Kesa Gatame Escape - The Basics

[@AlphaWhale]

Imo you are very good at explaining techniques simply yet thoroughly. Learning a lot from your videos you seem like an excellent coach.

[@TheGrapplingAcademy]

My pleasure Jacob and thanks for the kind feedback. (-: Coach Tom

[@rwongusa]

In Judo, we hold the sleeve of the trapped arm, making it near impossible to pull the elbow out. The tori's head would be lowered close to the uke's ear making it hard to bridge as well.

[@TheGrapplingAcademy]

This is a great pin for judo and BJJ. BJJ'ers tend to pin with it less due to our submission emphasis but is a tough move to escape from! (-: Coach Tom

[@theclanmorrison]

You can submit someone with a Kesa Gatame,that was always the whole point of Judo hold downs when they were invented.To crush the oxygen out of the fallen Samurai.

[@lionsdenjitsu5172]

True but there is still a way to escape when some has there head low to yours

[@counterkidnapping1737]

Make sure your opponent doesn't lock your trapped arm with his leg, you're done in that position

[@jaredbicker3931]

@@lionsdenjitsu5172 Very true, but in this application of the video your Tori isn't holding the position low, isn't moving the lower body to counter the attempted leg hooks, isn't placing the true pressure into the Uki's lower ribs while controlling the elbow and constricting the chest by the sheer weight of their own body. This is very much (as it should be) from a BJJ / Wrestling aspect. Thus the high body position posture and stiff lower leg control, which by itself allows for really good escape opportunity. Realistically if you combine the two styles, which is happening in both Judo and BJJ, this is a near impossible hold down to escape from.

[@TakeFlow1]

This is probably one of the best channels for us white belts

[@jamierossi6936]

Excellent tips that were all new to me. I thought you were going to say -"the bigger they are, the harder they fall!" But you're right - the harder they are to roll. I recently started a Jiu-jitsu journal and believe the act of recall and pen to paper will hopefully further engraving lessons learned. Today i learned what a Kesa Gatame is! I always love your videos. Thanks, Coach Tom

[@TheGrapplingAcademy]

Awesome stuff Jamie and great work with keeping a diary! I have kept them for my training for 20 years! Happy rolling and learning (-: Coach Tom

[@counterkidnapping1737]

@@TheGrapplingAcademy coach, what if he's big? You can't hug his body to roll him over because he's too big. Any option?

[@jasons9087]

Honestly!! I always wonder why I can not roll them from the bottom of Kesa! Now I know its because my hips are not under his hips! I was draining everything out of the tank forcing it and it sucked!! Hips under is the key! Thanks Coach Tom!!!!

[@TheGrapplingAcademy]

My pleasure J Dawg! The hip point will help heaps! Good luck! (-: Coach Tom

[@ronin2167]

You may also want to check if you are trying to bridge them across your chest or up over your opposite shoulder.

[@counterkidnapping1737]

@@ronin2167 what's the difference and outcome?

[@ronin2167]

@@counterkidnapping1737 Bridging them over your chest takes on all of their weight onto you and it's really difficult if the guy is heavy. If you bridge them on the diagonal to the shoulder depending on which way you're bridging them then their weight is going across a smaller area and not across your whole body. Does that help? If you do a search on Kaze Uta Budo Kai channel on the video titled Judo Grappling- KesaGatame and Escape this my sensei and he explains it way better than I can.

[@counterkidnapping1737]

@@TheGrapplingAcademy what if he's too big? You can't connect to hug his body to roll him over.

[@lamplightimage2929]

Your teaching style is excellent. Articulate, intelligent, clear, simple, and holds one's attention.

[@rockyfortune3537]

I love how he breaks this down in simple terms.

[@robertturner7090]

Love the Kesa Gatame videos. One of my favorite positions after someone told me 'there are no options for submissions' and I realized no one trains it and therefore nobody knows how to defend it.

[@joshpoi886]

Excellent instruction, love that you not only make it simple, but also add in your own personal insight, makes it both informative and interesting to listen to

[@80aussiepride08]

I appreciate the caution regarding ribs and the core .. I popped a rib attempting to escape Kesa with a 110kg training partner. It’s been 8 weeks and I’m at about 90% recovered

[@lujitsu1251]

Best explanation I’ve seen and I use this daily. Good job.

[@hunter121675]

You have some of the best BJJ videos online. Amazing breakdowns. Thanks for sharing.

[@theclanmorrison]

This video should be titled “How to escape from Kesa Gatame when applied wrong”.Saying that Tom,I do think you are great coach.🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@counterkidnapping1737]

Yup. The kesa gatame shown here is not right or wrong. It's just a demonstration how to escape it. If a seasoned grappler applies this you wouldn't even be able to escape even move an inch will be hard

[@stupidandboot4507]

That applies to literally everything in jiu jitsu

[@craigcrissman4651]

@@stupidandboot4507 yeah lol "dominate position is hard if not nearly impossible to escape when applied correctly" Uhh, no shit

[@igorg.8624]

This is probably one of the hardest positions to escape. Especially if the guy on top is bigger and stronger.

[@Bondirob2000]

Glad I discovered this video thank you so much.

[@ronin2167]

Don't lean back. Knee on the ground to prevent you from hooking his leg.

[@buddykoerner]

Amazing video. Was frustrated with getting stuck in this position last night. Can't wait to practice this technique.

[@davidgoldsborough7557]

Good stuff. I like your explanation a lot. CAnt wait to experiment!!!

[@AnthonyDonnellyTT]

Superb instruction Sir. Not one word wasted. Extremely well thought out lesson. I especially like the anatomical references. They add heaps to the overall understanding. Oss!

[@RTSurf5000]

Dammmmmittttt Coach Tom!!!! Thanks for this video, especially the breakdown at the end where you link it all together. Was spending some most uncomfortable time underneath a Judo pro in my class. Can't wait to get back in and try it again after seeing this!!!! Thanks Coach!!!!

[@theclanmorrison]

Todd Perez,none of this escape demonstration will work if the Kesa Gatame is applied correctly.

[@topdog4032]

That is correct. This kesa gatame is nowhere near applied correctly. Nobody in our school of nearly 500 members was able to get out of my Kitami, even after being taught the proper escapes. I am also a small man that only 5’8” and thin build. I just start looking online today for the escapes to kesa gatame, but in my short two hours of looking, I never found a single person applying it correctly. Therefore, the escapes taught will also not work as intended if someone is holding you correctly. The hole does not differ between judo and jujitsu. It only differs between the person, not knowing how to do it or someone doing it correctly. I believe this coach had the best intentions, and probably did as I did, and searched it online and found these escapes to the way this person is holding them. So, if someone is learning how to do kesa gatame from this video, they will be holding you incorrectly. Hence, the escapes will work. If you have a beginner judo person holding you correctly they will not work.

[@macmussle6920]

Thanks again Professor Tom. Your way of demonstrating technique and conveying the information helps my journey tremendously and meets my level of understanding perfectly! My go to channel for all things BJJ! Oss!

[@adrielmartins5649]

Thanks so much, professor! I'll try to apply it today! :D

[@simonsmith8974]

Really love your videos and I continue to learn so much even at Orange Belt Japanese Jiu Jitsu.

[@fallofdutee]

Thank you coach Tom 🤼

[@TheGrapplingAcademy]

My pleasure! (-: Coach Tom

[@lujitsu1251]

Excellent as usual....

[@chrismcguinness5405]

Thank you coach!

[@דנילוינסון]

fantastic explanation

[@joopsnoop]

Firstly, I really enjoy your instructionals. This one is a few years old and your BJJ has improved a lot in that time. Would you change anything now? Especially in regard to your inside arm position. The way Mac is holding your elbow is pretty doubtful. A good kesa practitioner would make it much harder to get your elbow free. What do you think Sir?

[@liamcope-ontariorealtor3576]

Great video

[@huskytales9839]

Great details sir. At 4:21 though, if they have my arm isolated the way yours was, I cannot for the life of me get it under their armpit the way you demonstrated if they're my belt or higher.

[@RavenMessiah]

Outstanding Coach Tom. Insightful as always. Can you please do a video about how to escape the Kesa Gatame with both arms trapped?

[@TheGrapplingAcademy]

Sure Michael will have to add that one to the list! (-: Coach Tom

[@RavenMessiah]

Cant wait! Thank you sir!

[@Ron.kosakowski_TFW_PSDTC]

Good move. I find the combination of various escapes work best in this powerful position. Its not easy to escape at all. But not impossible either. :)

[@MeroGrumble]

I know this video is quite "old" now and that the partner leaves some space for the demo. But many of the escapes demonstrated are easy only because the partner on top has an awful positioning of the back leg (offers a hook with the knee up, does nothing to prevent sitting/pushes). Also no control the arm/elevate the shoulder, etc.

[@ZeLuluBear]

Another great video. Thanks Coach Tom.

[@TheGrapplingAcademy]

My pleasure! This can be a nasty spot to find yourself so knowing a way out is crucial. Have fun on those mats (-: Coach Tom Davey

[@ZeLuluBear]

Tell me about it. There's a big fella in my class who gets me in this all the time. Not fun. I look forward to trying your techniques to escape. Thanks again!

[@TheGrapplingAcademy]

Just don't give him that elbow of yours!=BIG KEY! (-: Coach Tom Davey

[@ZeLuluBear]

The Grappling Academy Got that arm out pronto the other night and avoided the Kesa for the first time! Thanks Coach!

[@rickdaniels1454]

Always helpful. Ty

[@FelixFrost]

Great video professor! Usually, when tori's head is this high during keza, I do push it away with my legs. Tends to work quite often and is really irritating to the receiver. For this exact reason our kezas are much lower with ears almost touching.

[@dianecenteno5275]

Good strategy but the Kesa Gatami hold here, is not being applied as well as it could be. There are several things that can be done to tighten it up causing some modifications to the possible escapes. Its a good start! Keep working and train safe.

[@MrMegafly2011]

This nailed what I needed this week. Got stuck

[@joeg7096]

coach tom is such a nice and pleasant fellow should make a vid with bernardo the positivity woulf be off the charts

[@TheGrapplingAcademy]

I love Bernardo or any happy grappler! (-: Professor Tom Davey

[@jonassteinberg3779]

If the top opponent has the elbow capsule properly pinned to his own chest bridging and popping the arm out is basically impossible. The top opponent nullifying even bridged arm escapes makes using lower opponent ripping momentum extremely weak. That's why as the top opponent it's so important to pin lower's elbow capsule to the chest.

[@kimsamson2545]

Amazing

[@motorcitycobra2009]

Really love your stuff, I’m a Dr and you explain the sequences as if it’s a post post-mortem; the reference to physical first principles as well as applied pressure and applied anatomy is excellent 👌🏻

[@barnabykent6698]

Absolutely word-perfect instructional. Thank you! ...what's with the dude wearing shoes on the mat in the background lol?

[@masculinebuddha8762]

There's another escape (I forgot what it's called) that's especially good if you're tall. Reach over with your free arm (the left arm if your opponent is controlling your right side), grab the lapel and choke your opponent back towards your left leg. Bring your left leg over your opponents head and push him off using a backwards, sweeping motion.

[@TheGrapplingAcademy]

Yes this is a good old school escape although tends to stop working t higher levels as guys keep your hip locked and their head down. Great escape though, just be careful of your oppoannts neck! (-: Coach Tom Davey

[@masculinebuddha8762]

I'm a 6'3" Judo player and NOBODY is keeping Mr. Daddy Long-Legs in Kesa if I get my leg around there :)

[@TheGrapplingAcademy]

Agreed. My point though I was making is how higher levels BJJers often will keep their head down almost touching yours if your hip is free and only lean back if your hip is controlled. Especially if you have tried this escape on them before. Don't get me wrong, I think its the easiest escape to do and can be combined with great armbars however I do think it has a short shelf life at the highest levels of BJJ. (-: Coach Tom Davey

[@craigcrissman4651]

@@masculinebuddha8762 same 6' 3" with a short torso. I got them spider arma and legs

[@thehobobehindyou]

Thanks! this helps a lot!

[@ronin2167]

Best escape is to not get into the hold to start with....you get to know when it's coming and take defensive measures.

[@Neviksir]

At what point do you use escape 2 instead of escape 1?

[@robinkamran4261]

U are amazing

[@silverhaze2732]

I would to train with this coach.

[@dallashigashigata5575]

What if he underhook your left arm ?

[@counterkidnapping1737]

It's the basic level. How about the advance level when your opponent has tight pressure on you plus if he's bigger?

[@donaldanderson9939]

There's a 240lb purple belt who keeps putting me in the scarf hold, I hope this helps me!

[@Djent7779]

Gold

[@SouthBayEngr]

So what’s the counter to this to make sure these escapes don’t work ? 😂. Not sure if that was addressed in the Kesa Kill System video

[@lee9576]

#4:12 figure 4 Americana?

[@asasadsffdgdgd]

It's been some years since this video. I hope Matt the uke has brown tape for stripes on his purple belt!

[@rollinOnCode]

there is no reason at all to let go of the kesa gatame grip- the head & arm grip just cause you get bridged over. it is NOT a regular headlock where you just have the head. Those defenses may work if it was just a regular headlock. but really anywhere you put your arms especially when you are flat is very bad business and vulnerable to multiple submissions. even if you get bridged over, so long as you maintain pressure on that head & shoulder, you can always keep playing kesa gatame from bottom, go for pretty much all the submissions, ezequiel him, stand up, go front head, or roll him effortlessly back over into top kesa gatame. Would strongly recommend seeing the henry akins instructional on kesa gatame- "the soul stealer". it is actually quite difficult to escape a decent kesa

[@JB-cg8jr]

What happens if his right leg/ knee is pinned to ground and you can't get a hook in?

[@TheGrapplingAcademy]

Try combining all basic escapes and hope one works! (-: Tom Davey

[@ukaszb5694]

If you're not tricking them, you better hope you're bigger, stronger, fitter, faster, more flexible. And hey, who can guarantee that? Nugget of wisdom :D

[@craigcrissman4651]

"Its just pheeeesiks!"

[@makhulu5013]

what if he pivot with you

[@krismargett]

Kesa gatame holds the arm to your waist. It's easy to escape if the arm is free.

[@TheGrapplingAcademy]

Obviously. You can still pull it out if not held tightly enough and creates the action reaction for the roll.

[@Redpills563]

sorry but this is not scape from HON KESA GATAME

[@protectork9831]

When a judo player gets hold of your arm you will not get it back

[@runesenshi9682]

I really hate this position. I think my bjj game is strong until i get stuck in kesa gatame and then even the little dude is crushing me and I feel like a weakling

[@rabidlama]

thats a crap kesa! go to judo and learn how to do it propperly! lock that arm under yours, dont leave it out, its KEY!

[@topdog4032]

I noticed that people are trying to help you by correcting you, however you’re not talking the help or criticism well. It seems like you always have an excuse as to why you are right the the rest of the world is wrong. You have many great videos out there and are doing a great job to spread this information. Please be open to making corrections. After all we are human and make mistakes. Let’s work together to get people the correct information.

[@theclanmorrison]

That is possibly the worst Kesa Gatame that I have ever seen in my life! I don't mean to offend you but that would not work on a Judo player.

[@TheGrapplingAcademy]

Hi Craig, Matt who partnered with me for this video does not use the kesa position hence his lack of positioning detail. Myself and many students love and use kesa gatame all the time and ironically enough I have used it in judo comps before. It surely is a great move when done correctly as are the escapes presented here. (-: Coach Tom Davey

[@jaybee7271]

This isn't kesa gatame at all. Why even bother making escape video like this when he's holding such a shit position u can just drag his head away with your leg?

[@robertturner7090]

@@TheGrapplingAcademy what a classy response. Go watch more than 1 video and compare with how Tom holds the position. It's reasonable not to crush the ribs of your training partner and instead expect your KZbin guests to open their ears.

[@BL0HARD]

How do you apply a better Kesa Gatame when you are being a demo partner? It allowed the Coach to demonstrate the the escape techniques to the class.

[@theclanmorrison]

Jay Bee,it’s an incomplete Kesa Gatame,So therefore not effective at all.👍🏼👍🏼

[@cryptosensei3944]

I love your videos. But neither of these 2 techniques work against a trained Japanese Jujitsu or Judo man. We will just grab your GI to stop the first one and run our feet toward your head to stop the second one.