Kesa Gatame Bottom

Jan 23, 20269 min read

Kesa Gatame Bottom represents one of the most challenging defensive positions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, where the bottom practitioner faces intense chest-to-chest pressure from an opponent controlling from the scarf hold position. This classical judo pin has been adapted for BJJ competition and presents unique escape challenges due to the opponent’s ability to control both the head and near-side arm while applying crushing chest pressure. The position requires specific escape mechanics that differ significantly from standard side control escapes, as the top player’s weight distribution and control points create a distinct defensive problem. Understanding the fundamental escape pathways from Kesa Gatame Bottom is essential for any practitioner, as this position appears frequently in both gi and no-gi competition, particularly against opponents with judo backgrounds or those who favor old-school control positions.

The defensive challenge of Kesa Gatame Bottom centers on the opponent’s ability to control your head and arm while sitting their hips back, making standard shrimping escapes ineffective. The top player’s chest pressure restricts breathing and movement, while their cross-face and arm control prevent easy frame creation. Successful escape requires understanding the specific vulnerabilities in the top player’s position: their exposed back, the potential to create space by attacking their far arm, and the opportunity to exploit their posted leg for sweeping mechanics. The position demands patience, systematic defensive progression, and the ability to recognize windows of opportunity when the top player adjusts their weight or attempts submissions.

Position Definition

  • Bottom player is on their back or side with opponent’s chest pressing heavily across their upper torso and shoulder area, creating intense cross-body pressure that restricts breathing and movement
  • Top player controls bottom player’s head with their arm (typically threading under the head/neck) while sitting perpendicular or at an angle to bottom player’s body with their hips positioned near bottom player’s shoulder
  • Bottom player’s near-side arm (closest to top player) is typically trapped or controlled by top player’s grip, preventing easy posting or framing, while far-side arm may be free but has limited leverage from this angle
  • Top player’s weight is distributed through their chest and shoulder into bottom player’s upper body, with their hips often sitting back away from bottom player’s hips to prevent easy hip escape or guard recovery
  • Bottom player’s legs are typically free but at an awkward angle to generate effective bridging power due to top player’s perpendicular positioning and upper body control

Prerequisites

  • Opponent has successfully passed guard or transitioned from another top position
  • Opponent has secured head control with their arm threading under your neck or head
  • Opponent has established chest-to-chest pressure across your upper torso
  • Your near-side arm is trapped or controlled by opponent’s grip or body weight
  • You are on your back or side with opponent perpendicular to your body

Key Defensive Principles

  • Protect your neck immediately and prevent opponent from securing deep head control or transitioning to chokes
  • Create frames using your free arm to establish distance between opponent’s chest and your face, preventing smothering pressure
  • Generate hip movement by using bridge-and-turn mechanics rather than standard shrimping, as perpendicular positioning makes shrimping ineffective
  • Attack opponent’s posted far arm or leg to disrupt their base and create sweep opportunities
  • Maintain calm breathing despite chest pressure and work systematically through escape progressions rather than explosive scrambling
  • Look for opponent’s back exposure and be ready to transition to turtle or take their back when space is created
  • Use your legs to hook opponent’s near leg and prevent them from transitioning to mount or other dominant positions

Available Escapes

Bridge and Roll → Scarf Hold Position

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 25%
  • Intermediate: 35%
  • Advanced: 50%

Elbow Escape → Half Guard

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 30%
  • Intermediate: 45%
  • Advanced: 60%

Hip Escape → Closed Guard

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 20%
  • Intermediate: 35%
  • Advanced: 50%

Back Take Generic → Back Control

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 15%
  • Intermediate: 25%
  • Advanced: 40%

Turtle Transition → Turtle

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 35%
  • Intermediate: 50%
  • Advanced: 65%

Ghost Escape → Turtle

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 20%
  • Intermediate: 35%
  • Advanced: 55%

Frame and Shrimp → Open Guard

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 25%
  • Intermediate: 40%
  • Advanced: 55%

Opponent Counters

Counter-Attacks

Decision Making from This Position

If opponent maintains tight head control and heavy chest pressure without attacking submissions:

If opponent shifts weight forward toward your head or attempts to transition to mount:

If opponent releases head control to attack far-side arm for Americana or other submissions:

If opponent’s base becomes narrow or they post their far arm for stability:

Common Defensive Mistakes

1. Attempting standard side control shrimping escapes while opponent is perpendicular to your body

  • ❌ Consequence: Wasted energy with no positional improvement, as opponent’s perpendicular angle negates traditional hip escape mechanics
  • ✅ Correction: Use bridge-and-turn mechanics or attack opponent’s posted arm/leg rather than shrimping directly away from pressure

2. Allowing opponent to consolidate deep head control without immediately addressing it

  • ❌ Consequence: Increased submission danger from chokes and arm attacks, plus severely restricted breathing and movement
  • ✅ Correction: Immediately create frames with free arm and chin-to-chest defensive posture to prevent deep head control, fighting hands before worrying about hip escape

3. Explosive bridging without first compromising opponent’s base or attacking their posted limbs

  • ❌ Consequence: Opponent easily rides out bridge with stable base, exhausting bottom player while maintaining control
  • ✅ Correction: Set up bridges by first grabbing opponent’s far arm or gi material, pulling them off balance before executing bridge-and-roll escape

4. Neglecting to use legs to hook opponent’s near leg or control their hips

  • ❌ Consequence: Opponent can easily transition to mount or other dominant positions without resistance
  • ✅ Correction: Actively use bottom leg to hook opponent’s near leg, creating barrier to mount while setting up sweep opportunities

5. Panic breathing and wasting energy fighting against established chest pressure

  • ❌ Consequence: Rapid exhaustion and mental defeat, making escapes progressively more difficult as fatigue sets in
  • ✅ Correction: Focus on controlled breathing despite pressure, work systematically through escape sequences, and conserve energy for explosive moments when opportunities arise

6. Ignoring opportunities to attack opponent’s exposed back when they sit back heavily

  • ❌ Consequence: Missing high-percentage escape and reversal opportunities that are unique to Kesa Gatame
  • ✅ Correction: Recognize when opponent sits back heavily, immediately look to turn into them and attack their back or transition to turtle position

7. Keeping far arm extended away from body instead of creating defensive frames

  • ❌ Consequence: Opponent can easily trap far arm for Americana or use it to transition to more dominant positions
  • ✅ Correction: Keep far elbow tight to body, using forearm to create frames against opponent’s head and shoulder while preventing arm isolation

Training Drills for Defense

Timed Kesa Gatame Escape Drilling

Partner establishes solid Kesa Gatame with controlled pressure. Bottom player works through systematic escape progressions for 2-minute rounds: first 30 seconds focus on head/arm frames, next 30 seconds on hip movement, next 30 seconds on bridge mechanics, final 30 seconds on full escape attempts. Partner increases pressure resistance each round. Perform 5 rounds with 1-minute rest between rounds.

Duration: 5 rounds x 2 minutes

Kesa Gatame to Turtle Transition Drilling

Specific training starting from Kesa Gatame Bottom with focus on transitioning to turtle position. Partner maintains moderate resistance. Bottom player practices ghost escape, granby roll variations, and turning into opponent’s back. Perform 10 successful transitions each direction, emphasizing smooth weight transfer and maintaining defensive posture throughout transition.

Duration: 15-20 minutes

Bridge and Roll from Kesa Gatame

Isolate the bridge-and-roll escape mechanics specific to Kesa Gatame. Partner starts with standard Kesa Gatame control. Bottom player practices grabbing opponent’s far arm or gi, pulling them off balance, then executing coordinated bridge and roll. Start with cooperative drilling for technique refinement (20 reps), then add progressive resistance (20 reps), then full resistance (10 attempts). Focus on timing and proper grip fighting.

Duration: 10-15 minutes

Kesa Gatame Escape Flow Drill

Bottom player cycles through multiple escape attempts in sequence: attempt elbow escape, when blocked transition to bridge and roll, when blocked transition to turtle, when blocked return to guard recovery. Partner applies realistic resistance but allows escapes to complete when executed correctly. Builds escape chains and problem-solving ability. Perform 6-8 complete sequences.

Duration: 12-15 minutes

Escape and Survival Paths

Not applicable - defensive position

Focus is on escaping rather than submitting from bottom

Counter-submission opportunity

Kesa Gatame Bottom → Bridge and Roll → Scarf Hold Position → Americana from Side Control → Won by Submission

Back attack path

Kesa Gatame Bottom → Back Take Generic → Back Control → Rear Naked Choke → Won by Submission

Success Rates and Statistics

Skill LevelRetention RateAdvancement ProbabilitySubmission Probability
Beginner20%25%5%
Intermediate35%40%10%
Advanced55%60%20%

Average Time in Position: 45-90 seconds before escape or submission

Edit this pageEdit

On This Page