Back Control BJJ – The King of All Positions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

You know that moment when you’re scrambling on the mat, heart pounding, sweat dripping—then suddenly, you feel your chest press flat against your partner’s back?

That’s it. You’ve got the back.

And let me tell you from personal experience: there’s no better feeling in BJJ. It’s like finding a secret cheat code in a video game. Suddenly, everything slows down. They can’t see you. They can’t breathe easy. And you? You’re in total control.

Welcome to Martial Boss, where we break down the most powerful techniques so you can dominate on the mat—no matter your size or strength. I’m Steve Marlin, a BJJ brown belt who’s spent over a decade chasing backs, losing them, and finally learning how to keep them.

Today, we’re diving deep into back control BJJ—the most dominant position in grappling.

Let’s get started.

What Is Back Control? Understanding the Anatomy of Dominance

Back Control jiu jitsu

Back control isn’t just “being behind someone.”

It’s having both feet hooked around their waist or thighs, your chest glued to their spine, and your arms locked in tight—usually with a seatbelt grip (one arm over, one under).

When I first heard this, I thought, “Cool, I’ll just jump on their back.”

Spoiler: That didn’t work.

I’d get one hook in, then boom—I’d get rolled off like a bad burrito.

True back control means three things:

Hooks secured (not crossed!)
Upper-body dominance (seatbelt or double underhooks)
Chest-to-back pressure (no space for shrimping)

Think of it like hugging a tree. If you leave gaps, the tree escapes. Stay tight, and it’s not going anywhere.

Why Back Control Is the Most Powerful Position in BJJ

So why do black belts obsess over the back?

Because it scores big and ends fights.

In IBJJF rules, back control gives you 4 points—more than mount, more than a sweep.

And here’s the kicker: most matches don’t end with submissions from guards. They end with a rear-naked choke from the back.

I remember competing at a local tournament. I was losing on points. Then my opponent turned slightly during a scramble—and I latched onto his back like a hungry leech.

30 seconds later? Tap. Match over.

Back control is powerful because:

It disrupts balance and vision
It exposes the neck (hello, chokes)
It limits defense options
It psychologically breaks opponents

You’re not just scoring—you’re sending a message: “I own you.”

How to Take the Back: High-Percentage Entry Strategies

Now, how do you actually get there?

Let’s break it down into real-world scenarios—even if you’re a white belt.

From Guard: The Arm Drag That Changed My Game

Early in my training, I lived in guard. Fun, but not winning.

Then I learned the arm drag from closed guard.

Here’s how:

Grab their same-side collar or sleeve.
Pull their arm across your body.
Turn your hips, step over, and climb.

It’s simple, low-risk, and works even against bigger guys.

I used this move to take the back of a 250-pound guy once. He still brings it up—mostly to complain.

From Turtle: Don’t Fear the Sprawl

When someone turtles up, many players panic. Not you.

This is your chance.

Use the harness and roll:

Secure a seatbelt grip (over one arm, under the other).
Circle behind them like you’re getting in a car.
Insert one hook, then the second.

Keep your head tight. Stay low. Boom—you’re riding shotgun… on their spine.

From Mount: When They Try to Escape

Mount escape = gift.

If they turn to their side to shrimp out? Follow them.

Climb over like you’re getting on a horse. Get that first hook fast. Then lock it down.

I call this the “Oops, My Bad” entry—because they think they escaped… until they don’t.

Maintaining Back Control: The Science of Staying Glued

Okay, you got the back. Now what?

Most people rush the choke. Big mistake.

I did it too. Choked wildly, lost position, got reversed. Ouch.

Instead, control first, choke later.

Seatbelt Grip: Your Best Friend

The seatbelt grip gives you control and sets up the choke.

One arm over their shoulder (choking arm), one under (controlling arm).

Keep elbows tight. Don’t let them strip your grip.

If they fight it, switch to double underhooks—like bear-hugging a vending machine.

Hooks: Inside Thighs, Not Knees

Hooking the knees is weak. They’ll pop you off like a bottle cap.

Aim for the inner thighs, deep and high.

Knees together. Squeeze. Pretend you’re holding a beach ball between your legs.

And never—ever—cross your feet. It looks cool, but refs will dock points, and smart opponents will reverse you.

Chest-to-Back Pressure: No Space, No Escape

If there’s space between you and your partner, they’ll shrimp, bridge, or roll.

Stay flat. Hug their spine like you’re cold and they’re a heater.

Fall to the choking arm side—this keeps you heavy and makes the RNC easier.

Submissions from Back Control: Your Arsenal of Finishes

Now comes the fun part: finishing.

You’ve got the back. They’re panicking. Time to end it.

Rear-Naked Choke (RNC): The King of Submissions

This is the bread and butter.

Here’s how I teach it:

Hide your choking elbow (don’t telegraph).
Blade of the wrist against the throat.
Lock hands (figure-four or Gable grip).
Squeeze with elbows down, not arms up.

I once choked out my instructor using only forearm pressure—no grip strength needed. Leverage wins.

Pro tip: If they defend with their hand, trap it with your controlling arm first.

Bow and Arrow Choke: Gi Power Move

In gi BJJ, this is brutal.

Grab the collar with one hand, pants with the other.
Pull like you’re drawing a bow.

It uses pure leverage. Great for smaller grapplers.

I’ve seen 150-pound guys tap out 200-pounders with this. Physics > strength.

Clock Choke & Armbar: Backup Plans

If the RNC fails, don’t give up.

Try the clock choke—wrap your arm around their neck at an angle, like a clock hand at 10 and 2.

Or isolate an arm and go for an armbar from the back.

Failed submission? Just means it’s time to attack something else.

Escaping, Drilling, and Dominating with Back Control BJJ

Let’s be real.

Not every roll ends with you on top, choking someone out.

Sometimes—a lot of the time—you’re the one with a brown belt wrapped around your neck like a scarf.

And that’s okay.

Because in this part, I’m going to show you how to survive back control, fix common mistakes, and train like a pro—so you spend less time panicking and more time dominating.

I’ve been choked, rolled, and humbled more times than I can count. But each loss taught me something.

Now, let’s turn the tables.

Escaping Back Control: Survival Strategies for the Bottom Player

You feel it—the chest on your back, the hooks locked in, their head pressing against your shoulder.

Panic mode? Not today.

Here’s how to escape—calmly, efficiently, and without giving up a submission.

Step 1: Two-on-One Hand Control — Your First Defense

The number one rule? Defend the choke before you move.

Use both hands to trap their choking arm at the wrist or bicep.

Think of it like holding a fire hose—don’t let it spray.

This stops the RNC cold and gives you time to escape.

I learned this the hard way after tapping 10 times in one night. My coach finally said, “Steve, stop trying to roll. Just control the arm first.”

Game changer.

Step 2: Get a Shoulder to the Mat

Don’t try to spin out standing up.

Instead, fall to your side—toward the attacker’s weak side (usually the underhook side).

Get one shoulder flat on the mat. This kills their balance.

Then, shrimp hard toward that side. Create space. Clear the bottom hook.

Once free, recover half guard or full guard.

Simple. Effective. Survivable.

Step 3: The Granby Roll — When You’re Feeling Fancy

If they overcommit or cross their feet (big mistake), go for the Granby roll.

Tuck your chin, drive forward with your far elbow, and roll diagonally.

It’s like doing a somersault behind someone’s back.

I once reversed a black belt using this move. He still jokes I “cheated gravity.”

But it works—especially in no-gi.

What NOT to Do: Common Escape Mistakes

❌ Reaching back with one hand: Leaves your neck open.
❌ Turning into the choke: Feeds them the angle they want.
❌ Panicking: Speeds up your breathing, drains energy.

Stay calm. Defend. Move.

Common Mistakes in Back Control (And How to Fix Them)

Even experienced grapplers mess this up.

Here are the big ones—and how to avoid them.

Mistake #1: Crossing Your Feet

Looks cool. Gets you penalized.

In IBJJF rules, crossing your ankles = illegal position. Refs will make you let go.

Fix: Keep hooks parallel, knees together, feet inside thighs.

Practice on a dummy until it’s automatic.

Mistake #2: Losing Chest-to-Back Contact

You get the back… then sit up like you’re posing for a photo.

Boom—they shrimp out.

Fix: Stay low. Hug their spine. Pretend you’re trying to warm up after a cold swim.

Chest pressure beats brute strength every time.

Mistake #3: Ignoring the Far Arm

You control one arm but let the other roam free?

That hand will strip your grip, frame, or defend the choke.

Fix: Trap both arms. Use your controlling arm to pin the far hand to their chest.

No free hands = no defense.

Mistake #4: Rushing the Choke

I used to squeeze like a madman the second I got the back.

Guess what? I got reversed. A lot.

Fix: Secure position first. Then attack.

Control → choke. Never skip steps.

Training Drills to Master Back Control

Knowledge is power—but only if you practice.

Here are the drills that built my back game from shaky to solid.

Drill #1: Positional Sparring – Start on the Back

Set a timer for 2 minutes.

One person starts with back control (hooks in, seatbelt grip).
The other tries to escape.

Switch roles. Repeat 5 rounds.

This drill teaches:

Maintaining control under resistance
Escaping calmly
Timing your attacks

Do this once a week. Watch your retention improve fast.

Drill #2: Entry Repetitions – Muscle Memory Builder

Pick one entry—like the arm drag or turtle take.

Work it with a partner for 5 minutes straight.

Go slow. Focus on details: grip, hip movement, hook insertion.

I did this before class every day for a month. Now, taking the back feels natural—even under pressure.

Drill #3: Solo Flow on a Dummy or Bag

No partner? No problem.

Grab a grappling dummy or heavy bag.

Practice:

Climbing to the back
Securing the seatbelt grip
Transitioning to RNC
Rolling into an armbar

It builds timing, coordination, and confidence.

I keep a dummy in my garage. My neighbors think I’m weird. I don’t care.

Back Control in Gi vs. No-Gi BJJ

Your gear changes the game.

Let’s break it down.

Gi BJJ: Grip-Heavy, Slower, More Technical

Pros:

Lapel chokes (bow and arrow)
Better grip control (collar, sleeve)
Easier to control arms

Cons:

Slower transitions
Gis can get in the way of hooks

Tip: Use the lapel to control their far arm before going for the choke.

No-Gi BJJ: Fast, Slippery, Strength-Based

Pros:

Faster entries and transitions
Body triangle compression is brutal
Less grip dependency

Cons:

Harder to control hands
Rash guards can be slick

Tip: Focus on body control. Keep elbows tight. Don’t rely on fabric.

Either way, the fundamentals stay the same:
Hooks in. Grip tight. Stay glued. Finish clean.

Advanced Concepts & Competition Strategy

You’ve got the basics. Now let’s level up.

Back Control as a System, Not a Position

Top grapplers don’t just “get the back.” They chain moves.

Example:

Pass guard → mount
Opponent turns → you take the back
They defend RNC → you transition to bow and arrow
They block that → you roll into an armbar

It’s not one move. It’s a flow.

Train these chains. Make them instinctive.

Tournament Tactics: Points vs. Submission

Ask yourself: Are you rolling to win on points or hunt the tap?

If time is short, hold the back for 4 points. Even if you don’t submit them, you might win.

If you’re confident, go for the choke—but don’t risk losing position unless you’re close.

I once held a guy’s back for 90 seconds at a tournament. No tap. But 4 points won me the match.

Smart BJJ > flashy BJJ.

Adapting by Belt Level

White Belt: Focus on one entry and the RNC.
Blue/Purple: Add combinations and escapes.
Brown/Black: Master transitions, psychology, and teaching the details.

BJJ evolves. So should you.

Special Considerations: Size, Age, and Conditioning

Let’s address the real world.

Smaller Grapplers: Use Leverage, Not Strength

I’m 5’9”, 170 lbs. I’ve taken the back of guys 50+ pounds heavier.

How? Speed, timing, and technique.

Don’t fight for position—slip into it.

Use their momentum against them.

Older or Injured Athletes: Modify, Don’t Quit

Bad knees? Avoid deep hooks. Use body triangle or focus on control.

Shoulder issues? Limit overhead grips. Use underhooks and framing.

Listen to your body. Adjust the game—not quit it.

Physical Conditioning Tips

Core strength: Helps maintain hip pressure.
Hip flexibility: Lets you insert hooks deeper.
Grip endurance: Critical for long holds.

Do planks, leg lifts, and towel pull-ups. Small gains add up.

Conclusion: Make Back Control a Core Part of Your Game

Look, I’ll be honest.

I didn’t used to like working on the back.

It felt awkward. Risky. Too technical.

But once I committed to drilling it—even 10 minutes a week—everything changed.

Now, when I feel that chest-on-back connection, I smile.

Because I know: the fight is already over. They just don’t know it yet.

So here’s my challenge:

This week, do one thing:

Drill a back entry
Practice the seatbelt grip
Spar from the back
Try a new choke

Small steps build mastery.

And remember—you don’t have to be the biggest or strongest.

Just be the one who controls the back.