Reverse Kesa-Gatame Position for BJJ

What Is the Reverse Kesa-Gatame Position?

Reverse kesa-gatame is a variation of the side control position, in which the top player's chest and torso are facing the legs of the defensive player. The top player is on one side with their hip on the ground and their legs splayed to the side. The bottom player is laying flat on their back.

Escaping the Bottom Reverse Kesa-Gatame Position

When your opponent has you in their bottom reverse kesa-gatame, they will most likely want to move to mount. Multiple possibilities will allow you to escape to a better position. You should know the following:

1. Bridge and Roll Escape. Block the mount with your inside leg and then reach around their jaw with your inside arm. From here, you can bridge and roll.

2. Escape to Half-Guard. If the bridge and roll escape doesn't work, you can use that to get your opponent off-base and then snatch their leg and get to half-guard.

3. Hip Escape. If your opponent is low on your body and they try to transition to the mount, it is easy to escape.

4. Frame and Bridge Escape. You can catch your opponent's gi and then bridge into them, freeing your bottom leg and allowing you to take the back.

Offense for Reverse Kesa-Gatame (Control + Submit)

When your opponent is in reverse kesa-gatame position, you will most likely want to advance to mount or back mount. However, there are submissions available from the top reverse kesa-gatame position.

Submission from Top Reverse Kesa-Gatame Position

Most submissions from reverse kesa-gatame present themselves when your opponent tries to get one arm in for an escape. You should know the following: 

1. Reverse Arm Wrench. If your opponent has their inside arm underneath your torso, giving you control of that arm, you can go for a reverse arm wrench.

2. Armbar. When your opponent tries to swim their bottom arm in, it will allow you to lock their arm and go for the armbar.

3. Kimura. If your opponent swims their arm in, you can lock their arm, pull it away from their body, and go for the submission.

Transitions from Top Reverse Kesa-Gatame Position

When in reverse kesa-gatame, your most reasonable goal should be to get to mount or the back mount. You should know to do the following:

1. Advance to Full Mount. Advancing to mount is likely the most common and most desirable transition when you have your opponent in reverse kesa-gatame.

2. Advance to Back Mount. You can threaten the arm wrench in order to take the back.