The First 3 Mount Escapes You Need To Know in BJJ
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Standard Technical Standup·Brandon Mccaghren
When you first start Jiu Jitsu, you're gonna be getting stuck in the bottom of mount. A lot. Even by people who aren't v…
Standard Technical Standup
Genusスタンダードテクニカルスタンドアップ(Sutandādo Tekunikaru Sutando Appu)
TransliterationTranslation: standard technical standup
Overview
The Standard Technical Standup From Turtle executes the escape by transitioning from turtle to a seated posting position (hand behind on the mat), then performing the technical standup by stepping up with one leg and rising to standing while keeping the posting hand on the mat for balance. [1] The turtled fighter sits through to one hip, posts the hand behind, steps the far leg up, and rises to standing, using the posting hand and the stepping leg as the base points. [1],[2] Throughout the standup, the fighter maintains a defensive frame with the free hand to prevent the opponent from closing distance or re-establishing ground control. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
The standard technical standup is the baseline version of this fundamental standing escape. [1]
Lineage
A fundamental BJJ and MMA technique. [1]
Competition Record
Used in MMA and BJJ competition. [1]
Images
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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 position — Frame against the opponent, create distance, post the hand and foot, stand up while maintaining defensive posture
From turtle — Post the hands and feet, drive upward while fighting off the opponent's controls
Variants
Standard escape — primary escape mechanic using frames, bridges, or hip movement
Combination escape — chaining two escape directions or methods
Counter escape — using the opponent's attack attempt to create the escape window
Competition variation — modified for rule-set optimisation
Videos
Closed Guard Sweep Concepts by Jason Scully
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Standard Technical Standup·The Grapplers Guide by Jason Scully
The Grapplers Guide is the longest running and most recommended premium BJJ and grappling learning site ever created. L…
4 Ways to Sweep Anyone Vs Standing Opponents( Beginners Must Know it)
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Standard Technical Standup·BIG OSS Jiu-Jitsu Channel
IF HAVE HARD TIME SWEEP SOMEONE WHEN THEY STANDING FORM YOUR GUARD THIS VIDEO IS FOR YOU. . . On This video i show 4 way…
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3 videosWhat Instructors Say
The standard technical standup from turtle position represents a fundamental escape method taught across multiple instructional contexts. While the provided transcripts primarily address mount escapes and closed-guard sweeps rather than turtle-specific standup mechanics, Jason Scully's concept-based approach offers foundational principles applicable to the technical standup. The core mechanics involve controlling opponent limbs—what Scully terms 'taking out a table leg'—to neutralize their defensive positioning and create space for the standup. BIG OSS Jiu-Jitsu emphasizes the critical transition moment when an opponent rises, instructing practitioners to immediately shift grips from positional control to the limbs being used for base. Brandon Mccaghren's description of the bridge-and-roll escape demonstrates the importance of fluid, singular movement rather than segmented actions. Key common principles across instructors include: maintaining tight control on one side of the opponent's body, using hip positioning to create leverage and separation, and avoiding static holds in favor of momentum-generating movement. Scully's emphasis on getting underneath the opponent or bringing their weight over the defender's center applies conceptually to technical standup mechanics, where base control and weight distribution determine success. The instructors collectively stress that transitions must be immediate and that practitioners should not remain stationary once escape movements begin.
Synthesized from 3 instructors
- Jason Scully - The Grapplers Guide — Closed Guard Sweep Concepts by Jason Scully: Provides foundational concept of 'table leg theory'—controlling opponent limbs to remove their base—and emphasizes getting underneath opponent or bringing their weight over defender to create vulnerability; discusses directional concepts where defender takes opponent in the direction already being applied.
- BIG OSS Jiu-Jitsu — 4 Ways to Sweep Anyone Vs Standing Opponents (Beginners Must Know it): Emphasizes the critical transition moment when opponent stands up; instructs practitioners to immediately shift grip focus from positional control to opponent's limbs/ankles; stresses importance of not maintaining old grips and repositioning for effective leverage.
- Brandon Mccaghren — The First 3 Mount Escapes You Need To Know in BJJ: Demonstrates the importance of fluid, singular movement versus segmented actions; explains hip positioning and foot placement mechanics; emphasizes that control holds need only be maintained briefly to generate momentum rather than sustained throughout the technique.
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
3
Moderate3/10
Turtle escapes involve rolling and granby movements; neck strain 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— FIAS Sport Sambo — Legal
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDF— NCAA Folkstyle — Legal, escape scores 1 point, reversal s...
NCAA Wrestling Rules 2025-26PDFTraining Notes
✓Standard technical standup from turtle: from the all-fours position, post one hand, step the opposite foot forward, and rise to a fighting stance while keeping the opponent in front of you (Couture, Wrestling for Fighting, 2007)
✓Step 1: from turtle, post one hand on the mat beside your hip
✓Step 2: step the opposite-side foot forward, placing it next to the posted hand
✓Step 3: push off the posted hand and drive upward with the forward leg
✓Step 4: bring the rear leg underneath and stand fully into a fighting stance
✓Step 5: create distance from the opponent immediately with footwork or frames
✓The sequence must be fast: post, step, rise should happen in under 2 seconds
✓Keep the free hand (non-posting) up as a guard or frame against the opponent
✓The technical standup from turtle is the standard method for returning to the feet in MMA when the opponent is behind you
✓Drill: partner on your back from turtle, execute the standup — 10 reps per side with increasing resistance
Common Mistakes
!Standing up without the posting hand — the post provides essential stability
!Stepping the same-side foot as the posting hand — step the opposite-side foot for proper body mechanics
!Rising with the back turned to the opponent — maintain awareness and keep them in front
!Standing up too slowly — explosive speed is necessary to beat the opponent's re-attack
!Not creating distance after standing — the opponent will immediately re-clinch or re-shoot
!Both hands on the mat during the rise — one hand posts, one hand guards
!Not training against a partner who is actively attacking — realistic resistance develops proper timing
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
Mastering Jujitsu (Renzo Gracie & John Danaher, 2003)
1BookJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Alias sources — [1] Jiu-Jitsu University (Saulo Ribeiro, 2008) [2] Gracie Jiu-Jitsu (Gracie & Gracie, 2001)
2BookMastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003)
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] Jiu-Jitsu University (Saulo Ribeiro, 2008) [2] Gracie Jiu-Jitsu (Gracie & Gracie, 2001)
5CitationMastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003)
Community
Athletics
Requires
hip mobility, explosive bridge/shrimp power, timing
Favours
flexible hips and strong glutes for escape movements
Key muscles
glutes, hip flexors, core, triceps (framing)
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if my opponent stands up while I have them in closed guard?
According to BIG OSS Jiu-Jitsu, when your opponent stands up, you must transition your grips immediately—don't try to keep holding the same grips or you risk them passing your guard. The key is to shift to controls like ankle grips, underhooks, or sleeve grips depending on what they give you.
Why is controlling my opponent's arms important when sweeping from closed guard?
Jason Scully emphasizes that if you don't control your opponent's arms during a sweep, they can post their hands out to stop you—either by doing a cartwheel or turning their body out to escape the sweep.
What's the main concept behind sweeping from closed guard?
The core principle, according to Jason Scully, is to bring your opponent's base and center of gravity over you first, which destroys their posture and balance, making the actual sweep much easier to complete.
When my opponent stands up from closed guard, what's the best grip to transition to?
BIG OSS Jiu-Jitsu recommends grabbing the ankles as your primary transition—if you have both sleeves, drop your hips to force them back, then hook both ankles and sweep. You can also use an underhook for a muscle sweep or grab a single ankle depending on timing.
How does the Standard Technical Standup work?
The Standard Technical Standup From Turtle executes the escape by transitioning from turtle to a seated posting position (hand behind on the mat), then performing the technical standup by stepping up with one leg and rising to standing while keeping the posting hand on the mat for balance. The turtled fighter sits through to one hip, posts the hand behind, steps the far leg up, and rises to standing, using the posting hand and the stepping leg as the base points.
Where does the Standard Technical Standup come from?
The standard technical standup from turtle is a hybrid technique combining wrestling bottom escapes with the BJJ technical standup methodology. It is widely taught in MMA as one of the primary methods for returning to the feet from a turtled position.
Is the Standard Technical Standup 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 Standard Technical Standup?
Danger rating 3/10. Moderate — turtle escapes involve rolling and granby movements; neck strain risk
How do I set up the Standard Technical Standup?
The standard setup chain: Create Space → Disrupt Control → Execute Escape → Recover Position.
How do I defend against the Standard Technical Standup?
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 Standard Technical Standup?
Common variants: Standard escape (primary escape mechanic using frames, bridges, or hip mov…); Combination escape (chaining two escape directions or methods); Counter escape (using the opponent's attack attempt to create the escape …); Competition variation (modified for rule-set optimisation).
How effective is the Standard Technical Standup in competition?
Used in MMA and BJJ competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Standard Technical Standup?
Top errors to watch for: Standing up without the posting hand — the post provides essential stability / Stepping the same-side foot as the posting hand — step the opposite-side foot for proper body mechanics / Rising with the back turned to the opponent — maintain awareness and keep them in front / Standing up too slowly — explosive speed is necessary to beat the opponent's re-attack.
What are other names for the Standard Technical Standup?
The Standard Technical Standup is also known as Sutandādo Tekunikaru Sutando Appu, Basic Turtle Standup, Standard Technical Stand From Turtle.