Escapes

Two kinds: getting out from under a pin, and getting out of a submission before it’s finished. Both lead back to the position pages.

Escape a position

Stuck underneath? Each one opens its position page with the escapes, the common mistakes and where you end up.

Side control (bottom)You are pinned. Frame, create space, then get your knee in or turn to your knees.2 ways out to guard or on top →Mount (bottom)They are sitting on you. Keep elbows tight, trap an arm and foot, then bridge or shrimp out.3 ways out to guard or on top →Back control (defend)They are on your back. Protect the neck and fight the hooks before the choke.2 ways out to guard or on top →Knee on belly (bottom)Their knee is on your stomach. Push the knee, turn toward them and recover guard.2 ways out to guard or on top →North-south (bottom)They are over your head. Protect your neck, frame their hips and turn in.1 way out to guard or on top →Scarf hold (bottom)They sit beside you in a scarf hold. Free your arm and head, then bridge them over or turn away.1 way out to guard or on top →Turtle (bottom)On hands and knees. Defensive, but a common transition point in scrambles.3 ways out to guard or on top →Leg lock defenseYour leg is trapped. Hide your heel, clear your knee past their hips and turn the fight to the top.1 way out to guard or on top →

Escape a submission

Every drill here starts with you already caught: your partner has the submission set but not finished. Each escape is broken into the same seven stages, from stopping the entry to getting back to safety, so you know what to do at every point and exactly when to stop fighting and tap.

0 of 21 escapes learned

How every escape works

The earlier you act, the easier it is
  1. 1PreventDeny the entry before the submission has a shape.
  2. 2Defensive postureBody shape that makes the finish mechanically weak.
  3. 3Hand fightWin the grips that lock the submission together.
  4. 4Make spaceCreate the room you need to move.
  5. 5Clear the structureRemove the part of their body that holds you in place.
  6. 6Late escapeLast options once it is locked, and the point where you tap instead.
  7. 7Back to safetyFinish somewhere it can’t be re-applied straight away.
The golden rule

Tap early, tap often. A tap costs nothing; a torn ligament costs months. Every escape here has a clear “when to tap” point.

Back chokes

Your back is taken and the choke comes from behind.

Rear naked choke (Hadaka Jime)Caught in Back control (defend)Escape to Half guard7 stages · 3 escape optionsBow and arrow chokeCaught in Back control (defend)Escape to Half guard7 stages · 2 escape options · GiSliding collar choke (Okuri Eri Jime)Caught in Back control (defend)Escape to Half guard7 stages · 2 escape options · Gi

Front headlocks and head-and-arm chokes

The choke wraps your head and often one arm, from turtle, half guard or bottom side control.

GuillotineCaught in Closed guard (top)Escape to Side control (Yoko Shiho Gatame)7 stages · 3 escape optionsD'Arce chokeCaught in Side control (bottom)Escape to Half guard7 stages · 4 escape optionsAnaconda chokeCaught in Turtle (bottom)Escape to Side control (Yoko Shiho Gatame)7 stages · 3 escape optionsArm triangle (Kata Gatame)Caught in Side control (bottom)Escape to Half guard7 stages · 3 escape optionsNorth-south chokeCaught in North-south (bottom)Escape to Seated open guard7 stages · 2 escape options

Chokes from guard and mount

Their legs or arms close around your neck while you pass or try to escape mount.

Triangle (Sankaku Jime)Caught in Closed guard (top)Escape to Passing open guard7 stages · 3 escape optionsEzekiel choke (Sode Guruma Jime)Caught in Mount (bottom)Escape to Half guard7 stages · 3 escape optionsCross choke (Juji Jime)Caught in Mount (bottom)Escape to Half guard7 stages · 3 escape options · Gi

Arm and shoulder locks

Your elbow or shoulder is isolated and bent or straightened past its range.

Armbar (Juji Gatame)Caught in Closed guard (top)Escape to Closed guard (top)7 stages · 3 escape optionsKimura (Gyaku Ude Garami)Caught in Side control (bottom)Escape to Half guard7 stages · 3 escape optionsAmericana (Ude Garami)Caught in Side control (bottom)Escape to Half guard7 stages · 3 escape optionsOmoplataCaught in Closed guard (top)Escape to Closed guard (top)7 stages · 3 escape options

Leg locks

Your foot, ankle, knee or calf is trapped in a leg entanglement. Learn these under supervision.

Straight ankle lockCaught in Leg lock defenseEscape to Passing open guard7 stages · 2 escape optionsKneebar (Hiza Juji Gatame)Caught in Leg lock defenseEscape to Passing open guard7 stages · 3 escape optionsToe holdCaught in Leg lock defenseEscape to Passing open guard7 stages · 2 escape optionsInside heel hookCaught in Leg lock defenseEscape to Passing open guard7 stages · 3 escape optionsOutside heel hookCaught in Leg lock defenseEscape to Passing open guard7 stages · 2 escape optionsCalf slicerCaught in Leg lock defenseEscape to Half guard7 stages · 2 escape options