L Escape

Student Objectives:

1. The student will defend the armbar technique by maintaining a bent arm position.
2. The student will escape the armbar position and prevent another armbar by taking the leg off the head and isolating it.

Teaching Cues:

• Grab the Lapel
• Leg Pillow
• Elbow Over
• Turn to Guard

Lesson: L-Escape Armbar Defense

The practicing student starts on the floor, with gently bent legs, and feet flat on the floor.  The practicing student should hold their arms up to ensure an easy transition into the Armbar Position. The assisting student enters the armbar position by sitting perpendicular to the practicing student - with one leg over the head/face and one leg over the chest of the practicing student.  Then, the assisting student hugs around the arm (at the crook of the elbow).  

The practicing student bends the hugged arm and grabs their own lapel.  It is important to emphasize grabbing the furthest lapel, as the near lapel won’t create any tension to stop the arm from straightening.  Once the arm is bent and safely secured, the practicing student grips the pants of the leg that is over their face/head.  The arm will then peel the leg off of their head and guide it under the back of their head.  This step is referred to as the “pillow”.  

The practicing student maintains pressure on the back of their head to hold the “Pillow” in place.  Then, the assisting student places their elbow over the shin of the assisting student.  This locks the leg from coming back over the head.  Once the leg is secure, the practicing student bridges and shoulder walks over the trapped leg until the other elbow reaches the floor next to the hip.  While this defends the armbar, Mount remains a concern.  

The practicing student’s far arm contacts with the top knee of the assisting partner and the practicing student should turn into the Closed Guard.  The student transitions by dragging the near leg under the posted leg.  This motion is similar to the Technical Stand Up.  Once in the Closed Guard, emphasize standard grips and posture.

Possible Extensions:

• The assisting student practices the Closed Guard Armbar entry and uses it as a sweep into the Armbar Position (a very common occurrence), so the practicing student can perform the L- Escape.
• As the practicing student gains proficiency in the L-Escape, add a Knee Cut when coming up into the guard. The hand on the knee can stiff arm to prevent the closing of the Guard.
• Have the assisting student Mount when the second elbow hits the floor.  This gives the practicing student a chance to practice Hip Escape or Upa Escape.

Possible Refinements:

• Ensure the practicing student does not try to lift up to remove the leg from their head. This is the strongest part of the leg; the Hamstring is too powerful to manually manipulate with the arm muscles.
• Once the practicing student grips their own lapel, it is important to pinch the elbow of the “attacked” arm to their ribs.  This small detail gives great results to prevent the armbar.

Reference materials:

Teaching Reflections:

• How did I do teaching?
• What could I do better next time?
• Did the student gain proficiency in lesson material?

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