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Saddle Variations Bottom | BJJ Position Guide | BJJ Graph

Oct 25, 202518 min read

Saddle Variations Bottom

bjjstateleg_entanglementdefensive_positionvariationsadvanced_defense

State Properties

  • State ID: S233
  • Point Value: 0 (Defensive disadvantage, varies by variation)
  • Position Type: Defensive / Variable Disadvantage
  • Risk Level: High to Very High
  • Energy Cost: High
  • Time Sustainability: Short (escape required)

State Description

Saddle Variations Bottom encompasses the defensive side of multiple saddle-type leg entanglements including reverse saddle (outside saddle), shallow saddle entries, modified saddle positions, and transitional saddle configurations. While all share the core danger of leg entanglement with submission risk, each variation presents unique defensive challenges and requires specific escape sequences. Understanding these variations is essential for modern BJJ competition and training, as skilled leg lock practitioners will use multiple saddle types to create dilemmas and capitalize on defensive reactions.

The variations differ primarily in the angle of attack, the tightness of the control, and which specific submission threats are most accessible. Reverse saddle provides outside control rather than inside control, changing the mechanical dynamics significantly. Shallow saddle represents incomplete entry where escape is more feasible. Modified entries might come from unusual angles or incorporate elements from other positions. Each requires pattern recognition and appropriate defensive response.

From a strategic defensive standpoint, recognizing which saddle variation you’re caught in determines your defensive priorities and escape sequences. Some variations allow for more aggressive escape attempts, while others require the same conservative, safety-first approach as standard saddle. The key is developing the positional knowledge to make instant assessments under pressure.

Visual Description

Your body position varies significantly depending on the saddle variation you’re defending. In reverse/outside saddle, you’re positioned with opponent’s legs on the outside of your trapped leg rather than inside, creating different angles of vulnerability. In shallow saddle, the leg entanglement is loose or incomplete with more space between your hip and their hips. Modified saddle entries might have you turned at unusual angles, partially on your side, or with additional controls beyond the standard figure-four configuration. Common across all variations: one of your legs is trapped in some form of leg entanglement, your opponent is positioned to attack your lower body, and your defensive priority is protecting joints (heel, knee, ankle) while working toward extraction. The spatial relationships and pressure points differ between variations, but the fundamental danger remains - your leg is controlled and vulnerable to submission.

Key Principles

  • Variation Recognition: Quickly identify which saddle type you’re defending to select appropriate escape
  • Adaptive Heel Protection: Adjust heel hiding technique based on angle of attack
  • Exploit Weakness of Each Variation: Each variation has specific vulnerabilities to target
  • Transition Awareness: Opponent may switch between variations, use these moments for escape
  • Variable Urgency: Some variations allow more escape time, others require immediate action
  • Prevent Consolidation: Stop opponent from tightening loose entries into standard saddle
  • Safety-First Mentality: Regardless of variation, tap early rather than risk injury

Offensive Transitions

From these defensive positions, you can attempt:

Escapes from Reverse/Outside Saddle

  • Turn Away Escape → Open Guard Bottom (Success Rate: Beginner 20%, Intermediate 35%, Advanced 55%)

    • Reverse saddle’s outside control makes turning away more viable than in inside saddle

  • Bridge and Extract → Top Position (Success Rate: Beginner 15%, Intermediate 28%, Advanced 48%)

    • Bridge opposite direction and extract leg during moment of space creation

Escapes from Shallow Saddle

Universal Escapes (All Variations)

Defensive Stalls

Defensive Responses

Available defensive actions specific to each variation:

Decision Tree

If caught in shallow/loose saddle entry:

Else if caught in reverse/outside saddle:

Else if caught in modified/transitional saddle:

Else if opponent switching between variations:

Else if any variation is fully locked with heel secured:

Else (unclear variation or transitional):

Expert Insights

John Danaher: “Understanding saddle variations is crucial for comprehensive leg lock defense. Many practitioners only train defense against the standard inside saddle, leaving them vulnerable to reverse saddle, shallow entries, and modified attacks. Each variation exists on a spectrum from more to less dangerous, but all require respect and proper defensive response. The reverse saddle, while mechanically inferior to inside saddle for heel hook application, still poses significant injury risk. Shallow saddle entries represent opportunity - if you can recognize and escape during the incomplete phase, you prevent progression to more dangerous positions. The key is systematic study of each variation’s defensive requirements rather than attempting to apply universal responses to varied mechanical problems.”

Gordon Ryan: “I use different saddle variations strategically to create multiple attack angles. When someone defends my standard saddle entry well, I’ll switch to reverse saddle or modify my entry angle. This forces them to defend different configurations, and most people aren’t equally comfortable defending all variations. From the defensive side, you need to recognize what type of saddle you’re in instantly. Against my reverse saddle, turning away becomes viable - something that would be disaster against inside saddle. The shallow saddle is where you need to be most aggressive with your escape before I can consolidate. If you let me tighten any saddle variation, your options drop dramatically.”

Eddie Bravo: “At 10th Planet, we’ve developed multiple saddle entries and variations because we found that having only one approach makes you predictable. We teach what we call the ‘Honey Hole family’ - different configurations that all lead to similar finish opportunities. When you’re defending, you need to know which variation you’re dealing with because the escape mechanics differ. The reverse saddle can be attacked more aggressively than the standard one. The shallow saddle is an opportunity that many people miss - they freeze instead of exploding out when the position is still loose. We also teach defensive variations extensively because you can’t truly understand offense without understanding defense. Each variation has its own character, its own rhythm.”

Common Errors

Error: Applying Standard Saddle Defense to All Variations

  • Consequence: Wrong defensive response for the specific variation can actually worsen your position or move you into more danger. For example, turning away from inside saddle is dangerous, but turning away from outside saddle is often correct.
  • Correction: Develop pattern recognition to identify which variation you’re defending, then apply appropriate escape sequence. Train each variation separately until you can distinguish instantly by feel.
  • Recognition: If standard escape sequences aren’t working or feel “wrong” mechanically, reassess which variation you’re actually defending.

Error: Treating Shallow Saddle with Same Urgency as Deep Saddle

  • Consequence: Wastes the opportunity window when escape is most feasible. Shallow/loose entries require aggressive immediate escape, while deep entries require careful technical escape. Mixing these approaches reduces success rates.
  • Correction: Against shallow saddle, be explosive and decisive - don’t give opponent time to consolidate. Against deep saddle, be technical and controlled - patience prevents injury.
  • Recognition: If you’re being cautious when there’s space to escape, or being explosive when position is locked tight, your urgency calibration is wrong.

Error: Not Recognizing Reverse Saddle Differences

  • Consequence: Misses tactical advantages that reverse saddle’s inferior leverage provides. Outside control is mechanically weaker than inside control, but many defenders don’t exploit this.
  • Correction: Learn reverse saddle’s specific vulnerabilities - turning away becomes viable, bridging has different optimal direction, and heel exposure angles differ. Study reverse saddle escapes as distinct technique set.
  • Recognition: If you’re defending reverse saddle identically to inside saddle, you’re not exploiting its weaknesses.

Error: Freezing During Variation Transitions

  • Consequence: Opponent uses transitions between saddle types to improve their position or secure better grips. Transition moments are actually escape opportunities if recognized.
  • Correction: When opponent switches saddle variations, immediately attempt escape or positional improvement. Their control is temporarily loosened during the switch.
  • Recognition: If you passively accept opponent moving between variations without attempting escape, you’re missing opportunities.

Error: Ignoring Modified Saddle Entry Warning Signs

  • Consequence: Modified entries (from unusual angles or combined with other positions) become consolidated before you recognize the danger. By the time you realize you’re in a saddle variation, escape window has closed.
  • Correction: Develop sensitivity to any leg entanglement that’s moving toward saddle configuration, regardless of entry angle. Prevent progression to full saddle from partial positions.
  • Recognition: If you’re frequently surprised to “suddenly” be in saddle variations, you’re not recognizing entry sequences early enough.

Error: Over-committing to Escape from Tight Variations

  • Consequence: Explosive or forceful escape attempts against locked positions can actually help opponent finish submission by creating the extension or rotation they need. Worse, can cause self-injury through violent movement against secured joint locks.
  • Correction: Assess whether variation is loose enough for aggressive escape or too tight for anything except careful technical escape or tap. Tight positions require submission to reality - tap if needed.
  • Recognition: If you’re exerting maximum effort without positional improvement and opponent’s control is getting tighter, reassess whether escape is still feasible.

Error: Not Training Variation-Specific Defense

  • Consequence: In live training or competition, lack of variation-specific practice means you don’t have muscle memory or technical knowledge for these positions, leading to panic, injury, or submission.
  • Correction: Dedicate training time specifically to each major saddle variation. Don’t just drill standard saddle repeatedly - rotate through reverse saddle, shallow saddle, modified entries, and transitional positions.
  • Recognition: If you’ve trained saddle defense but only standard inside saddle, you’re unprepared for variation-heavy leg lockers.

Training Drills

Drill 1: Variation Recognition (Pattern Learning)

Partner establishes different saddle variations in random order: inside saddle, reverse saddle, shallow saddle, modified angles. Your job is to verbally identify which variation you’re in within 2 seconds, then state primary defensive priority for that specific variation. Start slowly with exaggerated differences, progress to subtle distinctions. 20 repetitions per session, tracking accuracy. This develops crucial instant assessment ability. Progress to having partner establish variations with you blindfolded (eyes closed) - can you identify by feel alone? This drill builds the positional awareness that separates knowledgeable defenders from beginners.

Drill 2: Variation-Specific Escape Sequences (Technical Drilling)

Dedicate separate rounds to each major variation. Partner establishes specific variation at 50% control. Practice appropriate escape sequence for that variation 8-10 times before switching to next variation. For example: 5 minutes reverse saddle defense, 5 minutes shallow saddle defense, 5 minutes modified entry defense. Focus on mechanics specific to each variation rather than attempting universal escape. Track which variations you escape most successfully and which need more practice. This builds comprehensive defensive game rather than one-dimensional defense.

Drill 3: Transition Exploitation (Timing Drill)

Partner is in one saddle variation and intentionally transitions to another variation (e.g., inside to reverse, shallow to deep, standard to modified). The moment they begin transition, you must immediately attempt your best escape technique. This drill teaches recognizing and capitalizing on transition windows when control is briefly loosened. Partner should vary transition timing to prevent anticipation. 3-minute rounds, partner transitions every 20-30 seconds. Successful escape resets to starting position. This develops the opportunistic escaping that wins matches.

Drill 4: Shallow Saddle Prevention (Positional Sparring)

Start in leg entanglement positions where saddle entries are common (standard ashi, cross ashi, etc.). Partner works to establish shallow saddle entries. Your goal is to prevent entry or escape immediately while entry is still shallow - never allowing progression to deep/locked saddle. If partner achieves locked saddle, reset and analyze what allowed progression. 4-minute rounds, tracking how many shallow entries were successfully prevented or escaped before consolidation. This is crucial drill because preventing deep saddle is infinitely better than escaping it.

Drill 5: Variation Flow Under Pressure (Scenario Training)

Partner uses all saddle variations in sequence during single round, switching based on your defensive reactions. You must defend each variation appropriately while maintaining safety. Partner provides moderate resistance (50-60%) and good safety awareness. 5-minute rounds with 2-minute rest. This simulates facing variation-heavy leg lockers in competition. Track both escape success and safety (did you tap when needed, protect heel appropriately, avoid injury). This is most realistic training for comprehensive saddle variation defense.

Optimal Submission Paths

(Note: These are paths to ESCAPE rather than submission)

Fastest escape from shallow saddle: Saddle Variations Bottom (shallow) → Immediate Leg Extraction → Open Guard Bottom Reasoning: Incomplete position allows rapid, explosive escape before opponent consolidates control. This is highest percentage escape when recognized early.

Safest escape from reverse saddle: Saddle Variations Bottom (reverse) → Turn Away Escape → Open Guard Bottom Reasoning: Outside control makes turning away mechanically sound unlike inside saddle. This exploits reverse saddle’s inferior leverage structure.

Universal escape path (any variation): Saddle Variations Bottom → Variation-Specific Heel Hide → Hip Escape to Guard Recovery → Open Guard Bottom Reasoning: Protection first, then systematic escape. Works across all variations though not always optimal for each specific type.

Neutralization path from any variation: Saddle Variations Bottom → Turn Into Opponent → 50-50 Guard Reasoning: Turning in neutralizes most saddle variations’ submission angles. Doesn’t escape entanglement but removes immediate danger.

Emergency path when locked: Saddle Variations Bottom (any tight variation) → Immediate Tap → Reset Position Reasoning: When heel is secured regardless of variation type, immediate tap is only intelligent response. No variation is safe when fully locked.

Position Metrics

  • Variation Recognition Speed: Beginner 5+ seconds, Intermediate 2-3 seconds, Advanced <1 second
  • Escape Success from Reverse Saddle: Beginner 20%, Intermediate 35%, Advanced 55%
  • Escape Success from Shallow Saddle: Beginner 25%, Intermediate 40%, Advanced 60%
  • Overall Escape Across All Variations: Beginner 18%, Intermediate 32%, Advanced 52%
  • Injury Avoidance Rate: Should be 100% through appropriate tapping

Timing Considerations

Variation-Specific Windows:

  • Shallow saddle: First 3-5 seconds before consolidation (aggressive escape window)
  • Reverse saddle: Moderate escape window 10-20 seconds (bridging and turning viable)
  • Modified entries: Variable depending on configuration (assessment needed)
  • Transitional moments: 1-2 second windows when opponent switches variations

Safety-Critical Moments:

  • Any variation when heel is secured: immediate tap required
  • Shallow saddle being consolidated: explosive escape or accept deeper position
  • Unknown variation with increasing pressure: tap rather than test limits

Prevention Timing:

  • Earliest recognition of saddle-type entry: immediate defensive response
  • Transition from one variation to another: capitalize on movement
  • Partner adjusting grips or position: brief reduction in control pressure

Competition Considerations

Rule Set Implications:

  • Some organizations restrict specific leg attack types but not others - know which saddle variations have legal finish options
  • IBJJF brown/black belt allows heel hooks from all saddle variations
  • ADCC and submission-only formats see extensive variation use
  • Gi competition may see fewer saddle variations due to grip complexity

Strategic Defense:

  • Against known variation specialists, study their preferred configurations
  • In points competition, escaping shallow saddle is less costly than allowing deep saddle
  • Tournament environment increases importance of training all variations - you’ll face different styles
  • Injury prevention becomes critical - tournament performance is worthless with torn knee

Historical Context

As the standard inside saddle became well-known through Danaher’s systematic teaching and competition success of his students, advanced practitioners began developing variations to attack opponents who specialized in defending only the standard configuration. Reverse saddle (outside saddle) gained prominence as counter to inside saddle-specific defenses. Modified entries from unusual angles developed through competition experimentation. Eddie Bravo’s 10th Planet system independently developed variation-heavy approach to leg attacks, contributing to the diversity of saddle types seen in modern competition. The evolution represents typical martial arts progression - once fundamental technique is widely understood, variations emerge to exploit pattern-based defenses. Current cutting-edge leg lock game includes extensive variation use, making defensive comprehension of multiple saddle types essential rather than optional.

Safety Considerations

WARNING: All saddle variations pose injury risk to knee ligaments including ACL, MCL, and LCL tears. While reverse saddle is mechanically less dangerous than inside saddle, and shallow saddle is less dangerous than deep saddle, NONE are safe to “tough out” or delay tapping. The injury mechanism differs slightly between variations, but all can cause catastrophic damage.

Training Safety by Variation:

  • Inside saddle: Extreme caution, minimal finishing pressure in training
  • Reverse saddle: Still dangerous despite reduced leverage, train with control
  • Shallow saddle: Safe to train aggressive escapes before consolidation
  • Modified variations: Unknown mechanical properties require extra caution

General Safety Rules:

  • Tap immediately to any variation when heel is secured and rotation begins
  • Train with partners who understand all variations’ injury potential
  • Start all variation training at low intensity until mechanics are mastered
  • Never assume variation is “safer” version - all require respect
  • Establish tap protocols before training any saddle variation

Understanding that variations exist doesn’t reduce injury risk - it increases defensive options. Always prioritize safety over escape attempts.

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