Foundation: The Three Essential Mount Escapes

Every beginner grappler must master three fundamental mount escapes to establish baseline defensive competency. While these techniques require significant refinement to work against advanced opponents, they provide the most reliable path to escape mount position when rolling with fellow beginners.

Bridge and Roll: Arm Trapping Mechanics

The bridge and roll begins with securing both of the opponent's limbs on one side of their body. Multiple trapping configurations are viable: pinning the hand with the elbow collected behind it, using both hands to trap, or securing an overhook when the opponent has established a head control grip. The non-trapping arm should remain tight and defended rather than extended for additional leverage.

Bridge and Roll: Foot Trap and Hip Positioning

Proper foot trapping requires a deliberate hip shift away from center, preventing the opponent from maintaining a low position and concealing their foot. The student should turn their knees toward the trapped leg and draw the heel to the glute to establish maximum mechanical advantage. The trap need only be maintained long enough to initiate rolling momentum rather than held indefinitely.

Bridge and Roll: Execution and Timing

The escape is executed by looking back over the shoulder while bridging backward rather than rolling laterally. Success rates increase substantially when the bridge and roll are performed as a single fluid movement rather than two distinct actions. The coordinated momentum shift determines whether the escape succeeds or fails.

Knee-Elbow Escape: Frame Placement and Weight Distribution

The knee-elbow escape becomes increasingly effective as technical proficiency improves. When the opponent's weight is positioned high and they are attacking the defender's hand, the defender should shift their upper body and tuck the elbow inward, creating frames on both the opponent's opposite hip and on the inside of their own body. Weight distribution must favor the upper frame to render the opponent's leg ineffective.

Knee-Elbow Escape: Leg Positioning and Underhook Setup

The defender creates space by shifting their hip away from the opponent's concealed leg trap, repeating the movement if necessary. This repositioning allows the defender to flatten their leg between the opponent's legs and position their foot under the opponent's ankle. The escape is completed by simultaneously pulling the knee and elbow back together, collapsing the opponent into half guard while maintaining an underhook ready for continuation.

Hip Bump Escape: Posture and Hidden Underhook

The hip bump escape, also called the kipping escape, maintains the same survival posture used in the knee-elbow escape: a frame across the far hip with an inside elbow. The critical defensive element is concealing the underhook from the opponent to prevent arm triangle manipulation. The underhook must remain protected throughout the entire escape sequence.

Hip Bump Escape: Execution and Guard Recovery

The escape is initiated by bumping the opponent forward with the bottom knee while rolling backward over the shoulder. Simultaneously, the defender pulls the inside knee toward their body, re-establishing full guard. The opposite leg can either establish butterfly hooks if sufficient space exists, leading to a dominant double-under position, or transition directly into leg lock attacks depending on the opponent's positioning.

The First 3 Mount Escapes You Need To Know in BJJ

Brandon Mccaghren

Shrimp To Full Guard

3 min read·8 key moments·PT4M45S video

Key Takeaways

•Foundation: The Three Essential Mount Escapes
•Bridge and Roll: Arm Trapping Mechanics
•Bridge and Roll: Foot Trap and Hip Positioning
•Bridge and Roll: Execution and Timing

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 very good yet lol Take these 3 simple movements and add them to your game so you can give yourself a better chance of getting back to a winning position. If you need more in depth instruction and coaching, on this topic or any other in BJJ, from myself and a team of killer black belts visit https://bit.ly/3PqO348 Join this channel to get access to Members Only Perks such as: - Weekly Live Classes - Members Only Chat - Exclusive Members Only Videos - Access to the PGF Archive - Custom Badges and Emojis and more! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCr7VU0Cnef4AhQk7Pe_9nTA/join

Related Techniques

Running Escape Standard Shrimp To Half Guard

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this video teach about shrimp to full guard?

This video covers foundation: the three essential mount escapes, bridge and roll: arm trapping mechanics, bridge and roll: foot trap and hip positioning. It provides detailed instruction from Brandon Mccaghren.

How long does it take to learn shrimp to full guard?

The basic mechanics can be understood in a single session, but developing reliable execution requires consistent drilling over weeks of practice. This 8-part breakdown helps structure your training by isolating each phase of the technique.