Frame and Shrimp
Escape · Side Control
Takes you from bottom side control back to guard. Use it when he lies chest-heavy across you but his hips are light. Put the bone of one forearm across the side of his neck near the collarbone and the other hand on his near hip, arms locked as frames; bridge slightly into him, then turn to your side and shrimp your hips away by pushing off your foot. The frames stay still: the space comes from moving yourself, not from pushing a heavier man, and your bottom knee slides into the gap, tight to your elbow, before you square up and close guard. Beginners push with their arms and stay flat. If he steps to north-south or pops up to knee-on-belly, switch to the escape for that position.
How to do it
- Frame one forearm on their neck and the other hand on their hip: the forearm bone goes across the side of their neck near the collarbone, the hand blocks the hip from sliding toward you.
- Bridge slightly into them to lift their weight, then turn to your side and shrimp your hips away, pushing off your foot on the mat.
- Keep the frames still while the hips move: the space you need comes from moving yourself away, not from pushing them.
- Bring your bottom knee into the space between your frames and their body, knee tight to your elbow.
- Square up to face them, bring the second leg in and recover guard.
Key details
- Frames are bones, not muscles: forearm and arm locked in a fixed shape carry their weight without tiring you.
- Move your hips, not them: they are heavier, so you create the distance by moving away from the frame.
- Frame on the neck and the hip: one stops the upper body, the other stops their hips following your shrimp.
- Once your hips are out, pull them toward you with the frames: the pull swings your knee and shin across their belly.
Common mistakes
- Pushing them with bent arms. — They are heavier and you tire quickly, and the bent arms collapse under their weight. — Hold the frame still and move yourself, not them.
- Lying flat on your back. — Flat on your back there is no space for the knee to come in. — Turn to your side so a gap opens for the knee.
- Pushing the head with the hand. — Pushing the head leaves your arm by their neck, ready for an arm triangle. — Frame on the neck and the hip with your forearms, elbows close to your body.
How to drill it
Side control escapes, 1-minute rounds with light resistance; then with full resistance.
What comes next
Where it comes from