Atlas/Control/Reverse Kesa Gatame
Control position·Kimura (trapped arm with excellent leverage from the facing-legs angle), Americana (near arm is prime for figure-four), Straight leg attacks (attacker faces legs and can reach for kneebar, ankle lock)
Reverse Kesa
Ushiro Kesa

Reverse Kesa Gatame

Sitting beside facing legs - reverse angle, leg attacks

Dominance
72
vs 28
Control depth
Proximal
Controlling
Transitions
14
outbound
Submissions
30
downstream
//01—About this position

What it is

Top position sitting beside opponent facing toward their legs instead of their head. The reverse orientation creates unique submission angles and leg attack access. This position offers different control and attack options compared to traditional kesa.

What you do

The step-by-step execution guide lives in the app — 6-step breakdown, biomechanics, and situational tips.

Open1position detailin the App Store↗
Dominance — Controlling perspective
72 vs 28
Disadvantaged↓ 44Dominant
Control depth · Proximal — Facing their legs, control arm - attack legs, take back
Dominance — Escaping perspective
28 vs 72
Disadvantaged↓ -44Dominant
Control depth · Distal — Reversed control on you - turn to back, defend legs
//02—Concept tags
CONTROLJUDOSUBMISSION SETUP
//03—Transitions outbound

14 ways out.

All14transitionsin the App Store↗
Reverse Kesa Gatame →
Side Control to Mount
Sitting on torso - heavy hips, dominant control
Type
Advance
Tier
Core
Perspective
Controlling
Reverse Kesa Gatame →
Side Control to Back Take
Over-under grip - upper body control from back
Type
Back take
Tier
Core
Perspective
Controlling
Reverse Kesa Gatame →
Side Control to North-South
Chest over head, inverted - heavy pressure, kimura attacks
Type
Advance
Tier
Core
Perspective
Controlling
Reverse Kesa Gatame →
Reverse Kesa Gatame to Knee on Belly
Knee on belly - mobile pressure, transition hub
Type
Advance
Tier
Core
Perspective
Controlling
Reverse Kesa Gatame →
Reverse Kesa Gatame to Back Mount
Behind with hooks - back control, submission access
Type
Back take
Tier
Core
Perspective
Controlling
Reverse Kesa Gatame →
Reverse Kesa Gatame to Ashi Garami
Basic leg isolation - straight ankle locks
Type
Submission entry
Tier
Core
Perspective
Controlling
Reverse Kesa Gatame →
Reverse Kesa Gatame to Outside Ashi Garami
Outside control - mobile position for leg attacks
Type
Submission entry
Tier
Core
Perspective
Controlling
Reverse Kesa Gatame →
100 Kilos
Belly-down side control - sprawled chest pin
Type
Position adjustment
Tier
Core
Perspective
Controlling
Reverse Kesa Gatame →
Ghost Escape
Hands and knees, elbows tight - protect neck, escape quickly
Type
Escape
Tier
Core
Perspective
Escaping
Reverse Kesa Gatame →
Reverse Kesa Gatame to Open Guard
Unlocked legs - flexible guard system foundation
Type
Guard recovery
Tier
Core
Perspective
Escaping
Reverse Kesa Gatame →
Reverse Kesa Gatame to Defensive Shell
Tight protective posture - arms guard neck, wait for escape
Type
Escape
Tier
Core
Perspective
Escaping
Reverse Kesa Gatame →
Single Leg X Entry
One leg hooked, one elevating - sweep angles
Type
Guard recovery
Tier
Core
Perspective
Escaping
Reverse Kesa Gatame →
X-Guard Entry
Crossed leg hooks - explosive sweeps
Type
Guard recovery
Tier
Core
Perspective
Escaping
Reverse Kesa Gatame →
De La Riva Hook Entry
Shin hook behind leg - off-balance, sweeps, back takes
Type
Guard recovery
Tier
Core
Perspective
Escaping
//04—Submissions downstream

30 finishes live
from this position.

All30submissionsin the App Store↗
SUB-001
Americana
Controlling
Live
8/10
SUB-002
Kimura
Controlling
Live
8/10
SUB-003
Scarf Hold Armlock
Controlling
Watch
7/10
SUB-004
Dragon Sleeper
Controlling
Watch
7/10
SUB-005
Armbar
Controlling
Watch
6/10
SUB-006
Kneebar
Controlling
Watch
6/10
SUB-007
Straight Armlock
Controlling
Watch
6/10
SUB-008
Prone Armbar
Controlling
Long
5/10
SUB-009
Calf Slicer
Controlling
Long
5/10
SUB-010
Hammerlock
Controlling
Long
5/10
SUB-011
Inverted Armbar
Controlling
Long
5/10
SUB-012
Mir Lock
Controlling
Long
5/10
SUB-013
Calf Compression
Controlling
Long
4/10
SUB-014
Calf Crank
Controlling
Long
4/10
SUB-015
Calf Crusher
Controlling
Long
4/10
SUB-016
Hip Slicer
Controlling
Long
4/10
SUB-017
Reverse Calf Slicer
Controlling
Long
4/10
SUB-018
Rolling Kneebar
Controlling
Long
4/10
SUB-019
Wrist Lock
Controlling
Long
4/10
SUB-020
Z-Lock
Controlling
Long
4/10
SUB-021
Arm Crush
Controlling
Long
3/10
SUB-022
Arm Triangle
Controlling
Long
3/10
SUB-023
Bicep Slicer
Controlling
Long
3/10
SUB-024
Goose Neck Wrist Lock
Controlling
Long
3/10
SUB-025
Reverse Wrist Lock
Controlling
Long
3/10
SUB-026
Straight Wristlock
Controlling
Long
3/10
SUB-027
Texas Cloverleaf
Controlling
Long
3/10
SUB-028
Top Wrist Lock
Controlling
Long
3/10
SUB-029
Crucifix Choke
Controlling
Long
2/10
SUB-030
Neck Crank
Controlling
Long
2/10
//05—Linked positions

Browse the graph.

Control85
Mount
Sitting on torso - heavy hips, dominant control
9 ↗ transitionsControlling
Control82
Back Control
Over-under grip - upper body control from back
7 ↗ transitionsControlling
Control84
North-South
Chest over head, inverted - heavy pressure, kimura attacks
8 ↗ transitionsControlling
Control82
Knee on Belly
Knee on belly - mobile pressure, transition hub
13 ↗ transitionsControlling
// Reverse Kesa Gatame · Control

Read this position
on your phone.

Open Reverse Kesa Gatame in Grapla for the full detail block, all 14 outbound transitions, the counter graph, and the option to log this position straight to your journal.

Download on the
App Store