Backdoor Escape

How to exit from the full mount (escape from mount)

Key Steps

Frame and create space

From mount, establish frames with your forearms against the opponent’s chest and hips. Keep elbows tight to your ribs and head tucked to protect against cross-face. This creates immediate space and primes the step-by-step escape found in many jiu jitsu moves and bjj techniques.

Turn to your side and post

Shift weight to the near side, roll to your side, and plant a hand on the mat to assist the turn. Set the knee of your far leg toward the mat to begin opening a doorway.

Slip the leg through and land on a defensive base

Slide your hips back and thread the far leg through the opening behind their leg. Come up to your knees in a solid defensive base, keeping the other hand ready to frame and control.

Re-guard or stand

If space remains, pull your legs back to recover guard; otherwise, stand and reset. This exit is a practical, step-by-step option for gi and no-gi, and a foundational element in bjj techniques.

Application

Use against high mount pressure or when frames create a window to escape. Practice in gi and no-gi settings to improve your recovery in jiujitsu moves. Beginners with coaching can learn this progressively; it’s a core idea in many bjj techniques.

Mistakes

Common errors

• Not framing, allowing constant pressure
• Failing to post during the turn
• Letting an arm be trapped or crossing the guard
• Over-rotating without securing a base

Tips

• Breathe, move slowly, and drill step-by-step with a partner; focus on hip mobility, timing, and maintaining frames in both gi and no-gi contexts.