Back control top represents the most dominant offensive position in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, where you control your opponent from behind with chest-to-back connection, leg hooks or body triangle, and upper body control through harness grip or alternative configurations. This position scores 4 points in IBJJF competition and provides the highest percentage submission opportunities in grappling, combining maximum control with maximum attacking potential while minimizing your defensive risks. Your opponent cannot see your attacks, has limited mobility, and faces immediate submission threats including rear naked choke, arm attacks, and various choke variations.
From back control top, your primary objectives are maintaining dominant position through systematic control of opponent’s hips and upper body, breaking down defensive structures through hand fighting and grip adjustments, and executing high-percentage submissions when positional dominance is complete. The position allows multiple submission entries including rear naked choke, armbar variations, bow and arrow choke, and crucifix transitions. Your ability to maintain the position under resistance while systematically attacking submissions represents advanced technical skill and positional understanding.
Successful back control requires understanding the hierarchy of control points: leg control through hooks or body triangle provides the foundation preventing escape, harness grip dominates upper body limiting arm movement, and chest-to-back connection distributes weight creating the cooking effect that drains opponent’s energy. The position-before-submission principle applies critically here - rushing submission attempts before securing complete positional dominance often results in losing the position entirely. Systematic control maintenance combined with patient submission hunting creates the highest success rates from this dominant position.
Position Definition
- Your chest pressed tightly against opponent’s back with constant forward pressure ensuring they cannot create distance or turn to face you
- Your legs wrapped around opponent’s waist with feet hooked inside their thighs (hooks in) or locked in body triangle configuration, controlling hip movement and preventing rotation
- Your arms controlling upper body through harness grip (seatbelt) with one arm over shoulder and other under armpit, hands clasped together, or alternative grips like double underhooks or gift wrap
- Opponent’s back facing you with their shoulders and spine exposed, unable to see your attacks or effectively defend against choke or armbar attempts
Prerequisites
- Successful transition from mount, side control, turtle, guard, or standing position establishing back connection
- Control of opponent’s upper body preventing them from turning to face you during entry sequence
- Proper insertion of at least one hook or establishment of body triangle for hip control
- Seatbelt, harness, or double underhook control established before considering position fully secured
- Opponent’s defensive frames broken down or bypassed allowing chest-to-back connection
Key Offensive Principles
- Maintain constant chest-to-back connection with forward pressure preventing opponent from creating space or turning toward you
- Control opponent’s hip movement through deep hooks with feet inside thighs or body triangle preventing rotational escapes
- Establish and maintain harness control (seatbelt) of upper body to limit arm movement and create submission entry angles
- Prevent opponent’s attempts to turn and face you by adjusting hook placement, weight distribution, and grip configuration
- Break down defensive hand fighting systematically by controlling opponent’s arms before transitioning to submission attacks
- Create attacking angles for submissions using hip movement, grip adjustments, and transitions between control variations
- Follow position-before-submission principle by securing complete positional dominance before committing to submission attempts
Available Attacks
Rear Naked Choke → Won by Submission
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 40%
- Intermediate: 60%
- Advanced: 75%
Armbar from Back with Legs → Armbar Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 30%
- Intermediate: 50%
- Advanced: 65%
Back Control to Crucifix → Crucifix
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 35%
- Intermediate: 55%
- Advanced: 70%
Bow and Arrow Choke → Won by Submission
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 25%
- Intermediate: 45%
- Advanced: 60%
Transition to Mount → Mount
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 45%
- Intermediate: 65%
- Advanced: 80%
Transition to Truck → Truck
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 30%
- Intermediate: 50%
- Advanced: 65%
Choke from Crucifix → Won by Submission
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 35%
- Intermediate: 55%
- Advanced: 70%
Armbar from Back → Won by Submission
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 25%
- Intermediate: 45%
- Advanced: 60%
Decision Making from This Position
If opponent defends neck with both hands and maintains chin tucked with good hand fighting:
- Execute Transition to crucifix to trap arms → Crucifix (Probability: 60%)
- Execute Attack armbar from back → Armbar Control (Probability: 50%)
If opponent attempts to remove hooks by attacking your feet with their hands:
- Execute Switch to body triangle → Body Triangle (Probability: 70%)
- Execute Transition to mount → Mount (Probability: 65%)
If opponent turns into you creating mount entry angle:
- Execute Follow turn to mount position → Mount (Probability: 75%)
- Execute Maintain back control and attack choke during turn → Won by Submission (Probability: 60%)
If opponent drives forward and tucks chin to mat defensively:
- Execute Bow and arrow choke → Won by Submission (Probability: 55%)
- Execute Transition to truck position → Truck (Probability: 50%)
Optimal Submission Paths
Highest Percentage RNC Path
Back Control Top → Harness → Grip Break → Rear Naked Choke → Won by Submission
Armbar Chain
Back Control Top → Gift Wrap → Armbar from Back with Legs → Armbar Control → Won by Submission
Crucifix Control Path
Back Control Top → Hand Fighting → Back Control to Crucifix → Crucifix → Choke from Crucifix → Won by Submission
Bow and Arrow Finish
Back Control Top → Collar Control → Bow and Arrow Choke → Won by Submission
Position Advancement Sequence
Back Control Top → Transition to Mount → Mount → S Mount → Armbar from Mount → Won by Submission
Success Rates and Statistics
| Skill Level | Retention Rate | Advancement Probability | Submission Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 60% | 40% | 35% |
| Intermediate | 75% | 55% | 50% |
| Advanced | 85% | 70% | 65% |
Average Time in Position: 45-90 seconds before submission attempt or position change
Expert Analysis
John Danaher
Back control represents the apex of positional dominance in grappling because it uniquely combines maximum control with maximum attacking potential while minimizing defensive options for the opponent. The systematic approach to back control begins with understanding the hierarchy of control points: leg control through hooks or body triangle provides the foundation, harness grip dominates the upper body, and the chest-to-back connection distributes weight to prevent escape. The straitjacket system specifically focuses on eliminating the opponent’s defensive structures by controlling both arms before attempting neck attacks. I emphasize the body triangle over traditional hooks for its superior control characteristics - it cannot be removed through standard escape mechanics and allows the top player to use their hands more freely. The key principle is that submissions should only be attempted after achieving complete positional dominance, never as a desperate measure that risks losing the position entirely. Understanding the mechanical relationship between your chest pressure, hook placement, and weight distribution allows you to maintain control even against high-level escape attempts while systematically breaking down defensive hand fighting.
Gordon Ryan
My approach to back control emphasizes exceptional position retention through precise weight distribution and methodical breakdown of defensive hand fighting. The position is only as valuable as your ability to maintain it under the highest levels of resistance, which requires understanding the micro-adjustments needed when opponents attempt various escape sequences. I use a modified cross grip variation in addition to the standard harness, which creates different submission angles and makes it harder for opponents to predict attack patterns. The transition between these grips while maintaining back control is crucial for elite-level competition. When opponents are defending the neck aggressively, I focus on attacking the arms through crucifix transitions or armbar setups, creating submission dilemmas where defending one attack opens another. The mental aspect is equally important - maintaining back control for extended periods while conserving energy and waiting for the optimal submission opportunity demonstrates control and breaks the opponent’s will to resist. In competition, I’m very comfortable maintaining back control for 60-90 seconds while systematically breaking down defenses rather than rushing premature submission attempts that could lose the position.
Eddie Bravo
Back control in the 10th Planet system incorporates unique control mechanisms that maximize submission opportunities while maintaining the position against explosive escape attempts. The Zombie Control variation, which involves a specific grip configuration and body positioning, creates additional submission angles that opponents don’t typically train to defend. I emphasize the body triangle heavily because it frees up your hands to attack while maintaining dominant position - this is crucial in no-gi where grips are more limited. The Invisible Collar choke represents an innovative finish that doesn’t rely on traditional collar grips, making it effective in both gi and no-gi situations. My students drill specific sequences that chain multiple submission attempts together: if the opponent defends the rear naked choke by tucking their chin, we immediately transition to the armbar or crucifix. The key is creating a flow between control positions and submission attempts rather than forcing single techniques. Understanding how to use the Twister position and Truck position as extensions of back control opens up an entire system of attacks that most traditional BJJ practitioners don’t anticipate. The position is about creating constant pressure and submission threats that force opponents into making defensive mistakes.