BJJ escapes cheat sheet
What to do first, and which escape to use, when you are stuck on the bottom. One page, ready to print.
Escaping positions
| You are under | Do this first | Main escapes |
|---|---|---|
| Mount | Elbows in, hands near your neck | Upa, elbow escape |
| Side control | Turn on your side, frames on their neck and hip | Shrimp back to guard, escape to the knees |
| Kesa gatame (scarf hold) | Free your trapped arm, hold their waist | Headlock escape |
| Knee on belly | Turn on your side, frame on the knee and hip | Shrimp back to guard, running escape |
| Back control | Chin down, both hands on the choking arm | Back escape: shoulders to the mat on their under-arm side |
| Turtle | Elbows to knees, protect your neck | Shoulder roll back to guard |
Escaping submissions
| You are caught in | Do this first | Escape |
|---|---|---|
| Armbar | Hold your hands together, keep the elbow bent | Hitchhiker escape: thumb up, turn toward them |
| Triangle | Posture up, pull the trapped elbow to the mat on your side | Stack them and walk around to the trapped-arm side |
| Guillotine | Hands on their choking arm, hips in | Guillotine defense: arm over the shoulder of their choking arm, move to that side |
| Kimura | Grab your own belt or thigh | Keep the elbow in, get on your side, turn into them |
| Rear naked choke | Chin down, both hands on the choking arm | Back escape to their under-arm side |
Rules for every escape
- Never lie flat on your back. Turn on your side.
- Keep your elbows close to your body.
- Do not push with straight arms. Use frames.
- Frames first, then move your hips.
- Escape before they settle their weight.
Train it on the Path
The Mount escapes unit turns this into short lessons: you see a position and pick the best move.
Mount escapes is part of the Blue belt, included in Rolla Plus. Start free with Foundations and the white belt.