it in no-gi where the arm trap works through body positioning rather than gi grips. The position sets up well from lockdown passes and can transition seamlessly into truck entries when opponent tries to escape by turning away. Think of it as a transitional hunting ground rather than a destination position.”

Common Errors

Error: Keeping hips too high off opponent’s chest

  • Consequence: Allows opponent to bridge explosively and escape to turtle or guard. High hips eliminate the primary control mechanism of the position and make you vulnerable to being rolled over.
  • Correction: Drop your hip weight low and heavy onto opponent’s chest immediately upon securing the position. Feel your hip bone making contact with their sternum area, using your body weight rather than muscular pressure.
  • Recognition: If you feel like you’re holding the position with your arms rather than your weight, or opponent can easily create space underneath you, your hips are too high.

Error: Losing control of trapped near arm

  • Consequence: Opponent can create defensive frames, push away, and begin standard escape sequences. The arm is the keystone of this position’s control structure.
  • Correction: Hug the near arm tightly across their torso with your near arm, keeping constant pressure. Your grip should be on their far side, pulling their arm across their body consistently.
  • Recognition: If opponent can pull their arm back toward their body or create frames with it, you’ve lost proper arm control.

Error: Narrow base or legs too close together

  • Consequence: Makes you vulnerable to bridging escapes and reduces overall stability. The unusual reverse orientation requires wider base than standard positions.
  • Correction: Spread your legs wide with near knee close to opponent’s side and far leg extended for base. Think of creating a stable tripod with your two legs and hip weight.
  • Recognition: If opponent’s bridges move you significantly or feel destabilizing, your base is too narrow.

Error: Fighting opponent’s explosive bridges with static resistance

  • Consequence: Wastes energy and often results in losing position entirely. The reverse angle makes resisting bridges mechanically disadvantageous.
  • Correction: Ride the bridge momentum and transition to north-south, mount, or standard kesa gatame instead of fighting it. Use their energy to improve your position.
  • Recognition: If you feel yourself straining to stay in position during bridges, you’re fighting rather than transitioning.

Error: Facing too far away or incorrect angle

  • Consequence: Reduces control and pressure effectiveness, making position feel weak and unstable. The angle is critical in this position.
  • Correction: Your shoulders should be roughly perpendicular to opponent’s body, with your spine aligned away from their head but chest still applying pressure to their upper body.
  • Recognition: If the position feels awkward or you can’t apply effective pressure, check your orientation angle.

Error: Forgetting about far arm vulnerability during control

  • Consequence: Miss submission opportunities that are uniquely available from this position. The far arm is often exposed but goes unnoticed.
  • Correction: Constantly assess their far arm position while maintaining control. Look for extension or poor defensive posture that creates reverse americana opportunities.
  • Recognition: If you’re only focused on maintaining position without attacking, you’re missing the offensive dimension.

Training Drills

Drill 1: Entry and Hip Pressure Development

Start in side control and have partner begin turning into you. Practice transitioning to reverse scarf hold, focusing on securing arm control and dropping hip weight effectively. Begin with compliant partner (0% resistance) to learn movement pattern, then progress through 25%, 50%, 75% resistance levels. Partner should provide feedback on pressure quality—when they feel genuinely pinned versus when they could easily escape. Focus on the feeling of your hip weight settling onto their chest. Perform 10 repetitions per side, holding position for 15 seconds each time.

Drill 2: Base Stability Against Bridging

Establish reverse scarf hold with partner starting at 50% resistance. Partner performs bridging attempts at various angles while you work to maintain position and ride their momentum into transitions. Practice both holding position through bridges and smoothly transitioning to north-south or mount when bridge is strong. Progress to 75% and 100% resistance. Critical focus: wide base, low hips, and reading bridge direction before it happens. Perform 8 bridge attempts per round, 4 rounds total.

Drill 3: Submission Flow from Reverse Scarf

From established reverse scarf hold, flow between reverse americana attempts, arm triangle setups, and position maintenance. Partner provides realistic defensive resistance (50-75%). Focus on maintaining control while transitioning between submission threats. When one submission is defended, smoothly transition to another or return to control. Emphasize not losing position during submission attempts. Work 3-minute rounds with 1-minute rest, 5 rounds total.

Drill 4: Positional Sparring with Transitions

Start in reverse scarf hold top position, partner has goal of escaping to guard or better. You have goal of maintaining control, improving position, or finishing submission. Reset if either goal is achieved. This develops the full skill set of position retention, pressure application, submission recognition, and transitional awareness. Begin at 70% intensity and progress to full intensity. 5-minute rounds with 2-minute rest, 4 rounds total.

  • Kesa Gatame - Traditional scarf hold with opposite orientation, similar control mechanics but facing opponent’s head
  • North-South - Common transition from reverse scarf hold, offers more stable control with familiar mechanics
  • Side Control - Entry point for reverse scarf hold when opponent turns into you
  • Back Control - Dominant transition available when opponent turns into you from this position
  • Mount - Can be achieved by stepping over when opponent creates opening

Optimal Submission Paths

Fastest path to submission (direct attack): Reverse Scarf Hold Top → Reverse Americana → Won by Submission Reasoning: If opponent’s far arm is extended and undefended, immediate submission is available from unique angle

High-percentage path (systematic): Reverse Scarf Hold Top → Arm Triangle Setup → Arm Triangle Control → Won by Submission Reasoning: More reliable submission that uses position’s pressure advantages, harder for opponent to defend

Alternative submission path (opportunistic): Reverse Scarf Hold Top → Standard Kesa Gatame Switch → Kesa Gatame → Standard Submissions → Won by Submission Reasoning: When reverse scarf doesn’t offer clear finish, switch to traditional scarf hold for more familiar submission options

Positional dominance path (control-focused): Reverse Scarf Hold Top → Back Take Transition → Back Control → Rear Naked Choke → Won by Submission Reasoning: When opponent turns into you, take dominant back control for high-percentage finish

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