Blue belt · Control · Core
Back control: seatbelt & hooks
How to stay on the back: seatbelt grip, hooks or body triangle, head tight to theirs. Most back takes are lost because the attacker rushes the choke.
Step by step
- Seatbelt: one arm over their shoulder (the choking arm), one under their armpit, hands gripped at their chest.
- Chest tight on their back, head beside theirs on the side of your under arm.
- Hooks: both heels inside their thighs. Don't cross your ankles.
- Or lock a body triangle: one leg across their belly, ankle under your other knee.
- Keep them tilted on their side; follow if they try to put their back on the mat.
Details that make it work
- Your head on the under-arm side keeps them from turning into you.
- If they fall toward your over-arm side, follow and readjust or switch to mount.
Common mistakes
- Crossing your feet.
- Letting space open between your chest and their back.
Drill it
Back retention: partner tries to escape. 3 × 1 min.
If it fails, or what comes next
- Rear-naked choke Submission · Back control
- Back to mount Control · Back control
Set it up from
- Arm drag to the back
- Arm drag from butterfly to the back
- Mount to back take
- Rear-naked choke
- Back take from turtle
- Reverse De La Riva sweep and back exposure
- Kimura trap from half guard bottom: sweep or back take
- Armbar from back control when they defend the choke
- Back retention: re-seating hooks when they slide out
- Crucifix from turtle and the crucifix choke
How to defend it
Back escape: Defend the choke with your hands, then get your shoulders to the mat on the choking-arm side and turn in. Hands first, always.
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