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.
Position Definition
- Your chest and hips positioned heavily on opponent’s upper torso and chest area, with your body orientation facing away from their head toward their legs, creating reverse pressure application compared to traditional scarf hold
- Opponent’s near arm trapped and controlled across their own body by your near arm, eliminating their primary defensive frame while you maintain tight grip on their far side, preventing arm extraction
- Your legs configured in wide base with near leg posted and far leg extended for stability, weight distributed through hip bone onto opponent’s sternum creating crushing chest pressure that restricts breathing and movement
- Opponent flat on their back with limited ability to bridge effectively due to reverse angle of pressure, shoulders pinned to mat with minimal space for defensive framing or escape initiation
Prerequisites
- Successful transition from side control when opponent turns into you
- Opponent flat on their back with upper body accessible
- Control of opponent’s near arm
- Ability to establish reverse orientation without losing pressure
- Space to rotate hips into reverse position
- Opponent’s far arm not creating strong defensive frames
Key Offensive 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
Available Attacks
Transition to North-South → North-South
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 45%
- Intermediate: 60%
- Advanced: 75%
Transition to Mount → Mount
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 35%
- Intermediate: 50%
- Advanced: 65%
Americana from Side Control → Americana Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 25%
- Intermediate: 40%
- Advanced: 55%
Kimura from Side Control → Kimura Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 30%
- Intermediate: 45%
- Advanced: 60%
Back Step → Back Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 20%
- Intermediate: 35%
- Advanced: 50%
Knee Slice Pass → Side Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 40%
- Intermediate: 55%
- Advanced: 70%
Arm Triangle → Armbar Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 15%
- Intermediate: 30%
- Advanced: 45%
Decision Making from This Position
If opponent remains flat and passive without bridging attempts:
- Execute Americana from Side Control → Americana Control (Probability: 55%)
- Execute Kimura from Side Control → Kimura Control (Probability: 50%)
If opponent bridges explosively toward their head attempting to roll you:
- Execute Transition to Mount → Mount (Probability: 65%)
- Execute Transition to North-South → North-South (Probability: 60%)
If opponent turns away from you toward turtle position:
- Execute Back Step → Back Control (Probability: 50%)
- Execute Transition to North-South → North-South (Probability: 55%)
If opponent creates frames with free arm and begins hip escape:
- Execute Knee Slice Pass → Side Control (Probability: 60%)
- Execute Transition to Mount → Mount (Probability: 45%)
Optimal Submission Paths
Direct Americana Path
Reverse Scarf Hold Top → Arm isolation → Americana Control → Americana
Kimura Transition Path
Reverse Scarf Hold Top → Arm extraction attempt counter → Kimura Control → Kimura
Position Advancement to Submission Path
Reverse Scarf Hold Top → Transition to Mount → Mount → Armbar from Mount
Arm Triangle Path
Reverse Scarf Hold Top → Opponent turns into pressure → Arm Triangle setup → Arm Triangle
Back Control Submission Path
Reverse Scarf Hold Top → Opponent turns away → Back Step → Back Control → Rear Naked Choke
Success Rates and Statistics
| Skill Level | Retention Rate | Advancement Probability | Submission Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 30% | 30% | 20% |
| Intermediate | 50% | 50% | 35% |
| Advanced | 70% | 70% | 50% |
Average Time in Position: 30-90 seconds
Expert Analysis
John Danaher
The reverse scarf hold represents a fascinating study in biomechanical pressure application from unconventional angles. The position’s effectiveness derives from its ability to create crushing chest pressure while simultaneously controlling the opponent’s primary defensive tool - their near arm. The reverse orientation disrupts standard escape patterns because opponents are conditioned to defend against pressure coming from the direction of their head, not their legs. The key mechanical principle is maintaining hip pressure low on the sternum while preventing arm extraction. However, this position must be understood as fundamentally transitional in nature - when opponent begins generating effective bridging force or creating defensive frames, the superior tactical choice is transitioning to mount, north-south, or back control rather than expending excessive energy maintaining an inferior position. The position’s true value lies in its submission opportunities during the brief control window and its capacity to facilitate transitions to dominant positions when that window closes.
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 that you can capitalize on immediately. Don’t force it if they’re bridging hard - instead, use their energy to transition to mount or north-south where you have more stable control and better submission options. The reverse americana from here can finish matches when opponents don’t recognize the danger until it’s too late, but you need to be ready to abandon the position the moment they start creating effective defensive frames. In no-gi especially, the position is very temporary because without gi grips the arm control becomes more difficult to maintain. My approach is to treat it as a 10-15 second opportunity window - either hit the submission or advance position, never waste time trying to maintain control against strong defensive responses.
Eddie Bravo
The reverse scarf hold fits into my system as an unconventional control position that creates confusion and opens unique attack angles that opponents haven’t drilled defending against. I particularly like it in no-gi where the arm trap works through body positioning rather than gi grips, making it more dynamic and flow-oriented. The position sets up well from lockdown passes and can transition seamlessly into truck entries when opponent tries to escape by turning away - this is where the reverse orientation becomes a huge advantage because you’re already facing the right direction for back attacks. Think of it as a transitional hunting ground rather than a destination position. You’re creating a moment of chaos and disorientation where opponent doesn’t have their standard defensive responses programmed, and that’s when you strike with submissions or advance to more dominant positions. The key is staying loose and ready to flow rather than grinding to maintain static control.