Armbar Escape — Foot on Hip Escape

The foot on hip escape is a fundamental counter to the armbar, where the trapped practitioner places a foot on the opponent’s hip to create leverage. By pushing against the hip and simultaneously pulling the arm toward themselves, the defender can relieve pressure and slide the elbow free from the joint lock. Timing is critical, as failing to generate enough leverage or moving too slowly can allow the attacker to tighten the submission.

This escape exemplifies the principle of using leverage and body mechanics rather than brute strength. It also transitions smoothly into positional recovery, often allowing the practitioner to move into guard, side control, or a neutral position while keeping the opponent under control. Mastery of this escape reinforces the importance of hip mobility and precise positioning in BJJ.