Originally Posted by Penance

I've been drilling guard escapes the last few classes, and although I'm getting better I still feel I'm very weak at them.

To escape I try to press down on their hips without bending forward, then I put my knee into their pelvis, turn my hips away from that leg and then it usually all falls apart. Sometimes I can complete the escape by pushing down on their thigh with my elbow, but I usually feel like I need to stick my other leg out to open their ankles...this is very awkward for me and I always lose my balance.

So, any advice?