Scarf hold escape

Scarf hold escape is the English-translation label for the escape sequence from kesa gatame — the side-position pin in which the attacker’s diagonal body line crosses the opponent’s chest.

Etymology. “Scarf hold” is the literal English translation of kesa gatame (where kesa refers to the Buddhist priest’s diagonal-draped robe); “escape” attaches the defensive category. The compound label appears in English-language judo translation contexts and in no-gi vocabulary that prefers the English over the Japanese.

Mechanics. The escape priority is creating space at the head and the near arm — the two control connections that define the pin. Bridging toward the attacker’s head while extracting the near arm is the standard escape sequence.

Cross-reference. “Kata gatame escape” is the Japanese name. Full mechanical coverage on Kesa Gatame Escape.