05/02/2014 - Teaching (Basic Side Control Escape to the Knees)

Teaching #136
Bristol Sports Centre, (Artemis BJJ), Can Sönmez, Bristol, UK - 05/02/2014

Last week at Artemis BJJ, I went through the basic guard recovery. The logical next step is the second basic escape, from much the same position. The difference is that you turn to your knees rather than look for guard. Roy Dean is a useful reference point, so I'll be drawing on his method from Blue Belt Requirements as usual.

It begins in much the same way as the shrimp back to guard, again establishing that frame with your arms, knee into the side and bridging. I've got more extensive notes on that initial position in my previous write-up. Remember to keep in mind that they might try to attack the arm you have into their neck, and also to use your forearm to block the hip rather than your hand. There is an alternative side control frame that Saulo uses, where you block the cross-face with that arm instead, an equally valid approach.

After you bridge and shrimp this time, you're going to do something different with the arm you have into their neck. Rotate it under their armpit, then reach for their legs or around their back. Roy Dean then shifts out to the side, ending up crouched next to them (as in the picture).



From there, he reaches for the far knee and drives forward, moving to the top position. Another typical method leaves you square on, but I personally am not keen on that position as I find it is more awkward to crawl up into a strong base from there. However, again, it is a totally valid variation: experiment to see what works best for you.
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Teaching Notes: This is something I'm intending to add into the warm-up, so hopefully if I start doing that after this week, it will gradually become very familiar to everybody. I'm only teaching once a week at the moment, but when that progresses to two or more, the drill should start becoming instinctive in the way shrimping tends to be at most clubs. At least that's my hope. :)

I'm not sure if it is best to show variations, or to stick with one option for clarity. I like to provide alternatives, but I also don't want to confuse anyone. As ever, I'll try asking for feedback like I always do, but as I've previously done that through Facebook, I'll need to see if the new Artemis BJJ students are on there. ;)