The Jailbreak Bottom position represents an advanced escape methodology from bottom half guard, most notably developed and popularized within the 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu system. This dynamic position involves the bottom player creating an underhook while simultaneously inverting and rolling toward their back to create separation and escape the top player’s pressure. The Jailbreak represents a critical escape option when traditional half guard retention becomes compromised, particularly against skilled passers who have established strong crossface and underhook control.
The position’s effectiveness lies in its ability to transform defensive disadvantage into offensive opportunity through explosive movement and technical precision. By inverting and rolling through, the bottom player can escape to turtle, re-establish guard, or even take the back. The Jailbreak requires excellent timing, flexibility, and spatial awareness, as the escape window is brief and the consequences of mistiming can result in being flattened or passed completely. This technique has become increasingly important in modern no-gi competition, where traditional half guard frames are more easily defeated due to the absence of gi grips.
The biomechanical principle underlying the Jailbreak involves converting the opponent’s forward pressure into rotational momentum for escape. When the top player commits their weight forward with crossface or shoulder pressure, their center of gravity advances and their base becomes vulnerable to being rolled through. The underhook serves as the pivotal connection point that prevents the top player from re-establishing control during the inversion. Success requires reading pressure commitment, explosive hip generation, and maintaining connection throughout the rolling sequence.
Position Definition
- Bottom player maintains underhook on the same side as their trapped leg, with elbow tight to their own hip creating a structural frame that prevents top player from driving flattening pressure through the connection
- Bottom player’s hips are turned toward their trapped leg side with shoulders beginning to invert toward the mat, creating the angular momentum necessary for the explosive rolling motion to generate separation
- Bottom player’s free leg (non-trapped leg) is actively posting against the mat or creating frames against opponent’s hips to prevent being completely flattened while generating additional propulsion for the escape
- Top player has established position in top half guard with crossface, overhook, or heavy shoulder pressure creating the forward weight commitment that makes the rolling escape mechanically viable
- Bottom player’s head and chin are tucked toward chest as shoulders actively invert toward the mat, using spinal flexion to protect the neck while enabling smooth granby-style rolling motion
Prerequisites
- Bottom player is in bottom half guard with top player establishing dominant forward pressure
- Bottom player has secured underhook on the same side as trapped leg with elbow connection to hip
- Top player has compromised traditional half guard retention through crossface, overhook, or heavy shoulder pressure eliminating standard framing escapes
- Bottom player has sufficient space to begin inverting motion without being completely flattened with chest pinned to mat
- Bottom player possesses adequate flexibility and body awareness for inverted rolling movements and granby mechanics
Key Defensive Principles
- Maintain underhook throughout the entire escape sequence to prevent top player from re-establishing control or following to mount
- Generate explosive momentum through hip movement and inversion to overcome top player’s base and forward pressure commitment
- Time the escape when top player commits weight forward onto your upper body, making their base vulnerable to being rolled through
- Keep chin tucked and shoulders rounded during inversion to protect neck from injury and enable smooth rolling motion through the escape
- Use free leg actively to push off mat and create additional rotational momentum for the inverting escape movement
- Commit fully to the escape once initiated - hesitation results in getting stuck mid-motion in worse position
- Chain to back takes or guard recovery if opponent follows the roll instead of stopping at turtle
Available Escapes
Jailbreak to Turtle → Turtle
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 35%
- Intermediate: 55%
- Advanced: 70%
Jailbreak to Back Take → Back Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 20%
- Intermediate: 40%
- Advanced: 60%
Jailbreak to Deep Half Entry → Deep Half Guard
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 25%
- Intermediate: 45%
- Advanced: 65%
Guard Recovery → Half Guard
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 30%
- Intermediate: 50%
- Advanced: 70%
Old School Sweep → Mount
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 15%
- Intermediate: 30%
- Advanced: 50%
Technical Standup → Standing Position
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 25%
- Intermediate: 40%
- Advanced: 60%
Decision Making from This Position
If top player has heavy crossface pressure and is driving forward with weight committed:
- Execute Explosive Jailbreak Roll → Turtle (Probability: 65%)
- Execute Deep Half Entry → Deep Half Guard (Probability: 55%)
If top player bases out wide to prevent roll and underhook remains secure:
- Execute Old School Sweep → Mount (Probability: 50%)
- Execute Technical Standup → Standing Position (Probability: 60%)
If top player follows the jailbreak roll motion attempting to maintain control:
- Execute Continue Roll to Back Take → Back Control (Probability: 55%)
- Execute Granby to Re-Guard → Half Guard (Probability: 65%)
If underhook is lost during escape attempt:
- Execute Frame and Shrimp Recovery → Half Guard (Probability: 40%)
- Execute Emergency Turtle → Turtle (Probability: 50%)
Escape and Survival Paths
Fastest path to submission
Jailbreak Bottom → Back Take → Back Control → Rear Naked Choke
High-percentage sweep to submission
Jailbreak Bottom → Old School Sweep → Mount → Armbar from Mount
Deep half guard submission path
Jailbreak Bottom → Deep Half Entry → Deep Half Guard → Homer Simpson Sweep → Back Control → Rear Naked Choke
Success Rates and Statistics
| Skill Level | Retention Rate | Advancement Probability | Submission Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 40% | 30% | 10% |
| Intermediate | 60% | 50% | 25% |
| Advanced | 75% | 70% | 40% |
Average Time in Position: 5-15 seconds