Unleashing the Power of the Elbow Escape: A Step-by-Step Tutorial

The elbow escape is a fundamental technique in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu that every practitioner should master. This technique allows you to escape from the bottom position and regain control of the fight. In this comprehensive guide, we will break down the elbow escape from start to finish, covering everything from the setup to the finishing details.

The Setup

To perform the elbow escape, start by placing your feet on the ground and bringing your knees up towards your chest. From here, shrimp out to one side, creating space between you and your opponent. With your free hand, reach under your opponent’s arm and grab their opposite lapel. This will create a strong frame and give you control over your opponent’s upper body.

The Execution

Next, turn your hips towards your opponent and place your elbow on the ground. Your hand should still be gripping their lapel, while your other hand reaches across your body and grips their same-side sleeve. This creates a strong grip on your opponent’s upper body and allows you to control their movements.

Now, start to straighten your arms and push against your opponent’s body. This will create space between you and your opponent, allowing you to bring your knee through the gap and establish the guard. As you bring your knee through, your other leg should come up and over your opponent’s thigh, allowing you to establish the closed guard.

Common Mistakes

One common mistake when performing the elbow escape is failing to create enough space between you and your opponent. If you don’t create enough space, you won’t be able to bring your knee through and establish the guard. Make sure to shrimp out far enough to create ample space.

Another mistake is failing to control your opponent’s upper body. If you don’t have a strong grip on their lapel and sleeve, they will be able to easily posture up and prevent you from executing the elbow escape.

Countering the Counter

Sometimes your opponent may counter your elbow escape by placing their weight on your knee, preventing you from bringing it through. If this happens, use your free leg to kick their leg out and create the space you need.

Another counter is for your opponent to keep their arms tight and prevent you from establishing the grip on their lapel and sleeve. If this happens, switch to the scissor sweep or other alternative technique.

Finishing Details

To finish the elbow escape, establish the closed guard and start working on your submissions or sweeps. Remember to maintain your control over your opponent’s upper body, and don’t allow them to posture up and escape the guard.

Drilling the Elbow Escape:

As with any BJJ technique, drilling is key to developing proficiency and muscle memory. The elbow escape is no exception. There are several ways to drill the elbow escape, and it’s important to mix up your training to avoid getting stuck in a rut.

One common way to drill the elbow escape is to start in the closed guard with a partner on top. From here, perform the elbow escape on one side, then switch to the other side and repeat. This allows you to get a lot of reps in and work on your timing and technique.

Another way to drill the elbow escape is to use a resistance band or towel. Place the band or towel around your partner’s waist and use it to simulate the pressure of their weight. From here, perform the elbow escape and work on maintaining your technique and form even with added resistance.

It’s also important to drill the elbow escape from a variety of positions, such as the mount, side control, and knee on belly. This will help you develop a deeper understanding of the technique and how to apply it in different situations.

When drilling the elbow escape, it’s important to focus on the details. Pay attention to your hand placement, hip movement, and timing. It can be helpful to have a partner or coach watch you and provide feedback on your technique.

Finally, it’s important to remember that drilling is not a substitute for live rolling. Once you feel comfortable with the elbow escape, make sure to test it out in live sparring situations to see how it holds up against resistance. This will help you refine your technique and identify any weaknesses that need to be addressed.

In summary, drilling the elbow escape is crucial for developing proficiency and muscle memory. Mix up your training to avoid getting stuck in a rut, and focus on the details of the technique. Once you feel comfortable with the elbow escape, test it out in live sparring to refine your technique and identify areas for improvement.