Dealing With Inversion!
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Inversion Recovery·The Grappling Academy
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Inversion Recovery
SubFamilyインバージョンリカバリー(Inbājon Rikabarī)
TransliterationTranslation: inversion recovery
Overview
The Inversion Recovery subfamily covers defensive techniques where the fighter inverts their body (rolling onto the upper back/shoulders with hips elevated) to recover guard position when the guard has been partially or fully passed. [1] The inversion uses the flexibility and mobility of the spine and hips to create a rolling motion that brings the legs back between the fighters, re-establishing a guard position from what would otherwise be a passed guard. [1],[2] Inversions are a hallmark of modern sport BJJ, where they provide last-resort guard recovery options against aggressive passing. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Inversion-based guard recovery became prominent in sport BJJ during the 2000s and 2010s, associated with the modern guard retention movement pioneered by competitors like the Miyao brothers, Ryan Hall, and Rafa Mendes. [1] The technique represented a significant evolution in guard retention philosophy, adding a dynamic recovery tool to the traditional hip-escape-based approach. [2],[3]
Effectiveness
Inversion recovery uses an inverting motion to reguard or create leg entanglements from disadvantaged positions. [1]
Lineage
Inversions became prominent in modern BJJ competition with the development of berimbolo and leg lock systems. [1]
Competition Record
Inversions are used in advanced BJJ competition. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Preventing or reducing the effect of an incoming attack through physical interception, evasion, or structural positioning
Joints Involved — Varies by defence type — blocks use arms/shins, evasions use head/body movement, sprawls use hips
Force Vector — Opposing or tangential to the attack — either absorbing, redirecting, or evading the incoming force
Defensive Principle — Economy of motion — the best defence uses minimal movement to neutralise the maximum threat
Position & Entry
From fighting stance (under fire) — Bring both hands to the head, elbows tight, tuck the chin — absorb the flurry while protecting vital targets
As emergency defence — When overwhelmed by volume, shell up in the cover position until the opponent pauses
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
2
Low2/10
Guard retention uses frames and hip movement; minimal direct injury risk
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
— Unified MMA — Legal defensive technique
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— IBJJF — Legal
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— IJF — Legal defensive action
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDFWBC/Boxing — Legal {src— WBC Rules of Boxing}
— WKF — Legal
WKF Competition Rules 2024PDF— WT — Legal
WT Competition Rules 2024PDFTraining Notes
✓Inversion recovery uses a granby roll or inversion (rolling over the shoulders) to recover guard when the opponent is passing laterally
✓When the opponent passes to your side, invert by rolling over your inside shoulder — your legs swing over and re-establish guard position
✓Inversion is the guard retention tool for when shrimping isn't enough — when the opponent has advanced past the shrimp's range
✓The granby roll inverts the body by rolling the hips over the head or shoulder, re-facing the opponent from the new position
✓Inversion is used extensively in modern BJJ: berimbolo, back-take entries, and guard recovery all use inversion mechanics
✓Train inversions on a soft surface: shoulder rolls, granby rolls, and turtle inversions as warm-up drills
✓In competition BJJ, inversions are essential for high-level guard retention against pressure passers
Common Mistakes
!Inverting when a shrimp would suffice — inversion is for when the pass is deep; shrimp first, invert if needed
!Inverting without protecting the neck — the neck bears load during inversion; strength and positioning must protect it
!Rolling over the wrong shoulder — invert over the inside shoulder (the one facing the opponent)
!Inverting slowly — the roll must be quick; slow inversions get caught in bad positions
!Not re-establishing guard after the inversion — the inversion creates the opportunity; you must secure guard immediately
!Inverting flat on the back — turn to the side and use the momentum of the roll
!Over-inverting and ending up past the opponent — control the roll to stop when you're facing them
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Anticipate the Attack — read the opponent's intention through body cues
2Execute Defence — apply the specific defensive technique with proper timing
3Recover Stance — return to a balanced fighting position immediately
4Counter or Disengage — capitalize on the opening or create safe distance
Sources & References
Primary Source
Boxing (Edwin Haislet, 1940)
1BookBoxing (Dempsey, 1950)
Alias sources — [1] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008) [2] Fundamentals of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (Danaher, 2012) [3] Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory and Technique (Gracie, 2001)
2BookMuay Thai: The Art of Fighting (Kraitus, 2002)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
3OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
4CitationBoxing (Dempsey, 1950)
Alias sources — [1] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008) [2] Fundamentals of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (Danaher, 2012) [3] Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory and Technique (Gracie, 2001)
5CitationMuay Thai: The Art of Fighting (Kraitus, 2002)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Community
Athletics
Requires
reaction speed, structural body mechanics, defensive awareness
Favours
quick reflexes and conditioned defensive surfaces
Key muscles
varies — forearms (blocking), legs (movement), core (stability)
Sub-techniques
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I prevent my opponent from shooting their legs through when I'm inverted?
Grab hold of your opponent's pants and use your knee as a shell to help control their leg placement and prevent leg attacks from that position.
Why is inversion recovery considered an important skill to develop?
Inversion recovery is a super important and wonderful skill that requires dedicated partner work to develop the necessary flexibility and control needed to safely escape inverted positions.
How does the Inversion Recovery work?
The Inversion Recovery subfamily covers defensive techniques where the fighter inverts their body (rolling onto the upper back/shoulders with hips elevated) to recover guard position when the guard has been partially or fully passed. The inversion uses the flexibility and mobility of the spine and hips to create a rolling motion that brings the legs back between the fighters, re-establishing a guard position from what would otherwise be a passed guard.
Where does the Inversion Recovery come from?
Inversion-based guard recovery became prominent in sport BJJ during the 2000s and 2010s, associated with the modern guard retention movement pioneered by competitors like the Miyao brothers, Ryan Hall, and Rafa Mendes. The technique represented a significant evolution in guard retention philosophy, adding a dynamic recovery tool to the traditional hip-escape-based approach.
Is the Inversion Recovery legal in competition?
Unified MMA: legal — Legal defensive technique; IBJJF: legal — Legal; IJF: legal — Legal defensive action; WBC/Boxing: legal — Legal; WKF: legal — Legal; WT: legal — Legal
How dangerous is the Inversion Recovery?
Danger rating 2/10. Low — guard retention uses frames and hip movement; minimal direct injury risk
How do I set up the Inversion Recovery?
The standard setup chain: Anticipate the Attack → Execute Defence → Recover Stance → Counter or Disengage.
How do I defend against the Inversion Recovery?
Standard counters include: Timing — attack when the defence is recovering or between movements / Feint — use deception to create openings in the defensive structure / Angle Change — attack from an unexpected angle that the defence does not cover.
What are the variants of the Inversion Recovery?
Common variants: Standard defence (primary defensive technique from the most common position); Reactive defence (triggered by the opponent's attack, minimal movement for …); Proactive defence (anticipating the attack and positioning to neutralise it …); Counter defence (using the defensive movement to create an immediate count…).
How effective is the Inversion Recovery in competition?
Inversions are used in advanced BJJ competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Inversion Recovery?
Top errors to watch for: Inverting when a shrimp would suffice — inversion is for when the pass is deep; shrimp first, invert if needed / Inverting without protecting the neck — the neck bears load during inversion; strength and positioning must protect it / Rolling over the wrong shoulder — invert over the inside shoulder (the one facing the opponent) / Inverting slowly — the roll must be quick; slow inversions get caught in bad positions.
What are other names for the Inversion Recovery?
The Inversion Recovery is also known as Inbājon Rikabarī, Inversion Guard, Granby Roll Recovery, Upside-Down Guard.