SAFETY: Kimura from Reverse Scarf Hold targets the Shoulder joint, rotator cuff, and shoulder capsule. Risk: Rotator cuff tear (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, subscapularis). Release immediately upon tap.
Attacking the Kimura from Reverse Scarf Hold requires understanding how the reverse orientation changes grip mechanics and finishing angles compared to standard positions. The attacker must maintain heavy chest pressure throughout the setup to prevent the opponent from creating defensive frames while simultaneously transitioning from positional control grips to the figure-four kimura grip. The key advantage is that the opponent’s near arm is naturally presented for attack due to the reverse body positioning, and the chest-to-chest pressure restricts the defensive hip movement that normally disrupts kimura attempts from side control.
From Position: Reverse Scarf Hold (Top)
Key Attacking Principles
What are the key principles for executing Kimura from Reverse Scarf Hold?
- Maintain heavy hip and chest pressure on the opponent’s torso throughout the entire grip acquisition and finishing sequence
- Control the wrist first before threading the far arm underneath for the figure-four to prevent arm extraction
- Use the reverse orientation angle to your advantage by driving the wrist behind the opponent’s back rather than upward
- Widen your leg base when transitioning from control to submission to resist bridging counter-attacks
- Peel the elbow away from the opponent’s body before applying rotational pressure to maximize mechanical leverage
- Treat the kimura as part of a submission chain with americana and arm triangle to force defensive reactions
Prerequisites
What do you need before attempting Kimura from Reverse Scarf Hold?
- Established reverse scarf hold with heavy chest pressure pinning the opponent flat on their back
- Control of the opponent’s near-side arm, either trapped across their body or accessible for wrist grip
- Wide leg base with near leg posted and far leg extended to maintain stability against bridging
- Opponent’s far-side arm neutralized or unable to create effective defensive frames against your position
- Your hips positioned low on the opponent’s chest to maximize weight transfer and restrict their breathing
Execution Steps
How do you execute Kimura from Reverse Scarf Hold step by step?
- Stabilize reverse scarf hold control: Confirm your hip bone is planted firmly on the opponent’s sternum with your chest driving down into their upper body. Widen your leg base to create a stable platform. Your near arm should be controlling their near-side arm across their body while your far hand anchors on their far hip or belt. (Timing: 2-3 seconds to confirm positional stability)
- Secure near-side wrist control: With your near hand, grip the opponent’s near-side wrist firmly, pinning it against their body or the mat. This grip must be established before you release any positional control with your far arm. Squeeze the wrist tight against their torso to prevent them from pulling the arm free during the transition. (Timing: 1-2 seconds for grip acquisition)
- Thread far arm for figure-four: Release your far-side anchor and thread your far arm underneath the opponent’s upper arm from the outside, passing between their elbow and their body. Your far hand reaches through and grabs your own near-side wrist, completing the figure-four lock. Maintain chest pressure throughout this transition to prevent the opponent from creating space. (Timing: 2-3 seconds for controlled threading)
- Peel elbow away from body: With the figure-four secured, use both arms to lift the opponent’s elbow off the mat and away from their ribcage. This creates the clearance needed for the rotational finish. Drive the elbow upward toward the ceiling while keeping the wrist pinned close to their body, creating a lever arm for the final rotation. (Timing: 1-2 seconds of controlled elevation)
- Adjust base for finishing angle: Step your near leg toward the opponent’s head to create a perpendicular angle to their body. This leg adjustment prevents them from rolling toward you during the finish and provides the hip angle needed to drive their wrist behind their back. Extend your far leg wide for maximum stability against any bridging attempts. (Timing: 1-2 seconds for base adjustment)
- Apply controlled rotational finish: With the elbow elevated and your base set, drive the opponent’s wrist toward the mat behind their back in a smooth arc while keeping their elbow pointed at the ceiling. The rotation should come from your entire body shifting weight, not just arm strength. Apply slow, steady pressure and pause when you feel resistance, giving your training partner time to tap. (Timing: 3-5 seconds minimum, slow and controlled in training)
- Finish or transition: If the opponent taps, immediately release all pressure following the release protocol. If they defend by straightening the arm, transition to an americana or armbar. If they bridge and create space, maintain the grip and follow them, using the kimura grip as a control handle to advance to mount or north-south with continued submission threat. (Timing: Immediate response based on opponent reaction)
Possible Outcomes
| Result | Position | Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Success | game-over | 62% |
| Failure | Reverse Scarf Hold | 25% |
| Counter | Closed Guard | 13% |
Opponent Defenses
How might your opponent defend against Kimura from Reverse Scarf Hold?
- Opponent grabs their own belt, shorts, or far-side wrist to prevent arm separation (Effectiveness: High) - Your Response: Drive your chest weight forward to flatten them while pulling their elbow upward with the figure-four. Use short, rhythmic pulls to fatigue their grip rather than one sustained effort. Alternatively, switch to americana by redirecting the wrist toward the mat. → Leads to Reverse Scarf Hold
- Opponent bridges explosively toward their head attempting to roll you over (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Widen your base immediately by extending your far leg. If the bridge is powerful, ride the momentum and transition to mount while maintaining the kimura grip. The bridge actually helps your finish if you can keep the grip intact during the transition. → Leads to Reverse Scarf Hold
- Opponent straightens the arm fully to prevent the figure-four from being effective (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: A straight arm eliminates the kimura angle but exposes the arm for an armbar or far-side armbar. Transition your grip from figure-four to a two-on-one wrist control and begin working toward an armbar by stepping over their head. → Leads to Reverse Scarf Hold
- Opponent hip escapes to create distance and recover guard (Effectiveness: High) - Your Response: Follow their hips with your own, maintaining chest pressure and the kimura grip. If they create enough space to insert a knee, release the submission and consolidate side control or transition to north-south rather than fighting for a compromised kimura. → Leads to Closed Guard