How to Do a Jiu Jitsu Elbow Escape

The elbow escape is one of the basic moves of jiu jitsu. It utilizes the elbow to help a fighter gain leverage in all sorts of situations. The jiu jitsu elbow escape allows a fighter to "out-muscle" a much bigger opponent. It is especially useful when fully mounted with an opponent sitting on your torso. In this position, you are at high risk for chokes, joint locks and strikes. The elbow escape helps you transition into a full guard where you will have the advantage.

Instructions

1. Grab your opponent's arm with both hands. Do this from a position of lying on your back with your opponent sitting on you. Seize his arm as he pushes you with it. Grab his elbow with your arm on the same side and reach across your body to grab his wrist with your cross-arm hand.

2. Roll onto your side. Do this in the direction of the arm you are holding. Plant your opposite-side leg on the ground and use it to push you over. Since you are holding your opponent's arm on the rolling side, he has no choice but to raise his leg to stop your roll. This opens up a gap between you and his leg.

3. Slide your knee up along the ground. Raise it until it is at the level of your elbow. At the same time, push your opponent's thigh up off the ground and toward your feet with your elbow. Try to make your knee and elbow connect.

4. Slip your leg out and post it on the ground. Use it to help you shuffle your hips along the floor away from your opponent. Once your hips are free, you can throw your leg over his leg. Gain control of this leg by hooking it with your leg. You have now moved into half guard.

5. Roll on to your other side and reach under your opponent toward his other knee. Push his thigh up off the ground and toward your feet with your elbow. This is the same elbow-pushing motion that you used on the other side. Raise your knee to your elbow on this side as well.

6. Pull your other leg out when you have created enough space. Wrap this leg around your opponent and lock it with your other leg by hooking your ankles together. You now have your opponent in full guard and are in a much better position than when you started your elbow escape.