Escape Artist: 6 Techniques to Escape from Common Submissions in BJJ

Escaping submissions is a crucial skill to have in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). Knowing how to defend and escape different submissions can mean the difference between winning or losing a match. In this post, we’ll cover six different submission escapes you should know.

Triangle Escape

The Triangle choke is a submission that can be applied from the guard position. The attacker wraps their legs around the defender’s neck and arm, creating a triangle-shaped choke. To escape, the defender needs to first posture up and prevent the attacker from tightening the choke. Next, the defender should use their free arm to grab the attacker’s knee and push it down to create space to free their trapped arm. Once the arm is free, the defender can pass the guard or go for a counter-attack.

Kimura Escape

The Kimura is a submission that targets the shoulder joint. It can be applied from several positions such as side control, mount, or guard. To escape the Kimura, the defender needs to prevent the attacker from fully securing the submission by controlling their grip and posture. The defender can then attempt to roll towards the attacker’s trapped arm and use their legs to break the grip. Once the grip is broken, the defender can escape and possibly take the attacker’s back.

Rear Naked Choke Escape

The Rear Naked Choke is a submission that targets the neck and can be applied from the back position. To escape the Rear Naked Choke, the defender needs to first protect their neck by tucking their chin and bringing their shoulders up. Next, the defender should try to peel off the attacker’s arms by grabbing their hands and pushing them down. The defender can then escape by either turning into the attacker’s guard or standing up and breaking the attacker’s grip.

Guillotine Escape

The Guillotine is a submission that targets the neck and can be applied from the standing or kneeling position. To escape, the defender needs to first prevent the attacker from tightening the choke by keeping their head up and their chin tucked. Next, the defender should reach over the attacker’s shoulder with one arm and grab their own wrist with the other arm. This creates a frame that prevents the attacker from choking the defender. The defender can then escape by either passing the guard or standing up and breaking the grip.

Darce Escape

The Darce choke is a submission that targets the neck and can be applied from several positions such as side control or guard. To escape, the defender needs to first prevent the attacker from fully securing the submission by controlling their grip and posture. The defender should then turn towards the trapped arm and use their legs to break the grip. Once the grip is broken, the defender can escape and possibly take the attacker’s back.

Armbar Escape

The Armbar is a submission that targets the elbow joint and can be applied from several positions such as mount or guard. To escape, the defender needs to first prevent the attacker from fully securing the submission by controlling their posture and grip. The defender should then turn towards the trapped arm and push it towards the attacker’s hips. This creates space for the defender to free their arm and escape the submission.

 

In conclusion, submission escapes is an essential part of BJJ training. By practicing these escapes, you’ll become more confident in your ability to defend against submissions and possibly even turn the tables on your opponent. Remember to stay calm and focused, and always prioritize your defense over offense.