Upa Escape (Bridge and Roll)

From Full Mount: Hip-Bridge Escape

Key Steps

Step 1: Base and protect

• Tuck your chin, keep elbows tight, and establish a strong base with your legs to resist the opponent's weight.

Step 2: Trap the near arm and leg

• With your near hand, trap the opponent's near arm across your chest and secure their near leg with your leg to prevent posts.

Step 3: Bridge explosively

• Drive your hips high in a powerful bridge to unbalance them off center.

Step 4: Roll through to top

• Use the momentum of the bridge to roll them over your trapped side. Finish on top in control, ready to progress to side control.

Application

• A fundamental, beginner-friendly escape from the full mount in jiu jitsu moves repertoire. It works in Gi and No-Gi, focusing on timing, hip mobility, and base.

Mistakes

• Not securing the arm and leg, giving up the escape.
• Under-bridging or slow execution.
• Letting the head drift up or losing balance.
• Failing to finish with solid top position.

Tips

• Practice both gi and no-gi contexts; keep elbows in and hips active.
• After landing on top, aim for side control or a smooth pass; stay aware of opponent's leverage.