When in the bottom position, you have opportunities to get the Americana lock from closed guard, chest-to-chest half guard, and side control.

When the opponent has secured hooks but you are able to grab both his hands before he can secure grips, you can escape his back control by moving his choking arm over your head, by sinking down into double underhooks on his legs, by leaning forward and inverting, or by trapping one sleeve under h...

When your opponent has back control and secures the Body Triangle, you need to find a way to loosen the figure 4 configuration of his legs to begin your escape from back control. This video shows you a method of escaping when the legs are locked on the top side or bottom side.

Escape the opponent's back control depending on where the back control is taking place. If you both are seated up, attempt to pull the choking arm to the other side of your head. If you fall on the underhook side, place your head on the mat and scrape your back along the mat to remove his chest o...

When you have back control of your opponent, and the choke is difficult to get, easily transition to the back triangle to get more submissions. If you go for the bow & arrow choke and your opponent peels your choking arm off his head, then easily transition to the armbar with minimal change.

When the opponent has back control, apply the escape technique that works best for the condition of the back control. If the opponent has his feet crossed in between your legs, apply a foot lock. If the seatbelt is loose, move the choking arm to the other side. If you fall onto the underhook side...

When you secure a collar grip around the opponent's neck, you should be able to find the Bow & Arrow Choke from multiple positions including Back Control, Side Control, Mount, and Turtle.

The Bow & Arrow Choke requires separation from the back control where you maintain a right angle of your body to the opponent. This choke can be entered from the Back Control or from Side Control. When setting it up from Side Control, you can also modify the finishing position of your legs so tha...

To maintain good back control, learn how to keep a tight seatbelt regardless of where the opponent moves. Learn the mechanics of the basic collar rear choke and the rear naked choke (RNC). Then learn the straight jacket hand fighting position that allows you to secure the rear choke hold.

The key to get to a rear choke is the level of back control. The seatbelt control is an excellent way to maintain back control during the opponent's resistance. From good back control, you can launch into rear chokes using the collar grip in the gi or a forearm grip in NoGi.

When you have a seat belt and Back Control on your opponent, secure the Kimura grips on the arm on your head side. Then start to lower him and move to a right angle. This will open opportunities for the Armbar, Triangle Choke, or Rear Chokes.

When opponent sits up and hugs your leg, push your knee into his chest and push him backwards to prevent the single leg. Then enter the Reverse Half Guard with the appropriate controls to avoid being swept backwards. Then complete the pass to side control, mount, or reverse mount.

When your opponent sits up to attempt a Single Leg Sweep while you are standing, enter Reverse Half Guard to counter. Then complete the pass from Reverse Half Guard while avoiding his Leg Lift Sweep.

When your opponent has the underhook from half guard bottom, the Reverse Half Guard is a good position to complete a pass. However, the opponent can present many problems during your entry and movement into the final pass. This videos shows you how to deal with the common counters to your entry t...

When the you have top position of chest-to-chest half guard, but your opponent has the underhook, you cannot pass on the conventional side, so you must enter the Reverse Half Guard and pass on the other side. While moving to the other side, pay careful attention to the cross face and control of h...

When your opponent has chest-to-chest half guard, but you have the underhook, his best option is to enter the Reverse Half Guard. You can counter with a Backtake or Sweep when he attempts to backstep into the Reverse Half Guard. If he manages to complete the backstep, you should stop his progress...

When your opponent prepares to stand up to break your Closed Guard, secure the collar and sleeve grip. When he stands up, enter the Collar & Sleeve Guard where you can attack with an omoplata, triangle, or armbar from the triangle set up.

When you go to stand up and break the closed guard, you have to be aware of the sweeps and guard reconfiguration of the bottom player. He may launch into a sweep or reconfigure to the De La Riva guard. This video shows what the bottom player options are, and what the top player can do to counter.

When your opponent has closed guard, it's safest to attempt breaking the closed guard by standing up and wedging your knees against his bum. This video shows you how to have good control of his ability to break your posture and grab both legs while also avoiding the Muscle Sweep where he can use ...

When your opponent has closed guard, secure a sword grip on the collar and one sleeve grip. Then stand up and wedge your knees behind their bum and push on their leg to break the closed guard.

After a standard Tripod Sweep, you can enter the SLX leg entanglement (Irimi Ashi) and do a straight footlock. After a Sickle Sweep (variation of Tripod Sweep), you can enter the Butterfly Ashi leg entanglement and do a straight footlock.

When the opponent configures the Tripod Sweep or Sickle Sweep, defend the sweep by immediately pushing his foot off your hip and then counter with a leg drag pass. If he is successful at completing the sweep, then counter with a straight footlock.

When you have a sleeve grip, you can configure your legs to the Tripod Sweep or Sickle Sweep. Both sweeps require a foot on his hip and an ankle grip on the same side. Push on the hip and pull on his ankle. Your other leg is used to stop the far leg from moving to retain balance. The sleeve grip ...

When you stand up in the opponent's closed guard, and he attempts a Tripod Sweep, you can react with a Leg Drag Pass by popping the foot off your hip, a Smash Pass if he transitions to DLR, or a Knee Cut Pass if you angle and counter grip his lapel.