3 Ways to Escape Full Mount
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Hand Fighting Escape·fightTIPS
BJJ blackbelt Erin Herle is back with a tutorial showing 3 ways to escape full mount -- a dominant position when someone…
Hand Fighting Escape
SubFamilyハンドファイティングエスケープ(Hando Faitingu Esukēpu)
TransliterationTranslation: hand fighting escape
Overview
The Hand Fighting Escape subfamily covers back escape techniques that prioritise defending against the choke through hand fighting while systematically working to clear hooks and turn to face the opponent. [1] Hand fighting escapes recognise that the primary threat from back control is the rear naked choke, so the first priority is preventing the choke grip while the secondary priority is escaping the position entirely. [1],[2] These escapes use two-on-one hand control, peeling grips, and shoulder rotation to manage the choking threat while creating escape opportunities. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Hand fighting from back control has been a fundamental defensive skill in BJJ since the art's development, with the priority of choke prevention before positional escape being a core defensive principle. [1] The hand fighting approach became more systematised as back control and RNC attacks grew more sophisticated in competition. [2],[3]
Effectiveness
Lineage
Hand fighting from back control draws from wrestling hand-fighting principles adapted for BJJ and MMA. [1]
Competition Record
Hand fighting is a critical survival skill in MMA when in back control. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Creating space and movement to transition from an inferior to a neutral or superior position
Joints Involved — Hips (primary escape engine through bridging and shrimping), elbows (frames), knees (guard recovery)
Force Vector — Bridging (upward), shrimping (lateral), or inversion (rotational) — creating space is the fundamental escape principle
Escape Mechanic — Timing the escape with the opponent's weight shift or attack attempt maximises success rate
Position & Entry
From bottom mount — Use bridging, framing, and hip escape (shrimping) to create space and recover guard or reverse the position
From the opponent's attack — When the opponent reaches for a submission from mount, use the opening to escape
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
4
Moderate4/10
Back escapes must address choke threat while escaping; urgency increases injury risk
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
— Unified MMA — Legal defensive/transitional technique
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— IBJJF — Legal
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— IJF — Legal
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDF— ADCC — Legal
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— UWW — Legal
UWW International Wrestling Rules, January 2026PDF— FIAS Sport Sambo — Legal
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓Hand fighting escape from rear mount uses systematic grip control to prevent the choke while creating the opening to escape the position (Danaher, Back Attacks, 2018)
✓The fundamental rule: two hands always beat one — use both hands to control the opponent's more advanced (choking) hand
✓The choking hand is the priority: identify which hand is closer to completing the choke and fight that one first
✓Standard hand position: same-side hand controls the choking wrist, cross-hand assists and blocks the secondary hand
✓The hand fighting exchange: when the opponent switches which hand is the choking hand, you must switch your defensive hands
✓Hand fighting creates the escape window — when the opponent adjusts their grip, their hooks and body control loosen momentarily
✓Use the hand-fighting window to begin hip movement: slide your hips toward the mat on the choking-arm side
✓Hand fighting is a war of attrition — drill 3-minute rounds of pure hand fighting from rear mount to build specific endurance
Common Mistakes
!Fighting both hands equally instead of prioritizing the choking hand — identify and control the more dangerous hand
!Gripping the opponent's forearm instead of the wrist — wrist control is more precise and effective
!Letting go of the wrist to reposition — maintain constant wrist contact; any gap allows the choke to advance
!Using one hand to fight a two-handed choke entry — both hands must be on defence when the choke is being set
!Hand fighting without moving the hips — hand fighting alone doesn't escape; combine with hip movement
!Over-tensing the arms — use controlled, precise grip work rather than sustained squeezing
!Not training hand fighting as a standalone drill — dedicated hand-fighting rounds from back mount develop the specific skill
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Create Space — use frames, hip movement, or leverage to generate room to move
2Disrupt Control — break or weaken the opponent's grips and weight placement
3Execute Escape — apply the specific escape mechanic with timing and commitment
4Recover Position — establish a safe position (guard, standing, or top)
Sources & References
Primary Source
Jiu-Jitsu University (Saulo Ribeiro, 2008)
1BookJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Alias sources — [1] Back Attacks: Enter the System (John Danaher, 2018) [2] Mastering Jujitsu (Renzo Gracie & John Danaher, 2003) [3] Jiu-Jitsu University (Saulo Ribeiro, 2008)
2BookBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory and Technique (Gracie & Gracie, 2001)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003) [2] Wrestling Physical Conditioning Encyclopedia (Petrov, 1977)
3OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
4CitationJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Alias sources — [1] Back Attacks: Enter the System (John Danaher, 2018) [2] Mastering Jujitsu (Renzo Gracie & John Danaher, 2003) [3] Jiu-Jitsu University (Saulo Ribeiro, 2008)
5CitationBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory and Technique (Gracie & Gracie, 2001)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003) [2] Wrestling Physical Conditioning Encyclopedia (Petrov, 1977)
Community
Athletics
Requires
explosive hip bridge power, shrimping ability, timing
Favours
strong glutes and hip extensors for powerful bridges
Key muscles
glutes, hip extensors, core, quadriceps
Sub-techniques
Peel And Rotate
GenusThe Peel And Rotate escape combines grip stripping with rotational hip movement to escape back control while defending the choke. [1] The defender peels the attacker's choking arm by gripping the wrist and pulling it away from the neck, then immediately rotates the hips to begin turning toward the attacker. [1,2] The peel creates a momentary opening in the choke threat, and the rotation converts that opening into a full escape by turning to face the opponent and reguarding. [2,3]
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Two On One Hand Fighting
GenusThe Two On One Hand Fighting escape uses both hands to control the attacker's choking arm, creating a two-against-one advantage on the most dangerous arm while working to clear hooks and turn. [1] The defender secures the attacker's choking wrist with both hands, pulling it below the chin line while simultaneously working the hips to clear the bottom hook. [1,2] The two-on-one control provides the strongest possible defence against the choke while the hip movement creates the escape angle. [2,3]
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Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do with my arms and elbows when I'm stuck in bottom mount?
Keep your elbows tight and inside to protect against armbars and chokes. Create a frame by using your forearm as a guard with your hand on your wrist and elbow inside to keep your opponent at bay while you work on escape. Never leave your arms up or expose your neck.
What are the main escape options from bottom mount?
You have three primary options: the hip escape (turning to your side to create space and moving to half guard or butterfly guard), the bridge escape (using an explosive hip thrust while keeping your opponent's arm trapped to recover full guard), or reversing your opponent completely by bridging high and trapping an arm. Choose the option that works best for your position and follow up with additional attacks.
Why is it important to bridge high when escaping mount?
A high bridge creates more momentum and space, making it harder for your opponent to post and defend. According to fightTIPS, many people don't do the bridge escape correctly because they don't bridge high enough, which allows the opponent to post their arm and prevent the reversal.
Should I stay flat on my back when doing a hip escape?
No—you should turn to your side and avoid staying flat on your back, as this leaves you vulnerable. After creating space with the hip escape, turn toward your opponent and move to half guard with an underhook or transition to butterfly guard to advance your position.
How does the Hand Fighting Escape work?
The Hand Fighting Escape subfamily covers back escape techniques that prioritise defending against the choke through hand fighting while systematically working to clear hooks and turn to face the opponent. Hand fighting escapes recognise that the primary threat from back control is the rear naked choke, so the first priority is preventing the choke grip while the secondary priority is escaping the position entirely.
Where does the Hand Fighting Escape come from?
Hand fighting from back control has been a fundamental defensive skill in BJJ since the art's development, with the priority of choke prevention before positional escape being a core defensive principle. The hand fighting approach became more systematised as back control and RNC attacks grew more sophisticated in competition.
Is the Hand Fighting Escape legal in competition?
Unified MMA: legal — Legal defensive/transitional technique; IBJJF: legal — Legal; IJF: legal — Legal; ADCC: legal — Legal; UWW: legal — Legal; FIAS Sport Sambo: legal — Legal
How dangerous is the Hand Fighting Escape?
Danger rating 4/10. Moderate — back escapes must address choke threat while escaping; urgency increases injury risk
How do I set up the Hand Fighting Escape?
The standard setup chain: Create Space → Disrupt Control → Execute Escape → Recover Position.
How do I defend against the Hand Fighting Escape?
Standard counters include: Maintain Pressure — keep consistent weight distribution to limit escape space / Anticipate Direction — read escape attempt direction and block early / Transition — flow to a new position when the current one is threatened.
What are the variants of the Hand Fighting Escape?
Common variants: Bridge and roll (upa) (explosive bridge trapping arm and leg to reverse position); Elbow-knee escape (framing and shrimping to recover guard); Foot drag escape (dragging the opponent's foot with the heel to create spac…); Combination escape (bridging to force a reaction, then shrimping when the opp…).
How effective is the Hand Fighting Escape in competition?
Hand fighting is a critical survival skill in MMA when in back control.
What are common mistakes when doing the Hand Fighting Escape?
Top errors to watch for: Fighting both hands equally instead of prioritizing the choking hand — identify and control the more dangerous hand / Gripping the opponent's forearm instead of the wrist — wrist control is more precise and effective / Letting go of the wrist to reposition — maintain constant wrist contact; any gap allows the choke to advance / Using one hand to fight a two-handed choke entry — both hands must be on defence when the choke is being set.
What are other names for the Hand Fighting Escape?
The Hand Fighting Escape is also known as Hando Faitingu Esukēpu, Grip Fighting Escape, Hand Fight Back Escape, Choke Defense Escape.