Judo technique

Gyaku-kesa-gatame

Learn the basics of Gyaku-kesa-gatame and its relationship to Kesa-gatame.

Illustration of a reverse scarf-hold position in the Kesa-gatame family
Technique image: Gyaku-kesa-gatame reverses the scarf-hold angle from the Kesa-gatame family while keeping body connection and upper-body control.

Meaning

Reverse scarf hold

Pronunciation

gyah-koo keh-sah gah-tah-meh

What this technique covers

What the name means

Gyaku-kesa-gatame means Reverse scarf hold in Judo.

Key idea

The first idea is control: recognize the hold-down shape, the position of tori and uke, and why this position matters in osaekomi situations.

What to notice in the image

Gyaku-kesa-gatame reverses the scarf-hold angle from the Kesa-gatame family while keeping body connection and upper-body control. Pay special attention to how tori creates control and where uke is positioned in relation to tori's body.

What you will learn

  • Recognize Gyaku-kesa-gatame as reverse scarf hold
  • Connect it to Kesa-gatame control
  • Recognize a basic escape idea

Key terms

Gyaku-kesa-gatame

Reverse scarf hold

Gyaku-kesa-gatame is a reverse scarf-hold family position related to Kesa-gatame.

Kesa-gatame

Scarf hold

Kesa-gatame is a common pin. It uses chest pressure and arm control rather than squeezing with strength.

Osaekomi-waza

Holding techniques

Osaekomi-waza are pins used to control an opponent on their back or side during groundwork.

Matte

Stop or wait

Matte pauses the action. When you hear it, stop, make space, and wait for the next instruction.

Good to know

Katame-waza: Grappling or control techniques
Katame-waza are control techniques, including pins, strangles, and arm locks. This curriculum introduces holding ideas first.
Osaekomi-waza: Holding techniques
Osaekomi-waza are pins used to control an opponent on their back or side during groundwork.