BJJ Mount Escape: A Complete Guide for Beginners to Advanced Practitioners

If you’ve ever been stuck under someone’s knees, digging into your ribs, you know what I’m talking about. That sinking feeling when your opponent settles into full mount? It’s like being pinned by a parked car.

But here’s the good news: you don’t have to stay there.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about the bjj mount escape, from basic principles to advanced chains. Whether you’re a white belt gasping for air or a purple belt refining your defense, this article is designed to help you survive, escape, and even turn the tables.

Let’s get you off your back, and back in control.

Understanding the Mount: Why It’s One of the Most Dominant Positions

BJJ Mount Escape

Imagine this: You’re lying on your back. Suddenly, your training partner steps over you, sits down on your chest, and locks their feet in. Their hips are heavy. Their arms are free. They’re looking down at you like they just won the lottery.

That’s the mount position, and in BJJ, it’s one of the most dominant spots you can be in, or under.

The top person controls your posture, balance, and breathing. They can strike (in MMA), submit you, or pass to an even better position. From here, attacks like the armbar, cross choke, and Americana come fast and hard.

There are a few types of mount:

Full mount: Both knees are across your torso.
High mount: On your chest, near your shoulders, great for chokes.
Low mount: Lower on the hips, harder to bridge but easier to shrimp.
Technical mount: One knee up, one foot posted, used to control while setting up submissions.

I remember my first time getting mounted in live rolling. I panicked. I flailed. And within seconds, I tapped to an armbar. Embarrassing? Yes. Educational? Absolutely.

That moment taught me something vital: if you don’t know how to escape the mount, you’ll spend most of your rolls losing.

Common Mistakes That Keep You Stuck Under Mount

Let’s be real, most beginners make the same mistakes when mounted. I did. My students do. And if you’re not careful, these errors will keep you trapped.

Here’s what not to do:

Panicking and thrashing around.
It burns energy and gives your opponent easy openings. Stay calm. Your brain works better when you breathe.

Using only strength.
You’re not Hulk. And even if you were, leverage beats power in BJJ. Escaping isn’t about pushing harder; it’s about moving smarter.

Forgetting to frame.
No space = no escape. If you don’t create distance with your arms or legs, you’re just waiting to get submitted.

Neglecting hip movement.
Your hips are your engine. Without shrimping or bridging, you’re going nowhere.

Turning into your attacker.
When you roll toward the person on top, you give them more control. Always turn away to create an angle.

And here’s one I see all the time: overcommitting to one escape too early.
If your Upa fails, don’t try it five more times. Switch gears. Adapt.

Think of escaping like solving a puzzle. If one piece doesn’t fit, try another.

Core Principles of Effective Mount Escapes

Before we dive into techniques, let’s talk about the rules of the game. These four principles apply to every single bjj mount escape.

First: Frame to create space.
Use your forearm across their hip, or your shin against their knee. Even an inch of space gives you a chance.

Second: Bridge explosively.
Lift your hips straight up. Not sideways. Straight up. This disrupts their balance and creates room to move.

Third: Shrimp (hip escape) to regain position.
Slide your knee toward your chest and scoot your hip out. It’s a small movement, but it builds momentum.

Fourth: Control timing, not just technique.
Wait for your opponent to shift weight. When they lean forward, that’s your cue to bridge. When they post a hand, that’s your chance to trap and roll.

I once had a 250-pound training partner who loved mounting me. At first, I couldn’t budge him. Then I stopped fighting his weight and started reading his movements. When he leaned left to set up a choke, I bridged right. Boom. He rolled off.

That’s the power of timing.

Remember: BJJ isn’t about being the strongest. It’s about being the smartest.

Step-by-Step BJJ Mount Escape Techniques

Now, let’s get into the actual escapes. These are the ones I teach my students, and the ones I use when the pressure is on.

We’ll start with the most important one every beginner should learn.

The Upa (Bridge and Roll) – The Classic Escape

This is your bread-and-butter escape. Learn it. Drill it. Love it.

When should you use it?
Best when your opponent is high on your chest, especially if they’re leaning forward.

Here’s how:

Create a frame with your near-side arm across their hip.
Turn your head and shoulders toward the same side (don’t turn into them!).
Bridge hard and roll through, using your hips to flip them off.
End in guard or side control.

Key tip: Tuck your chin. Protect your neck. And drive with your hips, not your back.

I used to hurt my lower back doing this because I arched too much. Now I focus on lifting my hips straight up, like I’m doing a glute bridge at the gym.

If your Upa fails, don’t panic. Try one of the next two escapes.

Elbow-Knee Escape (Shrimp Escape)

This one saved me during a tournament when the Upa wasn’t working.

Use it when:

Your opponent is low on your hips.
You can’t roll them over.

Steps:

Frame across their hip with your near-side arm.
Bring your same-side knee to your chest.
Shrimp away, slide your hip out while keeping the frame.
Re-establish half or full guard.

Small movements win here. Think of it like crab-walking sideways under pressure.

Pro tip: Exhale as you shrimp. It helps engage your core and keeps you relaxed.

Knee-to-Elbow Escape (Bucket Escape)

This variation adds leg movement to create more space.

How it works:

Frame with your elbow.
“Bucket” your far leg out, like you’re kicking it away.
Rotate your hips and create an angle.
Transition to turtle or guard.

Great for shorter practitioners or when dealing with long limbs.

I call this the “scoot and reset” move. It’s not flashy, but it gets you out of trouble.

Step-by-Step BJJ Mount Escape Techniques (Continued)

We’ve already covered the fundamentals. Now let’s add some tools for when things get tricky.

Trap and Roll (Far-Side Arm Trap)

This escape works best when your opponent posts their far hand on the mat for balance.

Here’s how:

Use your same-side arm to trap their far arm against their body.
Bridge and roll in that direction, like a one-sided Upa.
You’ll end up on top or in guard.

Be careful: if they feel the roll coming, they might turn into a back take. So keep your head tight and protect your neck.

I first learned this move after getting flattened by a wrestler who loved posting his hand. Once I trapped it, he had no base, and I rolled him clean over.

Sometimes, the smallest detail makes all the difference.

Advanced Escapes: Texas Shuffle & Crane Escape

These aren’t beginner moves, but they’re worth knowing as you progress.

The Texas Shuffle
Popularized by wrestlers and slick scramblers, this escape uses subtle hip movements to off-balance your opponent.

How?

Fake a bridge to make them resist.
Instead of rolling, shuffle your hips sideways like you’re doing the moonwalk.
Create just enough angle to shrimp out or recover guard.

It’s sneaky. It’s effective. And it works especially well in no-gi, where grips are harder to maintain.

The Crane Escape
Used by elite grapplers like Gordon Ryan, this requires flexibility and timing.

Steps:

Post one knee up near your chest.
Crane your leg over their thigh while framing.
Recover full guard or transition to butterfly.

It looks elegant, but don’t try it unless you’ve drilled it slowly first. One wrong move, and you’re handing them an armbar.

I still practice this once a week. Not because I use it often, but because it teaches body awareness and control.

Troubleshooting: What to Do When Standard Escapes Fail

No technique works 100% of the time. That’s why having a backup plan matters.

Let’s break down real scenarios and what to do about them.

Problem: My opponent is too heavy to bridge.
Solution: Stop trying to flip them. Focus on framing and shrimping. Small, repeated movements build space over time. Think death by a thousand cuts, not one knockout punch.

Problem: I can’t turn for the Upa, they’re controlling my arms.
Switch to the elbow-knee escape. Frame across their hip and shrimp laterally. You don’t need to roll them, you just need to create an angle.

Problem: Every time I escape, I get submitted mid-move.
You’re likely exposing your arms or neck. Before you move, check your frames. Keep your elbows in, chin down, and hands active.

Problem: I escape… but they immediately remount me.
Great, you survived! But now you need better follow-up. After escaping, re-establish guard quickly or stand up if it’s self-defense.

Problem: This works in class, but not in live rolling.
Then you’re not drilling under pressure. Start adding resistance. Ask a partner to apply real weight. Make your training match the chaos of rolling.

Remember: Sparring doesn’t care how perfect your form is. It only cares if you survive.

Drills to Master Your BJJ Mount Escape

Technique means nothing without repetition. Here’s how to drill smart.

Solo Drills

You don’t need a partner to improve.

Try this daily:

3 sets of 20 shrimps per side – focus on sharp, crisp movement.
Bridge reps: Lie on your back, bridge up explosively, then land softly. Do 15 reps.
Shadow escaping: Visualize being mounted and go through escape motions slowly.

I do this before every class. Takes 10 minutes. Keeps my muscle memory sharp.

Partner Drills

Now add pressure.

Positional sparring: Start mounted. Your goal? Escape. Partner’s job? Control, not submit.
Resistance progression: First passive, then medium, then live.
Escape-only rounds: Five-minute timer. Get mounted, escape, reset. Repeat.

One of my favorite drills: “Mount Survival.” Partner mounts you. You have 60 seconds to escape. If you don’t, they score a point. Best of five wins.

It builds urgency and resilience.

Track Your Progress

Yes, even BJJ has metrics.

Ask yourself:

How many times did I escape in live roll today?
Did I panic less than last week?
Am I using frames automatically?

Write it down. Progress isn’t always visible in the moment, but it shows up over time.

Mindset & Psychology: Staying Calm Under Pressure

Let’s talk about something most instructors skip: your brain.

When you’re mounted, your heart races. Your breath shortens. Your mind screams, “TAP NOW!”

But here’s the truth: panic kills more escapes than strength ever will.

I used to tap to chokes that weren’t even locked in, just because I felt trapped.

So I started training my mind like I train my hips.

Here’s how:

Breathe deep. In through the nose, out through the mouth.
Talk to yourself: “Frame. Shrimp. Survive.”
Stay curious: Instead of fearing the mount, ask: What can I try this time?

Think of it like storm survival. The wind howls. The waves crash. But if you stay calm, you’ll find your way through.

Your body follows your mind. So lead it wisely.

Mount Escapes in Self-Defense and Real-World Contexts

Now, let’s step off the mat.

In a street situation, being mounted is extremely dangerous. You can’t tap. There are no rules. And your attacker might have weapons, friends, or bad intentions.

So your goal isn’t to sweep or submit. It’s to escape and leave.

Key differences from sport BJJ:

No points. No matches. Just survival.
Protect your head at all costs, strikes are the biggest threat.
Once you create space, get to your knees and stand up fast.
Don’t chase sweeps. Disengage. Run.

I teach my students a modified escape: shrimp out, create distance, then use a hip bump stand to get upright.

In real life, staying on the ground is losing.

Remember: BJJ keeps you safe on the mat. Smart decisions keep you safe on the street.

Combining Escapes: Chain Escapes and Flow Drills

Rolls aren’t static. Neither should your escapes be.

That’s why chaining techniques is crucial.

Example flow:

Try the Upa → blocked.
Switch to shrimp → they adjust.
Transition to bucket escape → regain half guard.
Finish with guard recovery.

This isn’t choreography. It’s adaptability.

Try this drill:

Partner mounts you.
Attempt escape #1.
If stopped, go straight to escape #2.
Keep moving until free.

Call it the “Escape Ladder.” The higher you climb, the harder you are to dominate.

Pro tip: Flow like water. Hard to hold. Impossible to crush.

Common Questions About BJJ Mount Escapes (FAQ)

Let’s tackle the questions I hear most.

Q: Which escape should beginners learn first?
A: Start with the Upa and elbow-knee shrimp. They’re simple, effective, and build core skills.

Q: Can I escape if my opponent is much heavier?
A: Yes. Use framing and shrimping. Leverage beats weight every time.

Q: Why do I keep getting re-mounted?
A: You’re not securing a position after escaping. Recover guard or stand up, don’t just lie there.

Q: Is the Upa effective in no-gi?
A: Absolutely. But you’ll need stronger frames since there’s no gi to grip.

Q: How long does it take to master mount escapes?
A: With consistent drilling? A few months. Mastery takes years. But improvement? Starts today.

Q: Does size matter in mount escapes?
A: Technique matters more. I’ve escaped 300-pound guys with proper timing and angles.

If you have more questions, drop them in the comments. I read everyone.

Conclusion: Mastery Through Consistency

Look, I’ve been tapped, mounted, and humbled more times than I can count.

But here’s what I’ve learned: no one stays stuck forever.

Every great grappler was once helpless under mount.

The difference? They kept drilling. They stayed calm. They trusted the process.

Your journey isn’t about never getting mounted. It’s about knowing you can always get back up.

So pick one escape. Drill it this week. Then another next week.

Small steps lead to big results.

And remember: On the path to black belt, every escape is a victory.