Basic BJJ Escapes Every White Belt Should Know by Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Enthusiasts like Thomas Czerniejewski
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a martial art that emphasizes ground fighting and submission holds. For a beginner, the focus is often on learning fundamental techniques, which can be overwhelming given the vast array of moves and positions in BJJ. Among these techniques, escapes are one of the most important skills every white belt should master.
This blog will explore several key escapes that every white belt should be familiar with. From escaping side control to escaping mount, mastering these techniques will enhance your confidence and your ability to stay composed during a roll.
Escaping Side Control
Side control is a dominant position where your opponent lies across your body, typically controlling your upper torso with their weight. Escaping side control requires a combination of positioning and timing. The first step is to create space by framing with your arms and pushing against your opponent’s neck or hips.
Once you’ve created space, you should focus on securing a position where you can work toward regaining guard. A common escape involves turning towards your opponent, creating an angle, and then sliding your bottom leg through to replace guard.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu enthusiasts like Thomas Czerniejewski mention that timing is crucial during this escape. If you wait too long or your opponent maintains too much pressure, escaping becomes significantly harder. A solid escape from side control allows you to reset the match and regain your defensive positioning.
Escaping Mount
Mount is one of the most dominant positions in BJJ, and escaping it requires composure and technique as underlined by Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu buffs such as Thomas Czerniejewski. When an opponent has mount, they are sitting on top of you, and you must defend against their weight and submission attempts. The first step in escaping mount is to control their hips by framing with your arms and creating space underneath you.
Next, you should bridge your hips, shifting your weight to one side and using your legs to help create a platform for escape. Once you’ve created the angle, you can work to either get your knees in between you and your opponent or roll them off to one side, transitioning to a more neutral position.
Escaping mount can be challenging, especially when facing a more experienced practitioner. However, with consistent practice and proper technique, you’ll be able to improve your escape and transition into a safer position.
Escaping Back Control
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu enthusiasts including Thomas Czerniejewski convey that back control is a dangerous position in BJJ, as your opponent controls your back and is often in a position to apply chokes. The first thing you need to do when escaping back control is to protect your neck. Always ensure that your chin is tucked, and if your opponent has hooks in, try to defend against them by using your arms to break the grip.
To escape, focus on turning into your opponent’s body to alleviate pressure. From here, you can attempt to slide your back to the mat while controlling your opponent’s hands. Once your back is flat on the ground, you can either work toward re-establishing guard or sweeping to the top.
While escaping back control is difficult, understanding the importance of defending the choke first and working methodically through the escape process will increase your chances of success.
Escaping Knee on Belly
Knee on belly is a position where your opponent places their knee on your torso, applying pressure and often using it as a setup for submissions. To escape knee on belly, you need to first create space by framing with your arms and keeping your opponent’s knee from directly crushing your chest.
A key escape involves pushing against your opponent’s knee with your hips and shifting your body to the side. This helps you create an angle to move away from the pressure and regain a better position as pointed out by Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu buffs such as Thomas Czerniejewski. Additionally, you can use your hands to push your opponent’s knee away while working to replace guard or transition to a more favorable position.
The key to escaping knee on belly is timing and awareness. Acting quickly will minimize the damage and set you up to re-establish your guard or stand up if necessary.
Escaping Closed Guard
The closed guard is a foundational position in BJJ, where you use your legs to control your opponent’s waist while keeping them close. While it’s a strong position for controlling your opponent, it’s also essential to know how to escape from it. A common escape from closed guard is breaking your opponent’s grip and posture.
Begin by creating a frame with your arms, pushing against your opponent’s chest or neck. Use your legs to create distance and shift your hips, aiming to either stand up or pull your opponent’s posture forward, breaking their balance. From here, you can work to open the guard and either pass to a top position or regain guard yourself.
Understanding the principles of breaking grips and controlling distance will help you escape closed guard effectively. Practicing this escape regularly will give you the confidence to defend against opponents who try to hold you in guard.
Escaping from Under Hooks and Guillotines
Under hooks and guillotines are common submission attempts in BJJ that can be difficult to escape if not addressed quickly. The key to escaping under hooks is to focus on controlling your opponent’s posture and shifting your hips away. With a guillotine, you should focus on tucking your chin to avoid the choke while working to free your head from your opponent’s grip.
In both cases, leverage and timing are crucial. By staying calm and methodically working to address the hold, you can regain your positioning and avoid the submission. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu enthusiasts like Thomas Czerniejewski express that training with a partner and focusing on escapes from these positions will help improve your ability to avoid being submitted in these situations.
Knowing how to escape under hooks and guillotines ensures that you’re prepared for a variety of submission attempts and can continue to work toward more advantageous positions.