The strongest, most complete back escape systems on BJJ Fanatics right now, ranked by community reception, clarity, applicability, and teaching quality.
The Pillars of Defense: Back Escapes
A complete, pressure-tested back escape system with live-round breakdowns.
Only Way Out: Dynamic Back Escapes
A clean, drillable blueprint for escaping back control reliably.
Get The F**k Off Me: Back Escapes
A fast, phase-based back defense system for modern no-gi.
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🥋 #1 The Pillars of Defense: Back Escapes by Gordon Ryan
Instructor: Gordon Ryan
Style: System Based, Footage Breakdown, Conceptual
Best for: Advanced
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 7 hours
Volumes: 8
Biggest takeaway: Control wrists before hips move.
Techniques: Hand Fighting, Body Triangle Escape, Straight Jacket Defense, Shoulder Slip, Granby
- Systematically Attacking The Back – Pairs well for understanding the offense you must defeat.
- A New Philosophy Of Positional Escapes – Broader escapes with counteroffense tie-ins.
- Fundamentals of BJJ Escapes (Gi & No-Gi) – Budget-friendly foundation before specialization.
You learn to survive strangle territory first, then dismantle hooks and lock configurations. The course shows specific tactics for overhook and underhook sides plus body triangle breaks. Narrated sparring reveals timing and sequencing so you can reproduce escapes under fire.
✅ Pros
- Comprehensive defensive map for every common back configuration.
- Narrated live rounds accelerate timing and decision-making.
- Integrates with modern straight-jacket hand-fighting.
⚠️ Cons
- High price makes it a tough first buy.
- Assumes familiarity with New Wave terminology and dilemmas.
- Organization and runtime can overwhelm casual learners.
💡 I found the biggest gains came from drilling the overhook-side shoulder slip until it felt automatic. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #2 Only Way Out: Dynamic Back Escapes by Brian Glick
Instructor: Brian Glick
Style: System Based, Conceptual, Drill Heavy
Best for: All Levels
Format: Both
Runtime: 6 hours and 8 minutes
Volumes: 7
Biggest takeaway: Posture before pummeling.
Techniques: Structured Hand Fighting, Shoulder Slip, Hip Switch, Two On One, Body Triangle Escape
- A New Philosophy Of Positional Escapes – More advanced, attack-oriented transitions post-escape.
- Fundamentals of BJJ Escapes (Gi & No-Gi) – Great foundation before Glick’s specifics.
You learn a structure for posture, wrist control, and safe hip turns that beginners can apply immediately. Each section ends in a stable guard or top position. The focus is clarity over flash, which is why many hobbyists report consistent progress.
✅ Pros
- Outstanding clarity and sequencing for day-one implementation.
- Balanced for gi and no-gi without dependence on grips.
- Short chapters support targeted drilling blocks.
⚠️ Cons
- Minimal live-sparring footage compared with mega-releases.
- Less coverage of counterattacks after the escape.
- Production values are functional, not cinematic.
💡 I improved fastest by pairing the wrist-dominance drills with timed exits to guard rather than chasing top immediately. Recommendation: Buy it now.
🥋 #3 Get The F**k Off Me: Back Escapes by Ethan Crelinsten
Instructor: Ethan Crelinsten
Style: System Based, Conceptual
Best for: Intermediate
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 3 hours and 13 minutes
Volumes: 7
Biggest takeaway: Organize by danger phase.
Techniques: Seatbelt Hand Fighting, Belly Down Escape, Turning Escape, Granby, Body Triangle Escape
- Protect Your Back – Granby-based defense with Tonon’s counterattacks.
- Back Escapes For Everyone – More gi-friendly collar defense options.
You learn to classify threats and pick answers fast. The set prioritizes seatbelt pummeling, belly-down heists, and turning escapes with momentum. It shines for athletes who like to reverse into offense quickly.
✅ Pros
- Phase model reduces hesitation during defense.
- Covers deep back control, not just early-stage prevention.
- Pairs well with B-Team back attack study blocks.
⚠️ Cons
- Limited gi coverage may frustrate collar-choke players.
- Occasional technique demonstrations faced community skepticism.
- Less focus on slow, methodical escapes for hobbyists.
💡 I started winning the back battle by treating arm pummeling like guard pummeling reps, not a single frantic move. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #4 (Re)Back Takes, Escapes, Survival & Prevention by Priit Mihkelson
Instructor: Priit Mihkelson
Style: Conceptual, System Based
Best for: All Levels
Format: Both
Runtime: 2 hours and 49 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Posture denies levers.
Techniques: Baby Bridge, Seatbelt Negation, Hook Removal, Gi Grip Fighting
- Pin Escapes & Turtle Escapes (GFF) – Widely recommended foundation for escapes.
- Fundamentals of BJJ Escapes (Gi & No-Gi) – Clear, structured positional escapes set.
You learn how to deny lever access and funnel to safe turns. The emphasis is prevention and posture over athletic scrambles. It is perfect if you want durable habits that compound across positions.
✅ Pros
- Builds durable defense for all belt levels.
- Addresses gi-specific grips alongside no-gi.
- Fits into a broader Defensive BJJ curriculum.
⚠️ Cons
- Less footage of high-level competitive application.
- Repetition and structure may feel meandering.
- Requires patience before results become obvious.
💡 I escaped more by accepting reset points instead of forcing a full reversal immediately. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #5 Houdini Back Defense and Escapes by Ash Williams
Instructor: Ash Williams
Style: System Based, Technique Collection
Best for: All Levels
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 2 hours and 21 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Stop hooks before they settle.
Techniques: Turtle Prevention, Near Side Hook Escape, Collar Choke Defense, Body Triangle Escape
- Back Escapes For Everyone – More gi-specific collar defense coverage.
- The Turtle and Back Defense Blueprint – Low-cost turtle-to-back prevention alternative.
You learn to shut down hooks early and build confidence against collar threats. It is lighter than mega-courses but pairs well with focused drilling. Great value if you want immediate, budget-friendly improvements.
✅ Pros
- Affordable entry point with actionable sequences.
- Strong turtle prevention that reduces back takes.
- Usable for hobbyists without big time commitment.
⚠️ Cons
- Limited independent reviews compared to best sellers.
- Less gi-specific strategy depth.
- Shorter course than top-ranked options.
💡 I stopped panicking in turtle by drilling near-side hook denial before learning late-stage escapes. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #6 Protect Your Back by Garry Tonon
Instructor: Garry Tonon
Style: System Based, Conceptual
Best for: Advanced
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 5 hours and 22 minutes
Biggest takeaway: Move to escape safely.
Techniques: Granby Escape System, Tani Otoshi Entries, Rear Body Lock Defense, Truck Escapes
- Get The F**k Off Me: Back Escapes – Modern seatbelt pummeling perspective.
- A New Philosophy Of Positional Escapes – Danaher-style counteroffense post-escape.
You build prevention first, then learn granby and heist mechanics to stand or attack legs. The material rewards athletes who move during defense. It is less ideal if you want a slow, clampy style.
✅ Pros
- Proactive defensive mindset creates scoring chances.
- Granby system demystified with clear steps.
- Complements leg-entry studies after standing up.
⚠️ Cons
- Advanced pacing can overwhelm beginners.
- Limited gi grip detail and collar defense.
- Requires mat time to calibrate timing.
💡 I got better by chaining the granby escape into immediate re-attack drills rather than stopping after guard recovery. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #7 Fundamentals of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Escapes (Gi & No-Gi) by Lachlan Giles
Instructor: Lachlan Giles
Style: Conceptual, Technique Collection
Best for: Beginner
Format: Both
Runtime: 7 hours and 57 minutes
Biggest takeaway: Fundamentals compound everywhere.
Techniques: Hip Escape Mechanics, Frame To Turn, Collar Defense Basics, Hook Clearing Basics
- Only Way Out: Dynamic Back Escapes – After fundamentals, specialize on the back.
- The Pillars of Defense: Back Escapes – Elite-level back-specific depth.
You build reliable posture and movement patterns first. Back defense basics slot into a larger positional framework. Ideal as the base layer before you invest in back-specific mega-courses.
✅ Pros
- Great foundation for consistent defensive improvement.
- Covers gi and no-gi with clear mechanics.
- Reasonable price for the breadth offered.
⚠️ Cons
- Not specialized on back escapes alone.
- Limited live-sparring breakdowns.
- Advanced no-gi players may want faster pacing.
💡 I escaped more once I practiced his head and hip positioning as a daily warmup. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
How we ranked these back escape courses
We prioritized r/bjj community reception, coherent systems over move-dumps, applicability across skill levels and rulesets, instructor track record, and production/pedagogy. Tie-breakers included recency and distinctiveness. When product pages lacked runtime or release year, we left those fields blank rather than guess.
Back escapes: gi vs no-gi considerations
No-gi emphasizes seatbelt pummeling and body triangle breaks; gi adds collar-specific defense and bow-and-arrow counters. If you primarily play gi, include a course with collar defense (Gregor, Priit) or a fundamentals set and layer modern no-gi hand fighting on top.
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