### Spider Guard Escape Spider Guard is a versatile open guard position in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu where the guard player controls the opponent using grips on the sleeves and feet on the biceps. Escaping this guard effectively demands precise movement, grip-breaking, and maintaining base to prevent sweeps and submissions. ### Step-by-Step Instructions: #### Objective: Escape the opponent's spider guard by breaking grips, avoiding submissions, and passing the guard. --- **1. Establish a Solid Base:** - Begin by keeping a wide base with your knees bent slightly, ensuring a stable posture. - Hold your opponent’s pants, near their upper thighs, to control their leg mobility. **2. Remove Foot from the Bicep:** - Choose the foot on your bicep closest to your opponent's hip to address first. - Move your affected arm vertically upwards to relieve pressure and create space. - Lean backward slightly, maintaining your balance to minimize the effectiveness of their guard. **3. Break the Sleeve Grip:** - Use your opposite hand to grab your sleeve and strip your opponent’s grip off your sleeve using a quick outward and downward motion. - Alternatively, push their grip with your knee as you pull your arm back to free it. **4. Repeat on the Other Side:** - Transfer focus to the opponent’s remaining foot on your bicep. - Execute the same arm-raising and grip-breaking movements until the spider guard control is significantly weakened. **5. Control the Legs:** - Once free of the grips, control both of your opponent's knees or pants near the hip line. - Step back with your closest leg, leaning your weight on them to neutralize their leg movement. **6. Initiate a Guard Pass:** - With their legs controlled, initiate a guard pass of choice (e.g., knee cut or toriando pass). - Ensure you stay tight during the pass to prevent them from reestablishing any guard. **7. Secure a Dominant Position:** - Transition into a dominant positional control such as side control or mount to retain the advantage post-escape. ### Tips: - Always be mindful of potential triangle or omoplata submissions during the escape. - Maintain calm and controlled breathing to prevent erratic movements that could result in sweeps. - Use your hips actively alongside the movement of your arms to break grip efficiently. ### Practice Routine: - Drill the spider guard escape regularly with varying resistance from training partners to develop speed and efficiency. - Focus on balance and agility exercises to complement your guard-passing skills.