Using the UNDERHOOK to Escape Side Control
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Underhook Side Control Escape·The Grapple Lab
Using the underhook to escape side control. In this video we look at finding the underhook then how to use it effectivel…
Underhook Side Control Escape
SubFamilyアンダーフック横四方逃げ(Andāfukku Yoko-shiho Nige)
HybridTranslation: underhook side control escape
Overview
The Underhook Side Control Escape subfamily covers escapes where the defender establishes an underhook on the near side from bottom side control, then uses the underhook to create a frame and generate the space needed to escape to the knees or recover guard. [1] The underhook from bottom side control provides inside position that allows the defender to drive into the opponent and create upward force, rather than relying solely on hip escaping away. [1],[2] The underhook escape can lead to single-leg takedowns, back takes, or simple positional improvement to the knees. [2],[3]
History & Origin
The underhook escape from side control was developed in BJJ and wrestling as an aggressive escape option that combines defensive escape with offensive positioning. [1] It became increasingly popular as grapplers recognised the value of using the underhook to drive into the opponent rather than away. [2],[3]
Effectiveness
The underhook escape from side control secures an underhook and uses it to come up to the knees or take the back. [1]
Lineage
Underhook escapes combine wrestling underhook principles with BJJ guard recovery. [1]
Competition Record
Used in BJJ and MMA competition. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Breaking the opponent's leg control to advance to a more dominant position
Joints Involved — Hips (posture and pressure), knees (opening the guard with knee-in or standing), hands (grip fighting)
Force Vector — Forward pressure (stack/smash) or backward posture (stand-up break) to open the closed guard
Passing Mechanic — Once the guard is opened, speed passing, pressure passing, or toreando passing advances the position
Position & Entry
From bottom side control — Create frames with the forearms against the opponent's neck and hip, hip escape (shrimp) to create space, insert the knee to recover guard
From underhook escape — Swim the near arm to an underhook, bridge into the opponent and come to knees or reverse
From opponent's transition — When the opponent moves to mount or north-south, use the movement to create space and escape
Videos
Fundamentals: Underhook escape from side control
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Underhook Side Control Escape·Bellingham BJJ
To get out of side control, we have to control distance. One way we can do this is to get an underhook, which sets up a …
2 videos
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
3
Moderate3/10
Bottom escapes from mount/side control; bridge and hip escape mechanics (Ribeiro 2008)
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Beginner
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— FIAS Sport Sambo — Legal
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDF— NCAA Folkstyle — Legal, escape scores 1 point, reversal s...
NCAA Wrestling Rules 2025-26PDFTraining Notes
✓The underhook side control escape uses an underhook to turn into the opponent, come to the knees, and transition to a takedown or guard (Cael Sanderson, Wrestling Technique, 2010)
✓The underhook is established by swimming the near-side arm under the opponent's far arm — this gives you inside position
✓With the underhook, turn your body into the opponent and come to your knees
✓From the knees with the underhook, you can: take a single leg, establish guard, or stand up
✓The underhook escape is the wrestling-based alternative to the guard recovery — it emphasizes top position
✓The underhook must be deep — your hand reaches the opponent's far shoulder blade for maximum control
✓This escape works best when the opponent is using a loose side control without crossface — the underhook entry requires space
✓In MMA, the underhook escape is preferred because it leads to top position or standing, not bottom guard
Common Mistakes
!Attempting the underhook without sufficient space — if the opponent has tight crossface control, create space first with a bridge
!Getting the underhook but not turning into the opponent — the underhook must be accompanied by a body turn to be effective
!Reaching the underhook with a straight arm — the underhook should be deep with a bent arm; straight arms are weak
!Coming to the knees without the underhook secured — you'll be flattened immediately without inside control
!Not transitioning after coming to the knees — the underhook position from knees must lead to a takedown or standup
!Exposing the back during the turn — keep the underhook tight to prevent the opponent from taking the back
!Only using the underhook escape and not the shrimp — have both available and choose based on the situation
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] Jiu-Jitsu University (Saulo Ribeiro, 2008) [2] Wrestling Physical Conditioning Encyclopedia (John Jesse, 1974)
2BookBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory and Technique (Gracie & Gracie, 2001)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003)
3OtherJapanese Martial Arts Hybrid Terminology
Mixed Japanese-Western terminology — combines traditional Japanese terms with katakana loanwords
4CitationJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Alias sources — [1] Jiu-Jitsu University (Saulo Ribeiro, 2008) [2] Wrestling Physical Conditioning Encyclopedia (John Jesse, 1974)
5CitationBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory and Technique (Gracie & Gracie, 2001)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003)
Community
Athletics
Requires
hip escape (shrimping) speed, framing strength, timing
Favours
flexible hips and quick lateral movement
Key muscles
hip flexors, obliques, triceps (framing), core
Sub-techniques
Standard Underhook Escape
GenusThe Standard Underhook Escape establishes a near-side underhook from bottom side control, then uses the underhook to drive into the opponent while rotating to the knees, escaping the pin. [1] The defender threads the inside arm under the opponent's armpit, secures the underhook, then bridges and drives the underhook shoulder forward while rotating the hips to the knees. [1,2] The escape finishes with the defender on their knees facing the opponent, in a neutral position from which they can wrestle up or re-engage. [2,3]
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Underhook To Single Leg
GenusThe Underhook To Single Leg converts the underhook escape from side control into a single-leg takedown attempt, using the underhook to drive into the opponent and then switching the grip to attack one leg. [1] The defender establishes the underhook, drives to the knees, then transitions the underhook hand down to grab the opponent's near leg while maintaining forward pressure. [1,2] This escape exemplifies the grappling principle of transitioning seamlessly from defence to offence. [2,3]
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it important to learn how to escape from side control?
Side control is a dominating position that opponents usually pass through on their way to advance past your guard, making it a critical position to escape from. Additionally, once you develop solid escapes, you'll have more confidence to experiment with techniques you're not yet proficient at, because you know you can get out if your guard gets passed (Bellingham BJJ).
What's the key difference between the underhook escape and the standard frame-and-shrimp escape?
The underhook escape is useful when you can't get your normal frames against your opponent's neck—it gives you an alternative path out when the standard frame-bridge-shrimp-knee-elbow escape isn't possible (Bellingham BJJ).
How should I position my arm when I get an underhook in side control?
Your underhook should be like a ramp with your knuckles pointed toward your opponent (not grabbing), and you should frame either against their hip or create distance to generate lifting power (Bellingham BJJ).
What's the basic sequence once I secure the underhook?
Pull your feet to your hips, bridge up to get on your side, then cup your opponent's hip and knee while driving forward to come on top or into a modified double-leg position (Bellingham BJJ).
How does the Underhook Side Control Escape work?
The Underhook Side Control Escape subfamily covers escapes where the defender establishes an underhook on the near side from bottom side control, then uses the underhook to create a frame and generate the space needed to escape to the knees or recover guard. The underhook from bottom side control provides inside position that allows the defender to drive into the opponent and create upward force, rather than relying solely on hip escaping away.
Where does the Underhook Side Control Escape come from?
The underhook escape from side control was developed in BJJ and wrestling as an aggressive escape option that combines defensive escape with offensive positioning. It became increasingly popular as grapplers recognised the value of using the underhook to drive into the opponent rather than away.
Is the Underhook Side Control Escape legal in competition?
Unified MMA: legal — Legal defensive/transitional technique; IBJJF: legal — Legal; IJF: legal — Legal; ADCC: legal — Legal; UWW: legal — Legal, escape scores 1 point (freestyle), reversal scores 1 point; FIAS Sport Sambo: legal — Legal; NCAA Folkstyle: legal — Legal, escape scores 1 point, reversal scores 2 points
How dangerous is the Underhook Side Control Escape?
Danger rating 3/10. Moderate — bottom escapes from mount/side control; bridge and hip escape mechanics (Ribeiro 2008)
How do I set up the Underhook Side Control Escape?
The standard setup chain: Create Space → Disrupt Control → Execute Escape → Recover Position.
How do I defend against the Underhook Side Control Escape?
Standard counters include: Crossface — drive forearm across the face to prevent the hip escape / Underhook — thread arm under the far shoulder to control upper body rotation / Knee-on-Belly — transition to knee-on-belly to maintain pressure and mobility.
What are the variants of the Underhook Side Control Escape?
Common variants: Shrimp to guard (framing and hip-escaping to recover full guard or half guard); Underhook escape (winning the underhook and coming to knees or reversing); Bridge to knees (bridging into the opponent and transitioning to turtle or…); Ghost escape (inverting under the opponent to re-guard from the opposit…).
How effective is the Underhook Side Control Escape in competition?
Used in BJJ and MMA competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Underhook Side Control Escape?
Top errors to watch for: Attempting the underhook without sufficient space — if the opponent has tight crossface control, create space first w… / Getting the underhook but not turning into the opponent — the underhook must be accompanied by a body turn to be effe… / Reaching the underhook with a straight arm — the underhook should be deep with a bent arm; straight arms are weak / Coming to the knees without the underhook secured — you'll be flattened immediately without inside control.
What are other names for the Underhook Side Control Escape?
The Underhook Side Control Escape is also known as Andāfukku Yoko-shiho Nige, Underhook Escape, Inside Position Escape.