Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Escapes Directory
Master the art of defense and recovery in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Learn to escape bad positions and turn the tables on your opponent.
What types of escapes are there?
Master the art of defensive recovery with our comprehensive collection of escape techniques, each systematically organized with video demonstrations and step-by-step breakdowns.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Escapes
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu escapes are defensive techniques used to recover from disadvantageous positions.
There are many variations which we have broken down into the core elements of each escape type.
How are the escapes broken down?
What are the types of escapes for?
Bridge and Roll Escape - Immediate Recovery from Pins
Bridge and roll escapes are designed for immediate recovery from pinning positions where an opponent has established top control. These explosive techniques use hip movement and rotation to create separation, making them essential for escaping side control, mount, and other crushing positions where quick recovery is critical.
The bridge and roll is particularly effective when opponents overcommit their weight forward, allowing you to use their momentum against them. This escape is foundational for developing the explosive power needed in competitive grappling.
Guard Recovery - Re-establishing Defensive Posture
Guard recovery escapes are designed to help practitioners regain their guard when it's been passed or compromised. These techniques focus on creating space, establishing frames, and using leg positioning to prevent opponents from maintaining dominant positions after a guard pass attempt.
Guard recovery is crucial for maintaining defensive posture and preventing opponents from establishing submissions. These escapes teach the fundamental principles of space creation and frame establishment that apply throughout all BJJ defensive work.
Single Underhook Escape - Posture Restoration
Single underhook escapes are designed for situations where you've lost posture and need to regain vertical positioning. By securing one underhook, practitioners can create leverage points to lift their upper body and restore posture while maintaining defensive stability.
This escape is particularly valuable when opponents are pressuring down with their weight, as the underhook provides a mechanical advantage for posture restoration. Single underhook work teaches fundamental principles of leverage and base establishment.
Double Underhook Escape - Maximum Posture Control
Double underhook escapes utilize both underhooks simultaneously to provide comprehensive posture control and prevent opponent rotation. These advanced techniques are designed for situations requiring maximum stability and control during recovery sequences.
Double underhooks prevent opponents from circling or adjusting their position, making them ideal for creating a stable platform for systematic recovery. This escape requires significant technical skill but provides superior control and counter-attack potential.
Leg Switch Escape - Balance Disruption
Leg switch escapes are designed to disrupt opponent balance by changing leg positioning during recovery attempts. These techniques use strategic foot placement and knee positioning to create instability in opponents who are leaning or pressuring in specific directions.
Leg switches are particularly effective when opponents are unbalanced or overcommitted to one side. This escape teaches practitioners how to use subtle leg movements to create significant mechanical advantages during recovery.
Leg Through Escape - Limb Control and Recovery
Leg through escapes combine leg entanglement techniques with recovery mechanics to control opponent limbs while creating space. These technical escapes are designed for situations where isolating and controlling an opponent's leg can create unique recovery opportunities.
This escape is particularly valuable in no-gi grappling or when opponents are vulnerable to leg attacks. Leg through techniques teach advanced positioning and control that can lead to both defensive recovery and offensive opportunities.
Fade Away - Creating Distance and Angles
Fade away escapes are designed to create immediate distance and defensive angles without direct confrontation. These lateral movement techniques emphasize frame creation and positioning to neutralize opponent pressure while establishing space for follow-up techniques.
Fade away is ideal when opponents are pressuring heavily or when you need to create space for other escapes. This technique teaches practitioners how to use angles and positioning to manage distance and control the pace of engagement.
Escape Chaining
Escape chaining refers to the sequential combination of multiple defensive techniques executed in rapid succession to achieve complete recovery from disadvantageous positions.
What is framing in Jiu Jitsu?
Framing establishes the fundamental structural integrity that prevents opponent advancement while creating recovery opportunities. Using arms, legs, and body positioning to create leverage points that neutralize pressure and maintain defensive posture. Proper framing requires understanding biomechanical principles and maintaining tension throughout the frame.
Effective structural foundation is crucial because it transforms passive defense into active resistance. Without proper frames, practitioners remain vulnerable to continued pressure and submission attempts, regardless of their escape attempts.
What information we collect about escapes
We're building a comprehensive resource by curating the best educational content about Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu escapes from across the internet. Our approach focuses on gathering high-quality information that actually helps practitioners improve defensive skills, rather than collecting data for data's sake.\n\nWe carefully select and organize escape information, technique relationships, and educational videos from trusted sources worldwide. This means you get access to expert instruction without having to search through countless YouTube videos or forum posts to find the good stuff.
Escape Breakdowns
Detailed explanations of how each escape works, from basic mechanics to advanced applications
Technique Relationships
Clear connections showing which submissions and counters work from each escape position
Curated Video Library
Hand-picked instructional videos from top BJJ coaches and defensive specialists
Escape Variations
Every sub-technique within major escape categories, from fundamental to highly technical
Practical Applications
Real-world effectiveness and tournament implications of different escape strategies
Learning Pathways
Structured progression showing how escapes build upon each other for complete defense
What others wanted to know
While fundamental escape concepts remain consistent, grip availability significantly alters application. Gi provides enhanced control through fabric grips, while no-gi emphasizes body positioning and weight distribution. Leg entanglement escapes become more viable in no-gi due to reduced clothing interference.
Standard Escapes
Some more complex escapes
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