Side Escape
escapes
Grapplers Collective, Side Escape. 5-6 min rounds.
Problem
Systematic framing and hip movement to recover guard from side control.
Tell the room
Top holds side control. Bottom frames, makes an angle, and recovers guard, reverses, or stands up — without exploding into a bridge. Top scores by holding side control for 45 seconds.
Setup
Start in tight side control. Top is chest-to-chest with the crossface and a near-hip underhook. Bottom is flat with one inside frame on the hip or neck.
Score
Escape, or hold 45 seconds.
- Bottom — recovers any guard, reverses to top, or stands to neutral
- Top — holds side control for 45 seconds
- Top — advances to mount or back control
Rules
- No explosive bridges. Bottom escapes with frames, hip movement, and angles.
- No submissions. Top works only on weight distribution and holding the pin.
- Same start every rep. Every exchange restarts from full side control, flat on the back.
Adjust
Easier
Run the top player at 50% and extend the hold to 60 seconds.
Harder
Add submissions for the top player and cut the hold to 30 seconds.
If it stalls
If the bottom bridges before framing, isolate the frame — forearm to the neck before any hip movement.
TOP PLAYER
POSITION
Top is chest-to-chest with the crossface and a near-hip underhook. Bottom is flat with one inside frame on the hip or neck.
OBJECTIVE
Top holds side control. Bottom frames, makes an angle, and recovers guard, reverses, or stands up — without exploding into a bridge. Top scores by holding side control for 45 seconds.
CONSTRAINTS
No explosive bridges. Bottom escapes with frames, hip movement, and angles. No submissions. Top works only on weight distribution and holding the pin. Same start every rep. Every exchange restarts from full side control, flat on the back.
WIN CONDITION
holds side control for 45 seconds; advances to mount or back control
BOTTOM PLAYER
POSITION
Top is chest-to-chest with the crossface and a near-hip underhook. Bottom is flat with one inside frame on the hip or neck.
OBJECTIVE
Top holds side control. Bottom frames, makes an angle, and recovers guard, reverses, or stands up — without exploding into a bridge. Top scores by holding side control for 45 seconds.
CONSTRAINTS
No explosive bridges. Bottom escapes with frames, hip movement, and angles. No submissions. Top works only on weight distribution and holding the pin. Same start every rep. Every exchange restarts from full side control, flat on the back.
WIN CONDITION
recovers any guard, reverses to top, or stands to neutral