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Back Escape

  • BJJ
  • Escapes
  • intermediate
  • Back taken (bottom)
  • 3 steps

Protect the neck, slide your hips to the mat to clear a hook, and turn in to their guard. Also known as the Back defense or the Hip-to-mat escape. Here is the exact breakdown from the DARCE app: 3 steps, the details that make it work, and the mistakes to avoid.

When to use it

Start the escape as soon as the opponent takes your back, before the choke arm settles. Use both hands on the choking arm first, then slide your hips to the mat toward that side. If they cross their feet, it gets easier, so use the moment.

Step by step

  1. 01

    They have your back

    Seatbelt and hooks are in. Two hands defend the choking arm.

  2. 02

    Slide hips to the mat

    Pin the choking arm, slide your hips down the mat toward the choking-arm side and clear the bottom hook.

  3. 03

    Turn in to guard

    Once your shoulders are on the mat and the hook is cleared, turn in to face them inside their guard.

Key details

  • Defend the neck first. Never trade the choke for the escape.
  • Slide to the mat toward the choking-arm side so you clear that hook.
  • Get your shoulders flat to the mat before turning in.

Common mistakes

  • Working the escape before securing the neck.
  • Sliding toward the wrong side, into the choke.
  • Turning in before clearing the hook and giving up the choke.

Common counters

Opponents switch the choke to the other side, body triangle you so the hips cannot move, or follow you over and re-mount the back. Turning in too early gives them the choke. Clear the hook and get your shoulders flat before you turn.

How to drill it

Start with your partner on your back with hooks in and no choke: defend the hands, slide to the mat and turn in, ten reps on each side. Then do three rounds of one minute where your partner attacks the neck.

Related techniques

Train it with the AI coach