While a good shrimp is 90% of your escapes from mount, here’s some pointers for escaping mount easier.

First things first, you have maybe 2 seconds to start escaping mount once your opponent takes it. Don’t wait until he’s settled in and radioed basecamp. The longer you’re underneath a pin, the harder it is to escape. Heck, that’s why it’s called a pin. It’s during his transitions, his movements that we need to escape.

When your opponent takes mount, vigorously buck your hips, do anything you can to get onto your side. This is vital to escaping. Also, curl your body towards one knee, and bring your elbow in between your body and your opponent’s knees.

Shrimp as much as you can to achieve this. Usually, however, you’ll reach a sticking point where you can’t shrimp out. Bring your left leg outside your opponent’s leg.

Using your heel, sweep your opponents leg back over your right leg.

Now, as you push away with your elbows, and shrimp, you’ll find it easier to get your right knee free.

Congratulations! You’re now in Half Guard. Turn towards your trapped leg, and get an underhook.

If your opponent isn’t quick you’ll usually have enough space to bring your left knee through his legs and regain full guard. I’m not sure if this photo accurately shows this.

This is the escape I use most of the time to escape mount.