How To Take The Back From A Tight Turtle Position
0
Back Position·MMA Leech
Taking the Back from turtle position can be very challenging sometimes, especially when your opponent is playing it very…
Back Position
Group背面体勢(Haimen Taisei)
TraditionalTranslation: back position
Overview
The Back Position group encompasses all positions where one fighter has achieved control from behind the opponent, considered the most dominant positional category in grappling. [1] Back positions are the pinnacle of the positional hierarchy because the controlling fighter has access to devastating attacks (primarily the rear naked choke) while the controlled fighter cannot see or effectively counter-attack. [1],[2] This group covers back control variants (hooks, body triangle, seatbelt, crucifix), rear mount positions (seated and supine), and the chair sit position. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Back control has been recognised as a dominant position throughout the history of grappling, but BJJ elevated it to the highest-scoring position in its competitive framework. [1] The IBJJF awards four points for achieving back control, the highest positional score in the system, reflecting its tactical supremacy. [2],[3]
Effectiveness
Back control is statistically the most dominant position in both grappling and MMA. [1] The rear naked choke, applied primarily from back control, is the single most successful submission in UFC history, accounting for more finishes than any other submission. [2] Danaher identifies back control as the position with the highest finish rate because the attacker has access to the neck while the defender cannot see or counter-attack effectively. [1]
Lineage
Back control methodology was refined through generations of BJJ competition, from the Gracie family's early use of rear chokes [1] through Marcelo Garcia's revolutionary back-taking systems in the 2000s, [2] to John Danaher's systematisation of back attack sequences with the Danaher Death Squad. [3]
Competition Record
The rear naked choke from back control is the most common submission finish in UFC history, with over 300 finishes recorded through 2024. [1] ADCC absolute champions consistently demonstrate elite back control — Marcelo Garcia won four ADCC gold medals (2003, 2005, 2007, 2009) with back control as his primary attacking position. [2]
Images
No images yet for this technique.
Sign in to suggest an image.
Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Gravity-assisted top control — body weight pins the opponent's torso to the ground
Joints Involved — Attacker's hips (heavy base), knees (clamped for ride control), opponent's spine (pinned)
Force Vector — Downward — gravity plus active hip pressure maximises control and submission opportunities
Positional Mechanic — High mount raises the centre of gravity above the opponent's shoulder line, isolating their arms for attacks
Position & Entry
From guard pass completion — After passing the guard, establish mount by placing knees on either side of the opponent's torso
From sweep — Complete a sweep from guard and land directly in mount position on top
From side control (knee slide) — From side control, slide the knee across the opponent's belly and settle into mount
Videos
Back control
0
Back Position·Absolute MMA St Kilda - Melbourne
Full Course Playlist → https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDrQXekZsfYZfV1QZ4T5UkxLwFwQ12EbP Find the Introduction course…
2 videos
Learn This Technique
No instructional courses yet for this technique.
Sign in to suggest a course.
Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
4
Moderate4/10
Back control is dominant position; enables rear chokes (Danaher 2021)
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
— IBJJF — Legal, back control with hooks or body triangle s...
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— IJF — Legal — back control leads to pin or submission opp...
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDF— 4 from sweep
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— Unified MMA — Legal — dominant position for ground-and-po...
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— UWW — Legal — back exposure is the primary scoring mechan...
UWW International Wrestling Rules, January 2026PDF— FIAS Sport Sambo — Legal
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓The back position is the most dominant position in grappling — it offers the highest submission percentage and the most control with the least risk (Danaher, Back Attacks, 2018)
✓Back control provides access to the rear naked choke, the most effective submission in both gi and no-gi grappling
✓The opponent cannot strike you effectively from back control while you have access to chokes and arm attacks
✓The four elements of back control: hooks (feet inside the thighs), seatbelt (over-under arm control), head position, and hip connection
✓The body triangle is the strongest form of back control — it locks the opponent's torso and limits their escape options
✓Back control in MMA is fight-ending: ground strikes from the back combined with choke threats create an inescapable situation
✓The back position scores the highest points in IBJJF competition (4 points) reflecting its dominant status
✓Study back-control specialists: Marcelo Garcia, Demian Maia, and Gordon Ryan all demonstrate elite back control systems
Common Mistakes
!Taking the back without establishing control — hooks and seatbelt must be secured immediately
!Crossing the feet when applying hooks — crossed feet expose you to ankle locks
!Focusing on the choke before establishing control — secure the position first, then attack
!Allowing the opponent to turn and face you — maintain hooks and seatbelt to prevent the turn
!Not adjusting when the opponent escapes one hook — re-hook immediately or transition to a different control
!Relaxing in back control — the opponent is always working to escape; maintain active control
!Not training back control maintenance alongside back attacks — holding the position is as important as attacking from it
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Pass the Guard — clear the opponent's legs to advance to this dominant position
2Settle Weight — distribute body weight to maintain heavy pressure
3Control Arms — manage the opponent's arms to prevent frames and escapes
4Threaten Submissions — attack to force defensive reactions and maintain dominance
Sources & References
Primary Source
Mastering Jujitsu (Renzo Gracie & John Danaher, 2003)
1BookJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Alias sources — [1] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008) [2] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003) [3] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003) [4] Kodokan Judo (Kano, 1986)
2BookBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory and Technique (Gracie & Gracie, 2001)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003) [2] UFC official statistics (ufcstats.com)
Standard Japanese martial arts terminology (kanji/hiragana)
4OtherJapanese Martial Arts Standard Terminology (武道用語)
Established Japanese martial arts naming convention — native Japanese term (和語/漢語)
5CitationJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Alias sources — [1] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008) [2] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003) [3] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003) [4] Kodokan Judo (Kano, 1986)
6CitationBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory and Technique (Gracie & Gracie, 2001)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003) [2] UFC official statistics (ufcstats.com)
Community
Athletics
Requires
base stability, heavy hips, ride ability
Favours
heavier build with strong hips for pressure
Key muscles
hip adductors, core, glutes, quadriceps
Sub-techniques
Back Control
FamilyThe Back Control family covers the various methods of controlling an opponent from behind, using combinations of hooks, body triangles, and upper body grips. [1] Back control is defined by having the chest against the opponent's back with some form of lower body control (hooks or body triangle) and upper body control (seatbelt, harness, or collar grip). [1,2] The family encompasses hook-based controls (single and double hooks inside the thighs), body triangle controls (legs locked in a figure-four around the torso), seatbelt configurations (over-under arm control from behind), and the crucifix (extreme back control with both arms trapped). [2,3]
4 subfamilies·11 techniquesExplore
Chair Sit
FamilyThe Chair Sit family covers the back control position where the controlling fighter sits behind the opponent with both fighters' hips on the mat, the controlling fighter's legs wrapped around the opponent's waist. [1] The chair sit is a transitional back position that provides control while the controlling fighter works to establish full back control with hooks or a body triangle. [1,2] It is named for the seated posture resembling sitting in a chair behind the opponent. [2,3]
1 subfamilies·2 techniquesExplore
Leg Ride Control
FamilyThe Leg Ride Control family covers the technique of using the legs to ride and control the opponent from behind — a wrestling-based control system where the top wrestler threads one or both legs between the opponent's legs from the back/turtle position, creating a 'leg ride' that is extremely difficult to escape. [1] Leg rides are primarily a folkstyle wrestling control technique used to accumulate riding time (a folkstyle-specific scoring mechanism), but they have been adapted into BJJ (as part of the crucifix and Truck positions) and MMA (as a back control variation). [1,2] The basic leg ride involves threading one leg (the 'ride leg') between the opponent's legs from behind, hooking the opponent's thigh, and using this hook to control their lower body movement while the arms control the upper body. [2,3] Advanced leg rides include the 'turk' (figure-four legs around one of the opponent's legs from behind), which provides near-total lower body control and is the gateway to tilts and near-fall exposure. [3]
1 subfamilies·2 techniquesExplore
Rear Mount
FamilyThe Rear Mount family covers the fully established back control positions where the controlling fighter has both hooks or a body triangle secured from behind the opponent. [1] Rear mount is the ultimate dominant position in grappling's positional hierarchy — the controlling fighter has maximum attacking potential (primarily the rear naked choke) while the controlled fighter has minimum defensive capability. [1,2] Rear mount can be maintained from a seated position (controlling fighter sitting upright behind) or a supine position (controlling fighter lying on their back with the opponent on top). [2,3]
3 subfamilies·6 techniquesExplore
Notes
Back position (rear mount with hooks or body triangle) is the most dominant position in grappling — scoring 4 points in IBJJF and giving access to the rear naked choke. Back control appears in 61 passages across 11 books. Danaher considers it the pinnacle of positional hierarchy. (11+ books; Danaher, Back Attacks; IBJJF Rules v6.0)
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if my opponent is in a tight turtle and I can't get my hooks in?
MMA Leech recommends bringing the guy down to open him up and force him to react. Start by mirroring his leg with your knee by his knee and hip by his hip, keeping your knee off the mat so you have weight on top of him—if your knee touches the ground, he can escape more easily.
How do I prevent my opponent from escaping when I have back control?
According to Absolute MMA St Kilda, you need both leg hooks (or a foot across the hip to prevent lateral escape) and proper upper body control with the seat belt grip. Additionally, position your head on the same side as your underhook and keep it tight against their head to prevent them from rotating away or scooting lower.
Should I cross my feet when controlling the back?
No—Absolute MMA St Kilda emphasizes that crossing your feet is a common mistake because your opponent can step over your legs and bridge in, which could injure your ankle or knee. Instead, keep your hooks open or use a foot across the hip.
Why is the seat belt grip important in back control?
Absolute MMA St Kilda explains that the seat belt grip (one arm under the armpit, one around the shoulder) prevents your opponent from rotating away and stops them from dropping down your body to escape. You should grip it with your choking hand covered by your other hand so they can't peel off your choking hand.
How does the Back Position work?
The Back Position group encompasses all positions where one fighter has achieved control from behind the opponent, considered the most dominant positional category in grappling. Back positions are the pinnacle of the positional hierarchy because the controlling fighter has access to devastating attacks (primarily the rear naked choke) while the controlled fighter cannot see or effectively counter-attack.
Where does the Back Position come from?
Back control has been recognised as a dominant position throughout the history of grappling, but BJJ elevated it to the highest-scoring position in its competitive framework. The IBJJF awards four points for achieving back control, the highest positional score in the system, reflecting its tactical supremacy.
Is the Back Position legal in competition?
IBJJF: legal — Legal, back control with hooks or body triangle scores 4 points; IJF: legal — Legal — back control leads to pin or submission opportunities; ADCC: legal — Legal, back mount scores 3 points (4 from sweep); Unified MMA: legal — Legal — dominant position for ground-and-pound and rear naked choke; UWW: legal — Legal — back exposure is the primary scoring mechanism in wrestling; FIAS Sport Sambo: legal — Legal
How dangerous is the Back Position?
Danger rating 4/10. Moderate — back control is dominant position; enables rear chokes (Danaher 2021)
How do I set up the Back Position?
The standard setup chain: Pass the Guard → Settle Weight → Control Arms → Threaten Submissions.
How do I defend against the Back Position?
Standard counters include: Bridge (Upa) — explosive hip elevation to off-balance the top player / Elbow-Knee Escape (Shrimp) — create space by driving elbow to knee and hip-escaping / Frame — establish forearm frames to prevent the top player from settling weight.
What are the variants of the Back Position?
Common variants: Low mount (hips heavy on the opponent's belly, grapevines in for sta…); High mount (knees under the armpits, arms isolated for submissions); S-mount (one knee high under the armpit, other leg across for arm …); Technical mount (one leg hooked, one knee posted, modified for back-take t…).
How effective is the Back Position in competition?
The rear naked choke from back control is the most common submission finish in UFC history, with over 300 finishes recorded through 2024. ADCC absolute champions consistently demonstrate elite back control — Marcelo Garcia won four ADCC gold medals (2003, 2005, 2007, 2009) with back control as his primary attacking position.
What are common mistakes when doing the Back Position?
Top errors to watch for: Taking the back without establishing control — hooks and seatbelt must be secured immediately / Crossing the feet when applying hooks — crossed feet expose you to ankle locks / Focusing on the choke before establishing control — secure the position first, then attack / Allowing the opponent to turn and face you — maintain hooks and seatbelt to prevent the turn.
What are other names for the Back Position?
The Back Position is also known as Haimen Taisei, Back Control, Back Mount, Rear Control, Ushiro.