Jiu-Jitsu Escapes | Hail Mary Submission Escapes
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Submission DefenceΒ·Knight Jiu-Jitsu
I am a big believer in backup plans at all stages. These are some very late considerations for escapes I refer to as Haiβ¦
Translation: submission defence
Range & classification
Category
Strike & defenceLocksClose rangeFighting multiple people
Distance
CloseMiddleLong
Overview
The Submission Defence group encompasses all defensive techniques used to prevent, escape from, or neutralise submission attempts including chokes, joint locks, compressions, and cranks. [1] Submission defence is a critical skill in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, MMA, and all grappling arts because a single successful submission ends the contest β therefore, the ability to defend submissions is often the difference between victory and defeat. [1],[2] This group is organised by the type of submission being defended against: choke defence, armlock defence, leglock defence, compression lock defence, crank/twist defence, and grip breaking techniques. [2],[3] Effective submission defence combines technical knowledge (understanding the mechanics of each submission to know where safety lies), positional awareness (knowing when a submission threat exists), and timing (defending before the submission is fully secured). [3]
History & Origin
Submission defence techniques have been developed alongside submission attacks throughout the history of grappling arts. [1] Japanese jujutsu systems included systematic escape training (fusegi) as part of their curriculum, and judo's ne-waza (ground work) developed specific defensive responses to each submission category. [2] Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu greatly expanded the submission defence curriculum as the art's competitive evolution produced increasingly sophisticated submission attacks that demanded equally sophisticated defences. [2],[3]
Country of originΒ· shown in random order
- BrazilBJJ, MMA
- JapanBJJ, Judo
- USAMMA, Wrestling, Catch Wrestling
- RussiaSambo
- GreeceWrestling
- EnglandCatch Wrestling
Effectiveness
Lineage
Submission defence is a core component of BJJ and MMA training. [1]
Competition Record
Submission defence is critical in BJJ and MMA competition. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action β Preventing or reducing the effect of an incoming attack through physical interception, evasion, or structural positioning
Joints Involved β Varies by defence type β blocks use arms/shins, evasions use head/body movement, sprawls use hips
Force Vector β Opposing or tangential to the attack β either absorbing, redirecting, or evading the incoming force
Defensive Principle β Economy of motion β the best defence uses minimal movement to neutralise the maximum threat
Position & Entry
From clinch or ground β When the opponent secures a controlling grip, use two-on-one, stripping, or peeling motions to break their hold
As preemptive defence β Break the opponent's grip before they can execute their intended technique
Videos
Know THIS Submission Escape!!
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Submission DefenceΒ·TeachMeGrappling Coach Brian
This video I breakdown a counter to the shoulder lock from a side headlock or kesa gatame/scarf hold. Check out the detβ¦
2 videos
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
3
Moderate3/10
Submission defence involves resisting joint locks/chokes; risk of injury if defence fails or is delayed
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
β Unified MMA β Legal defensive technique
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDFβ IBJJF β Legal β defensive techniques are fundamental to g...
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDFβ IJF β Legal defensive action
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDFβ ADCC β Legal
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDFβ UWW β Legal defensive technique
UWW International Wrestling Rules, January 2026PDFβ FIAS Sport Sambo β Legal
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDFTraining Notes
βSubmission defence begins before the submission is applied β posture, grip fighting, and positional awareness prevent most submissions from being attempted (Danaher, Submission Defence, 2019)
βThe hierarchy of submission defence: (1) don't get into the position, (2) fight the grips, (3) defend the setup, (4) escape the submission
βAddress defence early: fighting the grip or the initial entry is far easier than escaping a fully locked submission
βFor chokes: tuck the chin, fight the hands, create space with frames, and turn toward the choke to relieve pressure
βFor joint locks: straighten the limb (for bent-arm attacks) or bend it (for straight-arm attacks), grip your own body, and use the opposite principle
βFor leg locks: hide the heel (for heel hooks), straighten the leg (for kneebars), and clear the entangling legs
βSubmission defence must be drilled under fatigue β most submissions catch fighters when they're tired and their technique degrades
Common Mistakes
!Waiting until the submission is fully locked to begin defending β fight the grips and setup early
!Using strength alone to resist submissions β technical defence is sustainable; muscling out works once then you're exhausted
!Panicking when caught in a submission β panic wastes energy and leads to poor decisions; stay calm and apply technique
!Defending the wrong aspect of the submission β understand what each submission attacks and defend the critical element
!Exposing your neck while defending arm attacks (or vice versa) β maintain awareness of all submission threats during defence
!Not training submission defence specifically β many grapplers drill offence far more than defence
!Defending without escaping β the goal is to escape and improve position, not just survive indefinitely
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Anticipate the Attack β read the opponent's intention through body cues
2Execute Defence β apply the specific defensive technique with proper timing
3Recover Stance β return to a balanced fighting position immediately
4Counter or Disengage β capitalize on the opening or create safe distance
Sources & References
Primary Source
Kodokan Judo (Jigoro Kano, 1986)
1BookBoxing (Dempsey, 1950)
Alias sources β [1] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008) [2] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003) [3] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
2BookKarate-Do Kyohan (Funakoshi, 1935)
Effectiveness sources β [1] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003) [2] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
3OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (ε€ζ₯θͺ) β used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
4CitationBoxing (Dempsey, 1950)
Alias sources β [1] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008) [2] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003) [3] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
5CitationKarate-Do Kyohan (Funakoshi, 1935)
Effectiveness sources β [1] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003) [2] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Community
Athletics
Requires
grip fighting technique, forearm endurance, timing
Favours
strong hands and forearms, quick stripping motions
Key muscles
forearm flexors/extensors, wrist rotators, biceps
Sub-techniques
Find by what a technique does β not its name
Every move, in any martial art, shares a few universal traits. Mix and match below to pinpoint the right tool β or compare equivalents across styles.
Category
Distance
Body target
Armlock Defence
FamilyThe Armlock Defence family covers all defensive techniques used to prevent or escape from arm-based joint locks including armbars, kimuras, americanas, and wrist locks. [1] Armlock defence operates on the principle of preventing the opponent from isolating the arm and extending or rotating it past its anatomical limit. [1,2] The primary defensive strategies are grip fighting (preventing the opponent from controlling the arm), stacking (driving weight forward to relieve extension pressure), and the hitchhiker escape (rotating out of the armbar's fulcrum). [2,3]
3 subfamiliesΒ·6 techniquesExplore
Choke Defence
FamilyThe Choke Defence family covers all defensive techniques used to prevent or escape from choking attacks including blood chokes (strangulations that compress the carotid arteries), air chokes (compressions of the trachea), and gi-based collar chokes. [1] Choke defence is the most urgent submission defence because chokes can render a person unconscious in as little as 3-5 seconds once fully secured, making early defence critical. [1,2] The primary defensive strategies are chin tucking (preventing access to the neck), hand fighting (preventing the opponent from securing grips), and posture control (maintaining alignment that prevents choke application). [2,3]
3 subfamiliesΒ·6 techniquesExplore
Compression Lock Defence
FamilyThe Compression Lock Defence family covers defensive techniques against compression locks (also called muscle crushes or slicers), where the attacker applies pressure across a muscle belly using a bone as a fulcrum. [1] Compression lock defence focuses on preventing the attacker from establishing the fulcrum position and relieving the compressive pressure before tissue damage occurs. [1,2] This family includes arm compression defence (against bicep slicers) and leg compression defence (against calf slicers), each requiring specific defensive mechanics based on the anatomy being attacked. [2,3]
2 subfamiliesΒ·4 techniquesExplore
Crank-Twist Defence
FamilyThe Crank-Twist Defence family covers defensive techniques against spinal manipulation submissions including neck cranks, can openers, twisters, and spinal locks. [1] Crank defence focuses on preventing the opponent from isolating a section of the spine and applying rotational or compressive force that exceeds the vertebral joints' range of motion. [1,2] These submissions are among the most dangerous because they target the spine and neck β areas where injury can have severe consequences β making early and decisive defence critically important. [2,3]
2 subfamiliesΒ·4 techniquesExplore
Grip Breaking
FamilyThe Grip Breaking family covers defensive techniques focused on breaking or stripping the opponent's grips to prevent submission setups, guard controls, and positional dominance. [1] Grip breaking is a proactive defensive approach that addresses submissions at their earliest stage β before the submission is applied, and even before the opponent achieves the position for a submission attempt. [1,2] By denying the opponent the grips they need, the defender prevents entire chains of attacks from being initiated. [2,3]
2 subfamiliesΒ·4 techniquesExplore
Leglock Defence
FamilyThe Leglock Defence family covers all defensive techniques against leg-based submissions including heel hooks, kneebars, toe holds, and ankle locks. [1] Leglock defence has become one of the most critical areas of submission defence in modern grappling due to the explosive growth of leg lock offence in competitive BJJ and MMA. [1,2] The primary defensive strategies are the boot (hiding the foot to prevent grip), hip pressure (driving the hips toward the opponent to relieve rotational force), and leg pummelling (freeing the legs from entanglement). [2,3]
3 subfamiliesΒ·6 techniquesExplore
Notes
Submission defense encompasses all techniques for preventing or escaping submissions β grip fighting, posture, frame placement, and specific escape sequences for each submission type. The fundamental principle: defend the position, not the submission. If you lose the position (back control, mount), submissions will follow. (Ribeiro, Jiu-Jitsu University; Danaher system)
Frequently Asked Questions
Why shouldn't I defend against the hand that's actually choking me?
Knight Jiu-Jitsu explains that it's counterintuitive, but you should defend the non-choking hand to prevent the opponent from creating a sliding collar, wing, or bow and arrow choke variation. By keeping that second hand away and turning toward the non-choking side, you can face the choke and improve your escape position.
What's the key to escaping a late-stage arm lock when I'm caught dead to rights?
Knight Jiu-Jitsu recommends placing your hand on the inside of the opponent's knee, covering their grip hand to prevent a hand switch, then pushing their hips through while pulling the knee to the ground. Once you get to your feet, turn the corner and apply oblique pressure to the knee rather than driving straight, similar to a Hindu push-up motion.
How do I escape when my opponent has locked in a submission and is controlling my head?
Coach Brian recommends locking their hands and pulling your head in while putting weight on your chest, then turning away and walking toward your knees. The key is to turn your back to your opponentβwhich is counterintuitiveβrather than facing them, as this creates leverage to escape the submission.
Should I use Hail Mary escapes as my main submission defense strategy?
Knight Jiu-Jitsu advises against using these late-game escapes as your primary functional defense, as they work best only when you're already in a very bad position.
How does the Submission Defence work?
The Submission Defence group encompasses all defensive techniques used to prevent, escape from, or neutralise submission attempts including chokes, joint locks, compressions, and cranks. Submission defence is a critical skill in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, MMA, and all grappling arts because a single successful submission ends the contest β therefore, the ability to defend submissions is often the difference between victory and defeat.
Where does the Submission Defence come from?
Submission defence techniques have been developed alongside submission attacks throughout the history of grappling arts. Japanese jujutsu systems included systematic escape training (fusegi) as part of their curriculum, and judo's ne-waza (ground work) developed specific defensive responses to each submission category.
Is the Submission Defence legal in competition?
Unified MMA: legal β Legal defensive technique; IBJJF: legal β Legal β defensive techniques are fundamental to grappling; IJF: legal β Legal defensive action; ADCC: legal β Legal; UWW: legal β Legal defensive technique; FIAS Sport Sambo: legal β Legal
How dangerous is the Submission Defence?
Danger rating 3/10. Moderate β submission defence involves resisting joint locks/chokes; risk of injury if defence fails or is delayed
How do I set up the Submission Defence?
The standard setup chain: Anticipate the Attack β Execute Defence β Recover Stance β Counter or Disengage.
How do I defend against the Submission Defence?
Standard counters include: Timing β attack when the defence is recovering or between movements / Feint β use deception to create openings in the defensive structure / Angle Change β attack from an unexpected angle that the defence does not cover.
What are the variants of the Submission Defence?
Common variants: Standard defence (primary defensive technique from the most common position); Reactive defence (triggered by the opponent's attack, minimal movement for β¦); Proactive defence (anticipating the attack and positioning to neutralise it β¦); Counter defence (using the defensive movement to create an immediate countβ¦).
How effective is the Submission Defence in competition?
Submission defence is critical in BJJ and MMA competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Submission Defence?
Top errors to watch for: Waiting until the submission is fully locked to begin defending β fight the grips and setup early / Using strength alone to resist submissions β technical defence is sustainable; muscling out works once then you're exβ¦ / Panicking when caught in a submission β panic wastes energy and leads to poor decisions; stay calm and apply technique / Defending the wrong aspect of the submission β understand what each submission attacks and defend the critical element.
What are other names for the Submission Defence?
The Submission Defence is also known as Sabumisshon Difensu, Sub Defence, Anti-Submission, Submission Prevention.