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.

Step by step

  1. 01

    They have your back

    Seatbelt and hooks are in, two hands defend the choking arm.

    Back Escape step 1 of 3: They have your back
  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.

    Back Escape step 2 of 3: Slide hips to the mat
  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.

    Back Escape step 3 of 3: Turn in to 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.

Related techniques

See it animated in DARCE

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