Rotational Control

Control their torso's rotation to prevent late-stage escapes.

Did your coach ever explain the importance of rotational control? It's a key concept for creating inescapable Jiu-Jitsu.

Let's explain rotation, how to control it, and how it helps tighten our positions and submissions.

The strategy of rotation

In the context of Jiu-Jitsu, we’ll define rotational control as:

Managing the angle of your torso relative to your opponent.

It's important to understand that rotational control isn't just about holding them still! Rotational control can be either:

#1: Static, where you prevent movement by clamping or wedging your opponent in position, or

#2: Dynamic, where you allow movement in order to maintain connection or create openings.

Once you understand rotational control, you realize that finding the correct angle is a key ingredient for almost every technique in Jiu-Jitsu. There are precious few situations in Jiu-Jitsu where the angle doesn’t matter.

Rotational control and submission finishes

Think of the late-stage escapes you were taught...

...using the hitchhiker escape against an armbar...

...defending a choke by turning toward their choking arm...

...disconnecting your shoulders from their chest to escape back control...

Those are all examples of using rotation as an escape.

Rotation tends to be the mechanic behind many late-stage escapes. When your arm, leg, or head is trapped, you can sometimes escape by rotating the rest of your body. This can create openings or move your trapped body part to a less vulnerable angle.

You can reverse this logic to learn a powerful lesson:

By controlling their rotation, you can prevent many late-stage escapes.

If you're struggling to prevent their rotation, here are some ideas to try:

#1: Immobilize a limb on each side of their body.
They can't rotate if they're held in place on both sides. For example, you can prevent the hitchhiker escape by immobilizing their far shoulder, which prevents their rotation.

#2: Control where their head points.
You can only turn your body in the direction your head is facing. Preventing head movement stops rotation in that direction. This is the logic behind the crossface.

#3: Let them move, but be ready and follow.
Control doesn't need to be static; you can also allow movement as long as you maintain control. As an example, if they try to roll out of your heel hook, you can roll with them and finish.