On classes I always get asked how to escape submissions. The answer they seem to want is some fool proof little move that'll get them out of a fully sunk in sub. Sub escapes at the end of the move should be the last part in a chain of options. I was talking about this with a guy last night and I've got a way of thinking about it I mentioned that may be of help. Basically, to get tapped by a submission they need to do a series of things (and/or you need to make a series of mistakes). I think back through the move from the start and it's quite simple to figure out what you can do at each stage.
Let me try an example, the armbar from the guard. For him to get that technique he needs to get guard, have my arm out of posture, climb his legs, escape his hips, get his leg over my head, keep my elbow secure and between or in front of his legs, extend my arm, keep my thumb pointing away from him etc. Go back to the start and the best defence to the armbar is to not be in his guard! So the best armbar from guard escape is side control
Not really the answer people want to hear but it's the truth. Next on the list would be to have good posture with your arms (and try to regain it when breaks your posture). Think through it and you can see the answers which give you a chain of prevention and escapes: block his hips from escaping (re-cover them if he does), don't let the leg come over your head (or get it off if he does), escape your elbow, keep arm bent and stack him up to stop him straightening the arm, twist arm and turn out etc.That's only a quick example but I hope the you get the idea. Think about the steps he needs to accomplish to set up and finish the move and the prevention/escapes should become clear. Once you understand the things you can do try to work the ones earliest in the list for the best results.
Actually, come to think of it maybe all that was a bit obvious, sorry if it was :/
Nathan
