Get better at Back Control in BJJ.
Your guide for better Jiu-Jitsu
Back Control is considered the most dominant position in Jiu-Jitsu. So it’s important you get it right. If you struggle holding back control then this is perfect for you.
What we cover:
Back Control Objectives and Mechanics
Execution and Awareness
How to train
Dealing with common reactions
Invisible Jiu-Jitsu details
Back control measures of success
How 2800 students feel about back control
Objectives and Mechanics
Objective: Back control is a dominant form of control. It gives you a big advantage over your opponent as they cannot see what you are doing. The goal of back control is to maintain it before working submissions. Your goal is to stay underneath them. If they start to get their back flat on the ground you will lose the position.
Mechanics: Back control does not come from the arms. It comes from the legs. The basic hip escape is the chief mechanic to maintain control over your partner. By placing your leg on the outside of the escaped hip you can build a frame and hip escape your partner back into the middle
Watch Video | Back Control Objective & Mechanics
2. Execution and Awareness
Execution: To execute back control you need to be able to use your legs as the primary form of control. You need to keep your partners back from touching the ground. That is the aim of the game. The seatbelt grip is a good way for you to make sure you stay connected to your partner's back and you can threaten chokes to keep them occupied.
Awareness: The good news is that your partner's escapes are limited when in back control. But you do need to be aware of which side your partner is falling to. You need to be able to feel the start of the escape so you can react in time and build that frame. A lot of Jiu-Jitsu is timing. So you won’t start out perfect.
Watch Video | Execution and Awareness
3. How to Train
To practise your back control you should start by:
Not using your hands and focusing on your using legs to maintain control whilst seated.
Practice with the seatbelt grip from the lying position. Your goal is to use your hooks to maintain control.
You should practise recovering your back control when their back is on the ground
Practise going to mount when your partner’s back is on the floor
Watch Video | How to Train
4. Dealing with common reactions
When your opponent escapes properly their back should be on the mat. This is the most common reaction. To deal with this you need to transition to mount and not keep struggling with a lost position. The key details to mounting is to make sure you secure their far elbow. They should not be allowed to place this on the floor. If they do then they will be able to come up and initiate a scramble.
Watch Video | Dealing with common reactions
5. Invisible Jiu-Jitsu
When you secure the back properly you can then start going for submissions. The cross lapel choke is one of the highest percentage chokes you can do from the seat belt grip. A common mistake with this choke is people extending their chest away from their partner's back. This just creates space. A good tip is to keep your chest connected the whole time and the choke will be really tight.
Watch Video | Invisible Jiu-Jitsu
Back Control Measures of Success
So you have watched all the videos and feel more confident in Back Control. Now it’s time to tick off your progress.
Back Control Checklist
Can you get to back control?
Practise building frames with your legs for control
Practise using your hooks to re-establish control
Practise mounting when your partner gets their back on the floor
Practise the collar choke from back control
Progression Checklist
You can hold an equivalent belt in back control for 2 minutes
You can hold a higher belt in back control for 2 minutes
You feel confident holding back control
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✔️ Unlock all videos in Back Control Series.
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The data from our BJJ Journey Score shows that on average most students are confident in their ability to hold back control against someone they are equally matched with. But your goal should be to feel confident against a higher belt.
If you would like to map your Jiu-Jitsu try our BJJ Journey Score below:
