Most often, beginner escapes fail for a select few reasons:
- They are not attempted correctly.
- They are not attempted with enough conviction or intent.
- They are ill timed.
- They are attempted once with no follow up.
- There is no contingency plan.
Now via the internet it is hard for me to instill in you the timing, intent and conviction required to complete and escape though do not fear as we can attempt to provide for you the latter two. Following up means hitting an escape again while your opponent is reeling or adapting the first escape, pair this with a Plan B escape and you should have a much higher percentage of escapes.
Pay attention to the bottom player underneath the mount, he is in a precarious position and must escape with intent and conviction, however for this blog we will pay attention to the follow up and the Plan B escape.
Above we see the bridge and roll escape attempted with both conviction and intent for Blue to remove himself from the disadvantageous position. But what if Black nullifies this escape and maintains the position?
Blue beautifully follows up his failed bridge escape with frames and a hip escape that salvages half-guard.
Is it as good as getting the bridge and roll sweep and getting on top?
Generally, no.
But is it better than where he was beneath the dangerous position of mount?
Yes.
Our boy blue done stuffed up again and is the subject of a high and tight side control. Lets take a look at an escape with a follow up Plan B shall we.
Blue looks to use the good old underhook escape except Black is crafty and bunkers down his hips and leaves no room for escape or even threatens to mount.
Again Blue makes the mini victory of getting back to a guard, albeit half of one, and stays in the fight. Not every escape is going to be a scene from Die Hard and if you find yourself nailing the big ones like sweeps and rolls first time, CONGRATULATIONS!
It is time to roll against someone of a better caliber of offense which is the goal anyway.
As you grow in your defensive capabilities you might have two, three, four plus escapes in which to utilise therefore pushing the percentage of your escapes ever higher. Something I advocate to white belts and beginner grapplers is to have two escapes from EVERY disadvantageous position precisely for what I have outlined in this post.
Another caveat to this lesson is to start viewing the in-between positions like half guard as mini victories. Going from mount or side control to half-guard is massive in terms of staying alive and keeping the roll going, especially against higher belts. Submissions aren't the be-all-end-all and the sooner you re-frame your mindset around little victories the more often they will become a reality.
In closing;
Hit an escape with vinegar and gusto. If it fails follow up immediately with your Plan B before the window closes.
I'm Jake Anderson and I approve this message xo