BJJ Fundamentals

Lesson 36 – Back Control Escapes

Elbow Escape – Set-Up

Start in back control, defending the strangle with 2-on-1 grips
Straighten your bottom leg and slide your hip out of uke’s lower hook
Move your head below uke’s head so that it touches the mat
- The purpose is to shut down uke’s ability to strangle you while getting more and more of your body touching the mat
Stand on uke’s lower foot and begin to slide your back and hips onto the mat
- Note that uke will be able to re-establish their hook if you don’t do this

Elbow Escape – Finish

Continue from back control elbow escape set-up
Insert your elbow in front of uke’s hips as a frame
Continue to hip out until your body is no longer between uke’s knees
Completely side your elbow to the mat to secure the escape
- Note that once the elbow comes down, uke has completely lost back control and will be unable to strangle you, even with secure lapel grips
As uke comes up, maintain inside position with your legs so that you recover to guard instead of bottom mount
- Note that if uke doesn’t come up, you can simply get up to top position

Duck-Under Escape

Start in back control, defending the strangle with 2-on-1 grips
Slide your body downwards so that your head moves closer to uke’s elbow
Duck under uke’s arm and hold it tightly to the side of your head to prevent them from undoing the movement
- Don’t try to move uke’s arm, move your own body down and under
Finish the escape as in the previous technique

Face-Down to Face-Up

Start in bottom of turtle position, with uke’s hooks fully inserted
Don’t get flattened out while face-down, keep your limbs contracted and defend the strange
Execute a forward roll that gets you to a face-up position
- Important Safety Tip: Both you and uke should tuck your heads down to avoid neck injuries (it is especially important for uke; the person controlling the back should always be aware that their training partner may choose to roll around)
Execute either of the two escapes from before