What Will You Learn? 

Escape Smarter, Not Harder — Chest-to-Chest Pin Escapes by Placido Santos

Getting stuck under side control or mount isn’t just frustrating—it’s exhausting.

What if you had a system that didn’t just show you what to do…
but actually built the skill to do it under pressure?

In Drill for Skill: Chest-to-Chest Pin Escapes, Placido Santos delivers a complete escape system that combines world-class instruction with structured drilling progressions—so you don’t just understand escapes… you can execute them when it matters.

Known to many as John Danaher’s trusted uke, Placido is far more than that—he’s a high-level competitor and one of the most detail-oriented students of Danaher’s system, alongside names like Gordon Ryan, Giancarlo Bodoni, and Brian Glick.

And it shows in how he teaches.

Two Systems In One

This series is built around two powerful components:

1. Instructional Mastery – Deep, precise breakdowns of chest-to-chest pin escapes
2. Skill Development System – Structured drills tailored to your level so you can actually apply what you learn

This is where technique meets execution.

Why This Series Is Different

• Drill-Based Progression – Turn knowledge into real, usable skill
• Elite-Level Detail – Learn the same concepts used by the best in the world
• Built For All Levels – Scalable drills based on your experience
• Systematic Escapes – No guessing—clear answers to common pin scenarios
• From A World-Class Mind – Placido’s understanding and teaching ability stand out immediately

What You’ll Learn

• How to escape chest-to-chest pins like side control and mount
• The key principles behind frames, positioning, and timing
• How to stay calm and efficient under pressure
• Step-by-step systems for recovering guard or reversing position
• Drills that build timing, sensitivity, and reaction speed
• How to apply escapes against fully resisting opponents

Who This Is For

• Grapplers who feel stuck under pressure and need reliable escape systems
• Students who want to bridge the gap between technique and live performance
• Anyone looking to train smarter with structured drilling
• Practitioners who value deep understanding and high-level instruction

Placido Santos represents the next generation of elite instruction—where precision, structure, and skill development all come together.

Don’t just learn escapes.
Build the skill to execute them—every time.

What Exactly Do You Get?

PART 1 – Learning System & Core Principles

How To Learn

• How to Use This Instructional
• The Analogy of the Map + Compass
• What Is Skill? The Value of Uchikomi
• The Power of Rewind

Instruction Learning – Core Principles

• Side-to-Side Play
• Denying Head Control
• Types of Frames

Side Control Escapes

• Bridging Mechanics: Giancarlo’s Bridge
• Uchikomi Bridging Drill
• Stealing Inside Elbow Position

Core Escapes

• Knee Elbow (Old Faithful)
• Leg Vine Single (Old Reliable)
• Leg Vine → Knee Elbow

Problem Solving Series

• The Problem of the Hip & Knee Post
  • Step 1: Creating Motion
  • Step 2: Todd Knee Frame
  • Step 3: High Knee Shield
  • Step 4: Te Gatame

PART 2 – Kesa Gatame & Transitional Escapes

Kesa Gatame

• Understanding the Problem
• Early Stage Knee Elbow
• Thumb Post Knee Elbow
• Head Block
• Knee Prop
• Countering Half Nelson

Reverse Cross Face Escapes

• Fighting for Inside Position (Leg Vine Single)
• Knee Elbow
• Sit Through
• Mount Transition
• Uchikomi I/U Guard Catch
• North-South Transition

Reverse Underhook System

• Understanding the Problem
• Mount Transition
• Uchikomi – Denying the Cross Face
• Ashi Bolo
• Tight Waist
• Recovering Frames
• Elbow Prop Build (See-Saw Principle)
• Funk Roll
• Granby Roll
• Deadly Combo: Sit Throughs & Step Overs
• Overwrap
• Sukui Nage

PART 3 – Advanced Pin Escapes

North-South Escapes

• Understanding the Problem
• Over Under
• Double Under
• Double Over
• Chest to Hips
• Trap and Roll

Knee on Belly Escapes

• Understanding the Problem
• Hybrid Side Control
• Hybrid Mount
• Win the Hand Fight
• Knee Elbow
• Overhead Bump
• Single Leg

Mount Escapes

• The Power of Kuzushi
• Knee Elbow
• Half Guard
• Uchikomi I/U Guard Catch
• Kipping: Track the Tailbone
• Garry Tonon Escape
• Elbow Pass Counter
• Handling Head and Arm
• Defeating Double Unders

PART 4 – Skill Acquisition & Live Implementation

Experience-Based Learning Sessions

• Session 1: Side Control
• Session 2: Kesagatame
• Session 3: Reverse Cross Face
• Session 4: Reverse Underhook (Part 1)
• Session 5: Reverse Underhook (Part 2)
• Session 6: North South
• Session 7: Knee on Belly
• Session 8: Mount (Part 1)
• Session 9: Mount (Part 2)
• The Good News of the Good News