Kesa-Gatame (袈裟固) is one of the seven mat holds, Osaekomi-waza, of Kodokan Judo. In grappling terms, it is categorized as a side control hold.
Many Judo throws lead naturally to Kesa-Gatame, since the classic judo hold places one grip on the opponent’s lapel and one grip near the opponent’s elbow. Then as one enters the ground phase, one arm goes around the opponent’s neck and the other arm secures the opponent’s arm. In The Canon Of Judo, Kyuzo Mifune points out that tori’s arm should lift uke’s head and tori’s leg should be under uke’s shoulder.
In this Aces Jiu Jitsu Club Technique of the Week, Professor Mikal shows you how to escape this very dominant position.
Andy Gonzalez is a coach at Aces Jiu Jitsu Club. He has earned his BJJ Brown Belt under 2nd Degree Black Belt, Professor Mikal Abdullah. Follow Andy on Twitter at @GoGoGonzilla
Andy lives in Austin, Texas with his wife Amanda and their 3 beautiful children. Andy is also the father of a Marine who is honorably serving in the United States Marine Corps.