Artemis BJJ (MYGYM Bristol), Can Sönmez, Bristol, UK - 28/04/2017
In the scenario for this escape, you're in trouble. They have their choking arm in place, so you need to act. Grab their arm and pull it down to give you time. You then want to switch to a grip on their sleeve or wrist, while your other arm reaches up as high on their arm as it can, then grab the gi material and pull down. The hard part is freeing your leg. Rather than the usual turn to get a leg free to turn away, this time you want to free the other leg to turn in. This will be the opposite leg to their choking arm side (often the 'top leg', as you'll generally be off to one side when doing this).
Kick that leg forwards and try to loop it back inside. Once that's free, maintain your grips on their arm and turn in towards them. You're aiming to turn enough that you can bring the arm that was on their wrist to wrap around for an underhook on their side (your other grip remains in place). If they are too tight, you can try what Brandon Mullins calls the 'slow motion seoi nage', gradually moving your grips up higher with each small increment of your turn.
Most of the time, you'll end up inside their guard. If you're able to trap their shin under your leg, you could potentially complete a pass instead. Note that this will not function so well if you try grabbing their other arm: it needs to be what Gustavo calls the 'overhook side' on Ace of Escapes. It's also important to keep hold of the arm, as your grip on that is what's stopping them crawling into position to re-establish their back control.
_____________________
Teaching Notes: This was another one from Ace of Escapes, where again I found it helpfully augmented something I already knew. In this case, it was the 'slow motion seoi nage' concept I like from the Kesting instructional with Brandon Mullins. The problem with that escape was that I wasn't sure how best to fit it into a class format, as it felt more like something you do when you're part of the way through another escape. Now, I have a technical structure I can put it inside.
Having that slow motion seoi nage part to suggest was useful, as a number of people found they couldn't find enough space to get their arm in place for the underhook. Next time, I may well just teach it with that slow motion seoi nage part. The main thing I need to work on is getting that leg free, as clearing it looks difficult. Is the seoi nage turn enough, even without managing to fully clear the hook? I'll keep experimenting.
