Why Escapes Are So Important...

For the past few months we've been looking at some of the more common and useful escapes in Brazilian Jiujitsu.
This week I'd like to discuss the importance of escapes in your training.

When I first got into Brazilian Jiujitsu and Grappling many years ago, it was because of Mixed Martial Arts.
Like many others I was a stand up Striker and saw the value of grappling from the earlier UFC tournament shows back in 1993.
Back then submissions became all the rage and I can remember when people started teaching submissions at many martial arts schools as grappling.
This began my grappling training and although it took a little while before qualified Jiujitsu instructors started popping up everywhere, it taught me a very valuable lesson.

Which leads me to a concept that's very hard for most beginners to get.

Not that it's really complicated, it's actually quite simple, but because it goes against the simple strategy that most beginners think BJJ is about.
The "Grappling means submitting your opponent" strategy.

Most that begin Jiujitsu are quickly taught that position is everything.
This is very important but the value of escapes sometimes gets neglected.
Most beginners still get caught up in the "get the submission" mindset.
But some of the most important skills anyone starting in Brazilian Jiujitsu can develop are their escapes.

This is especially true for MMA training as well as BJJ.

When I first started thinking about strategy in my BJJ game, I did the same thing most do, I thought how can I submit my opponents as fast as possible.
This became the focus of my training.
And so I had to learn the hard way that developing a solid game in BJJ involves alot more than submissions and setting them up.
It involves controling the position and even more importantly escaping bad positions and regaining the advantageous position.

Once I figured this out I thought I had it ALL figured out...

But I was wrong.

There was something missing when I would try to actually escape a bad position.
Many times my more advanced opponents would be able to overwhelm and prevent my escaping and set up a submission.
You see, even though I knew how important this was and developed my escapes, there was still something missing.

I then watched the others who were successful at escaping carefully.
From watching them I quickly realized not only the importance of being able to escape but also that in order to effectively escape bad positions you need to focus on 2-3 different escapes, master them, and work at linking between the escapes to combine them and out think your opponents. The same approach can be applied to your submission game. Although mastering escapes should be higher on your priority list than mastering submissons and set ups.
The reason for this is simple.
If your opponents can out position you then your whole submission game won't come into play.

And if you train in for MMA than this is even more important.
Watch carefully at how many fights end because a fighter gets stuck in a position and is either stopped with strikes or submitted.
You'll quickly understand how important a role escapes play in Mixed Martial Arts.

So to recap;
-Pick 2-3 escapes from each position.
-Master the technical aspects of the escapes.
-Work your timing against an opponent while sparring.
-Put your escapes together in combinations to get comfortable at setting them up.

Watch your whole game improve as a result.

Escaping The Half Guard

Getting caught in half guard can be very frustrating.
This week let's watch Daniel Morais' excellent half guard escapes and counters.
Next week I'll be wrapping up this feature on Escapes with a special article.

Escaping the Triangle To Footlock or Kneebar

This week let's watch veteran MMA fighter and grappler Erik Paulson demonstrate a nice escape and counter to the Triangle Choke.
It's important to not let your opponent control your head by pulling it down so that you can posture up and pull off this escape.
Erik goes into a couple of submissions once he's escaped.

Just click on the link to view.

Mount Escapes Continued.

This week we'll look at an interesting variation of the standard elbow escape for the Mount.

Just click on the link to view.

Mount Escapes; The Bridge and Roll

Probably the most crucial escapes to be mastered are the Mount escapes as this is a very bad position to be in especially in MMA.
You'll want to have at least 2 but preferably 3-4 Mount escapes mastered, that way you can combine and go through them so you can set your opponent up and escape.
This week we'll look at the most basic and critical mount escape; the Bridge and Roll.

This is usually the first Mount escape shown to White Belts but because it's so important I feel it should be mentioned and shown for the beginners.
If you're already able to execute the Bridge and Roll while sparring then definitely work on combining it with other Mount escapes to get more effective at setting it up.

Just click on the link to watch.

Escapes Continued; Passing the Closed Guard

This week let's have a look at Daniel Morais demonstrating some technical details for passing the closed guard.
There is some excellent detail on how to prevent being rolled while standing.

Just click on the link to watch.

Escaping the Guillotine When Caught Attempting a Double Leg

This week let's check out a simple but effective counter to a Guillotine from an attempt at a double leg.
The Guillotine Choke is a very common counter to a double leg takedown attempt, although there are several simple takedowns that can still be executed when moving through the opponent, this is an excellent counter when caught and your opponent is leaning forward on you.
Working it until it's second nature will prove very effective when you're caught like this.

Like always just click on the link to watch the video.

Escapes Continued: Side Control

This week we'll be continuing our look at escapes staying with escaping side control.
Watch this clip from Brazilian MMA and BJJ fighter Demian Maia, definitely one of the best and most technical MMA competitors out there today.
His video clearly outlines important details to escaping the side control.
As always just click on the link to watch.

Escapes Continued:

The 100 Day BJJ Challenge, Are You Up To It?

Are You Ready For The 100 Day 2008 Brazilian Jiujitsu Challenge?

Right Now is the time to make 2008 the most productive year of training you’ve ever had.

I’ll give you the way to do it and also give you several great reasons to, it’s up to you though, to MAKE it happen!

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In it are the keys to making 2008 the most productive year of training you’ve ever had.

As the year comes to an end, now is the time to seize this great opportunity to improve your skills.

Here’s what I’m offering you:

Just register to receive your copy of the 100 Day 2008 BJJ Challenge and I’ll send it to your email.

Read through it, put it to use in your training over the next 100 days then email back the questionnaire on how your skills have improved.

Then out of the best ones 4 will be picked to win a DVD prize pack valued at $120.

This is sure to set their training on fire for 2009.

Included in this prize package will be the first issue of the subscription only Audio book CD Advanced BJJ Strategies.

Here's just some of what will be covered on the CD:


-Details on how Olympic Athletes prepare for training.

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That’s just a small taste of what will be on the premiere CD.


Here’s some of what you can expect from the 100 Day 2008 BJJ Challenge E-book:

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