BJJ position
Back
Back control, or back mount, is the position where the attacker is behind the opponent with their chest on the opponent's back, usually with a seatbelt grip and their legs controlling the hips. It is the highest-scoring position in most rulesets and the most dangerous place to be, because the bottom player can't see the attacks coming. From here the rear naked choke, bow and arrow choke and armbars are all available. The defender's priority is to protect the neck, win the hand fight and turn into the opponent.
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If you're on the bottom
- Protect your neck with both hands and keep your chin down
- Win the hand fight on the choking arm before you move
- Slide your shoulders to the mat on the side of the choking arm, clear a hook, and turn in
If you're on top
- Keep a tight seatbelt with your chest glued to their back
- Control the hips with hooks or a body triangle
- Isolate a hand, then finish the choke
Key details
- The seatbelt is the anchor: keep it even when the hooks come out
- Your head beside theirs prevents them turning toward you
- Body triangle on the side of the choking arm makes escapes harder
- As the defender, never turn your back to the mat with the hooks still in
Common mistakes
- Crossing your feet in front when using hooks, which invites a foot lock
- Fighting for the choke before controlling the hands
- As the defender: turning away from the choking arm
Related positions
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