Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a grappling art that, like wrestling, focuses on physically controlling your opponent. Among the most dominant positions in BJJ is back control which gives a fighter significant control in a fight because it effectively immobilizes their opponent. It’s incredibly efficient because it is much harder to anticipate and defend against attacks when you cannot see your opponent’s hands or eyes, allowing you to use the element of surprise.
Back control vs. Back mount
When you’re competing in BJJ, you get points for securing back mount and back control, but new fighters are often confused about the differences between these two positions. In back control, you take control of your opponent’s back, place your heels between their thighs without crossing your legs, and trap at least one of their arms below the shoulder line. According to the IBJJF rule book, if you can hold back control for three seconds, you will be awarded four points.
You are also awarded four points for achieving back mount (aka rear mount), which is a dominant grappling position described in the rulebook as follows:
When the athlete is on top, clear of the half-guard, sitting on the opponent’s torso and with two knees or one foot and one knee on the ground, facing the opponent’s head and with up to one arm trapped under his/her leg – and thus remains for 3 (three) seconds.
How to get into back control
The main thing to remember when it comes to moving to back control is that your hooks (legs wrapped around the opponent’s thighs) are crucial. Most transitions to back control are going to end with the seatbelt grip, with one hand under the armpit and the other over the shoulder, and it’s imperative that you really make sure you have control before trying any submission.
Any smart fighter is going to work hard to prevent you from getting behind them. Fortunately, there are a lot of positions that present an opportunity for you to work your way into back control on your sparring partner or opponent. l
From Mount
Destabilize your opponent in the mount position and use techniques like the high mount or S-mount to make them turn and expose their back. As they turn, slide one knee behind their back and insert your first hook. Pull your opponent into you, secure your second hook, and establish the seatbelt grip, which is usually the primary grip from back control.
From Side Control
Move from side control to knee on belly to create space and force a reaction from your opponent. As they turn away to relieve pressure, slide your bottom knee across their body, and insert your hooks, securing the seatbelt grip to establish back control.
From Turtle
Apply pressure to your opponent in the turtle position to create openings and insert one hook on the side where you have more control. Again, establish a seatbelt grip by threading one arm over the shoulder and the other under the armpit. Roll your opponent to the side with the hook and insert the second hook.
From Guard
Try sweeps or attacks from butterfly or closed guard to get your opponent off-balance and as soon as they react, transition to their back by moving around their body while maintaining control. Implement your hooks one at a time while maintaining grip control and lock in the seatbelt grip to solidify your control.
From Standing
Use grips and body positioning to move to your opponent’s back while standing. Try to trip or use a takedown on your opponent to bring them to the mat and as you go to the ground, insert your hooks and find the seatbelt grip.
How do we maintain back control?
The hardest part of back control is maintaining the position while you wait for openings to attack. Here are a few things to focus on as your practice back control:
Seatbelt Grip
The seatbelt grip protects your choking hand and provides upper body control. To keep the grip tight, ensure your arms are snug against your opponent’s body to prevent escapes. Position your choking arm on your opponent’s chest, covered by your other arm, and use your head to control your opponent’s head.
Body Triangle
The body triangle restricts your opponent’s movement and prevents them from using their legs to escape. Start from the back mount and pull your opponent to the side. Push off their hip with your foot, then bring your opposite leg to the same side of the hip. Create a triangle shape with your legs and squeeze to apply pressure on their midsection.
Isolating an Arm
Begin by threatening your opponent’s neck with a choke. When they reach up to defend, hook one of their arms with your leg. With one arm trapped, your opponent has only one arm to defend against your submissions.
Top submissions from back control
Given the dominant nature of back control, there are several high-percentage submissions available to finish the fight:
Rear Naked Choke
Wrap one arm around the opponent’s neck, placing the elbow under the chin, and then lock the other arm behind their head to apply pressure and choke them. Keep the choking arm deep and lock the grip behind the opponent’s head to prevent escape.
Arm Bar
Transition to an armbar by isolating one of your opponent’s arms, moving their body into position, and then hyperextending the arm using the legs and hips. Secure control of the arm and position your hips correctly to apply maximum pressure on the elbow joint.
Triangle Choke (Body Triangle Variation)
Though less common from back control, a triangle choke can be set up by trapping the opponent’s arm and head between the legs and using the legs to apply pressure. Control the opponent’s posture and adjust the angle to ensure a tight choke.
Bow and Arrow Choke
This gi-specific choke involves gripping the opponent’s collar with one hand and using the other hand to pull on the opponent’s pants or belt, creating a bowstring-like tension to choke them. Use the legs to control the opponent’s body and create leverage by pulling on the collar and pants in opposite directions.
How to prevent someone from escaping
Like most BJJ techniques, back control is not necessarily about strength. If you want to make sure even the strongest and biggest opponents can’t escape from your back control, you have to use your whole body.
Hook Placement
Properly place your hooks by wrapping your legs around your opponent’s thighs, with your feet hooking inside their legs so they can’t turn. Keep your hooks active by squeezing to maintain pressure.
Chest-to-Back Connection
Maintain a tight chest-to-back connection to stay glued to your opponent. This connection ensures you move with them, making it difficult for them to create space and escape.
Head Positioning
Control your opponent’s head with your head. Position your head close to theirs, ideally near their temple. This control limits their ability to move and makes it harder for them to escape. By controlling their head, you control their posture and overall movement.
Anticipate Escapes
If your opponent tries to turn into you, use your seatbelt grip to pull them back and reinsert your hooks. Shift your weight to the opposite side to counter their movement and reestablish control. It is also common for opponents to try to shrimp and create space. If they do this, work to maintain your chest-to-back connection and use your hooks to control their hips.
Conclusion
Back control is not only crucial in competitions, where it can earn valuable points and lead to quick victories, but it is also essential in self-defense situations, providing a safe way to neutralize threats. Mastering back control can elevate your BJJ game so you can effectively immobilize even the toughest opponents and secure unbreakable back control on the mats and in real-world situations.
