Side Control Escape: Elbow-Knee
Also known as: Shrimp Escape, Hip Escape, Elbow-Knee Connection
The elbow-knee escape is the foundational side control escape. By framing with your arms to create space, then shrimping your hips away, you create enough room to connect your elbow to your knee—building a frame that allows guard recovery. This escape isn't about strength; it's about timing your shrimp with your frames to create cumulative space.
🎯Key Details
Inside elbow frame
Your inside elbow connects to your knee, creating a structural frame they can't collapse through. This is your wall.
The shrimp
Hips move AWAY from them, creating space. Don't just move your shoulders—your hips have to move or you're staying in side control.
Frame progression
Hand on hip → hand on bicep → elbow to knee. Each frame buys you space for the next.
Hip escape direction
Shrimp away from them, not into them. You're creating space, not trying to push through them.
Recompose guard
Once you have elbow-knee connection, bring your knee inside to recover some form of guard.
⚠️Common Mistakes
No frames—just shrimping
Shrimp WITH frames. No frames = they follow your shrimp and maintain position.
Shrimping into them
Shrimp AWAY to create space. Into them just keeps you pinned.
Elbow not connected to knee
Elbow to knee creates your wall. Elbow floating = they smash through.
Moving shoulders but not hips
HIPS move. Shoulders follow. If your hips stay, you stay in side control.
🚀Setups
- •When they transition or readjust
- •After blocking a submission attempt
- •When they go to knee on belly (harder)
- •Chain with bridge when they pressure
🛡️Counters / Defenses
- •Heavy crossface
- •Switch hips and follow
- •Transition to mount
- •Knee slice when they create space
🔄Variations
📍Applicable Positions
🔗Related Techniques
Track Your Progress on Side Control Escape: Elbow-Knee
Log when you drill this technique, track your success rate in sparring, and get AI-powered insights to improve.
Start Tracking