Scarf Hold Position Top

Jan 23, 20267 min read

Scarf Hold Top Position (Kesa Gatame) is a classical pinning position derived from Judo where the top practitioner sits perpendicular to the bottom opponent, controlling the head and near arm while sitting with their hips low and weight distributed across the opponent’s chest. This position is characterized by the top player’s chest-to-chest connection with the opponent, their near arm threading under and controlling the opponent’s near arm, and their far arm encircling the opponent’s head. The position offers exceptional control through weight distribution and structural positioning, though it has evolved in sport BJJ to be somewhat less dominant than in traditional grappling due to modern escape methodologies. Despite this, Scarf Hold remains a powerful control position when applied with proper technique, offering numerous submission opportunities including Americana, armlocks, and various chokes. The position’s effectiveness relies heavily on maintaining tight connection, proper weight distribution through the hips rather than the base, and constant adjustment to the opponent’s escape attempts.

Position Definition

  • Top player positioned perpendicular to bottom opponent with chest-to-chest connection, hips sitting low on the mat beside opponent’s ribcage with direct pressure through the pelvis into their upper torso
  • Near arm threaded underneath opponent’s near arm with grip securing their tricep, shoulder, or gi material, creating structural control of their upper body while preventing arm extraction
  • Far arm wrapped around opponent’s head with hand gripping their collar, their own belt, or clasping behind opponent’s neck, maintaining head control and preventing them from turning away
  • Bottom opponent trapped on their side facing away from top player with their trapped arm unable to post or frame effectively, their head controlled, and limited hip mobility due to top player’s weight
  • Top player’s weight distributed primarily through hips pressing into opponent’s chest/ribs with legs extended or positioned to maintain base and prevent opponent from rolling or escaping underneath

Prerequisites

  • Successful transition from side control or guard passing sequence
  • Opponent positioned on their side or back
  • Control of opponent’s near arm established
  • Head control secured before settling weight
  • Hips positioned low and tight to opponent’s torso

Key Offensive Principles

  • Maintain chest-to-chest pressure with weight driven through hips into opponent’s ribcage, not through extended arms or posted base
  • Keep head control tight with far arm while preventing opponent from turning their face toward you or creating space
  • Control near arm by threading underneath and securing above the elbow, eliminating their ability to post or frame
  • Position hips low and close to opponent’s body rather than sitting upright, maximizing pressure and minimizing space for hip escape
  • Distribute weight across opponent’s chest and prevent them from turning into you by maintaining perpendicular angle and shoulder pressure
  • Adjust base dynamically with legs to counter opponent’s escape attempts while maintaining connection through torso

Available Attacks

Americana from Side Control → Americana Control

Success Rates:

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

Kimura from Side Control → Kimura Control

Success Rates:

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

Transition to Mount → Mount

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 40%
  • Intermediate: 55%
  • Advanced: 70%

Transition to North-South → North-South

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 50%
  • Intermediate: 65%
  • Advanced: 80%

Armbar from Side Control → Armbar Control

Success Rates:

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

Arm Triangle → Americana Control

Success Rates:

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

Opponent Escapes

Escape Counters

Decision Making from This Position

If opponent attempts to turn their face toward you and bridge:

If opponent pushes on your head with far arm to create space:

If opponent attempts to extract trapped near arm:

If opponent is passive and not defending actively:

Common Offensive Mistakes

1. Sitting too upright with hips raised high off the mat

  • ❌ Consequence: Creates space underneath for opponent to hip escape or turn into you, dramatically reducing control effectiveness
  • ✅ Correction: Keep hips low and heavy on the mat, sitting beside opponent’s ribcage with weight driven downward through pelvis into their chest

2. Posting weight on extended arms rather than maintaining chest connection

  • ❌ Consequence: Reduces pressure on opponent and allows them to create frames and generate escape leverage
  • ✅ Correction: Maintain tight chest-to-chest pressure with arms actively controlling rather than supporting your weight

3. Allowing opponent’s head to turn toward you

  • ❌ Consequence: Opponent can see your position, establish effective frames, and begin bridging or turning into your guard
  • ✅ Correction: Maintain firm head control with far arm, keeping opponent’s face directed away from you at all times

4. Leaving space between your hip and opponent’s ribs

  • ❌ Consequence: Opponent can insert knee or create hip escape room to begin guard recovery sequence
  • ✅ Correction: Keep connection tight with hip pressure directly into opponent’s ribcage, eliminating all gaps and space

5. Failing to control opponent’s near arm effectively

  • ❌ Consequence: Opponent can post with controlled arm, create frames, or use it to facilitate escape sequences
  • ✅ Correction: Thread arm deeply under opponent’s arm and secure grip above elbow, removing their ability to post or create effective frames

Training Drills for Attacks

Scarf Hold Pressure Maintenance Drill

Partner starts in scarf hold top, bottom partner attempts to create space by bridging and framing. Top partner focuses on maintaining tight connection, low hips, and constant pressure through weight distribution. Work 2-minute rounds with emphasis on feeling opponent’s movements and adjusting weight accordingly.

Scarf Hold Transition Flow

From scarf hold top, practice flowing between scarf hold, north-south, mount, and back to scarf hold. Bottom partner provides 30% resistance. Focus on maintaining control through transitions and never losing connection with opponent’s upper body. Emphasize smooth weight transfers and grip adjustments.

Scarf Hold Submission Chain Drill

Start in scarf hold top and chain between Americana, arm triangle, and kimura setups based on opponent’s defensive reactions. Bottom partner defends intelligently but allows top partner to complete setups. Focus on recognizing submission opportunities created by opponent’s escape attempts.

Optimal Submission Paths

Shortest path to submission

Scarf Hold Position Top → Americana from Side Control → Won by Submission

High-percentage arm attack sequence

Scarf Hold Position Top → Armbar from Side Control → Armbar Control → Won by Submission

North-south transition path

Scarf Hold Position Top → Transition to North-South → North-South → North-South Choke → Won by Submission

Mount consolidation path

Scarf Hold Position Top → Transition to Mount → Mount → Americana from Mount → Won by Submission

Kimura control chain

Scarf Hold Position Top → Kimura from Side Control → Kimura Control → Kimura → Won by Submission

Success Rates and Statistics

Skill LevelRetention RateAdvancement ProbabilitySubmission Probability
Beginner50%30%25%
Intermediate65%45%40%
Advanced80%60%55%

Average Time in Position: 45-90 seconds

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