## Technique Overview The "Cross Collar and Sleeve Drag Escape" is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu technique primarily used to escape from being controlled in the closed guard by effectively displacing your opponent's grip and creating an opening. This technique involves utilizing leverage and body movement to shift your opponent's center of balance, allowing you to advance your position and potentially transition to the top or initiate your own guard. ## Japanese Name - **Latin Name:** *N/A* ## Position - **Position:** Closed Guard - **Top or Bottom:** Top ## Step-by-step Instructions ### Step 1: Establish Base Ensure solid base: simultaneously press into your opponent with your knees to exploit the space created when beginning this manoeuvre. ### Step 2: Control the Sleeve 1. **Grip Opponent's Sleeve:** Start by gripping the sleeve of one of your opponent’s wrists, controlling it close to their body. 2. **Anchor with thumb:** Ensure your grip has a thumb posture for maximum control. ### Step 3: Cross Collar Grip 1. **Reach for Collar:** With your other hand, reach across your opponent's body to grab the opposite collar, establishing a cross-clamp. 2. **Secure the Grip:** Get deep into the collar with a four-finger grip, not using the thumb. ### Step 4: Execute the Sleeve Drag 1. **Engage the Drag:** Pull the sleeve across your body laterally, moving your opponent's arm away from the intended direction of their force. 2. **Simultaneously tug the collar:** As you drag the sleeve, tug downwards on the collar to shift your opponent's upper body. ### Step 5: Create Displacement 1. **Shift Your Hips:** Swivel your hips outward, creating enough leverage to exploit the off-balance moment. 2. **Open and Pass:** Open the guard and pass your knee over the leg that’s been dislocated by the motion, twisting your torso onto their side. ### Step 6: Advance to a Dominant Position 1. **Escalate Position:** Use this newfound control and posture to transition to a more dominant position, like side control or mount. ### Key Points - Maintaining consistent pressure throughout is crucial to prevent the opponent from re-establishing control. - Executing the sleeve drag correctly requires a combination of force and timing for maximum effect. ### General Tips - Being precise with your movements ensures not only a swift escape but also maintains energy-optimization and reduces vulnerability. - Continuous practice will lead to the improvement of timing, which is a fundamental determinant of success for this technique. - Always anticipate opponent retaliation and be ready to counter with additional holds or transitions. In practice, this escape can create openings for a variety of subsequent moves, making it a versatile choice in the closed guard. Success with it greatly depends on timing, grip security, and maintaining body tension to outpace the opponent’s reaction.