Category: Techniques

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Techniques

Side Control Escapes

If you are anything like me, you will spend A LOT of time in the bottom of side control as a white belt.  Like literally an eternity.  I would almost rather be mounted than have someone smothering me from side control with a strong cross face.  I have probably watched more youtube videos on side control escapes than anything else in jiu-jitsu.  Of course its always better to defend PRIOR to giving someone side control, but it is bound to happen at some point.  

This first video is how I learned the “first” side control escape.  There are many details that I have focused on with trying to perfect this movement.  For example, with the arm that is framed to his neck, keeping my elbow high when I am bridging into my opponent has been helpful.  Really using that forearm to grind into his neck or face helps make this work.

The video below shows the “second” side control escape that I learned.   This one has been a little more risky for me, as I have struggled to convert the single leg at the end of this escape.

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Techniques

Rear Mount Escape

It was a good feeling for me when I finally learned some techniques on how to deal with someone on my back.  Before learning anything I would quickly be tapped out once in this position. 

In Kurt Osiander’s video, he describes the fundamentals of keeping your chin down and protecting your neck.  IMO, this is the first priority, to fight to defend your neck from the choke.

 

I like how the next video below describes moving your hips and getting your back to the mat to escape.  There are many variations around grip fighting when defending your neck.  When possible, I usually try to do the two on one hand grab on their choking arm to move my head to the outside.  If I can successfully do this and keep control of their arm, I feel way more confident.

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Techniques

Mount Escapes

Escaping from the bottom position while mounted is one of the first things you learn in jiu-jitsu.  Escaping from mount may be the most important things to know from a self defense perspective.  If you have ever found yourself in a fight on the bottom with someone mounted on you and laying haymakers, you know how powerless you feel.

Luckily we have jiu-jitsu which teaches us how to escape from this dangerous situation and get back to a better position to defend ourselves from.  This first video goes over 5 techniques that show how to escape.  The first 2 techniques are what my school taught as “Mount Escape 1”.  In the next video, what Prof. Danaher shows is what we call “Mount Escape 2”.

Mount Escape 2

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Techniques

Blue Belt Techniques

Blue Belt Techniques

Blue belt.  The first real sign of progress in your BJJ journey.  Not all gyms have stripes, and everyone who walks in a gym gets a white belt.  In a previous article, we discussed the key skills needed for a white belt.  

The IBJJF has a minimum recommended length of time typically required to achieve each belt.  The list below is regarding 18+ adult rankings (IBJJF Graduation System).

  • Whit belt – no minimum time
  • Blue belt – 2 year minimum
  • Purple belt – 1 and a half years
  • Brown belt – 1 year

In the video above, Professor Danaher and Bernardo Faria discuss what skills are needed to know to be considered a blue belt in BJJ.

1.) The ability to escape

2.) Effective from top and bottom position

3.) The ability to submit someone