Skip to content

Back Control

Overview

Section titled “Overview”

Core Mechanics and Concepts

Section titled “Core Mechanics and Concepts”

Alignment from back control

Section titled “Alignment from back control”

Upper body vs lower body back control

Section titled “Upper body vs lower body back control”

Cross body control concept

Section titled “Cross body control concept”

Closed-loop controls

Section titled “Closed-loop controls”

Upper body controls

Section titled “Upper body controls”
  • Seatbelt
  • Kimura grip
  • Choking arm
  • Underhook arm
  • Head position

Lower body controls

Section titled “Lower body controls”
  • Hooks
  • Body triangle
  • Top hook vs bottom hook
  • Crossing the feet mistake

Tightness vs position (“position first”)

Section titled “Tightness vs position (“position first”)”

Offense

Section titled “Offense”

Retention

Section titled “Retention”
  • Defending when they clear the bottom hook
  • Defending when they clear the top hook
  • Defending when they escape upper body
  • Defending when they peel your arm
  • Defending when they escape high
  • Defending when they escape low

Handfighting and initiating the choke

Section titled “Handfighting and initiating the choke”

Submissions

Section titled “Submissions”
  • Armbar
  • The thunderlock, choke, arm trap dilemma
  • Straitjacket system
  • Crucifix

Upgrading position

Section titled “Upgrading position”
  • Body triangle
  • Straitjacket
  • Trapping the arm

Rear Naked Choke

Section titled “Rear Naked Choke”

Concepts

Section titled “Concepts”
  • The side you are on
  • Arm length
  • Head position
  • Attempting the choke is a risk

Finishing mechanics

Section titled “Finishing mechanics”
  • Finishing the RNC
  • Short choke
  • Face choke

From one arm across the neck

Section titled “From one arm across the neck”
  • Getting the second hand in place
  • How they defend
  • One arm choke
  • From a deep grip (choke side, underhook side)
  • Turning them belly down
  • Dealing with peeling hands
  • Tucked chin
  • Changing choking arms

Handfighting to initiate

Section titled “Handfighting to initiate”
  • Getting the arm across the neck
  • Handfighting the underhook arm
  • Handfighting the choke side arm

Defense and Escapes

Section titled “Defense and Escapes”

Understanding opponent’s controls and options

Section titled “Understanding opponent’s controls and options”

Defending chokes

Section titled “Defending chokes”
  • RNC defense
  • When to grip vs let go

Conceptual escapes

Section titled “Conceptual escapes”
  • Escape based on the grip you can clear
  • Escaping high
  • Escaping low
  • Sliding off
  • Rotating out

Clearing hooks and underhooks

Section titled “Clearing hooks and underhooks”

Defeating the body triangle

Section titled “Defeating the body triangle”

Specific escapes

Section titled “Specific escapes”
  • From the underhook side
  • From the choking arm side
  • Sit up/panda escape
  • Single hook escapes (bottom hook, top hook)

Submission defense

Section titled “Submission defense”
  • Armbar/kimura trap
  • Straitjacket defense

Summary

Section titled “Summary”

Coaching Guide

Section titled “Coaching Guide”

Common entries and sequences

Section titled “Common entries and sequences”

Underhook side finish (long hook transition). The attacker starts with a seatbelt on the underhook side with a short top hook. To finish, they transition into a long top hook across the opponent’s hip. This extension creates the necessary space to insert the second (bottom) hook and secure the position.

Chair sit transition. Once a seatbelt is secured, the attacker sits their hips to the side of their underhook, pulling the opponent into the space they just vacated. This allows for easier hook insertion, often transitioning from no hooks to a full back mount. Fundamental mechanic used from various entries, particularly when an opponent is seated or kneeling.

Transitions from mount and side control. From mount, as the defender turns to their side or knees to escape, the attacker follows the rotation, maintains chest-to-back connection, and slides their knees up to establish the back position.

Rear body lock mat returns (standing). The attacker secures the rear body lock and uses a crotch lift, tai otoshi trip, or a simple mat return to break the opponent’s posture. As the opponent hits the mat, the attacker immediately inserts hooks or a body triangle before the opponent can reset.

Rolling and turtle entries. When an opponent is in a defensive turtle position, the attacker takes a seatbelt and uses a rolling back take to bring the defender’s weight over their own body, neutralizing the defender’s ability to stay heavy and allowing for hook insertion mid-roll.

Common problems and cues

Section titled “Common problems and cues”
Section titled “Recommended games”

Resources

Section titled “Resources”