Back survival
Back control is the most dangerous position in BJJ. This tutorial shows how to protect your neck and hold a survival position until you can escape.
Where you are
In back control, the other person is behind you with their chest on your back. Both their feet are hooked inside your thighs. These are the hooks.
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Their chest is on your back, and both their feet hook inside your thighs. Back Control in the library ›
Their grip is usually the seatbelt: one arm over your shoulder, one under your armpit, hands joined on your chest.
You are in back control even when you lie face up on top of them. What counts is their chest on your back and the hooks.
The survival position
- Chin down, so the arm cannot get under it.
- Both hands on the choking arm.
- Elbows tight to your ribs.
- Hips slide down and away from their chest. This is the scoop.
The scoop takes your weight off their hooks. The hooks go light, and the choke is harder to set.
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This is the choke you are trying to stop: their arm is under the chin. Rear Naked Choke in the library ›
Hand fighting
Hand fighting means using your hands to stop their hands. Here it means two hands on one arm: the choking arm.
- Tuck your chin down.
- Grab the choking arm with both hands.
- Pull it down, off your neck.
- Then scoop your hips down and away.
Your partner has your back. Their leg comes over your right arm and pins it. You keep your free hand on the choking arm and your chin down. Then you shrug and pull the trapped elbow out.
Which side to move to
Always move toward the under-arm side. That is the side of their arm that goes under your armpit, away from the choking arm.
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Look at your shoulders: they slide down to the mat beside their body. Back Escape in the library ›
Their right arm is over your right shoulder. Your neck is safe and your hips are light. You put your shoulders down on the mat on your left side, away from the choking arm.
When they switch arms, your hands and your side switch too. The full escape is in Back escapes.
Mistakes that end in a choke
- Reaching back to grab their head. Your neck opens and the arm gets trapped.
- Crossing your feet over theirs. They lock your legs, and your hips cannot move.
- Turning toward the choking arm. The choke goes deeper.
- Bridging when the arm is already under your chin. It pulls your neck into the choke.
- Letting go of the arm to escape fast. The arm comes straight back.
Which of these keeps your neck safest in back control?
Train it on the Path
Reading is the first step. The Back survival unit has 5 short lessons: you see a position and pick the best move.
The Path goes in order: start free from lesson one and you reach Back survival on the way. With Rolla Plus you can jump straight here.