Escape: Side Control Escapes

Side control is a dominant position in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, offering numerous opportunities for the top player to attack with submissions and advance to even more dominant positions. Consequently, developing a solid escape game is crucial for anyone practicing BJJ.

  1. Importance of side control escapes: Mastering escapes from side control is vital for both self-defense and competition settings. In self-defense, being trapped under a larger or stronger opponent can be dangerous, so knowing how to create space and regain a more advantageous position is crucial. In competition, escaping side control can help you avoid being submitted, scored upon, or dominated by your opponent.
  2. Mindset and patience: Successfully escaping from side control requires a combination of technical knowledge, precise timing, and patience. It’s important not to panic or rush your escape attempts, as this can lead to mistakes and open up opportunities for your opponent to attack. Instead, stay calm, wait for the right moment, and apply the techniques you’ve drilled and practiced.
  3. Variety of escapes: There are numerous side control escapes, each designed to counter different types of control and pressure from the top player. Having a diverse set of escapes in your arsenal allows you to adapt to your opponent’s movements and strategies, increasing your chances of successfully escaping.
  4. Drilling and practice: Consistent drilling and practice are key to developing effective side control escapes. Focusing on proper body mechanics, precise timing, and smooth transitions will help you build the necessary muscle memory and confidence to execute your escapes during live rolling or competition.
  5. Combining techniques: It’s not uncommon for your first escape attempt to be countered or shut down by your opponent. Learning to chain escapes together and transition seamlessly between techniques can help you stay one step ahead of your opponent and increase your chances of success.

 

Side control escapes are a fundamental aspect of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu that every practitioner should strive to master. Developing a strong escape game requires patience, a calm mindset, a diverse repertoire of techniques, consistent drilling, and the ability to combine techniques effectively.

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Unleash Your Inner Escape Artist: Mastering Mount, Side Control, and North-South Escapes with Gordon Ryan

The key concepts and two fundamental techniques for escaping side control

  1. Maintain a defensive posture: While in bottom side control, keep your elbows tight to your body and your hands up to defend against potential submissions. Tuck your chin to protect your neck from chokes. Focus on preventing your opponent from consolidating their position or advancing to a more dominant one.
  2. Create frames: Establish frames against your opponent’s body to create space and prevent them from applying pressure. Use your forearms to create a barrier against your opponent’s neck and hips. Be mindful of your arm positioning to avoid exposing yourself to potential submissions.

 

Two fundamental side control escapes:

A. Frame and Shrimp Escape:

  1. Create space: With your frames in place, bridge your hips upward and then shrimp away from your opponent. The goal is to create enough space to insert your knee between you and your opponent.
  2. Insert your knee: As you create space, bring your nearside knee up and slide it under your opponent’s body, aiming to recover half guard or full guard. Keep your frames in place during this step to prevent your opponent from closing the distance again.
  3. Recover guard: Once your knee is under your opponent, continue to move your hips and extend your leg to establish either full guard or half guard. From there, work to establish control over your opponent and transition to a more advantageous position.

 

B. Underhook Escape:

  1. Secure the underhook: From the bottom side control position, find an opportunity to dig your nearside arm underneath your opponent’s armpit, securing an underhook. This will help you create space and leverage for your escape.
  2. Bridge and shrimp: With the underhook in place, perform a bridge and shrimp movement to create space between you and your opponent.
  3. Come up to your side: As you create space, turn onto your side facing your opponent, making sure to keep the underhook tight.
  4. Work to your knees or recover guard: From this position, you can either continue to work up to your knees and attempt a single leg takedown, or use the space created to recover half guard or full guard.

 

Both the Frame and Shrimp Escape and the Underhook Escape rely on a combination of proper defensive posture, effective frames, and efficient hip movement. As with any Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu technique, consistent drilling and practice will help you develop a strong and reliable side control escape game.