Harness Top

Jan 23, 202611 min read

Harness Top Position, also known as the seat belt grip from back control, represents one of the most dominant controlling positions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. This position is characterized by the top practitioner having their body positioned behind their opponent with both hooks in (or at least one hook), while maintaining a seat belt grip configuration - one arm over the shoulder and one arm under the opposite armpit, with hands clasped together on the opponent’s chest or sternum. The harness grip is the fundamental control mechanism for maintaining back control and is the foundation from which elite grapplers launch their most devastating submission attacks.

The position derives its name from the seat belt-like configuration of the arms, which creates a powerful connection that is extremely difficult for the bottom player to break. Unlike other forms of back control where the grips might vary, the harness specifically refers to this over-under grip pattern that provides superior control while maintaining offensive options. The top player’s chest is typically pressed against the opponent’s back, with hips positioned close to maintain the hooks and prevent the opponent from turning into guard or escaping to their knees.

Strategically, Harness Top Position is considered a premium scoring position (4 points in IBJJF competition) and offers the highest percentage submissions in BJJ, particularly the rear naked choke. The position allows the top player to control the opponent’s upper body completely while using the hooks to prevent hip escape and control the lower body. Advanced practitioners can maintain this position almost indefinitely against lower-skilled opponents while methodically working toward submissions. The harness grip creates a dilemma for the defender - defending the choke typically opens armbar opportunities, while defending armbars often exposes the neck. This makes Harness Top Position not just a controlling position, but a true submission platform where elite competitors regularly finish matches.

Position Definition

  • Top player’s chest is pressed against opponent’s back with body weight distributed through core and hooks, maintaining constant forward pressure that prevents the bottom player from creating separation or turning to face
  • Seat belt grip (harness) is established with one arm over the opponent’s shoulder and one arm under the opposite armpit, hands clasped together on the chest or sternum area, creating a locked control mechanism that resists grip breaks
  • At least one hook is inserted with the instep of the foot positioned inside the opponent’s thigh, controlling hip movement and preventing the bottom player from turning or bridging effectively
  • Top player’s head is positioned to the side (typically opposite the choking arm) or tucked behind the opponent’s head, protecting the face while maintaining structural connection and preventing backward head pressure escapes
  • Bottom player’s back is exposed with their spine facing the top player, shoulders relatively square to the mat or angled, with limited ability to turn their upper body due to the harness grip control

Prerequisites

  • Successful back take from turtle, failed guard pass defense, or transition from other controlling positions
  • Ability to establish at least one hook before opponent completes their escape or guard recovery
  • Seat belt grip secured before opponent can effectively defend or create frames
  • Opponent’s back is exposed with their defensive posture compromised
  • Top player has superior position with opponent unable to face them directly
  • Control of opponent’s upper body through grip configuration

Key Offensive Principles

  • Maintain constant chest-to-back connection with forward pressure through the core, never allowing space to develop between bodies
  • Keep hands clasped together in the seat belt configuration, with proper hand position (palm-to-palm or gable grip) that resists opponent’s grip breaking attempts
  • Use hooks actively to control opponent’s hips and prevent turning, with feet positioned inside thighs and heels pulling toward you
  • Keep head positioned safely to the side or behind opponent’s head, never allowing it to drift in front where it can be controlled
  • Distribute weight through chest and hooks rather than relying solely on arm strength to maintain position
  • Adjust grip height and tightness based on opponent’s defensive reactions - higher grip for choke setups, lower for preventing forward rolls
  • Maintain hip proximity to opponent’s hips to prevent them from sitting up or creating angles for escape

Available Attacks

Rear Naked Choke → Won by Submission

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 45%
  • Intermediate: 65%
  • Advanced: 85%

Armbar from Back with Legs → Armbar Control

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 30%
  • Intermediate: 50%
  • Advanced: 70%

Back Control to Crucifix → Crucifix

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 25%
  • Intermediate: 45%
  • Advanced: 65%

Triangle from Back → Rear Triangle

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 20%
  • Intermediate: 35%
  • Advanced: 55%

Bow and Arrow Choke → Won by Submission

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 35%
  • Intermediate: 55%
  • Advanced: 75%

Armbar from Back → Armbar Control

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 25%
  • Intermediate: 45%
  • Advanced: 65%

Choke from Crucifix → Won by Submission

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 40%
  • Intermediate: 60%
  • Advanced: 80%

Rolling Back Take → Body Triangle

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 30%
  • Intermediate: 50%
  • Advanced: 70%

Opponent Escapes

Escape Counters

Decision Making from This Position

If opponent is defending choke with both hands high, protecting neck:

If opponent is working to remove hooks and turn into you:

If opponent strips top arm and begins to turn to guard:

If opponent turtles and hides arms defensively:

If opponent is flat on stomach trying to prevent hooks:

Common Offensive Mistakes

1. Crossing feet when both hooks are in

  • ❌ Consequence: Opens vulnerability to straight ankle lock or footlock, potentially losing position and getting submitted from a dominant position
  • ✅ Correction: Keep feet uncrossed with heels pulling toward your hips, using insteps to hook inside opponent’s thighs for control without creating submission opportunities

2. Allowing space to develop between chest and opponent’s back

  • ❌ Consequence: Gives opponent room to turn into guard, strip grips more easily, or escape to turtle position, fundamentally compromising the position’s effectiveness
  • ✅ Correction: Maintain constant forward pressure through your chest, keeping it glued to opponent’s back with your weight distributed through core and hooks

3. Gripping hands too low on opponent’s torso near the belt line

  • ❌ Consequence: Reduces control effectiveness, makes it easier for opponent to strip grips, and limits offensive options for high-quality choke attacks
  • ✅ Correction: Keep hands clasped high on the chest or sternum area where grip is harder to break and choking mechanics are more effective

4. Positioning head directly behind opponent’s head where they can drive it backward

  • ❌ Consequence: Allows opponent to create painful pressure on your face, potentially causing injury and forcing you to adjust position or release grips
  • ✅ Correction: Keep head to the side, typically opposite your choking arm, or tucked low behind opponent’s shoulder to avoid backward pressure

5. Relying entirely on arm strength to maintain the seat belt grip

  • ❌ Consequence: Leads to rapid fatigue, weakened grip over time, and increased vulnerability to opponent’s grip breaks as match progresses
  • ✅ Correction: Use proper body connection, chest pressure, and hook control to maintain position, treating the grip as a connection point rather than primary control mechanism

6. Failing to adjust hooks when opponent begins turning or bridging

  • ❌ Consequence: Allows opponent to remove hooks completely, turn into guard, or escape to less disadvantageous positions like turtle or half guard
  • ✅ Correction: Actively adjust hook positions as opponent moves, sometimes removing one hook strategically to maintain the more important seat belt grip and overall back position

7. Attacking submissions prematurely without establishing solid positional control first

  • ❌ Consequence: Gives opponent escape opportunities during transition, potentially losing a dominant 4-point position while attempting low-percentage submissions
  • ✅ Correction: First secure all control elements - both hooks in, tight seat belt grip, chest connection, proper head position - before initiating submission attacks

Training Drills for Attacks

Back Mount Retention Drill

Partner starts in bottom position with full harness control established. Bottom player attempts various escape sequences (hand fighting, turning, bridging, removing hooks) while top player focuses solely on maintaining position without attacking submissions. Practice for 2-minute rounds, switching roles. Focus on maintaining chest-to-back connection and proper hook usage.

Duration: 3 rounds of 2 minutes per partner

Seat Belt Grip Breaking Resistance

Start with seat belt grip established but no hooks in. Bottom player uses all legal grip breaking methods (pushing arms apart, pulling down, stripping individual hands, etc.) while top player maintains the grip using proper hand position and body connection. This isolates grip retention skills from full position maintenance. Progress to adding one hook, then both hooks.

Duration: 2 minutes per position variation

Submission Chain Flow Drill

From established harness position, practice flowing between rear naked choke setup, armbar from back transition, and crucifix control based on opponent’s defensive hand positions. Partner provides realistic but controlled defensive reactions. Focus on smooth transitions and maintaining control throughout the chain rather than finishing submissions.

Duration: 3 minutes continuous flow per partner

Hook Retention and Recovery Drill

Start with harness grip and one hook in. Bottom player works to clear the remaining hook and then remove the established hook while top player works to maintain both hooks. Top player practices recovering removed hooks while maintaining the critical seat belt grip. Emphasizes hook fighting and the hierarchy of controls (grip over hooks).

Duration: 2-minute rounds, 3 rounds per partner

Back Take to Submission Sequences

Partner starts in turtle position. Practice back take entry establishing harness control, then immediately flow into rear naked choke, bow and arrow, or armbar setups based on defensive reactions. Resets to turtle after each sequence. Builds muscle memory for capitalizing on back control opportunities quickly in competition.

Duration: 5 minutes continuous repetition

Optimal Submission Paths

Highest Percentage Path

Harness Top → Rear Naked Choke → Won by Submission

Armbar Chain Path

Harness Top → Armbar from Back with Legs → Armbar Control → Straight Armbar → Won by Submission

Crucifix Development Path

Harness Top → Back Control to Crucifix → Crucifix → Choke from Crucifix → Won by Submission

Triangle Alternative Path

Harness Top → Triangle from Back → Rear Triangle → Triangle Choke → Won by Submission

Gi-Specific Path

Harness Top → Bow and Arrow Choke → Won by Submission

Body Triangle Advancement

Harness Top → Rolling Back Take → Body Triangle → Rear Naked Choke → Won by Submission

Success Rates and Statistics

Skill LevelRetention RateAdvancement ProbabilitySubmission Probability
Beginner50%40%35%
Intermediate70%60%55%
Advanced85%80%75%

Average Time in Position: 45-90 seconds before submission or escape attempt

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