Establishing the Leg Hook Setup

Begin by securing a hook grip on your opponent's leg at a 45-degree angle, driving the knee as deep as possible into their body. Shallow positioning will compromise the technique's effectiveness. Tuck your elbows tightly against your knees to maintain control and prevent your opponent from escaping the position.

Securing the Shin and Establishing Leg Triangle

Grip your opponent's shin and toes firmly while stomping their back to keep their leg grounded. Bring your outside leg around and triangle your legs together, creating a locked leg position that immobilizes their lower body and prevents upward movement.

The Arm Hook and Ankle Cross

Hook your opponent's arm with a shallow grip, keeping your arm tucked close to their ribs to prevent wrist manipulation. Once upper body contact is established, cross your ankles and extend your legs, creating the transition from a standard triangle to the twister position.

Transitioning to Baseball Bat Grip

Switch your arm hook to a baseball bat grip, a critical position shift in the twister sequence. This grip change allows for better control of your opponent's arm as you prepare to isolate and rotate their upper body.

Building Base and Positioning the Arm

Dig your heels and buttocks into the mat while scooting closer to your opponent, keeping your elbow high and out of their armpit. Pull their arm away from their body rather than simply holding it, then work the arm over your head and position it past your shoulder for maximum leverage.

Establishing Shoulder Control

Raise your hips to expose your opponent's neck and increase the pressure of the technique. Transition from your hand to your elbow, laying your shoulder directly over their arm to prevent escape attempts and build a solid base.

Applying the Twister Finish

Reach underneath your opponent and apply the twister by pulling at their temple and head rather than their neck, which generates the rotational force needed to complete the submission. Once the position is secured, apply steady pressure until your opponent taps.

Key Detail: Maintaining Leg Control Throughout

Keep your opponent's leg pinned to the ground by stomping and squishing it down before locking the triangle. Maintaining this control throughout the entire sequence prevents your opponent from turning into you and compromising your angle and base.

Hand Control and Grip Management

Actively pull your opponent's hands away from their body, initially blocking their hand position rather than allowing them to grip defensively. If forced to grip the wrist, slide down to control their hand instead, which provides superior control.

Adaptation for Flexible Opponents

For exceptionally flexible opponents who can escape the arm even while being twisted, transition immediately to a rear naked choke while maintaining the leg triangle. This prevents the opponent from exploiting their flexibility to extract their arm and escape the submission.

How to do a PERFECT Twister

Brandon Quick

Twister From Back Ride

3 min read·10 key moments·PT7M12S video

Key Takeaways

•Establishing the Leg Hook Setup
•Securing the Shin and Establishing Leg Triangle
•The Arm Hook and Ankle Cross
•Transitioning to Baseball Bat Grip

I’ve been doing the Twister since the 90’s. This is a great path for the fundamentals and any rank can catch on easily. This video is from my 2019 Annual Camp in Texas and I show the regular version and DEFCON 4. There’s 3 parts to it! Watch em all

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does this video teach about twister from back ride?

This video covers establishing the leg hook setup, securing the shin and establishing leg triangle, the arm hook and ankle cross. It provides detailed instruction from Brandon Quick.

How long does it take to learn twister from back ride?

The basic mechanics can be understood in a single session, but developing reliable execution requires consistent drilling over weeks of practice. This 10-part breakdown helps structure your training by isolating each phase of the technique.