Professor Galvao’s mission is to share the lessons, techniques, and experience he has acquired over his 20+ years of experience as a BJJ practitioner, professor, and world-class competitor.

This is a very common situation in jiu jitsu and self defense. Let’s learn on how to defend a tight headlock!

TECHNIQUES:

1- SIDE HEADLOCK ESCAPE 3 ATTACKER’S HEAD DOWN: Sometimes, your opponent will keep his head low and tight while you has you in a headlock. When he’s too tight, you can’t always make a frame on his chin. Instead, this example has you sneak out the back and come up on top to break his grip on your neck.
2- SIDE HEADLOCK ESCAPE 3 + WIDE BASE: In this variation of the side headlock escape, your opponent keeps his base wide and his head low. The escape is similar to the last technique, but this time you will end on your opponent’s back. Keep him flat and finish with a cop lock.
4- SIDE HEADLOCK ESCAPE 3 ATTACKER CHANGES BASE: This time your opponent will try to come up with you as you try to take his back. Use his momentum against him and push him to his back. Finish with the same grip break from the previous techniques.
5- SIDE HEADLOCK ESCAPE 3 + ARM TRAPPED: In this example, your opponent has you in a headlock and is pulling up on your arm to keep you flat on your back. Many judoka will use this as a stalling position. To escape, you must load your opponent onto your hips and bridge him over you.