BJJ Move #41: The Elbow Escape

This and the "Upa" are the two standard ways to escape from mount.

WARNING! These techniques could result in serious injury or death if practiced incorrectly or even if performed correctly. They should only be practiced with the supervision of an experienced instructor.

Elbow Escape:
-reversal
-basic

The Elbow Escape (to guard) (a/k/a knee escape, shrimping):
You are mounted. Lying on your back, keep your elbows tight to your body and your hands near your neck. Your legs are flat on the ground so he can’t grapevine them.
Put your left knee in your opponent’s butt to bring his upper body forward and make his hips light.
Place your left foot on the floor close to your butt.
Bump your hips up and turn your hips to the right (but keep your back flat on the groud).
Press your right elbow on your opponent’s left knee with your left forearm across his waist to make a “frame” (variation: bump him up, stay on your back, put your hands on his hips, elbows bent at 90 degrees for a “frame,” then turn your hips to the right). For vale tudo, use your bent left forearm to protect your face.
Then, as you push down with your left foot, slide your butt to the left and your right knee along the floor (FLAT against the ground so it goes underneath his leg) to meet your right elbow.
Once your right leg is free, plant the right foot over your opponent’s leg and point your knee to the sky.
Then push off your right foot and turn your hips to the left, scooting your butt out. This time your left elbow pushes on your opponent’s knee and you slide your left knee to your left elbow.
Once you’ve cleared his leg you can point your left knee to the sky and cross your ankles around his back and hold him in your closed full guard.
Try to keep your shoulders on the mat while the hips do the turning from side to side. Alternate between this and the “upa” – the two basic mount escapes.


Variation: With Arms Braced
As above, but sometimes you can’t just use your elbow. Put your right hand on your opponent’s right hip, and your left hand on top of your right hand, left elbow on the inside of his right thigh. Your arms now form a “brace” for holding him off while you pull your left knee through, as above.


“The Squiggy” (reversal to guard or in half guard):
You are mounted and your opponent does not have the hooks in.
Bring your right foot to your butt. Do not leave any room for him to get his hooks in.
Turn onto your left side / hip. It is particularly important that your hips are perpendicular to the ground.
Put your left and right hands up against his right knee. You are not pushing his knee, just holding it in place.
Make sure your left leg is straight. Now bend your right knee so you can plant your right foot up by your butt.
Using your right leg, push your hips backwards so that your left leg comes through his legs. Your shoulders will stay in the same place, and you will bend at the waist as your legs push your hips out from under his hips. You do this as you are holding onto his knee. As your left knee comes through, put him in half or full guard.


Comments? Please feel free to point out mistakes, describe tips on the techniques, suggest ways to make the descriptions clearer, etc.
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