Become Fighter
Taking the back: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu guide
Three reliable routes to the back: the turn, the scramble and the sweep.
You rarely walk to the back. You take it when the opponent turns away, when they scramble or when you sweep. Learn to recognise the moment, then follow the hips.
Whichever route you use, the first aim is the seatbelt. Hooks come second. A back take without the seatbelt is a scramble you might lose.
Key points
- Follow the hips, not the head. They roll in the direction of their hips.
- Win the seatbelt first, with your chest on their back.
- From guard, a clamp on the far arm and a shift of your hips to the side opens the back.
- From side control or knee on belly, wait for the turn and follow.
- Do not give the back away: your own back control comes only when theirs is gone.
Common mistakes and how to fix them
- Chasing the head. Follow the hips. The head goes where the hips send it.
- Hooks before the seatbelt. Seatbelt first. Without it they roll out of the hooks.
- Reaching for the choke too soon. Establish the structure. A dominant position makes the choke easy.
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
- The rear-naked choke: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu guide
- Chaining attacks: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu guide
- Defending the back: 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.