Understanding the Hitchhiker Escape in BJJ and MMA
In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) and mixed martial arts (MMA) grappling, maintaining control from top positions like mount or side control is crucial for submissions, ground-and-pound, or transitioning to better attacks. One common challenge grapplers face is the "hitchhiker escape," where the bottom player frames your arm like a hitchhiker's thumb, posts it out, and shrimps away to regain guard or scramble to their feet.
This escape exploits poor pressure or loose grips, allowing the opponent to create space and reverse momentum. Whether you're training for BJJ competitions, MMA fights, wrestling scenarios, or even Muay Thai clinch work transitioning to the ground, stopping this escape reliably can elevate your top game. Black belt instructor Tom Davey shares a methodical system to counter it every time, focusing on proactive grips, body positioning, and seamless adjustments.
Why the Hitchhiker Escape Works (And How It Fails)
The hitchhiker gets its name from the thumb-out framing motion. From mount or side control, the defender:
- Inserts their hand into the "pocket" formed by your arm and torso.
- Posts the arm away while bridging or shrimping.
- Creates enough space to recover guard or stand up.
This succeeds against opponents who post their head too far forward or fail to distribute weight effectively. In MMA, it can lead to dangerous scrambles where strikes enter the equation. Davey's defense emphasizes preempting the frame with a specific underhook grip and weight distribution, turning defense into offense.
Key Principles Before Diving into Steps
- Weight Distribution: Keep 70-80% of your weight on the hips, not the upper body. This prevents easy framing.
- Grip Fighting: Control the opponent's wrists and elbows early.
- Hip Awareness: Always monitor and block hip movement.
- Adaptability: Works for gi and no-gi, applicable in BJJ, submission grappling, wrestling, and MMA.
Step-by-Step: Stopping the Hitchhiker from High Mount
Start in high mount, knees wide, elbows tight to ribs, hands controlling the opponent's arms or shoulders. Your goal is to establish the "hitchhiker stopper grip" immediately.
Step 1: Establish the Underhook Grip
- As you settle into mount, slide your near-side arm (the one closer to their framing hand) deep under their armpit.
- Grip the fabric or skin behind their triceps (gi or no-gi), thumb pointing up like a hitchhiker—but yours is the counter.
- Pull your elbow tight to your ribs while driving your shoulder into their chest. This "seals" the armpit pocket, preventing insertion.
Step 2: Chest and Chin Pressure
- Drop your chest heavy onto theirs, chin tucked to protect your neck.
- Use your forehead or chin to pin their far shoulder or neck, blocking their ability to turn into you.
- This creates a "lid" effect, compressing their torso and limiting shrimp space.
Step 3: Hip Switch and Knee Drive
- When you feel the frame attempt (their hand pushing your arm), immediately switch your hips toward the threat side.
- Lift the opposite knee high and drive it into their hip or thigh, pinning it down.
- Your underhook arm now pulls as your hips slide across, flattening them out.
Step 4: Transition to S-Mount or Armbar Attack
- With the escape denied, flow into S-mount: knee under their armpit, other foot on the hip.
- From here, attack with armbars, triangles, or technical stand-up prevention.
- In wrestling-heavy MMA, use this to base out and sprawl if they buck.
Countering from Side Control
Side control variations of the hitchhiker often come from knee-on-belly or low side. Adapt as follows:
Variation 1: Knee-on-Belly Defense
- Underhook their framing arm as before.
- Post your free hand on the mat near their head for base.
- Slide your knee across their belly toward the underhook side, crushing the frame.
Variation 2: Low Side Control
- Switch to a "gift wrap" grip: Control their far arm while underhooking the near one.
- Step over their head with your far leg if they persist, isolating the arm for a straight armbar.
Advanced Applications and Troubleshooting
Against Stronger Opponents
Larger foes shrimp harder—counter by off-balancing first. Feint a cross-face, then snatch the underhook as they react.No-Gi Adjustments
Use forearm ties or wrist control instead of deep gi grips. Focus on elbow pressure to seal the armpit.MMA-Specific Tweaks
In gloves, expect punches during frames. Tuck your elbows and use head position to smother. Transition quickly to prevent guard recovery where kicks threaten.Common Errors and Fixes
| Error | Fix | |-------|-----| | Head posts too far forward | Keep chin on chest, eyes on target | | Hips static | Proactive hip switch on feel | | Weak underhook | Drill grip strength with heavy bag pulls | | Predictable pressure | Vary with knee drives and swims |Training Progressions for Mastery
1. Solo Drills (5 mins): Mount position holds with imaginary frames, practicing grip and hip switches.
2. Partner Positional (10 mins): Start in mount, they attempt escape 70% resistance, you defend 20x.
3. Live Rolling Integration: Focus only on mount retention for one 5-min round.
4. Competition Simulation: Full spar from neutral, reward successful retentions with points.
Incorporate into your weekly BJJ or MMA schedule: 2x technique sessions, 1x live. Track success rate—increase resistance as it hits 90%.
Why This Works Across Combat Sports
- BJJ Tournaments: Retain mount for points and subs.
- MMA Fights: Ground control for judges or TKO setups.
- Wrestling: Prevent guard pulls, chain to takedowns.
- Kickboxing/Muay Thai: Ground transitions from clinch dumps.
Master this, and watch your top game dominate. Practice consistently, and the hitchhiker becomes extinct in your matches.
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