Elbow Escape From Mount: Shrimp Back to Guard
By Amir Khillah, use-of-force & subject-control SME
The bridge doesn't always work. When the person on top knows the buck is coming and has good base, you need a second option. The elbow escape from mount, or shrimp escape, gets you back to guard so you're no longer flat under him.
When the bridge won't topple him
If you can't topple him with the buck, sit up enough to drag him down into you, or use the back of your hand on his hip to push him in. Climb up, like you're climbing his back, until you're giving him a neck hug rather than lying flat underneath.
The shrimp escape, step by step
Lay one leg flat on the ground, straight, and turn slightly to that side.
Push his knee down with your hand and shove that leg down between your legs; bring your knee up.
Hook his leg with your inside leg. Don't hook too early.
Overhook his head and arm, then shrimp your hips out to the other side.
Scoot your butt out until your leg has room to come up and wrap his waist. Now you're in guard.
It's two shrimps, one on each side. Students often have all the moves but in the wrong order; the leg must be flat on the ground before you shove it through.
Elbow escape with duty gear
With duty boots on, you may not be able to slide your knee through. Push him a little away or walk your hips. Don't try to drag the secondary leg; move around it.
Training progression
Very little resistance; walk through the order: leg flat, push knee, hook, neck, shrimp, guard.
Repeat on both sides until the order is automatic.
Add a partner who resists the bridge so you're forced into the elbow escape.
Start with the bridge: Mount escape for police officers. On training under fatigue, see my Police1 article 3 ways cops can take their physical performance to the next level.
Frequently asked questions
What is an elbow escape from mount?
Also called a shrimp escape, it's how you recover guard when the person on top has good base and the bridge won't work. You make space with your elbows and hips and slide a knee back inside.
When should I use the elbow escape instead of the bridge?
When he knows the buck is coming and has good base. If you can't topple him, shrimp to recover guard.
Does duty gear change the elbow escape?
Yes. With duty boots and a belt, you may not be able to slide your knee through cleanly. Push him a little away or walk your hips, and move around the secondary leg instead of fighting it.
Related reading: Centurion training for agencies · The Officer's Top-10 Field Guide · Training a spouse or family member? Guardian Ludus civilian self-defense
About the author. Amir Khillah is a use-of-force and subject-control subject matter expert and a peace officer based in the Kalamazoo, Michigan area. He founded Centurion Modern Subject Control, previously taught subject control at a regional police academy, and has written for Police1. He holds a 2nd-degree BJJ black belt and a 6th-degree Combat Hapkido black belt, is a U.S. Army Combatives Level II Instructor and a certified firearms instructor, and a retired professional MMA fighter (TUF 12, Bellator), and holds an M.S. in Human Performance from Western Michigan University.
Want this taught to your officers or DT instructors? Email booking@centurionmsc.com.
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