Back (attacks, control, and more!)
Level up your back attacks
“Back control is the most dominant position in grappling. If you can control the back, you control the fight.”
- John Danaher
Fundamentals
Concepts and a quick dive into effective entries, control, and basic submission options.
High-Percentage Submissions
A few reliable finishing options -
1. Rear Naked Choke (the gold standard)
2. Short Choke
3. Face Crank / Mandible Squeeze
4. Strangle Trap to RNC
Control Systems
Different opponents and body types call for different control styles. This section breaks down proven systems.
1. Seatbelt with 1 Hook + Cross Body Leg
2. Body Triangle
3. Double Overhooks / Backpack Control
Basic Entries
This section covers a few high-percentage ways to take the back. There are countless others, so play around with it and make this position your own.
1. Arm Drag to Back
2. Chair Sit taking the back
3. Crab Ride
4. Taking the back from Turtle
5. Kimura Trap to Back Take
Drills
Good back attacks are built in the reps. Here you’ll find focused drilling ideas to sharpen your seatbelt hand fighting, chair sits, and transitions.
1. HandFight Flow
Start with seatbelt → hand fight → finish with choke or just switch.
2. Chair Sit Reps
3. Arm Trap and Transition Drill end with choke or control
Specific Rounds
Add structure to your sparring with positional rounds. These scenarios simulate real back attack situations (hand fighting, body triangle retention, and more) to pressure test your skills.
Back Control Retention Round
Bottom player starts on back, top player escapes - reset every 30s.Hand Fight to Choke Round
Start with a seatbelt, the goal is just to win the hand fight and get the choke.Body Triangle Lockdown Round
Play from body triangle, try to maintain vs opponent actively escaping.
Match Footage (Back Attacks in Action)
See the principles in action. This section links to high-level matches where world-class athletes use back attacks effectively. Watch and analyze how the best in the world control and finish.
Recommended Instructionals
Looking to go deeper? Here are our favorite instructionals. If I had to choose one I’d choose Danaher’s.