Armbar Escape

Armbar escape — grip fight, stack, elbow pummel, leg trap, hitchhiker. The hitchhiker is the canonical no-gi armbar escape.

Adapted from the original page. Grappling.Games did not write this. Sources.

Manage injuries →Position map Connects to 22 positions across 3 relationshipsOpen in the map →12345678910111213←Escape route from

This page covers escape from the armbar — the elbow joint hyperextension submission applied from multiple positions including mount, guard, and the back. The armbar is one of the highest-percentage submissions in competitive no-gi grappling. The escape system ranges from early grip fighting that prevents the arm from being isolated, to the hitchhiker escape when the arm is captured and being extended.

For the attack content, see: /technique/armbar (armbar hub page).

Also known asJuji gatame escape(Japanese — cross armlock)

Early Stage — arm is being attacked but not yet isolated

Elbows tight to the body is the single most important defensive habit in grappling. The armbar requires the arm to be isolated and extended. An arm that is tucked to the body cannot be isolated. The early stage defence is entirely about keeping the elbow connected to the ribs. Grip fighting prevents the opponent from clearing the elbow away from the body. Posture maintenance — not letting the head be pulled down — prevents most guard-based armbar setups. This stage has the highest return for the least effort.

Committed Stage — arm is captured but not yet fully extended

The arm has been isolated and the opponent is positioning to extend it. The grip — the defender gripping their own hand or the opponent’s near limb — is the only thing preventing extension. The hitchhiker escape and stack defence are available in this stage — they must be initiated here, before the arm is extended. Time is compressing.

Games

Back Control, Arm Trapped: Get the Back Triangle vs Escape the Backback-control · back-triangle · arm-trap · back-escapeOpen game →Back EscapeEscapesOpen game →Catch the Knee CrossEscapesOpen game →Caught in 70/30 — Escape and Reverse70/30 · escape · reverse · inside-entanglementOpen game →Figure-Four or Cover Hips vs Escapeside-control · americanaOpen game →Finishing the Escape — From the Backback-escape · seatbelt · finish-firstOpen game →Front Headlock Bottom TurnEscapesOpen game →Head-and-Arm Tackle DefenseEscapesOpen game →Mount EscapeEscapesOpen game →Mount, Elbows Down: Capture a Foot vs Get Double Undersmount · mount-escape · elbows-tight · foot-capture · half-guard-recovery · double-undersOpen game →Mount, Elbows Down: Submit vs Reverse or Get Guardmount · elbow-exposure · americana · head-and-arm · gift-wrap · submissions · mount-escapeOpen game →Mount, Elbows Down: Two-on-One or Double Unders vs Reverse or Get Guardmount · elbow-exposure · two-on-one · kimura-grip · americana · gift-wrap · double-unders · mount-escapeOpen game →Mount, Elbows Up: S-Mount Both Sides vs Both Elbows Downmount · s-mount · elbow-exposure · mount-escape · framesOpen game →Mount, One Elbow Up: Head and Arm or Take the Back vs Elbow Down, Reverse, or Escapemount · head-and-arm · arm-triangle · back-take · elbow-exposure · mount-escape · submissionsOpen game →North-South DenialEscapesOpen game →Rebuilding Behind a Frameguard-retention · frame · elbow-knee · entanglementOpen game →Recovering From Flatguard-retention · flat · re-face · entanglementOpen game →Shoulder Line Attached: Submit or Come Up on Top vs Both Arms In or Out and Stay on Topomoplata · shoulder-line · wrist-lock · posture · triangle-escape · submissionsOpen game →Side EscapeEscapesOpen game →Turtle RecoveryEscapes · TurtleOpen game →Turtle, No Connected Hands: Hip to the Mat vs Stand and Disconnectturtle · turtle-attack · turtle-escape · no-connected-hands · hip-to-the-mat · baseOpen game →Turtle: Seat Belt and a Hook, or Hip Down Past the Legs vs Guard or Standturtle · turtle-attack · back-take · seat-belt · hooks · rear-naked-choke · turtle-escape · guard-recoveryOpen game →