Basic Side Control Escape
Also known as: Shrimp to Guard, Hip Escape
The basic side control escape combines frames, bridges, and hip movement to create space and recover guard. The key is understanding that you don't push them away—you move your hips away from them while using frames to prevent them from following. This escape is the foundation for all side control defense.
🎯Key Details
Create frames immediately
Near elbow into their hip/neck, far arm creates a frame. Frames make space before the escape.
Bridge into them first
A small bridge toward them creates momentary pressure relief. Use that moment to start moving.
Shrimp away
After the bridge, shrimp your hips away from them. The goal is to make space for your knee.
Insert knee for guard
As you shrimp, your inside knee comes in between you. This becomes half guard or full guard.
Repeat as needed
One shrimp rarely completes the escape. Continue shrimping until you have full guard.
⚠️Common Mistakes
Trying to push them away
Move yourself away from them using shrimps. Pushing is exhausting and ineffective.
No frames
Without frames, they follow you as you shrimp. Frames create the space.
Flat on your back
Turn toward them slightly. Flat = easy to pin and control.
Stopping after one shrimp
Keep shrimping until you have a guard position. Partial escapes get re-passed.
🚀Setups
- •Any time in bottom side control
- •After defending submission attempts
- •When they transition positions
- •When they reach for far grips
🛡️Counters / Defenses
- •Heavy chest pressure
- •Switching to north-south
- •Attacking as they shrimp
- •Knee on belly transition
🔄Variations
📍Applicable Positions
🔗Related Techniques
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