Headlock Escape

What it is

The headlock escape is how you get out from under a headlock on the ground, usually kesa gatame, where they sit beside you with your head wrapped and your near arm trapped. First free the trapped arm and wrap their waist. Then read their weight: leaning back on you, bridge and roll them over; leaning forward, hip escape away and hook their leg to get your guard back.

When to use it

• Under kesa gatame or any ground headlock where they sit beside you with your head wrapped.
• After the trapped arm is freed and you can feel which way their weight is going.
• Early, before they settle the americana or a straight armlock on the trapped arm.

How to do it

1. Turn in toward them and get the trapped elbow down to the mat and close to your body.
2. Wrap your free arm around their waist and keep your chin tucked so the headlock cannot tighten.
3. If their weight is back on you: walk your feet in close to your hips.
4. Bridge and roll them over your body toward their head, and come up on top.
5. If their weight is forward: hip escape away and swing your leg over their outstretched leg to hook it.
6. Use the hooked leg to break the hold and pull your guard back.

Key details

• Free the arm first. With the arm trapped there is no bridge and no frame, and the americana is there.
• Weight back means bridge and roll. Weight forward means hip escape and hook the leg.
• Bridge into them and over your own shoulder, not straight up.
• Never turn away from them. It gives them your back with the arm still controlled.

Common mistakes

• Mistake: bridging before the trapped arm is free. You lift into the hold and they settle heavier.
• Mistake: trying the roll when their weight is forward. They post and stay.
• Mistake: straightening the trapped arm to push. You hand them the straight armlock.

What they will try

• They spread their legs wide and lean back to stop the roll.
• They switch to side control or reverse kesa when you hook the leg.