From the bottom perspective, the Matrix represents one of the most effective offensive weapons available from seemingly defensive positions. This inverted rolling back take transforms turtle, bottom scrambles, and even certain guard positions into launching points for immediate back control access.
The fundamental concept involves creating rotational momentum through hip elevation and shoulder posting, then rolling underneath or around the opponent while maintaining connection through grips and hooks. The movement requires exceptional body awareness, as practitioners must track their spatial orientation while inverted and continue the motion smoothly into hook insertion and back control establishment.
Mechanically, the Matrix begins with establishing a stable base—typically from turtle or a seated position with one or both hands posted. The practitioner elevates their hips while maintaining shoulder contact with the mat, creating the fulcrum for rotation. As the hips rise and begin to circle, the legs start their rotational path around or under the opponent. The critical moment occurs mid-rotation when the first hook must be inserted before the body completes its inversion.
Timing represents the most crucial element for Matrix success. The technique works best when opponents are static in their posture or during weight transitions. Attempting the Matrix against an actively mobile opponent with good base often results in the rotation being stuffed or countered. Practitioners must develop the ability to recognize micro-moments of opponent stillness or weight commitment and execute the entry explosively.
The Matrix functions as part of a comprehensive attacking system from bottom positions. It pairs exceptionally well with traditional underhook-based attacks, arm drags, and other back-take approaches. When opponents defend conventional attacks, they often create Matrix opportunities, and vice versa. This synergy makes the technique even more effective within integrated systems.
Physically, the Matrix demands significant core strength, hip flexibility, and rotational power. Practitioners must generate enough momentum to complete the inversion while maintaining control of their opponent’s position. The movement also requires considerable cardio endurance, as failed attempts or partial completions often lead to scrambles requiring immediate follow-up action.
Risk management is essential when executing the Matrix. Incomplete rotations can leave practitioners in vulnerable positions—inverted with their back exposed. Therefore, commitment to the movement is critical; hesitation mid-roll creates the highest risk scenarios. Practitioners must develop the confidence to fully commit to the rotation or immediately abort and return to defensive positioning.
Position Definition
- At least one shoulder maintains mat contact during the initial rotation phase, providing the pivot point around which the body rotates—losing this contact causes the rotation to stall and leaves the practitioner floating without mechanical advantage
- Hip elevation above shoulder level creates the necessary gravitational momentum for the inverted rotation—insufficient hip height results in weak rotational force that opponents can easily defend by simply maintaining their base
- Active connection to opponent’s torso or hips through grips or leg contact persists throughout the rotation—losing this connection means rotating in space without affecting opponent position, arriving at back control setup without actual control established
Prerequisites
- Opponent is in turtle, seated, or transitional position with relatively static base
- Practitioner has established at least one grip or connection point to opponent’s torso or hips
- Sufficient space exists for rotational movement without immediate obstacles or barriers
- Practitioner’s positioning allows hip elevation and shoulder posting mechanics
- Timing window present—opponent not actively moving or adjusting base dynamically
Key Defensive Principles
- Generate explosive rotational momentum through simultaneous hip elevation and shoulder posting
- Maintain constant awareness of spatial orientation during inversion to enable precise hook placement
- Commit fully to the rotation—partial attempts create maximum vulnerability with minimum reward
- Insert first hook during the rotation, not after completion, to prevent opponent escape
- Use opponent’s static posture or weight transitions as timing triggers for entry
- Keep connection to opponent throughout rotation through grips or leg contact
- Prepare multiple backup transitions if rotation is defended or incomplete
Available Escapes
Matrix Back Take → Back Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 20%
- Intermediate: 40%
- Advanced: 65%
Rolling Back Take → Back Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 25%
- Intermediate: 45%
- Advanced: 60%
Arm Drag to Back → Back Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 35%
- Intermediate: 50%
- Advanced: 65%
Chair Sit to Back → Crab Ride
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 30%
- Intermediate: 45%
- Advanced: 60%
Granby Roll → Closed Guard
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 40%
- Intermediate: 55%
- Advanced: 70%
Rolling to Guard → Open Guard
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 45%
- Intermediate: 60%
- Advanced: 75%
Berimbolo Entry → Back Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 15%
- Intermediate: 35%
- Advanced: 55%
Turtle to Back Take → Back Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 30%
- Intermediate: 50%
- Advanced: 65%
Decision Making from This Position
Opponent maintains static turtle position with narrow base:
- Execute Matrix Back Take → Back Control (Probability: 65%)
- Execute Rolling Back Take → Back Control (Probability: 60%)
Opponent widens base or posts hand to block rotation:
- Execute Arm Drag to Back → Back Control (Probability: 55%)
- Execute Chair Sit to Back → Crab Ride (Probability: 50%)
Rotation is blocked mid-movement by weight pressure:
- Execute Rolling to Guard → Closed Guard (Probability: 60%)
- Execute Granby Roll → Closed Guard (Probability: 55%)
Opponent actively scrambling or mobile:
- Execute Turtle to Back Take → Back Control (Probability: 50%)
- Execute Rolling to Guard → Open Guard (Probability: 55%)
Escape and Survival Paths
Matrix to Rear Naked Choke
Matrix Bottom → Back Control → Seat Belt Control Back → Rear Naked Choke
Matrix to Bow and Arrow
Matrix Bottom → Back Control → Bow and Arrow Choke
Matrix to Armbar
Matrix Bottom → Back Control → Armbar from Back
Matrix to Body Triangle Attacks
Matrix Bottom → Back Control → Body Triangle → Rear Naked Choke
Success Rates and Statistics
| Skill Level | Retention Rate | Advancement Probability | Submission Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 30% | 25% | 15% |
| Intermediate | 50% | 45% | 30% |
| Advanced | 70% | 65% | 50% |
Average Time in Position: 2-4 seconds for rotation execution, 5-10 seconds total to establish back control
Expert Analysis
John Danaher
The Matrix back take represents a masterclass in exploiting rotational mechanics and spatial geometry. The technique succeeds because it creates three-dimensional movement in an environment where most practitioners think two-dimensionally. When your opponent is in turtle, they defend against linear attacks—forward pressure, sideways movement—but the inverted rotation attacks from an axis they’re not structurally prepared to resist. The key biomechanical principle involves using your shoulder as a fixed pivot point while your hips trace an arc around that fulcrum, generating rotational momentum through the simple physics of lever arms. The critical technical detail that separates successful from unsuccessful Matrix attempts is hook insertion timing—advanced practitioners thread the first hook at approximately 90 degrees of rotation, while the body is still inverted, ensuring the hook is already established before the opponent recognizes the back take is occurring.
Gordon Ryan
In competition, the Matrix has become one of my highest-percentage back takes specifically because it’s so difficult to defend once you commit to it. Most opponents are prepared for traditional back attacks—arm drags, seat belt advancement, hook insertion battles—but the Matrix bypasses all those defensive sequences. The timing I look for is when opponents are posting statically in turtle or when they’re transitioning between positions and have momentarily stopped moving. That split second of stillness is your entry window. One thing I’ve found crucial is pairing the Matrix with conventional attacks so opponents can’t just defend one approach. If they’re constantly defending my arm drags and traditional back takes, they create perfect Matrix opportunities, and vice versa. The technique also works exceptionally well in no-gi because without grips to control, opponents struggle to prevent the rotation once it begins. Against elite opponents, I often use the Matrix threat to force reactions that open other attacks rather than finishing the actual rotation every time.
Eddie Bravo
The Matrix is one of those techniques that looks wild but is actually super systematic once you understand the mechanics. We’ve integrated it extensively into the 10th Planet system because it fits perfectly with our philosophy of dynamic, momentum-based movement. What makes it especially effective is how it messes with opponents’ spatial awareness—they’re tracking you at ground level, then suddenly you’re inverted and circling around them, and their brain can’t process the position change fast enough. I teach students to think of it as a continuous rolling motion rather than discrete steps, almost like a breakdancing move. The athletic component is significant, which is why we drill it extensively in warm-ups to develop the necessary body control and rotational awareness. One variation we use a lot is the Matrix from failed lockdown positions in half guard—when they defend the lockdown sweep, that same rotational energy can convert directly into a Matrix back take. The technique also pairs beautifully with our truck and twister system, creating a comprehensive back attack approach that attacks from every angle.