This mount escape is so easy you will be shocked it actually works! 🔥
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The J.J. Back Escape·Matt Arroyo Jiu Jitsu
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The J.J. Back Escape
SubFamilyザ・JJ・バックエスケープ(Za JJ Bakku Esukēpu)
Translation: The J.J. back escape
Overview
The J.J. Back Escape recovers half guard from back control using a specific hip slide and leg hook technique, named after Jean Jacques Machado. [1]
JJ Back EscapeBack to Half Guard
History & Origin
Developed by Eddie Bravo for 10th Planet. [1]
Effectiveness
Essential escape for no-gi practitioners. [1]
Lineage
10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu. [1]
Competition Record
Used in EBI and MMA
Images
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Escape mechanics for The J.J. Back Escape
Position & Entry
From bottom position — Execute the j.j. back escape
Variants
Not yet documented
Videos
Back Triangle Escape by Nick Rodriguez
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The J.J. Back Escape·Bernardo Faria BJJ Fanatics
Back Triangle Escape by Nick Rodriguez - Click Here To Check Out Nick Rodriguez's Instructional Videos - https://bjjfana…
How to Escape the Back EVERY TIME | Jiu Jitsu Back Escape System
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The J.J. Back Escape·Matt Arroyo Jiu Jitsu
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3 videosWhat Instructors Say
The J.J. Back Escape, also known as the John Kenny escape, is a mount escape technique that exploits the defender's natural reaction when the escaper attempts to flatten their leg and work a knee underneath. Matt Arroyo Jiu Jitsu identifies that opponents typically lift their knee and place their foot on the escaper's hip to defend; once this space opens, the escaper executes a two-armed shuck underneath the opponent's leg while driving their body backward and out the back, typically resulting in both fighters ending up on their knees. The technique differs from Bernardo Faria's topside triangle escape, which uses scissoring legs and ankle control to clear the attacker's arm over the head. Arroyo emphasizes the importance of using both arms under the leg rather than one arm to avoid triangle submissions, and notes the escape's simplicity and high effectiveness rate. Both instructors stress the criticality of proper hand positioning and body mechanics to create space. Arroyo credits his black belt student John Kenny with popularizing this escape through consistent application during rolls, and positions it as part of a broader philosophy of stripping fundamental techniques down to their essential components without unnecessary complexity.
Synthesized from 3 instructors
- Matt Arroyo Jiu Jitsu — This mount escape is so easy you will be shocked it actually works! 🔥: Primary instructor demonstrating the two-armed shuck escape triggered by opponent's knee lift and hip placement, crediting John Kenny as the technique's namesake, and emphasizing simplicity and beginner-friendly mechanics
- Bernardo Faria BJJ Fanatics — Back Triangle Escape by Nick Rodriguez: Alternative escape mechanics for topside triangle using scissored legs, ankle control, and arm rotation over the head to clear the defender's centerline
- Matt Arroyo Jiu Jitsu — How to Escape the Back EVERY TIME | Jiu Jitsu Back Escape System: Comprehensive back escape system emphasizing defensive priorities (baseball grip for choke defense, elbow clamping), hook removal, scraping mechanics, and proper turning direction to avoid back retake
Learn This Technique
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
2
Low2/10
Defensive escape
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Advanced
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
— Unified MMA — Legal defensive technique
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— IBJJF — Legal — escapes and sweeps are fundamental to BJJ...
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— IJF — Legal
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDF— 4 from mount/back
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— FIAS Sport Sambo — Legal
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDF— FIAS Combat Sambo — Legal
FIAS Combat Sambo RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓Drill under pressure with progressive resistance (Bravo, 2006)
Common Mistakes
!Panicking
!Not timing the hip movement
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Under attack → The J.J. Back Escape → Guard recovery
Sources & References
Primary Source
Mastering the Rubber Guard (Bravo, 2006)
1Book[1] Bravo, E. with Krauss, E. and Cordoza, G. (2006). Mastering the Rubber Guard: Jiu-Jitsu for Mixed Martial Arts Competition. Victory Belt Publishing.
2Citation[1] Bravo, E. with Krauss, E. and Cordoza, G. (2006). Mastering the Rubber Guard: Jiu-Jitsu for Mixed Martial Arts Competition. Victory Belt Publishing.
[1] Bravo, Mastering the Rubber Guard (2006) — technique description and application
Community
Athletics
Hip mobility
Timing
Notes
The J.J. Back Escape is a 10th Planet back escape documented in Mastering the Rubber Guard. A specific back escape sequence using 10th Planet defensive principles. (Bravo, Mastering the Rubber Guard, 2006)
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the first priority when someone has my back?
Protect your neck before anything else. Matt Arroyo Jiu Jitsu recommends using a baseball grip to prevent the rear neck choke and to keep your opponent's hands controlled and strapped to your body.
Which hook should I focus on removing first in a back escape?
Focus on popping out the bottom hook, not the top one—the bottom hook is what's actually keeping you pinned. Matt Arroyo Jiu Jitsu advises reaching up to find your opponent's heel, punching it to the floor, then placing your foot over their ankle to prevent them from re-inserting the hook.
Which way should I turn when escaping to the wall?
Always turn into your opponent, never away from them. Matt Arroyo Jiu Jitsu warns that turning the wrong way is a common mistake that leads to your back being retaken—instead, scrape your opponent off and turn to face them.
How do I know which direction to escape toward?
The choke arm position will show you the way. Matt Arroyo Jiu Jitsu explains that whichever way your opponent's choking arm is pointing is the side you should escape toward—the choke itself indicates your escape direction.
How does the The J.J. Back Escape work?
The J. J.
Where does the The J.J. Back Escape come from?
Developed by Eddie Bravo for 10th Planet.
Is the The J.J. Back Escape legal in competition?
Unified MMA: legal — Legal defensive technique; IBJJF: legal — Legal — escapes and sweeps are fundamental to BJJ, sweep from bottom scores 2…; IJF: legal — Legal; ADCC: legal — Legal, sweep scores 2 points (4 from mount/back); FIAS Sport Sambo: legal — Legal; FIAS Combat Sambo: legal — Legal
How dangerous is the The J.J. Back Escape?
Danger rating 2/10. Defensive escape
How do I set up the The J.J. Back Escape?
The standard setup chain: Under attack → The J.J. Back Escape → Guard recovery.
How do I defend against the The J.J. Back Escape?
Standard counters include: Maintain control / Re-establish position.
How effective is the The J.J. Back Escape in competition?
Used in EBI and MMA
What are common mistakes when doing the The J.J. Back Escape?
Top errors to watch for: Panicking / Not timing the hip movement.
What are other names for the The J.J. Back Escape?
The The J.J. Back Escape is also known as Za JJ Bakku Esukēpu, JJ Back Escape, Back to Half Guard.