The Most Common BJJ Shrimping Mistakes

The Brazilian Jiu-jitsu is a versatile sport that provides diverse ways to implement various submission methods. The variations of the techniques can be used in defensive and offensive ways.

Shrimping is an escape that requires the back or lower back movement. The fighter can use footwork to get out of a certain position, but shrimping requires rapid movement of the shoulders and hips.

The shrimping method will help you make space if you are trapped by the opponent in a particular position. The hip escape moves the fighter away from the opponent. It is the mutual work of the shoulder, leg, and hip movement. Time management plays a crucial role in it.

Shrimping is the most basic method that helps in the submission process. This technique is used as an escape. Moreover, it allows you to learn other submission methods, and this shrimping method helps in self-defense tactics.

It is the most common method that helps you maintain the distance between them. In addition, it allows you to do sweeps and apply submission methods.

In this article, we will explore the common mistakes in the shrimping method and learn how to avoid it. 

Shrimping is the most essential tool that helps the beginner to escape from the chokes or the submission method. However, most BJJ  practitioners need to correct their mistakes in executing  the shrimping methods.

Escaping from the submission is the most critical component of staying in the game. If the fighter is not in the defending position, he cannot apply the submission properly.

Let us find out the common mistakes and start working on it:

One of the essential tools in the BJJ assessment is that you need to implement it correctly to escape the submission method. The most frequent mistake is using the same side to turn. 

The shrimping movement requires fast and steady movement. Most BJJ fighters move slowly, which is their biggest mistake.

If the practitioner has moved from the position and stayed still on the mat, then there is the possibility that the opponent will trap you in the meantime.

• Rare or less movement is a common mistake of the BJJ practitioner, which can create significant problems while applying the shrimping method.
• If the BJJ practitioner moves slowly, it will affect your time and not give you the required result.
• Use the shoulders, back, and legs to make a rapid movement, making a ninety-degree angle with your rapid motion.

Most jiu-jitsu practitioners focus on the movement and escape; they do not concentrate on the following points and get trapped while shrimping.

• They keep a wide gap in the arms and legs.
• This way, they have a maximum chance of being trapped in a leg lock or arm trap.

Most BJJ newbies learn to move the back but must apply the method correctly to escape. The practitioner pushing the opponent creates a vast space that opens multiple opportunities. It can make a space that allows you to submit yourself again.

• Note that the best way is to maintain less space in between; keep the space less than shoulder width.
• By avoiding the wide grip, you can narrow the chances of getting the arm lock.

• While shrimping, the best approach is to turn to the side of the dragged leg. Most athletes move to the posted leg, and they get trapped again.
• If the practitioner moves towards the post leg, they can not move in the best possible ways.
• The BJJ fighter can not move or drag himself on a mat after changing the side to the post leg.
• It is considered the worst position as the fighter cannot drag because of the restricted movement of the hips.

• Most BJJ practitioners find it difficult to stay in the same position. They lay flat under the opponent and remain stuck in that position.
• This happens because the BJJ fighter remains flat in the same position
• They can not move because of the lack of movement of the legs and hips.
• The BJJ fighters must escape from the position once they lie flat after shrimping.

• Most of the BJJ beginners shrimp in relatively slow motion.
• It makes the opponent aware that the fighter is in the defending state
• The opponent will get ready for the best possible submission technique.
• If the newbie moves very slowly, then the shrimp will be useless.
• When you use shrimp, your opponent will utilize it against you.

• The correct placement of the neck plays a significant role. The area of the neck gives you the best possible way to control the neck. They can also control the head.
• When a BJJ practitioner leaves the space between the neck and the torso, then there will be more chances of being choked by the opponent.
• You will be more likely to be choked by a rear-necked or north-south choke.
• Turtle defense is the fundamental need of a BJJ practitioner who teaches the correct move while escaping.
• You need to keep the arms close to the torso and ensure there is little or no space between the chin and chest.

The shrimping method is an essential tool in the BJJ arsenal. Applying each step makes a significant difference. Focus on the movement of the hips while keeping your arms tight and close to the body.

The last step is to focus on the placement of the neck, which should be close to the chest. This will keep you secure, and your opponent cannot apply choke submission.

Let us focus on the variations of the shrimping method that will give you more possibilities to apply the submission method. 

The side shrimping method is a unique way to get out of the opponent’s control. As the opponent is taking control over you by keeping the knee on your stomach, the jiu-jitsu practitioner needs to push the knee away from your side and move out of the trap from that particular side.

The BJJ fighter needs to take the help of the floor and drag the hips to the side from where the knee is moved.

Note that you must do all the steps consistently while maintaining the pace. 

The two-leg shrimping technique is the most basic method that every BJJ practitioner learns. It is the most fundamental part that jiu-jitsu white belts learn.

• To apply the two-leg shrimp, the practitioner needs to keep one hand at the back of the opponent. The following simple part is to put the forearm against the opponent's throat.
• Put both feet on the ground and push them against the floor. This will exert pressure on the throat, and they will leave you. Meanwhile, you need to change your position by dragging it. This will give you space to execute the submission method. 

The forward shrimping method allows the BJJ practitioner to take control of the opponent's back. The technique will enable you to escape from the side mount position.

The forward shrimp method is applied with both hands and arms. The BJJ practitioner needs to slide one arm at the back of the opponent and the other hand in the armpit.

Use two feet, push with great force, create the bridge, and move towards one side. Move your opponent in the upward direction with the force. It establishes two possible ways:

• To get out of the trap
• Take the control over the opponent’s back.

If you are trapped in the half guard or mount position, apply the one-leg shrimp or single-leg shrimp method. This method executes using one leg instead of two legs.

If you are in the guard position, you can push the opponent's knee away from you by dragging it with your hand. In the meantime, you need to keep in mind that as he moves the knee, the BJJ grappler will find a way from that particular side.

The practitioner needs to drag the hips against the ground with one leg or foot. Make sure to drag the leg to the same side where the opponent has moved the knee. This method can be applied in the opposite direction. 

It is the fundamental movement that every BJJ practitioner learns. It is the escaping technique that can be applied from various positions.

BJJ is a martial art that uses both defensive and offensive methods. This shrimping technique is learned by beginners and is considered a key to victory. 

The Shrimping Method is the most helpful method that gives you maximum benefits, which include:

• Keeping the distance from the opponent
• It is the escaping technique applied from the bottom.
• The BJJ practitioner can take advantage of the space
• They can apply the submission method.
• You can get out of the mount, side mount, and bottom position.

The shrimping method can be used to escape from a specific position. It allows the practitioner to stay away from the opponent so that the practitioner cannot apply the submission method. 

Shrimping is the essential method used by BJJ practitioners. It is used in the defensive position. The practitioners find it easy in the beginning, but it is a tricky method that requires a lot of concentration and practice.

Practitioners consider shrimping to be only based on the movement of the hips and lower body. However, this article lists many common misconceptions to resolve the problem of most BJJ practitioners.

Photo Credit: @Vivek Nakarmi