BJJ Escapes: Build Reliable Ways Out of Bad Positions

What “Escapes” Mean In Daily Training

Escapes are the actions you take to move from a losing position to a neutral or advantageous one. In practice that means getting out of pins like side control, mount, north-south, scarf hold, back control, and front headlock; freeing yourself from submissions; and resolving standing or turtle pressure to re-guard or stand up.

Good BJJ escapes prioritize three outcomes: survive the immediate threat, create frames and structure, then move your hips to recover guard, get to your knees, or complete a stand-up. The most common tools are frames with your forearms and shins, the hip escape bjj movement (shrimp), bridging, technical stand-ups, and timing your turns and underhooks.

Escapes Videos on BJJ University (Top 20 Videos, Top 10 Courses)

❮

HOW TO ESCAPE RUBBER GUARD - GORDON RYAN

1m · Gordon Ryan

Gordon Ryan teaches how to escape from the rubber guard position in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Initially, the aim is to post both hands on the ground and move the right shoulder forward. However, if the opponent's elbow dominates the inside space and prevents this, one should pace both hands on the floor, lean head over head, and stand. Then, turn the thumbs down and shake until the head and arm come free.

Position: Open Guard Category: Escapes

Choke From Behind Defense - DM Jiu Jitsu

1m · Not Mapped

In this video, the instructor demonstrates a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu choke escape technique for self-defense. The video outlines what one should do if an attacker comes from behind and attempts a chokehold. The instructor teaches how to use the wedge method, using one's hands to get leverage against the attacker's arms and tuck one's chin for protection. The escape method involves exploiting the space created when an attacker tries to drag the individual backward. The goal is to quickly roll one's shoulder and leg to escape. The video emphasizes the need for practice to efficiently execute the escape technique.

Position: Standing — Transitional States Category: Escapes

PREMIUM

Only Way Out bundle by Brian Glick

$497.00 • BJJ Fanatics

This video is part of Brian Glick's 'Only Way Out' bundle. Glick, a black belt under John Danaher and a top instructor at BJJ Fanatics, offers over 5 hours of elite instruction dedicated to turning defensive positions into opportunities for control, recovery, and counterattack. This comprehensive bundle is designed to help practitioners maintain composure under pressure and escape with purpose, even against high-level opponents. The bundle includes access to three full-length instructional videos from the "Only Way Out" series.

🎓 Unlock Course

Rear naked choke escape tips #selfdefense selfdefense

59s · Coach Tim

Coach Tim from Independent MMA in Georgia provides tips on how to escape the rear naked choke. His main advice is to avoid getting into the position because it's difficult to escape once established. If caught, he suggests lying towards the side his opponent's fingers (on your neck) are pointing, making it naturally harder for the choke to succeed. Simultaneously attacking the top hand and opponent's bottom foot, keeping the hand straight to prevent leverage, and finally passing through after applying pressure with the head are also recommended.

Position: Back Control Category: Escapes

KNEE ELBOW ESCAPE by Gordon Ryan

1m · Gordon Ryan

Gordon Ryan, a well-known BJJ instructor, demonstrates the 'Knee Elbow Escape' technique in this instructional video. The technique begins with the practitioner on the bottom of the guard, bridging and straightening their leg to expose the top player's foot. The bottom player traps the exposed foot between their two legs and uses a series of leg movements to wedge the top player's knee. The sequence culminates with the practitioner escaping to a half guard position.

Position: Mount Category: Escapes

PREMIUM

EBI Overtime Bundle by Nick Rodriguez

$497.00 • BJJ Fanatics

This video is an instructional course taught by Nick Rodriguez on Jiu-Jitsu fundamentals revolving around the EBI Overtime Bundle. It aims to improve players' expertise in the sport at a faster pace. The course covers comprehensive techniques and insights needed to reach higher levels in Jiu-Jitsu, in addition to time-saving methods to reach there.

🎓 Unlock Course

Front Headlock Escapes

1m · Not Mapped

This YouTube video is a brief instructional guide on how to escape from a front headlock position. The instructor demonstrates three different methods to escape a front headlock. The first method involves driving hips into the opponent's hips and elevating the head, which disrupts their ability to finish the choke. The second strategy incorporates getting hands on the opponent and tucking the elbow as tightly as possible while diverting to the side. The final method is useful when the grip is tight; a palm strike to the groin loosens the grip, offering a chance to escape.

Position: Front Headlock Category: Escapes

Moves you SHOULD have learned as a #whitebelt

22s · Matt Arroyo

The video is an instructional guide by Matt Arroyo on the importance of underhooks during side control escapes. It emphasizes the costly mistake beginners often make; yielding an underhook back to the opponent during side control escapes or half guard. Arroyo explains the underhook should be retained to facilitate successful escapes and uses the metaphor of giving back a thousand bucks to enlighten the gravity of this mistake.

Position: Side Control Category: Escapes

PREMIUM

Ultimate Back Attacks and Escapes Bundle by Gordon Ryan

$419.00 • BJJ Fanatics

The video, "Ultimate Back Attacks and Escapes Bundle" by Gordon Ryan, teaches a complete system for mastering defense from aggressive back control, which is a dominant position in grappling. Gordon Ryan, a multi-time ADCC gold medalist and accomplished No-Gi grappler, provides insightful instruction. The content aids understanding the offensive and defensive approaches to the back position and helps viewers anticipate their opponents' strategies during grappling exchanges.

🎓 Unlock Course

INSIDE ELBOW ESCAPE From BOTTOM MOUNT by Gordon Ryan

18s · Gordon Ryan

The video features instructor Gordon Ryan teaching the Inside Elbow Escape from a Bottom Mount position in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Ryan demonstrates escaping when the opponent has their hands on the floor and feet close together, no crossface applied. He emphasizes securing the inside position before initiating a bridge to successfully escape, putting yourself in a better position to counterattack.

Position: Mount Category: Escapes

How to suck less as a white belt 😅 #bjj #jiujitsu

22s · Dubious Dom

The video gives tips to BJJ white belts on how to perfect the technique of bridging via proper hip thrusting. Dubious Dom, the instructor, suggests not to use tiny pops of the hips, instead advises to bring the toes close to the hips and thrust the hips up diagonally. This method is particularly useful to facilitate various escapes including the arm trap and roll.

Position: Mount Category: Escapes

PREMIUM

The Pillars of Defense: Back Escapes by Gordon Ryan

$349.00 • BJJ Fanatics

In this instructional video, Gordon Ryan elaborates on a complete back control escape system. His method includes hand fighting, breaking body triangle, and the introduction of defensive strategies from the straight jacket position. He further explains the techniques with the help of live sparring breakdowns, which he uses to analyze and demonstrate the maneuvers in action. These systems and strategies are the ones he uses at the elite levels of no-gi grappling.

🎓 Unlock Course

3 Self-Defense Escapes Everyone Should Learn

57s · Not Mapped

The video covers three different techniques to escape a bear hug, a common position during real-life attacks. Technique one, Sliding South, involves dropping to the base, pushing hands together, flaring elbows and sliding out, ideal when the attacker locks over the arms. The second technique is the Ankle Grab, which is useful when the attacker locks under the arms. Drop down, grab their ankle and pull them off balance. The third technique, Base Drop and Step Around, is used when the attacker locks around the upper chest. Drop the base, step around and block their ankles with your own legs, making sure to secure both legs as you bring them down.

Position: Standing — Torso Control Category: Escapes

The 3 Most Important Jiu Jitsu Techniques For A BJJ White Belt by John Danaher

30m · John Danaher

In this video, renowned instructor John Danaher explores the three most crucial Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) techniques a white belt should know, placing a particular emphasis on the elbow escape. He details how the elbow escape can effectively be used from the bottom position to escape from different kinds of pins. The move is labeled as the most important in all of BJJ, particularly beneficial for beginners as it underlines the concept of escaping from a poor position. Danaher further guides to the understanding of different pins and the correct means of using the elbow escape in various situations.

Position: Bottom Position Category: Escapes

PREMIUM

The Pillars of Defense: Turtle & Front Headlock Escapes by Gordon Ryan

$349.00 • BJJ Fanatics

The video, "The Pillars of Defense: Turtle & Front Headlock Escapes" by Gordon Ryan, provides a detailed system to escape from turtle and front headlocks. The tutorial emphasizes techniques such as peak outs, 4 points, and transitioning to half guard. The video demonstrates how to roll to guard and escape from turtle with specific tips for staying safe and preventing hooks. This systematic approach helps viewers learn to break free from front headlocks as efficiently as possible, with the added benefit of featuring gym footage and breakdowns of each step.

🎓 Unlock Course

The best mount escape #bjj #jiujitsu #brazilianjiujitsu

53s · Dubious Dom

The YouTube video teaches how to escape from a mount in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Instructor Dubious Dom prioritizes protecting the head and keeping the opponent low using his elbows. By placing his legs inside the opponent's and shifting onto one hip, he uses his heel to pull the opponent's leg over, creating leverage which can be used in conjunction with an elbow push to escape the hold. The changed position opens up potential follow-up strategies such as underhooks or frames.

Position: Mount Category: Escapes

INSANE Darce escape by Craig Jones 🤯 #bteamjiujitsu

24s · Craig Jones

Craig Jones demonstrates an escape from a Darce choke in this instructional video. The escape involves baiting your opponent into attempting a Darce choke, then punching your elbow out and lifting your hips up in order to create space. This allows you to look around your opponent's arm, using your legs to push off and pull your head out of the choke.

Position: Darce Choke Category: Escapes

PREMIUM

The Pillars of Defense: Pin Escapes - Defensive to Offensive Cycles by Gordon Ryan

$349.00 • BJJ Fanatics

The video is part of a 9-part series by Gordon Ryan focused on pin escapes from multiple positions like mount, side control and knee-on-belly. Gordon aims to provide strategies, tips and techniques on how to transform defensive situations into offensive opportunities by capitalizing on opponents' pins. Emphasis is laid on improving the effectiveness of kipping escapes, side guards, and tricep post escapes. The video also includes rolling footage from gym sessions featuring Gordon Ryan applying the techniques and detailed breakdowns of his actions for better understanding.

🎓 Unlock Course

How To Escape the Kimura #bjj

52s · Matt Arroyo

In this video, Matt Arroyo demonstrates how to effectively escape a Kimura submission hold in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Instruction involves avoiding contact with the floor to prevent opponent's access to further submissions and using weight distribution to hinder the opponent's strength. If the Kimura is initiated, Arroyo demonstrates using the right leg and knee to apply pressure on the trapped arm, encouraging the opponent to abandon the submission. He also emphasizes the importance of smart transitions.

Position: Side Control Category: Escapes

How To Do The Perfect BJJ Side Control Escape by John Danaher

15m · John Danaher

In this instructional video, John Danaher walks viewers through the process of how to perform a perfect side control escape. Explaining the principles behind a controlling pin, including the use of a pin as a set of wedges, he challenges the notion that success relies on body weight alone. Danaher emphasizes the importance of understanding how the opponent is holding you as this would directly influence the most effective method of escape. The video provides a comprehensive and detailed examination of effective side control escape techniques in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ).

Position: Side Control Category: Escapes

PREMIUM

Pillars of Defense: Upper Body Joint Lock Escapes by Gordon Ryan

$349.00 • BJJ Fanatics

This video features Gordon Ryan, a multiple-time ADCC champion, teaching systematic ways to escape from upper body joint locks including armbars, kimuras, and omoplatas. He not only instructs on how to escape these submission techniques, but also offers strategies on transitioning from defense to offense, demonstrated with actual rolling footage from the gym. The video's focus lies in its conceptually powerful lessons on creating space and countering with offensive cycles including entries to leg locks and back takes.

🎓 Unlock Course

Easy way to escape the knee on belly!

59s · Matt Arroyo

The video features Matt Arroyo demonstrating an easy way to escape the 'knee on belly' position. He explains common errors and emphasizes the importance of holding the opposing fighter's knee and moving your own body, through shrimping, instead of trying to push the knee away. After shrimping, he suggests immediately shooting an underhook to avoid letting the opponent take side control. He includes detailed explanations and demonstrates the escape technique properly.

Position: Knee On Belly Category: Escapes

3 ways to defend a headlock #selfdefense

52s · Coach Tim

In this video, Coach Tim teaches viewers his favorite techniques for escaping a headlock. The first methodology involves gaining control over your opponent's grip, creating slight space between you and your opponent to remove your head. The second approach involves using control of the chin and knee to establish space. Lastly, the third technique shows how to take the situation to the ground while ensuring protection from a potential transition from a headlock to a choke.

Position: Standing — Torso Control Category: Escapes

PREMIUM

Pillars of Defense: Strangle Escapes by Gordon Ryan

$349.00 • BJJ Fanatics

In this instructional video, multiple-time ADCC champion, Gordon Ryan, teaches viewers how to effectively escape from various types of strangleholds and triangle submissions. Ryan provides detailed techniques and strategies for early and late escapes, along with methods for preventing submissions. The video also includes actual rolling footage from the gym, with Ryan breaking down each move to highlight the practical application of the techniques.

🎓 Unlock Course

HOW TO ESCAPE A REAR NAKED CHOKE #2 - DEAN LISTER

28s · Dean Lister

In this instructional video, Dean Lister teaches how to escape from a rear naked choke hold in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He explains the importance of maintaining balance and identifying which leg to focus on based on the arm that initiated the choke. Throughout the video, Dean emphasizes hopping around rather than turning in place, and demonstrates the technique slowly for a comprehensive understanding.

Technique: Rear Naked Choke Position: Standing — Torso Control Category: Escapes

How to Escape Kesa Gatame and the Headlock

8m · Stephan Kesting

This video features Instructor Stephan Kesting demonstrating how to escape the Kesa Gatame position and a headlock. He begins by explaining a basic headlock escape technique, emphasizing the importance of keeping the arm on the ground and transitioning onto the knees to effect the escape. Kesting then moves onto escaping the Kesa Gatame, highlighting the importance of staying on your side and the crucial steps of bridging twice to get the upper body in the correct position. He concludes by outlining common mistakes made while attempting these escapes.

Position: Kesa Gatame Category: Escapes

PREMIUM

The Pillars Of Defense: Leg Lock Escapes and Counter Locks by Gordon Ryan

$349.00 • BJJ Fanatics

The Pillars Of Defense: Leg Lock Escapes and Counter Locks by Gordon Ryan is a tutorial series that provides strategies for elite level leg lock and counter lock defenses. The video covers modern techniques used in no-gi grappling and strategies to defend from various locks such as the Achilles lock, toe hold and heel hook. The tutorial covers techniques used in various leg entanglement positions like Irimi Ashi Garami, Outside Ashi, Top Ushiro, Cross Ashi, 50/50, Mutual Ashi, and Inside Ashi Garami. The defenses demonstrated are part of Gordon's tried and proven system.

🎓 Unlock Course

The Best Way To Escape From The Jiu Jitsu Body Triangle by Gordon Ryan

9m · Gordon Ryan

In this video, Gordon Ryan teaches how to efficiently escape the "Body Triangle" position, a commonly used back control technique in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Ryan explains and demonstrates that one key to escaping this position is having confidence in your primary defensive hand's ability to prevent the opponent from strangling you. Simultaneously, the secondary hand aids in unlocking the opponent's triangle lock and escaping. The method revolves around the idea of trapping the opponent's leg between your legs, and creating ankle exposure through strategic hip rotating and hand-assisting methods. This technique, he argues, is the most effective way of escaping the body triangle.

Technique: Triangle Choke Position: Back Control Category: Escapes

How To Do The Perfect BJJ Mount Escape by John Danaher

26m · John Danaher

John Danaher demonstrates and details the mechanics of executing a successful elbow escape from the mount position in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. After breaking down the anatomy of the mount and its impact on the overall dynamic, he delves into how to apply the elbow escape in this setting. The tutorial pays particular attention to the positioning of the practitioner's body and how to manipulate the opponent's body to achieve a successful escape. The video underscores the importance of understanding the concept of 'wedges' utilized in the mount position and how to effectively counter these.

Position: Mount Category: Escapes

PREMIUM

Ultimate Armlock Escapes by Henry Akins

$279.00 • BJJ Fanatics

The video features Henry Akins, a 20-year black belt veteran, sharing his insights into escaping armlock positions. The techniques taught in this video revolve around escaping from various armlocks such as Kimura, Americana, and multiple armbar variations. The aim is to not only escape unscathed but also to transform a defensive position into an offensive one. Akins emphasizes high-level concepts and detailed techniques to execute successful armlock escapes.

🎓 Unlock Course

❯

Why Escapes Matter More Than You Think

Escaping well changes how you roll. If opponents can’t hold you down, they burn energy while you conserve it. You’ll take more risks offensively because you trust your defenses. Strong bjj pin escapes also make your guard and passing better by sharpening your posture, frames, and hip movement.

Escapes are the foundation of survival for white and blue belts and a constant calibration for advanced athletes. They protect your neck and joints, extend your training longevity, and keep you on the mat improving.

Core Concepts, Decisions, and Common Mistakes

Win the inside space. Inside hand and forearm frames at the neck line and hip line stop chest-to-chest pressure and set up your hip movement. Lose inside space and you’ll carry weight, eat crossfaces, and expose your arms.

Head and hip alignment. Your head should face the escape route and your hips must be free to move. Turn your face away or let your hips get blocked and you stall. This is why the bjj hip escape and bridge-to-hip-switch are drilled constantly.

Early beats late. The moment your opponent transitions, there’s a window to insert knees, elbows, or underhooks. If you wait until they settle and crossface, you’ll need layered frames or late-stage survival tactics.

Frame, then move. Pushing with extended arms or trying to bench-press someone off mount is a classic error. Build skeletal frames first, then bridge, shrimp, or come to your knees.

Don’t over-rotate. In bjj side control escape attempts, spinning belly-down without frames exposes your back. Rotate only as far as your frames and underhooks protect you.

Connect the exit. An escape isn’t complete until you arrive somewhere safe. Aim to re-guard (closed, half, knee shield), come to turtle with purpose, or stand up with grips. Drilling the follow-up prevents getting re-pinned.

Know your late-stage options. For bjj headlock escape or tight mount, you may need elbow-knee connection, kipping escape bjj variations, ghost escape bjj from side control, or structured defensive shells before you can move.

What To Study First: A Simple Escape Syllabus

Start position by position so you always have a plan.

Side control: Learn a basic frame set (near-side forearm at neck, far-side forearm at hip), bridge to insert knee, hip escape to guard. Add the ghost escape bjj or underhook-to-knee-elbow re-guard when crossfaced. Practice turning in vs. turning away with safe turtle entries.

Mount: Build the elbow-knee connection and frames at the belt line. Study bjj elbow escape and bjj escape from mount using bridge-and-roll vs. knee-elbow to half guard. Add solutions for escape high mount bjj where knees trap your arms, and understand when to frame, shrimp, or trap a foot.

Back control: Protect your neck first, then clear a hook and put your back to the mat. Aim to get your shoulders to the floor and turn into closed or half guard. Prioritize two-on-one grip control and head positioning.

Turtle: Learn bjj turtle escapes that connect to sit-outs, granby rolls, peek-outs, and guard pulls. Keep elbows tight and deny seatbelt chokes before initiating movement.

Half guard bottom: Build knee shield frames, underhook battles, and hip-in/hip-out timing. Study bjj half guard escape to full guard or to stand-up when the crossface is denied.

Closed guard bottom: If flattened or stacked, study bjj closed guard escape or bjj full guard escape strategies to re-open and create angle, including hip escape bjj movements to re-guard or stand.

Movement drills: Hip escape, bridges, technical stand-up, shoulder shrimps, and kipping escape patterns under light resistance. These are your engine for all jiu jitsu escapes.

As you progress, compare systems like john danaher escapes, lachlan giles escapes, and other modern concepts. Look for details on frames, sequencing, and late-stage survival, not just “big” moves.

Training Methods That Make Escapes Stick

Positional sparring. Start in bad spots with clear rules: top tries to stabilize and submit, bottom focuses on a single escape pathway. Reset quickly and repeat so you get dozens of reps per round.

Layered goals. Set A-to-B goals: survive crossface and underhook, establish frames, insert knee, recover half guard, then close guard or stand. Track your progress by how fast you reach B.

Time your exits. The best moments are during the passer’s transitions, grips changes, or when they switch hips. Train yourself to feel weight shifts and fire your first frame then.

Energy management. Don’t explode randomly. Short, directed bridges and precise hip escapes conserve energy and make your frames harder to break.

Link the landing. Drill the immediate follow-up: as soon as you re-guard, establish grips and break posture; if you stand up, enter your takedown or disengage.

How To Use BJJ University To Study Escapes

BJJ University is a free, curated learning hub. Use the navigation menu to browse categorized videos, short clips, breakdowns, and instructional resources by instructor, technique, position, category, and training topic. For escapes, start at the Escapes main page to see mount, side control, back, turtle, headlock, and north-south sections, plus drills for hip escape and bridging.

Compare approaches from coaches known for clear systems. Explore concepts like bjj basic escapes for new students, bjj escapes for white belts, bjj pin escapes for side control and mount, and advanced sequences like kipping and ghost-style exits. Save the pages you return to often, and share BJJ University with teammates who want high-quality free BJJ study material. Bookmark the site so your next training plan is one click away.

FAQs

Related BJJ University Pages

• 1Escapes main page: Primary hub for all escape subtopics, videos, and drills.
• 2All BJJ categorys: Browse additional categories like guard passing, sweeps, submissions, and takedowns to connect your escape study with the rest of your game.
• 3Drills Category Guide: Compare related BJJ University category study guides.
• 4Guard Passing Category Guide: Compare related BJJ University category study guides.