If there’s one area of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu that almost every grappler struggles with, especially beginners, it’s escaping bad positions. Mount. Side control. Back mount. Turtle. These are all places where survival feels impossible, especially against heavier, more experienced training partners.
But escapes aren’t just about brute strength or explosive movement — they’re about timing, leverage, and technical understanding. And the good news? Some of the best minds in BJJ have created world-class instructionals to help you master these essential skills.
In this roundup, we break down the best BJJ instructionals for escapes and survival, covering both gi and no-gi, beginner to advanced. If you want to stop getting smashed, start here.
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1. Pin Escapes & Turtle Escapes – John Danaher
Best for: Beginners to advanced students wanting a complete escape system
Overview:
This instructional is the most comprehensive and methodical approach to escaping dominant positions. Danaher breaks down the mechanics of framing, bridging, elbow-knee connections, and turning escapes into strategic layers of survival.
- Covers mount, side control, north-south, and turtle escapes
- Heavy on conceptual learning and mechanics
- Perfect if you get stuck under pressure often
2. Escapes from Anywhere – Bernardo Faria
Best for: Beginners learning to escape armbars, triangles, and chokes
Overview:
Bernardo Faria, a 5x world champion, is known for his accessible, beginner-friendly style. This instructional is all about escaping submission attempts with simple mechanics that work even if you’re not athletic.
- Armbar escapes
- Triangle defenses
- Guillotine, rear naked choke, and kimura counters
3. Escapes – Lachlan Giles
Best for: Students who struggle escaping controls
Overview:
Getting stuck with hooks in and a seatbelt around your torso is a nightmare. Lachlan Giles’ back escape system teaches you to peel grips, clear hooks, and turn into your opponent efficiently.
- Systematic approach to escaping one of BJJ’s most dominant positions
- Clear, step-by-step instructional style
- Includes both gi and no-gi applications
Why Focus on Escapes?
- You will end up in bad positions, even with good defense
- Escapes keep you in the fight and let you recover to neutral or attack
- Mastering escapes increases your confidence during sparring and competition
If your BJJ feels like it’s built on “hope” when you’re on bottom, these instructionals will give you the tools to regain control and stop panicking under pressure.
Final Recommendation: Where Should You Start?
- New to escapes? Start with Pin Escapes by John Danaher or Submission Escapes by Bernardo Faria
- Want a minimalist approach? Go with Priit Mihkelson’s Survive the Tight Pin
- Struggle with back control? Try Lachlan Giles’ Back Escapes
- Prefer traditional style? Fabio Gurgel offers clean, efficient basics
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