Side Control Escapes

1/20 - Downtown

Small class today, which is odd considering it's a holiday. Worked side-control escapes, which is very beneficial for me since I'm in side-control all the time. Had good rolls at the end, got a sub for the first time in what seems like a couple of months. Subs aren't everything, but it is nice to get one from time to time, especially as a tournament nears. Would be nice to have some confidence on being able to finish.

Technique
Set-up: Opponent is trying to pass to your R side to obtain cross-face position.

1. Escape pre-crossface: Grip their L sleeve at the hem and push across their body. Put your L hand down on the mat a foot or so out from your L hip and then hip out to that hand. Maintain the sleeve grip and keep hipping your way around until you're able to face your opponent.

2. Escape pre-crossface: Block their L arm with both hands and then when you start to lose it or when momentum dictates, guide their L arm across your body. Push on the back of their L tricep with your R hand while your L hand goes down to the mat. Hip out until you're facing them.

3. Escape to guard: Assuming they are already cross-faced, make sure your R elbow is tucked in between you and them and your hand is on their hip. Bring L forearm across their throat and grip the back of their shoulder, just above the arm. Pull their shoulder down to you as you drive your elbow up and your L leg up to hip into them. Can drive knee in to regain guard or may have possibilities of arm-bar/omoplata etc with your R hand.

4. Escape to d'arce: Bump R hand under them and get it on their L hip. Push off of their hip to get yourself sideways. Cup the back of their head with your L hand and pull it down. Once you get into a N/S type position (but off to the side and heads about even, push down on the back of their head with your R hand while you adjust your L arm to get your elbow further around the L side of their head. Get R hand down (back of their head or on their back) and cup either your L elbow or get fingers in your L sleeve like an ezekiel and bring your L hand down their back toward you. You should be either on your side toward them or hips up. Should be crowding them either way so they can't shoot their arm through.

5. Escape d'arce: Assume you are getting d'arced, try to get your R arm (assuming opponent is on your R side) behind their back, your L hand on their opposite hip and shoot your head forward (parallel to the floor).

Rolled with James, did better than Saturday. Julio pretty much demolished me. Did well against Tien, first time I've rolled with him. Matt got me with a choke from the back...I'm not pleased that I let him get my back. Ugh. Rolled with Chris once or twice who was, shocker, in side-control the entire time. Overall more pleased with my rolls today than a couple days ago.