Side Control Escape — Elbow Frame / Shoulder Frame Escapes

Framing escapes use the arms to create structural barriers against the opponent’s weight. Elbow frames are placed against the top player’s shoulders, chest, or neck to maintain distance while the defender inserts a knee or shrimping motion to recover guard. Shoulder frames operate on the same principle but are particularly useful when the opponent attempts to flatten out the bottom player completely. These frames allow the bottom player to control the distance and reduce the risk of being pinned or submitted.