Become Fighter
Defending the back: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu guide
Protecting your neck and escaping when someone has hooks and a seatbelt.
Being on the bottom of back control is a defensive emergency. Your priorities are in order: protect the neck, trap the seatbelt, escape the hooks.
Panic costs you. Keep your chin down and your hands working on the choking arm, and breathe. Then slide out one step at a time.
Key points
- Chin down, two hands on the choking arm to keep it off the throat.
- Never cross your own arms over your neck without a plan: the arm gets locked.
- Slide to the side the underhook is on, shoulder to the mat.
- Pinch the hooks with your feet to free one leg, and turn into them.
- Aim for half guard or a turn to your knees, not a big spin.
Common mistakes and how to fix them
- Turning your back flat. Slide to the side with shoulders to the mat. Do not lie on your spine.
- Panic spin. Move slowly with hands protecting the neck.
- Ignoring the hooks. Plan for the hooks. They are the key to the escape.
The rest is in the app
The step-by-step breakdown, the timed drill with the coach calling the shots and the quiz are part of Become Fighter Pro, where this lesson sits in the Back attacks and chains module of Jiu-jitsu foundations.
Get it on Google Play. Coming soon to the App Store.
More from Back attacks and chains
- Taking the back: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu guide
- The rear-naked choke: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu guide
- Chaining attacks: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu guide
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Combat sports training is hard on the body. Warm up, stay within your limits and check with a doctor first if you have a health condition. Practise in a clear space and stop if you feel pain or dizziness. Learn partner work only under a qualified coach.