Survival and Escapes

Getting out of dangerous positions. Survival first, then capitalizing on opportunities to sweep or submit when they appear

Flow outline

  1. John Danaher Closed Guard System

    • Once set, quick note: the foundation of survival from bottom position. focus on controlling distance, breaking posture, and creating opportunities to escape or attack. switch if it stalls

  2. Triangle Choke

    • Key detail: usually a primary submission from closed guard. when you can't escape, gives you a finishing option that controls their posture and arm. timing beats strength

  3. Take Opponent's Back

    • If it shows up, The ultimate escape from bottom - get behind them. is survival gold when you can't sweep or submit from guard

  4. Wrist Elbow Sweep To Mount

    • Escape bottom by sweeping to top position. Control their posting arm and use their momentum against them

  5. Elbow Sweep To Mount

    • Once set, another path to escape bottom. focus on controlling the elbow and using hip movement to create the sweep. angle matters

  6. Arm Bar

    • From here, quick note: when they give you the arm during an escape attempt, take it. submission comes from controlling their posture and isolating the arm. angle matters

  7. Rear Triangle

    • A back control submission that secures the position. When you have their back but can't get the choke, controls them completely. Don’t force it

  8. Flower Pendulum Sweep

    • Often Use their forward pressure against them to escape bottom. sweep works when they're trying to pass your guard aggressively. Angle matters

  9. Reverse Arm Bar

    • If they frame, often when they try to posture out of your control, catch submission. it punishes their escape attempt

  10. Kimura

    • From here, if it shows up, control their shoulder to limit their movement and create submission opportunities. gives you options when they defend other attacks

  11. Inverted Arm Bar

    • From here, if it shows up, an unconventional arm bar that catches them off guard. use when traditional paths are blocked

  12. Omoplata

    • Control their shoulder from an unusual angle. gives you sweeping and submission options when they defend straight attacks

  13. Triangle

    • The fundamental closed guard submission. Control their head and arm to finish or create other opportunities

  14. Trimura

    • Most of the time A combination attack that flows between submissions. When they defend one, transition to the next. Timing beats strength

  15. Slide By And Take Opponent's Back

    • Once set, most of the time escape their pressure by sliding to the side and taking their back. is a survival move when you're being smashed

  16. Butterfly Guard

    • From here, an open guard position that allows you to create space and escape. use hooks to control their legs and create sweeping opportunities

  17. Knee Wheel

    • Quick note: A sweep that uses their forward momentum against them. Control their knee and wheel them over to escape bottom

  18. Pendulum Sweep

    • Quick note: Use their posture break to sweep them. is a fundamental escape from bottom when they're off-balance

  19. Arm Bar

    • If they frame, quick note: from various positions, isolate their arm for the submission. is a reliable finish when you control their posture. switch if it stalls

  20. Inverse Triangle

    • An unusual triangle variation that catches them from different angles. Use when traditional triangles aren't available. Switch if it stalls

  21. Trimura

    • Another path to the combination attack. Flow between submissions based on their defense. Switch if it stalls

  22. Omoplata To Heel Hook

    • Once set, from here, a leg attack transition from shoulder control. when they defend the omoplata, attack the leg

  23. Hip Bump Sweep

    • Often A fundamental escape from bottom when they posture up. Use your hips to create the sweep and get to top position. Don’t force it

  24. Kimura

    • most of the time shoulder control that leads to submissions or sweeps. gives you options when you can't finish other attacks

  25. Guillotine

    • A front headlock submission that controls their posture. Use when they try to escape your guard aggressively

  26. Arm Bar

    • From here, quick note: the final submission in several chains. control their arm and extend for the finish. switch if it stalls

Branch conditions