Fundamental Takedowns and Escapes: Gracie Barra Northridge Jiu-Jitsu

 

Unlike pure wrestling academies, BJJ focuses less on competitive takedown scoring and more on controlling the transition from standing to the ground, especially in a self-defense context. The priority is safety, control, and ending up in a dominant position (or escaping a dominant pin).

 

1. The Philosophy: Controlling the Fight’s Environment

 

At GBN, the stand-up game is taught with a BJJ-centric strategy:

 

 Safety First: The immediate goal is to avoid getting knocked down and injured by the fall, and to avoid being struck.

 The Clinch: BJJ takedowns often aim to close the distance and enter the clinch (a close-quarters grip) to nullify the opponent’s ability to punch or kick.

 Positional Hierarchy: The takedown is successful only if you land in a dominant position (Side Control, Mount, or Guard).

 

2. Fundamental Takedowns (The Standing Phase)

 

In the GB1 Fundamentals Program, takedowns are kept simple, focusing on wrestling and Judo mechanics that are effective against untrained opponents.

 

1. The Double Leg Takedown (Wrestling Base)

 Goal: To get the opponent to the ground quickly and land in a stable, controlling position.

 Mechanics: Taught as a sudden change of level (squatting), penetrating the opponent’s space, gripping both legs, and driving forward.

 BJJ Detail: At GBN, students emphasize controlling the opponent’s hips or head upon landing. You don’t just land them on their back; you follow through to ensure you land in Side Control or Mount, not in their Guard.

 

1. The Hip Throw (Judo Base)

 Goal: To use the opponent’s forward momentum and weight against them.

 Mechanics: Requires gaining an underhook or a strong collar/sleeve grip, pivoting the hips beneath the opponent’s center of gravity, and rotating the opponent over your hip (the fulcrum).

 BJJ Detail: The emphasis is on the Grip Fight leading up to the throw. If you control the hands and the posture, the throw requires minimal strength. This aligns perfectly with the BJJ philosophy of leverage.

 

1. The Guard Pull (The BJJ Lifeline)

 Goal: To safely and purposefully enter the Guard position from standing.

 Mechanics: This is often the highest-percentage “takedown” in BJJ. You establish a controlling grip (usually on the collar and sleeve), sit back, and immediately wrap your legs around the opponent, establishing the Closed Guard.

 Reasoning: In self-defense, if the opponent is much larger, pulling Guard is often the safest choice, as it guarantees you are protected by your legs and avoids the risk of being thrown violently.

 

3. Essential Ground Escapes (The Bottom Phase)

 

Escapes are crucial because 90% of your time as a White Belt is spent on the bottom. GBN focuses on high-percentage escapes that require leverage, not strength.

 

1. Escaping the Mount (The Trap and Roll)

The Mount is the worst position to be in. The Trap and Roll is the most vital escape for beginners.

 

 Mechanics: You must control one of the opponent’s arms (the Trap). You must pin one of the opponent’s legs with your own feet. Once the opponent is committed to one side and their base is compromised, you execute a massive Bridge and Roll to flip them over.

 Priority: GBN instructors stress that you must secure the Trap first. Attempting to roll without pinning an arm is futile and often results in the opponent taking your back.

 

1. Escaping Side Control (The Hip Escape | Shrimp)

Side Control (where the opponent is chest-to-chest and perpendicular to you) is the most common pinning position. The Hip Escape (Shrimp) is the universal BJJ movement used to get out.

 

 Mechanics: You create a frame (a bone structure, usually your forearm) against the opponent’s neck/throat to stop their pressure. You push off the mat with your foot, violently turn your hips sideways, and slide them away from the opponent (shrimping).

 The Goal: The ultimate goal of the shrimp is not to escape, but to recover your legs between you and the opponent, thereby re-establishing the Guard.

 

1. Escaping the Rear Naked Choke (RNC)

The Rear Naked Choke (when the opponent is on your back) is the most dangerous attack.

 

 Mechanics: The initial focus is on controlling the hands. You must grab the attacking hands immediately and prevent the opponent from getting the choking arm across your neck. You then attempt to drop your shoulder below the opponent’s hips to reverse the position.

 Mindset: Instructors emphasize immediate, aggressive defense of the hands. Once the choke is locked in deep, it is often too late, making the prevention phase the most important.

 

4. GBN Protocol for Takedown/Escape Training

 

 Safety: GBN strongly emphasizes the Breakfall. Before attempting any throw or takedown, beginners spend time drilling how to fall safely by slapping the mat to absorb the shock.

 Integration: Takedowns and escapes are often paired in drills. For example, a student might practice the Double Leg, and the partner practices the Breakfall. The next round, the partner practices escaping the Side Control they landed in.

 Control: In the GB1 class, takedowns are drilled slowly and carefully. Live takedown sparring (standing fighting) is often reserved for the higher-level GB2 and GB3 classes where students have mastered the fundamentals of falling safely.

 

The fundamentals of takedowns and escapes at Gracie Barra Northridge center on strategic transition. You are taught how to safely engage the opponent from standing (Double Leg, Hip Throw) or intelligently pull the fight to the ground (Guard Pull). Once on the ground, the priority shifts to escaping the worst positions (Mount, Side Control) using the core movements of BJJ—the Trap and Roll and the Shrimp.

 

Gracie Barra Northridge Location & Contact:

 

Address: 19520 Nordhoff St 10th, Northridge, CA 91324

 

Phone: +1 818-357-4074

 

info@gbnorthridge.com

 

Website: gbnorthridge.com

 

Hours

Mon-Thurs: 12 PM to 9 PM

Fridays: 12 PM to 7 PM

Saturdays: 9 AM to 2 PM

Sundays: CLOSED

Fundamental Takedowns and Escapes: Gracie Barra Northridge Jiu-Jitsu