It can be argued that the hips are the single most important part of the body in jiu jitsu. The powerful muscles of the hips and surrounding legs and lower back are where the majority of the power comes for most escapes. The hip escape is one of the first jiu jitsu movements one learns. From an offensive perspective, being able to control and keep tab of an opponent’s hips will go along way to frustrate and eliminate the ability to escape and allow you to implement your submission game.
In the new video below, Jean Jacques Machado shows us how to pass the Z Guard/Knee shield by simply switch his hips like a helicopter.
By switching the hips, one frees one of their thighs from the elevating hook. Also by turning to the side makes one heavier and brings them to the mat more quickly rather than being able to be held up and floating in mid-air until the opponent decides to dump us. Check out the video below from Machado.
