### Leg Drag Escape The Leg Drag Escape is a defensive technique used primarily in the **Open Guard** or **Butterfly Guard** position. Its purpose is to counter your opponent's attempt to dominate your legs and control your hips through a leg drag pass. #### Japanese Name N/A #### Position - **Open Guard** - **Butterfly Guard** #### Top/Bottom - **Bottom** ### Step-by-Step Instructions #### Starting Position 1. **Open Guard** / **Butterfly Guard**: You are on bottom, keeping your legs actively in front of your opponent who is trying to pass your guard using a leg drag. #### Execution 2. **Identify the Threat**: As soon as your opponent pulls one of your legs across your body towards the opposite side, recognize their intention to execute a leg drag. 3. **Frame and Posture**: - Immediately create frames using your arms. Your outside arm should be pressing against their shoulder or collar to prevent forward pressure. - Your inside arm can block their hip on the side they are dragging towards, disrupting their balance. 4. **Create Space**: - Scoot your hips away from them by posting your free foot on the mat, ideally against their leg or hip to create leverage. - Shrimp your hips slightly to the side, trying to regain square alignment directly in front of them. 5. **Hip Escape**: - Perform a pronounced hip escape toward the side they are dragging to. This gives you room to work with and avoids getting your hips controlled. 6. **Circle Your Leg In**: - Flex your knee and circle the dragged leg back under your body like you're performing a circular leg motion. - Make sure to retract your knee close to your chest to avoid letting them re-capture your leg. 7. **Reset Your Guard**: - Use the regained inside space to bring your foot back to an active guard position (Butterfly or Open Guard). - Keep your feet active on their hips or thighs, maintaining control and re-establishing your guard. 8. **Establish Control**: Once your guard is reset, immediately look to gain control over their arms and establish your grips. This can transition into multiple attack or sweep options. #### Tips - **Maintaining Distance**: Keep your frames strong to ensure your opponent cannot close the distance and pressure through your guard. - **Urgency**: Timing is crucial; executing this escape before your opponent settles into a solid leg drag is key. - **Follow-Up Strategy**: Be prepared not only to defend but to transition into other offense moves such as sweeps or submissions. By mastering the Leg Drag Escape, you'll have an effective countermeasure against the popular leg drag pass, allowing you to maintain dynamic guard play and re-engage offensively strategically.