Dylan Benningfield's 3 Pin Escapes: Contract, Don't Extend

Dylan Benningfield (@dylangrapples), ADCC Nationals silver medalist, on low-energy escapes from side control, mount, and north-south: contract, and use as little extension as possible. From his video: https://youtu.be/eQGv4JBOYCI

Flow outline

  1. Side Control Escape Setup

    • He has a strong cross face and underhook. Make slow, small, incremental movements toward your side.
    • From ADCC Nationals silver medalist Dylan Benningfield (@dylangrapples), in his video "3 Pin Escapes Every Jiu-Jitsu Player Needs."
    • The idea An explosive bridge back to guard burns energy. If he repasses, you're tired and may get submitted.
    • Leg Path: walk your legs away to create distance between his knees and your elbows

  2. Side Guard Connection

    • Connect your knee and elbow as you get to your side.
    • Anchor: right knee and elbow connect as close as you can
    • Checkpoint: forced back flat? Remake the space with as little extension as possible, at most a small baby bridge
    • Key detail Keep knee and elbow connected as close as possible.

  3. Side Control Escape Completion

    • Keep rolling to your side without explosive energy.
    • Finish: keep rolling to your side; the knee-elbow connection gives you better frames

  4. Mount Escape Setup

    • In mount you carry almost 100% of his weight. Use one knee and half an extension to make his hands post.
    • Frame: keep your elbows in tight
    • Weight: half an extension, half a curling motion
    • Avoid Big bridges with both feet lift all of his weight and waste energy.

  5. Mount Escape To Half Guard

    • Once his hands post, work to your side and catch his ankle to get to half guard.
    • Grip: one hand to his hip, the other elbow tucks inside
    • Leg Path: slow, incremental escapes all the way to your side until you catch the ankle
    • Checkpoint: contract to pull into half guard
    • Key detail Same idea as side control: get all the way to your side before you catch the ankle.

  6. North-South Escape Setup

    • North-south is probably the hardest pin because he's furthest from your legs. Get your elbows inside his armpits to make room for your legs.
    • The idea Contract instead of extending. It saves energy and makes room for your legs.
    • Frame: elbows jut forward between his armpits, like front racking a bar
    • Avoid Bench pressing him off you.

  7. North-South Knees In

    • Use the space to swing your legs side to side, then contract, almost like a backwards roll, to get your knees in front.
    • Key detail Connect your knees to your elbows as they come in.

  8. North-South Resquare

    • Bring your knee to his cross shoulder and resquare.
    • Angle: knee to his cross shoulder
    • Finish: resquare up

Branch conditions