Harness Bottom

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%

Opponent Counters

• Rear Naked Choke → Won by Submission (Opponent Success: 60%)
• Hook insertion and consolidation → Back Control
• Transition to Mount → Mount
• Body Triangle establishment → Body Triangle
• Armbar from Back with Legs → Armbar Control

Counter-Attacks

• Hand fighting to break grips → Turtle
  • Opponent adjusts harness grip or attempts to tighten control
• Hip escape with angle creation → Defensive Position
  • Opponent attempts to insert second hook or establish body triangle
• Forward roll escape → Open Guard
  • Opponent posts hand forward or reduces chest pressure temporarily
• Scoot and turn to face opponent → Closed Guard
  • Opponent’s weight shifts to one side or hooks are not yet established

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%)

Common Defensive Mistakes

1. Reaching back or trying to grab opponent’s head without controlling the choking arm first

• ❌ Consequence: Exposes the neck completely and allows opponent to easily secure rear naked choke by sliding arm across undefended neck
• ✅ Correction: Always prioritize controlling the choking arm with two-on-one grip before attempting any offensive hand fighting or positional escapes

2. Panicking and making explosive, uncontrolled movements without systematic defense

• ❌ Consequence: Burns energy rapidly, creates openings for chokes and submissions, and often results in worse position or deeper control for opponent
• ✅ Correction: Stay calm, breathe steadily, and work through defensive priorities systematically: control choking arm, protect neck, prevent hooks, then escape

3. Allowing opponent to lock hands together or complete the harness grip structure

• ❌ Consequence: Significantly increases opponent’s control and makes grip breaking extremely difficult, reducing escape opportunities substantially
• ✅ Correction: Fight hands aggressively before they lock by controlling opponent’s bottom arm and preventing the grip from being completed

4. Straightening the back or creating space between back and opponent’s chest

• ❌ Consequence: Allows opponent to insert hooks more easily, establish body triangle, or create better angles for rear naked choke
• ✅ Correction: Maintain rounded posture with back slightly curved and stay connected to opponent’s chest to limit their ability to establish deeper control

5. Neglecting to address hooks and allowing opponent to establish full back control

• ❌ Consequence: Dramatically reduces mobility and escape options while increasing opponent’s positional points and submission opportunities
• ✅ Correction: Actively prevent hook insertion by keeping knees together, squeezing legs, and using hip pressure to deny space for hooks

6. Turning away from the under-hook side instead of toward it

• ❌ Consequence: Plays into opponent’s control structure and makes their harness more effective while reducing escape angles
• ✅ Correction: Turn toward the under-hook side to disrupt opponent’s alignment and create the most effective escape pathway

Training Drills for Defense

Harness Escape Positional Sparring

Partner establishes harness grip from back without hooks. Bottom player practices systematic defense: control choking arm, fight grips, create space, and escape to turtle or guard. Start with 30-second rounds and gradually increase resistance. Reset if choke is secured or full back control is established. Focus on staying calm under pressure and working through defensive hierarchy.

Duration: 5 minutes per partner

Two-on-One Grip Fighting Drill

Partner has harness grip and actively attempts to bring choking arm across neck for rear naked choke. Bottom player uses two-on-one control on choking arm to prevent choke while maintaining chin protection. Practice controlling the wrist, elbow, and tricep area. Partner slowly increases pressure over multiple rounds. Emphasize grip endurance and proper hand positioning.

Duration: 3 minutes per partner

Hook Prevention and Removal

Partner establishes harness and attempts to insert hooks while bottom player defends by keeping knees together, using hip pressure, and clearing hooks when inserted. Practice both preventing initial hook insertion and removing established hooks. Focus on timing hip movement with opponent’s attempts to create space for hooks.

Duration: 4 minutes per partner

Progressive Back Escape Sequence

Start from harness bottom with no hooks. Work through complete escape sequence: control choking arm → fight bottom hand → create space with elbow → hip escape to create angle → transition to turtle or guard. Partner provides graduated resistance (30%, 50%, 70%, 90%). Reset and repeat, focusing on smooth transitions between defensive steps.

Duration: 6 minutes per partner

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

Related Positions and Techniques

• Back Control - Advanced control position with hooks - worse position if harness bottom defense fails
• Seat Belt Control Back - Alternative name for same position configuration
• Turtle - Common escape target position - defensive position with better escape options
• Defensive Position - Generic defensive position category - harness bottom is high-risk defensive position
• Body Triangle - Worse position if opponent establishes body triangle from harness
• Rear Naked Choke - Primary submission threat from this position
• Back Defense Protocol - Systematic defensive framework for all back control situations
• Back Escape Series - Comprehensive escape system for back control positions
• Hand Fighting from Back - Core defensive skill for preventing submissions
• Chin Protection - Essential defensive principle against choke attacks