We’ve all been there—pinned down in side control or trapped under mount, struggling to breathe and wondering how to get out. Bad positions in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu are part of the game, but learning how to escape them separates the average grappler from someone who can truly survive on the mats. Trust me, I’ve been stuck in all the worst spots more times than I can count, but over the years, I learned the techniques and mindset that helped me escape like a pro.
In this article, I’ll break down the key escape tactics you need to master and how to build the right mindset to stay calm under pressure. Whether you’re new to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu or just looking to improve your escape game, these tips will keep you from getting crushed and help you gain the upper hand, no matter the situation.
Why Escaping Bad Positions is Crucial in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
The Role of Escapes in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is known as the “gentle art,” but it doesn’t always feel gentle when you’re stuck under someone’s weight! One of the things I love most about Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is that it teaches you how to defend yourself even when you’re in a bad spot. Escapes are essential because they allow you to survive and reset when things aren’t going your way. Remember, you won’t always be the one on offense—sometimes, your defense will save the day.
How Escaping Builds Confidence
When I first started training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, I’d get stuck in bad positions and panic. I’d thrash around, trying to force my way out, and it rarely worked. But once I started focusing on my escapes, my confidence grew. Knowing I could get out of tough spots made me more comfortable taking risks and going for submissions. When you trust your ability to escape, your entire Brazilian Jiu Jitsu game improves.
Common Bad Positions You’ll Face in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Side Control
Being pinned under side control is one of the most frustrating positions in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Your opponent’s weight presses down on your chest, and it feels like they have complete control. It can be overwhelming, but with the right techniques, you can create space and get back into the fight.
Mount
The mount is another nightmare scenario. When someone is mounted on top of you, they have all the leverage and options for submissions. Escaping mount is a must if you want to avoid being finished in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Back Control
When your opponent takes your back, it’s like a ticking time bomb for submissions. They’re hunting for the choke, and you’re in a very vulnerable position. But there are ways to stay calm, defend, and turn the tables—this is crucial for your overall success in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Mastering the Mindset for Escapes in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Staying Calm Under Pressure
The biggest mistake I see beginners make in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is panicking in bad positions. I used to do it myself. I’d be stuck in side control, and my brain would go into overdrive—“I need to get out NOW!” The problem is, panic leads to poor decisions and wasted energy. The key is to stay calm, breathe, and take your time.
One thing that helped me was focusing on my breathing. I’d take slow, deep breaths to calm myself down and remind myself that there’s always a way out. When you can stay composed, you’ll see escape opportunities more clearly in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. That, plus positively reassuring yourself that you will escape.
Patience and Timing
Escapes in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu aren’t about brute force; they’re about timing and leverage. You don’t have to explode out of a bad position the moment you’re stuck—sometimes, it’s better to wait for your opponent to make a mistake or shift their weight. Be patient, stay tight, and when the opportunity presents itself, escape with purpose.
Technical Breakdown: Escape Tactics for Bad Positions in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Escaping Side Control
Frames and Bridging
When you’re stuck under side control in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, your best friends are your frames and bridging. Use your forearm and hand against your opponent’s neck or shoulder. Then use a strong bridge to get your opponent’s weight off of you. This gives you the breathing room to start moving your hips, which is essential for escaping.
Shrimping
Hip escapes (or shrimping) are the bread and butter of getting out of side control in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Once you’ve created a bit of space with your frames, turn onto your side and start shrimping away from your opponent, aiming to recover guard.
Recover Guard
This is one of my favorite escapes in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. As you shrimp, slide your knee in between you and your opponent, creating even more space. From here, you can work back to guard or half guard.
Single Leg
Another great option when getting to the guard is not available. In this case, you would turn sideways, grab your opponent’s bottom leg and get on all fours. From here, you would execute a normal single-leg finish. So, it helps to study wrestling!
Escaping Mount
Bridge and Roll
The bridge and roll is one of the first escapes you’ll learn in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and for good reason—it works. If your opponent is mounted high, trap one of their arms and bridge hard, rolling them over your shoulder. This escape is all about timing and making sure you trap the arm before the roll.
Elbow-Knee Escape
The elbow-knee escape should be your primary option against a skilled mount player in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Shrimp your hips to one side, use your elbow to push their knee up, and then slide your knee through to regain half guard or full guard. Drill this escape often—it’s a game-changer.
Escaping Back Control w/ Hooks
Defending the Choke
When someone has your back in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, the first thing you need to do is protect your neck. Keep your hands tight to your collarbone and fight off any grips. Your goal is to defend while creating small movements to escape.
Head-to-Floor Escape
The best way to escape back control is using your legs to drive your head to the floor and then ultimately getting your shoulders and back on the floor. The concept is simple: if your back is flush to the floor, your back can no longer be attacked. From there, you would shrimp out and look to get on top or regain half guard or possibly full guard in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Developing a Good Escape Plan in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Recognizing Patterns in Training
One of the most valuable things you can do in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is recognize the positions where you consistently get stuck. Do you always find yourself in side control? Are you getting your back taken too often? Once you identify these patterns, you can focus your training on mastering escapes from those specific spots.
Position Before Submission
When you’re stuck in a bad position in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, forget about submissions. Focus on escaping and regaining a dominant position first. Once you’re in a better spot, then you can think about attacking.
Pro Tips for Escaping Like a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Control the Pace of the Fight
One thing I’ve learned over the years in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is that the person who controls the pace usually wins. When you’re in a bad spot, it’s easy to feel like the pressure is all on you, but you can still slow things down by staying calm and using small movements to escape.
Focus on Small Wins
Not every escape in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is going to result in a dominant position. Sometimes just regaining half guard is a win. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t get fully out—every inch of space counts.
Chain Escapes Together
At the higher levels of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, when you attempt to escape, a skilled opponent will counter by changing their position. Then you will need to go to a different escape. Anticipate this before your opponent completes their counter. This way, you will already be shifting into your next escape, keeping your opponent off guard.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Escaping in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Panicking
As mentioned earlier, panic is your worst enemy in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Stay calm, control your breathing, and think through your options.
Using Too Much Strength
Escapes in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu should rely on technique, not brute force. If you’re using more strength than skill, you’ll tire out quickly.
Failing to Address the Real Problem
In positions like mount in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, you have to address the immediate threat (like their weight on your chest) before attempting an escape. Focus on solving the root of the problem, not just scrambling to get out.
Escape Like a Pro in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Escaping bad positions in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu takes time, patience, and a lot of practice, but once you master it, you’ll feel like a whole new grappler. Don’t shy away from getting stuck—embrace it as a chance to sharpen your escape game. Remember, there’s always a way out with the right mindset and technique. Stay calm, trust your training, and you’ll escape like a pro in no time.
-JH
