Granny Game Main Tunnel Escape - Fastest Strategy Guide (easy and Quick Method)
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The Tunnel Escape·suman maharana
The Tunnel Escape
SubFamilyザ・トンネルエスケープ(Za Tonneru Esukēpu)
Translation: The tunnel escape
Overview
The Tunnel Escape from side control creates space by threading the near-side arm through a tunnel-like gap under the opponent's chest to recover butterfly guard. [1]
TunnelSide Control Tunnel
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 Tunnel Escape
Position & Entry
From bottom position — Execute the tunnel escape
Variants
Not yet documented
Videos
Mount Survival And Escape Guide
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The Tunnel Escape·The Grappling Academy
SALE SALE SALE OVER 50% OFF – BOX SET – ALL 4 COURSES 50% OFF CLICK HERE – https://bit.ly/2lAOHmp • The Blue Belt Sup…
Powerful BJJ Mount Escape (Tunnel Escape)- Firas Zahabi
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The Tunnel Escape·Tristar Gym
In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu the bottom position can quickly turn offensive. In this video I opted to escape to a leg lock sit…
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3 videosWhat Instructors Say
The Tunnel Escape is a mount escape technique that emphasizes leg organization and hip elevation to create space for knee escape. Tristar Gym's Firas Zahabi provides the most detailed technical breakdown, establishing that the foundational principle involves kicking the heels toward the ceiling while maintaining tight contact between heels and body to prevent opponent hook reinsertion. Zahabi identifies the critical innovation of inverting the knees—rotating them toward the mat rather than keeping soles of feet planted—to achieve greater hip elevation and create the "tunnel" space necessary for knee passage. He emphasizes frame positioning with proper grip organization: the lower arm's hand must grip the upper hand, with the elbow anchored to ground, allowing structural support against opponent weight. The Grappling Academy's Coach Tom describes related mount survival mechanics including arm-trapping responses to collar attacks and leg placement techniques, though without explicitly referencing the tunnel concept. Zahabi distinguishes the technique's applicability across gi, no-gi, and self-defense contexts, and recommends transitioning directly to leg lock positions rather than guard after successful escape. The technique requires precise sequencing: organize legs, establish frame, bridge to create initial space, invert knees to amplify hip height if needed, then slide knee through the enlarged tunnel to escape. Both instructors stress that leaving gaps between heels and body or failing to achieve sufficient hip elevation causes technique failure.
Synthesized from 3 instructors
- Tristar Gym — Powerful BJJ Mount Escape (Tunnel Escape)- Firas Zahabi: Detailed explanation of the tunnel escape mechanics, including heel positioning, the critical knee inversion technique to create hip elevation, proper frame construction with grip organization, and the principle of creating motion from bottom position. Demonstrates solo and partnered examples.
- The Grappling Academy — Mount Survival And Escape Guide: Covers defensive positioning in mount including elbow placement, hand positioning to prevent chokes, and bridge-and-roll escape mechanics. Provides context for mount survival before escape, though does not explicitly detail the tunnel escape or knee inversion.
- suman maharana — Granny Game Main Tunnel Escape - Fastest Strategy Guide (easy and Quick Method): Transcript provided in foreign language without English translation; unable to extract specific technical contributions to synthesis.
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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 Tunnel 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 Tunnel Escape is a 10th Planet escape documented in Mastering the Rubber Guard. Uses a specific tunneling motion to escape from a disadvantaged position. (Bravo, Mastering the Rubber Guard, 2006)
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the first thing I should do when my opponent has me mounted with their hooks in?
Strip your opponent's leg hooks by stepping your leg over the back of their Achilles tendon to break their grip around your hips. Once you break this connection, you'll be able to use your hip escape and bridge position effectively.
How should I frame properly when mounted to support my opponent's body weight?
According to Firas Zahabi, the arm with your elbow on the ground should be the one doing the gripping, while your other arm frames against their hips. If you reverse this and grip with your upper hand instead, your frame will collapse because you're relying only on grip strength without ground support.
What do I do if there's no space to escape my knee during the tunnel escape?
If the tunnel isn't there naturally, you need to create a larger one by turning your knees toward the mat and elevating your hips higher. This takes more energy but allows you to generate the space needed to escape both your knees.
Should I go back to guard after escaping from mount, or is there a better option?
Firas Zahabi recommends going straight to a leg lock after your bridge and knee escape combination, as this takes you from the bottom position to the top position more easily than returning to guard.
How does the The Tunnel Escape work?
The Tunnel Escape from side control creates space by threading the near-side arm through a tunnel-like gap under the opponent's chest to recover butterfly guard.
Where does the The Tunnel Escape come from?
Developed by Eddie Bravo for 10th Planet.
Is the The Tunnel 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 Tunnel Escape?
Danger rating 2/10. Defensive escape
How do I set up the The Tunnel Escape?
The standard setup chain: Under attack → The Tunnel Escape → Guard recovery.
How do I defend against the The Tunnel Escape?
Standard counters include: Maintain control / Re-establish position.
How effective is the The Tunnel Escape in competition?
Used in EBI and MMA
What are common mistakes when doing the The Tunnel Escape?
Top errors to watch for: Panicking / Not timing the hip movement.
What are other names for the The Tunnel Escape?
The The Tunnel Escape is also known as Za Tonneru Esukēpu, Tunnel, Side Control Tunnel.