How to Escape the Mount Back to Guard

Getting mounted is one of the worst positions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and in a real self-defense situation. Instead of trying to roll your opponent off, this escape takes you back to guard. Here's how we teach it at Mindset Martial Arts & Fitness in Hayward.

Step by Step

1. From the bottom of mount, turn onto your side.
2. Push against your opponent's leg and do a hard hip escape, sliding your hips out so your bottom leg can come through.
3. Switch to your other side and hip escape again.
4. As your legs come out, wrap them back around your opponent and close your guard.

Why Go to Guard Instead of Reversing?

Bridging and rolling your opponent over (the "upa") is great, but it doesn't always work, especially against a bigger person who posts well. The elbow-knee escape back to guard gives you a second option. Once you're in guard, you're safe and you can start attacking.

Tips

• Don't stay flat. Always get to your side first.
• Keep your elbows tight to protect your arms.
• Make each hip escape big. Small shrimps won't create enough space.

Pair this with the side control escape, and see the most important BJJ moves for beginners.

Train BJJ in Hayward

Mindset Martial Arts & Fitness is at 24249 Hesperian Blvd in Hayward, CA, next to Southland Mall, and has been teaching in Hayward for about 16 years. We're a short drive from San Leandro, San Lorenzo, Castro Valley and Union City. Escapes are a big part of our beginner curriculum. Our adult Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes are beginner-friendly, and we also offer kids BJJ and fitness kickboxing.

Check the class schedule or reserve your first class.