Moving Side To Side - Back Escape Basics

Fundamentals of escaping the back:

1. Understand the terminology: The side with the arm over the shoulder is the choking side, and the side with the arm under the armpit is the control side.
2. Contrary to traditional Gi Jiu-Jitsu teachings, escaping towards the choking side is often more effective in No-Gi because it offers less control to the opponent and provides a better chance for a last-minute rear-naked choke escape.
3. Control points: The opponent has more control on the control side because they can lift your arm and prevent you from placing your head, shoulder, and hips to the mat.
4. Late rear-naked choke escape: If the choke is fully locked in, try to grab the opponent's fingers and pull the hand down. If that fails, turn towards the choking side to create space for your chin to break the lock.

Drill for moving side to side:

1. Start on the control side with the opponent in a seatbelt grip.
2. Defend the choke by making a C-grip on the opponent's wrist and pulling down with a hook grip.
3. Place your bottom leg's foot to the mat, bringing the heel close to your butt.
4. Generate momentum by doing a sit-up and driving your head in a half-circle motion.
5. Bridge to the other side, landing with your hips facing up to facilitate immediate escape.
6. Repeat the drill by switching sides, ensuring to land with hips facing up each time.