We ranked the best BJJ Fanatics instructionals for escaping side control using r/bjj sentiment, teaching quality, and applicability. Find your perfect course and start escaping smarter.
Connected Reaction Second Guard (Defense and Escape from Side Control) by Paul Schreiner
Turn bottom side control into a second guard with a clear, drillable system that converts frames and underhooks into escapes and safe recoveries.
Essential Side Control Escapes by Shawn Williams
A complete, camera-friendly roadmap from frames to reguards, reversals, and standups that you can drill today.
Side Control Escapes: Basics To Advanced Concepts by Andre Galvao
A proven Atos blueprint to survive, escape, reverse, and attack from bottom side control.
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🥋 #1 Connected Reaction Second Guard (Defense and Escape from Side Control) by Paul Schreiner
Instructor: Paul Schreiner
Style: System Based, Conceptual
Best for: All Levels
Format: Both
Runtime: 4 hours and 10 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Escape by structure, not scrambles
Techniques: Second Guard, Elbow Push, Underhook Escape, Closed Guard Recovery, Kesa Gatame Escape, North South Escape, Sit Up Frame
- Pin Escapes & Turtle Escapes: Go Further Faster by John Danaher – Most comprehensive pin-escape fundamentals.
- Side Control Escapes: Basics To Advanced Concepts by Andre Galvao – Competition-tested variations and reversals.
- Zone Jiu-Jitsu Connecting Pin Escapes with Half Guard Sweeps by Paul Schreiner – Links escapes directly into offense.
You will learn to treat side control as a working guard rather than a dead end. The course maps frames, elbow-push mechanics, and underhook timing into clean guard recoveries. You will not get a loose move dump; everything chains logically into closed, half, or seated guards with options against kesa and north-south.
✅ Pros
- Concepts translate across gi and no-gi without re-learning details.
- Sequences end in strong guard or immediate offense, not just space.
- Clear structure makes drilling and coaching easier.
⚠️ Cons
- Concept-first pacing may feel slow if you want quick tricks.
- Limited rolling breakdowns compared to newer releases.
- Full price is high versus shorter budget picks.
💡 I improved survival and escapes by focusing on elbow lines and lower-body frames before chasing underhooks or scrambles. Recommendation: Buy it now.
🥋 #2 Essential Side Control Escapes by Shawn Williams
Instructor: Shawn Williams
Style: System Based, Technique Collection
Best for: Intermediate
Format: Both
Runtime: 5 hours and 38 minutes
Volumes: 8
Biggest takeaway: Frames first, then chain exits
Techniques: Elbow Escape, Armlock Reguard, Reverse Triangle, Single Leg Standup, Kesa Gatame Escape, North South Escape, Turtle Reguard
- The Complete Williams Guard by Shawn Williams – Pairs well for bottom attacks after escapes.
- Pin Escapes & Turtle Escapes: Go Further Faster by John Danaher – Fundamental escape blueprint to compare frameworks.
You start with arm positioning and core frames, then add elbow escapes into clamp, butterfly, and half guard options. Next you build armlock-based reguards, reverse triangle chains, and single-leg standups. Later volumes solve scarf, north-south, knee on belly, and turtle connections so you can leave side control decisively.
✅ Pros
- Covers core escapes and advanced follow-ups in one place.
- Standup options help you finish sequences with control or takedowns.
- Production and angles make learning easier at home.
⚠️ Cons
- Eight volumes can overwhelm newer students.
- Less conceptual than Schreiner for coaches who want principles first.
- Full price is steep without a sale.
💡 I kept re-using the single-leg re-stand as a reliable finish after frame-based elbow escapes. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #3 Side Control Escapes: Basics To Advanced Concepts by Andre Galvao
Instructor: Andre Galvao
Style: System Based, Conceptual
Best for: All Levels
Format: Both
Runtime: 4 hours and 51 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Escape directly into offense
Techniques: Framing System, Underhook Escape, Rocking Chair, Head Trap, North South Escape, Low Single Restand
- Side Control Dominance by Andre Galvao – Top-control partner to this escape set.
- Fundamentals of Side Control Escapes by Pedro Sauer – Old-school mechanics with clear frames.
This set shows you how to build frames, time underhooks, and use rocking-chair mechanics to get free. You then learn counters that flip headlocks and north-south traps into armbars and back takes. The result is a pressure-tested path from survival to offense.
✅ Pros
- Balanced progression from safety to counters and finishes.
- Great mechanics for escaping heavy pressure.
- Production and indexing make revisiting topics fast.
⚠️ Cons
- Less budget-friendly than ultra-cheap options.
- Some sequences suit sport rules more than self-defense.
- Fewer micro-drills than beginner-focused courses.
💡 I kept finding the chin-frame to armbar transition whenever top players overcommitted crossfaces. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #4 Side Control Escapes Made Easy by Firas Zahabi
Instructor: Firas Zahabi
Style: Conceptual, System Based
Best for: Beginner
Format: Both
Runtime: 1 hour and 17 minutes
Volumes: 2
Biggest takeaway: Simple escapes, big effect
Techniques: Stiff Arm Escape, Crab Walk, Backdoor Escape, Hip Shovel, Invert To Guard, Forehead Frame
- Side Control Made Easy by Firas Zahabi – Top-control partner to round out the game.
- Essential Side Control Escapes by Shawn Williams – Bigger roadmap if you need more depth.
Zahabi shows a handful of escapes that cover most problems: stiff arms, hip shovels, crab walks, and backdoors. He drills core mechanics until they are automatic. This is not a massive system, but it is perfect for building a survival base fast.
✅ Pros
- Short runtime and clear drills for early belts.
- Price makes it easy to pick up on sale or full.
- Focuses on high-percentage mechanics.
⚠️ Cons
- Lacks deeper chaining into complex counters.
- Advanced players may outgrow it quickly.
- Less coverage of special cases than longer sets.
💡 I saw beginners get immediate wins by using stiff-arm frames to stand or reguard before adding fancy counters. Recommendation: Buy it now.
🥋 #5 Fundamentals of Side Control Escapes by Pedro Sauer
Instructor: Pedro Sauer
Style: Conceptual, System Based
Best for: All Levels
Format: Both
Runtime: 3 hours and 18 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Frames and timing beat pressure
Techniques: Upper Body Frames, Lower Body Frames, Harpoon Reversal, Shibonis Sweep, Kesa Gatame Escape, Reverse Scarf Escape
- Gracie Fundamentals: Side Control Escapes by Rayron Gracie – Modern Gracie take for beginners.
- Side Control Escapes: Basics To Advanced Concepts by Andre Galvao – Sport-ready counter options.
Sauer teaches you to stay calm, frame correctly, and recover guard or reverse with simple levers. You get clear options against scarf, reverse scarf, and paper-cutter threats. It is fundamentals you can practice for life without athletic demands.
✅ Pros
- Great reference for scarf and reverse scarf problems.
- Friendly for older or smaller practitioners.
- Calm teaching builds confidence under pressure.
⚠️ Cons
- Less emphasis on chaining into modern counters.
- Pacing may feel slow for competitors.
- Pricey without a sale compared to budget sets.
💡 I saw consistent results by prioritizing frame geometry before hip movement, especially against scarf variations. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #6 Gracie Fundamentals: Side Control Escapes by Rayron Gracie
Instructor: Rayron Gracie
Style: System Based
Best for: Beginner
Format: Both
Runtime: 2 hours and 28 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Prevention makes escapes easier
Techniques: Preemptive Frames, Knee On Belly Reversal, Hook Sweep Escape, Neck Frame To Underhook, Ghost Escape, North South Pendulum
- Fundamentals of Side Control Escapes by Pedro Sauer – Similar fundamentals at a lower price.
- Side Control Escapes Made Easy by Firas Zahabi – Cheap starter with quick wins.
Rayron teaches preemptive frames and timing so you avoid getting flattened. You learn hook-sweep escapes, ghost options, and north-south solutions with basic submission defenses. It is a straightforward curriculum for new students who need confidence in bad positions.
✅ Pros
- Very beginner-friendly structure and pacing.
- Coverage across common pins and knee on belly.
- Defenses to basic submission threats add safety.
⚠️ Cons
- Highest price on this list.
- Less depth for intermediate and above.
- Fewer nuanced counters than advanced systems.
💡 I like starting new students with the hook-sweep family because it rewards good frames and timing. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #7 Escapes and Attacks From Bottom Side Control by Eli Knight
Instructor: Eli Knight
Style: Technique Collection, System Based
Best for: All Levels
Format: Both
Runtime: 2 hours and 1 minute
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Threats create your escape window
Techniques: Jailbreak Reguard, Ghost Escape, Kesa Gatame Escapes, North South Pump Pendulum, Reverse Triangle, Buggy Choke
- Side Control Escapes Made Easy by Firas Zahabi – Simpler starter for newer belts.
- Side Control Escapes: Basics To Advanced Concepts by Andre Galvao – More robust path to offense.
You learn ghost, jailbreak, and kesa families first to get out safely. Then you add bottom-side submissions that punish lazy pressure and force movement. It is useful for blue belts and up who want offense-ready escapes.
✅ Pros
- Addresses kesa and headlock issues thoroughly.
- Blend of safety-first exits and timely counters.
- Solid value at sub-$100 standard price.
⚠️ Cons
- Submission focus may distract true beginners.
- Less cohesive than the top system-based picks.
- Mixed community sentiment on some older releases.
💡 I saw partners stop hard crossfaces once the ghost-to-darce threat appeared. Recommendation: Skip.
How we ranked these side control escape courses
We weighed r/bjj sentiment most (clarity, results, and how many independent users vouched for the content). Next we scored each system for cohesion: does it connect frames to exits and exits to offense, or is it a loose move list? We prioritized applicability across gi and no-gi, and whether beginners versus competitors would benefit. Instructor track record, structure, and production quality rounded out the scoring. When evidence conflicted, we favored diverse, recent Reddit voices over single hot takes and leaned toward repeatable mechanics over flashy moves.
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