Turn scarf hold into a reliable pin-to-tap system that works.
The Bottom Line
You learn how to secure kesa without giving your back, then layer high-percentage chokes and armlocks. The structure shows when to switch grips, change angles, and finish safely. It is ideal if you want top pressure with real submission options.
⚡️ Quick facts
Best for: Top players who like pressure
Skip if: You never use scarf hold
Tech focus: Kesa Gatame, Ezekiel Choke, Straight Armbar, Shoulder Lock, Reverse Triangle
Biggest takeaway: Kesa can be a pin and submission hub.
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What You'll Learn
Paulson turns an often-ignored pin into a pressure-first system. You learn to secure, attack, and troubleshoot from scarf hold without giving the back.
It blends catch details with BJJ structure so you can finish or transition safely.
Primary Techniques You'll Drill
- Kesa Gatame
- Scarf Hold
- Headlock Control
- Ezekiel Choke
- Straight Armbar
- Shoulder Lock
- Reverse Triangle
- Telephone Lock
Format & Level
- Instructional style: System Based, Technique Collection
- Skill level: All Levels
- Format: Both
- Runtime: 1 hour and 48 minutes
- Volumes: 3
- Released: 2022
Should You Buy It?
Buy it now. I found the arm-position battles and telephone-lock series make kesa feel secure, not scary, and give you multiple tap routes before opponents start shrimping.
Why Erik Paulson?
Erik Paulson is a pioneer coach and former Shooto champion who founded Combat Submission Wrestling. He holds black belts in Judo and BJJ and blends catch mechanics with BJJ structure. He coached notable MMA and grappling names and is known for encyclopedic knowledge. His teaching style is concise and pragmatic, often focused on chain attacks and pressure. Paulson continues to teach worldwide and publish instructionals for modern BJJ use.
Community feedback
Here’s a summary of common feedback from platforms like Reddit’s r/bjj.
😍 Why People Love It
- If a catch guy locks real kesa, it is basically over.
- People rate Paulson's stand-up tie-ups and hand-fighting concepts.
- Fans like his concise, no-fluff presentation style.
- Seminar attendees say pain-compliance details translate to rolling.
- Old-school pressure that still works against resisting partners.
🤔 Common Criticisms
- You must filter 'seminar moves' and too many variations.
- Some think parts of his material feel older or outdated.
- Lose the far-arm fight in kesa and you risk back takes.
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Smart Alternatives
- The Catch Kesa Gatame by Josh Barnett – Another catch-informed kesa system with high-pressure finishes.
- Bricks Kesa Gatame System by Jeremy Brick – Modernized scarf-hold structure for gi and no-gi.
- Modified Kesa Gatame by Matthew McPeake – Power-line concepts for control and safer transitions.
Sources & References
Video Breakdowns
Official listing: View Killer Kesa Gatame on BJJ Fanatics
Additional References
Your next step
You have the breakdown, community feedback, and my final thoughts. Now it’s your move.
