Escapes From Kesa Gatame

**Strong Machine** · Posted On: 1/19/2005 11:21pm

One someone gets me in kesa the first thing I try to do is not only escape but win the match.
If they are thin enough I can often reach my free arm around their back and grab their forearm by going under the armpit(in wrestling terms it would be a "one on one") if I can get it and pull hard they are in a world of trouble.There's a couple ways it can go from here but they all lead to me getting his back with hooks in, unless I screw something up.
It is my match to lose.
If I find I can't get the one on one and subsequent easy win, THEN I start looking to escape by getting on top.
If I can't then I look to get guard.
I think it's important to consider not just escaping but where you escape to.
I know a couple good escapes that if tried vs a skilled grappler will usually leave me under north/south which is often an even suckier position.

**IzzyDaHedgehog** · Posted On: 1/19/2005 11:38pm

*Must spread some reputation around before giving it to Strong Machine and JohnnyS again*

I am consistently amazed at how much higher ranking people know and how much I have to learn, can't thank you enough for all the help.

**katana** · Posted On: 1/23/2005 4:53am

Originally Posted by Strong Machine

One someone gets me in kesa the first thing I try to do is not only escape but win the match.
If they are thin enough I can often reach my free arm around their back and grab their forearm by going under the armpit(in wrestling terms it would be a "one on one") if I can get it and pull hard they are in a world of trouble.There's a couple ways it can go from here but they all lead to me getting his back with hooks in, unless I screw something up.
It is my match to lose.

Nice. I hadn't thought of that. This would work well instead of going for the standard torso grab and bridge escape.