Back Escape — Hip Escape to Guard

Hip escape, or shrimping, is a foundational defensive tool in BJJ, and when applied to back control, it allows the defender to create distance and recover guard. By moving the hips away from the seatbelt, the practitioner disrupts the opponent’s positioning and reduces leverage on the hooks and torso control. Once sufficient space is created, the defender can turn into the opponent and re-establish full guard or a defensive half guard.

This escape teaches how small shifts in body alignment can have outsized effects on control. Timing and hip mobility are critical, as slow or poorly angled movement can leave the defender vulnerable to chokes or seatbelt adjustments. It’s a key transitional escape that often leads to offensive opportunities once guard is recovered.