Side Control Escape to Closed Guard (Fundamentals)

Professor Lucas Lepri teaches how to recover the closed guard when the opponent has the side control position. Lucas starts the escape by reaching under the opponent with his inside hand to grip the opponent’s far side leg. This grip prevents the opponent from advancing. Lucas, bridges and hip escapes a little to get his legs closer to the opponent’s legs while still maintaining the grip. He now hooks the opponents far side legs with his own, getting the opponent into the half guard position. At this point, Lucas can release the grip on the pants. He now switches the hooks on the leg and slides his knee in as he blocks the other leg with his arm. Once his knee is in, Lucas controls the same side arm to prevent the opponent from pushing the leg down. Lucas regains the closed guard by shifting his hips so he can slide his knee out to close the guard.