Harness Bottom Position represents the defensive perspective when an opponent has secured back control with a harness (seatbelt) grip configuration. This position is characterized by the opponent wrapping one arm over the shoulder and the other under the armpit, establishing a strong controlling mechanism. The harness grip is one of the most fundamental and effective control systems in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, as it provides the top player with both offensive submission opportunities and positional dominance while severely limiting the bottom player’s mobility and defensive options.
From this position, the bottom player faces significant challenges including defending against rear naked chokes, preventing hooks from being inserted, and managing the constant threat of positional advancement to fully secured back control with hooks. The harness grip creates a dilemma where defending the choke often exposes the neck, while protecting the neck can allow deeper positional control. Success in this position requires systematic defensive strategies including hand fighting, proper posture management, hip positioning, and timely escaping techniques.
The strategic priority from Harness Bottom Position is threefold: first, prevent the rear naked choke by controlling the choking arm and protecting the neck; second, prevent or remove hooks to maintain mobility; and third, create space and angles to escape back to more favorable positions such as turtle, guard, or standing positions. Understanding the mechanics of the harness grip and the opponent’s offensive threats is essential for developing effective defensive responses and escape pathways.
Position Definition
- Opponent positioned behind the practitioner’s back with chest pressure against the back, maintaining upper body control through the harness grip configuration with one arm over shoulder and one under opposite armpit
- One opponent arm wrapped over the shoulder (typically the choking-side arm) while the other arm threads under the opposite armpit, creating the classic seatbelt or harness control pattern that connects at practitioner’s centerline
- Practitioner’s back exposed to opponent with limited visual contact, requiring defensive awareness and tactile sensitivity to opponent’s weight distribution and grip adjustments to anticipate offensive actions
- Constant threat of rear naked choke requiring active hand fighting and chin protection, with defensive hands either controlling the choking arm or creating frames to prevent neck exposure and submission completion
- Opponent may have one or both hooks inserted, or may be working to establish hooks while maintaining the harness grip as primary control mechanism, with varying degrees of lower body control
Prerequisites
- Opponent has successfully achieved back position through transition, scramble, or failed guard retention
- Opponent has established harness (seatbelt) grip with one arm over shoulder and one under armpit
- Practitioner’s back is exposed to opponent with upper body control secured
- Practitioner is in defensive posture attempting to prevent submission and escape the position
Key Defensive Principles
- Immediately address the choking arm by controlling the wrist or hand with both defensive hands to prevent rear naked choke completion
- Maintain chin protection by tucking chin to chest and using shoulder pressure to block choking arm from sliding across neck
- Control opponent’s bottom arm (under-hook side) to prevent them from completing the harness lock and to create escape opportunities
- Prevent or remove hooks by keeping knees together, squeezing legs, and using hip movement to deny space for hook insertion
- Create angles and rotation by turning toward the under-hook side to disrupt opponent’s alignment and create escape pathways
- Maintain connection to the mat with hands and feet to prevent being rolled or lifted into more vulnerable positions
- Stay calm and systematic in defense rather than panicking, as frantic movements often expose the neck or allow deeper control
Available Escapes
Elbow Escape → Turtle
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 40%
- Intermediate: 55%
- Advanced: 70%
Hip Escape → Defensive Position
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 35%
- Intermediate: 50%
- Advanced: 65%
Technical Stand Up to Single Leg → Standing Position
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 30%
- Intermediate: 45%
- Advanced: 60%
Roll to Guard → Closed Guard
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 25%
- Intermediate: 40%
- Advanced: 55%
Granby Roll → Open Guard
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 20%
- Intermediate: 35%
- Advanced: 50%
Standing up in Base → Standing Position
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 25%
- Intermediate: 40%
- Advanced: 55%
Decision Making from This Position
If opponent has tight harness grip but no hooks established yet:
- Execute Control choking arm with both hands → Harness Bottom (Probability: 90%)
- Execute Hip Escape to create space → Turtle (Probability: 50%)
- Execute Standing up in Base → Standing Position (Probability: 45%)
If opponent attempts rear naked choke by bringing arm across neck:
- Execute Two-on-one grip fight on choking arm → Harness Bottom (Probability: 85%)
- Execute Chin down and turn into choking arm → Defensive Position (Probability: 60%)
- Execute Emergency elbow escape → Turtle (Probability: 40%)
If opponent establishes one or both hooks while maintaining harness:
- Execute Clear hooks while controlling hands → Harness Bottom (Probability: 55%)
- Execute Granby Roll escape → Open Guard (Probability: 35%)
- Execute Hip escape and scoot → Defensive Position (Probability: 45%)
If opponent’s chest pressure reduces or weight shifts to one side:
- Execute Technical Stand Up to Single Leg → Standing Position (Probability: 60%)
- Execute Forward roll to guard → Closed Guard (Probability: 50%)
- Execute Elbow escape to turtle → Turtle (Probability: 65%)
Escape and Survival Paths
Defensive Survival Path
Harness Bottom → Control choking arm → Fight grips → Maintain position until opportunity → Elbow Escape → Turtle
Counter to Guard Path
Harness Bottom → Two-on-one control → Hip escape to create angle → Scoot and turn → Closed Guard
Standing Escape Path
Harness Bottom → Control hands → Weight forward on hands → Technical Stand Up → Standing Position
Granby Roll Escape Path
Harness Bottom → Clear hooks → Forward roll over shoulder → Open Guard → Re-Guard
Success Rates and Statistics
| Skill Level | Retention Rate | Advancement Probability | Submission Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 30% | 25% | 5% |
| Intermediate | 45% | 40% | 8% |
| Advanced | 60% | 55% | 12% |
Average Time in Position: 30-90 seconds before escape attempt or submission threat
Expert Analysis
John Danaher
The harness bottom position represents a critical defensive junction in the back attack sequence where systematic hand fighting becomes paramount. The fundamental principle here is understanding the biomechanical hierarchy of threats: the rear naked choke is the immediate danger that must be addressed before any positional escape can be attempted. Your defensive structure must prioritize a two-on-one grip control on the choking arm, utilizing both hands to control the wrist and prevent the forearm from crossing your neck. The chin must remain tucked to the chest creating a barrier, while the shoulders are elevated to narrow the gap through which the choking arm might slide. Only after establishing this defensive frame can you address the secondary concern of preventing hooks and creating escape angles. The escape pathway invariably involves turning toward the under-hook side, as this disrupts the opponent’s structural alignment and creates the geometry necessary for hip escape. Understanding that defense in this position is a systematic progression rather than a single explosive movement is essential for survival against high-level back attack systems.
Gordon Ryan
From competition experience, harness bottom is where matches get finished if you don’t have your defensive priorities absolutely dialed in. The reality is you’re in a bad spot and the guy on top has multiple paths to submission and better position. What works at the highest level is staying ice cold and working your defenses in the right order - hands first, always hands first. I’m controlling that choking arm like my life depends on it because in a match, my victory depends on it. Two hands on one, wrist control, preventing any sliding motion across the neck. While I’m doing that, I’m actively preventing hooks with my leg positioning and looking for the moment when his pressure reduces even slightly to start my escape. The hip escape to turtle is my highest percentage move because it’s simple, it works against everyone, and I can hit it quickly when I feel the opportunity. I’m not trying to be fancy from bottom harness - I’m trying to survive first, then escape to a position where I can start working my game. The competitors who get submitted here are the ones who panic or try to force escapes before controlling the immediate threats. Stay systematic, stay patient, and take what the position gives you.
Eddie Bravo
Harness bottom is one of those positions where the traditional defensive approach works, but there’s also room for some creative problem-solving if you understand the mechanics. The standard two-on-one on the choking arm is solid, but what I teach is also being aware of creating dilemmas for the top guy. If he’s worried about you standing up, he has to adjust his weight. If he’s focused on getting his hooks in, there’s a window for the Granby roll escape that can completely reset the position. The key innovation we work on at 10th Planet is not just surviving harness bottom but using opponent reactions to create escape opportunities. When he tries to finish the choke, that’s when his base becomes vulnerable to the forward roll. When he focuses on controlling your hips, that’s when you can work the technical standup. It’s about reading his intentions through his weight distribution and grip adjustments, then exploiting the windows that open up. We drill this position a lot because it shows up constantly in no-gi, and having multiple escape paths based on what the opponent is doing makes you unpredictable and harder to control. Don’t just defend - make him defend his position too.