EASY Armbar Escape Chain
0
Roll Armbar Escape·Aaron Benzrihem bjj
EASY ARMBAR ESCPAE CHAIN // In this video I am going over a simple way to escape the armbar. The armbar can be a powerf…
Roll Armbar Escape
SubFamilyローリングアームバーエスケープ(Rōringu Āmubā Esukēpu)
TransliterationTranslation: roll armbar escape
Overview
The Roll Armbar Escape subfamily covers escapes that use a forward or lateral roll to extract the trapped arm from the armbar, using rotational momentum to overcome the attacker's grip and hip control. [1] Roll escapes are particularly effective when the attacker's hips are not fully secured and there is enough space to initiate the rolling motion. [1],[2] The roll typically carries the defender over the attacker or around to the side, extracting the arm through centrifugal force and body momentum. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
The roll escape from armbar uses a forward roll to stack and escape the armbar position. [1]
Lineage
Developed in BJJ as an armbar escape. [1]
Competition Record
Used in BJJ competition. [1]
Images
No images yet for this technique.
Sign in to suggest an image.
Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Creating space between the bottom player's body and the top player to recover guard or achieve underhook
Joints Involved — Hips (shrimping/hip escape), elbows and forearms (framing against crossface and hip), knees (re-inserting guard)
Force Vector — Lateral hip escape (shrimp) — moving the hips away from the opponent creates the space needed to insert knee or recover guard
Escape Mechanic — Frames create momentary space, hip escape maintains it, and knee insertion re-establishes guard
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
1 video
Learn This Technique
No instructional courses yet for this technique.
Sign in to suggest a course.
Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
4
Moderate4/10
Submission escapes carry risk of injury if executed too late; timing-critical
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
✓The roll armbar escape uses a forward somersault over the opponent to clear the armbar position entirely (Marcelo Garcia, Advanced Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, 2011)
✓The roll works by going with the armbar force rather than against it — rolling forward clears the legs and the fulcrum
✓Execution: when the opponent begins the armbar, roll forward over your trapped arm's shoulder, landing on the other side
✓The roll is effective against armbars from guard and mount — the forward momentum clears the opponent's control
✓The roll must be committed — a partial roll leaves you in a worse position with the arm still trapped
✓After rolling, immediately come to the knees and establish a top position — the roll should end with you facing the opponent
✓The roll escape is most effective when the opponent has loose leg control — tight legs make the roll more difficult
✓Time the roll to the opponent's extension attempt — as they extend, use their force to fuel your forward roll
Common Mistakes
!Rolling without commitment — a half-roll is worse than no roll; commit fully
!Rolling over the wrong shoulder — roll over the trapped arm's shoulder
!Rolling when the opponent has very tight legs — tight legs prevent the roll; hitchhiker or stack instead
!Not tucking the chin — protect the neck during the forward somersault
!Landing flat on the back — land on the knees in a combat-ready position
!Not immediately establishing position after the roll — the opponent will re-attack if you stay still
!Over-relying on the roll — it works against loose armbars but fails against tight ones
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] Kodokan Judo (Jigoro Kano, 1986) [2] Jiu-Jitsu University (Saulo Ribeiro, 2008)
2BookMastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
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] Kodokan Judo (Jigoro Kano, 1986) [2] Jiu-Jitsu University (Saulo Ribeiro, 2008)
5CitationMastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
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
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the key to escaping an armbar when my opponent is pulling hard?
According to Aaron Benzrihem, the most effective approach is to chain two escapes together rather than rely on a single technique. By using two escapes in unison—such as the hitchhiker escape combined with a hand-underneath escape where you push your opponent down and turn your thumb—you can escape the armbar much more effectively.
How do I use the hitchhiker escape when I feel my grip breaking?
Aaron Benzrihem recommends that as soon as you feel your opponent is going to break your grip, push them back at an angle to prevent them from trapping your hand. You need to get your hand free so you can get your head to the other side of their foot, turning the situation into what he calls a 'dog fight.'
Why is chaining armbar escapes together better than using just one technique?
Aaron Benzrihem emphasizes that understanding the conceptual application of using two escapes in unison is more important than mastering a single technique in isolation. Chaining escapes gives you better options when your opponent defends against the first escape, making your overall defense more robust.
How does the Roll Armbar Escape work?
The Roll Armbar Escape subfamily covers escapes that use a forward or lateral roll to extract the trapped arm from the armbar, using rotational momentum to overcome the attacker's grip and hip control. Roll escapes are particularly effective when the attacker's hips are not fully secured and there is enough space to initiate the rolling motion.
Where does the Roll Armbar Escape come from?
Rolling armbar escapes have been part of grappling defence since the armbar's development in judo, where rolling out of ne-waza submissions was a standard escape strategy. BJJ refined the mechanics of the roll escape to work against increasingly tight armbar control.
Is the Roll Armbar 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 Roll Armbar Escape?
Danger rating 4/10. Moderate — submission escapes carry risk of injury if executed too late; timing-critical
How do I set up the Roll Armbar Escape?
The standard setup chain: Create Space → Disrupt Control → Execute Escape → Recover Position.
How do I defend against the Roll Armbar 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 Roll Armbar 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 Roll Armbar Escape in competition?
Used in BJJ competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Roll Armbar Escape?
Top errors to watch for: Rolling without commitment — a half-roll is worse than no roll; commit fully / Rolling over the wrong shoulder — roll over the trapped arm's shoulder / Rolling when the opponent has very tight legs — tight legs prevent the roll; hitchhiker or stack instead / Not tucking the chin — protect the neck during the forward somersault.
What are other names for the Roll Armbar Escape?
The Roll Armbar Escape is also known as Rōringu Āmubā Esukēpu, Rolling Juji Gatame Escape, Armbar Roll Defense.