BJJ Graph

Standing Back Control | BJJ Position Guide | BJJ Graph

Oct 25, 202513 min read

Standing Back Control

bjjstateback-controlstandingoffensive

State Properties

  • State ID: S200
  • Point Value: 4 (Back control points)
  • Position Type: Offensive
  • Risk Level: Medium
  • Energy Cost: Medium
  • Time Sustainability: Medium

State Description

Standing Back Control is a dominant offensive position where the attacker has secured back control while both grapplers remain on their feet. This position awards 4 points in IBJJF competition and provides excellent opportunities for both takedowns and submissions. The position requires active management as the standing nature makes it more dynamic and time-sensitive than mat-based back control.

The attacker maintains chest-to-back contact using either a body lock (arms around opponent’s waist), over-under control, or hooks (legs inside opponent’s legs). Control must be constant as the opponent has greater mobility to escape compared to ground-based back control. The position is often transitional, leading to either a controlled takedown to secure mat-based back control or an opportunistic standing submission.

Standing Back Control excels when the opponent is tired, has poor balance, or is focused on defending their neck. The position becomes risky if the attacker cannot quickly advance to a takedown or submission, as the opponent may find escape routes through hand fighting, sitting to guard, or explosive movements. Time management and decisive action are critical to maximizing success from this position.

Visual Description

You are standing directly behind your opponent with your chest pressed tightly against their back, your arms wrapped around their waist in a body lock or controlling their upper body with an over-under grip, maintaining constant pressure to prevent them from turning to face you. Your head is positioned over one of their shoulders, allowing you to monitor their hands and attack the neck if available, while your hips stay connected to theirs to control their movement and balance. Your legs are positioned inside or outside of theirs depending on whether you have hooks established, with your weight distributed to maintain stability while disrupting their base through constant pressure and small adjustments. Your grip is locked tight with your hands clasped together at their centerline, eliminating space between your bodies and allowing you to drive them in any direction—forward for drag-downs, backward for suplexes, or sideways for trips. This creates a dominant position where every defensive movement the opponent makes can be countered with a takedown or submission attempt, forcing them to make difficult decisions under pressure while you control timing and direction.

Key Principles

  • Chest Pressure: Maintain constant chest-to-back pressure to prevent opponent from turning into you
  • Hip Connection: Keep hips tight to opponent’s hips to control their base and movement
  • Active Control: Continuously attack balance through trips, pulls, and pressure changes
  • Neck Awareness: Monitor neck exposure and attack when opponent defends takedowns
  • Quick Decision Making: Position is transitional; commit to takedown or submission quickly
  • Base Management: Maintain your own stable base while disrupting opponent’s balance
  • Grip Security: Body lock or control grips must be unbreakable to prevent escape

Prerequisites

  • Proper back take technique from standing
  • Wrestling or judo takedown fundamentals
  • Strong grip endurance for body lock maintenance
  • Balance and base management skills

State Invariants

  • Both grapplers standing
  • Hooks in or body lock established from behind
  • Chest-to-back contact maintained

Defensive Responses (When Opponent Has This State)

Offensive Transitions (Available From This State)

Counter Transitions

Expert Insights

  • John Danaher: “Standing back control is a critical transitional position that tests your ability to make rapid tactical decisions. The key is understanding that every second you remain standing without advancing position, you’re losing control. Systematically attack the opponent’s base through trips while simultaneously threatening the neck. The dilemma you create—defend the takedown or defend the choke—is what makes this position so powerful. Never allow the position to stall; movement creates opportunity.”

  • Gordon Ryan: “In competition, I use standing back control primarily as a takedown setup rather than a finishing position. The body lock is king here—once locked, the opponent has very limited options. I prefer the inside trip or mat return because they’re high percentage and maintain back control on the ground. The standing RNC is there if they give it, but don’t hunt for it at the expense of securing ground control. Points first, submission second.”

  • Eddie Bravo: “Standing back control is all about staying creative and unpredictable. Traditional wrestling takedowns work great, but don’t be afraid to use unconventional attacks like the twister takedown or rotational throws. Keep your opponent guessing—if they expect a trip, hit a suplex; if they defend high, go low. The mental game is huge here because they’re vulnerable and they know it. Use that fear to your advantage and stay aggressive.”

Common Errors

  • Error: Allowing opponent to widen their base

    • Consequence: Gives opponent stability, making takedowns difficult and allowing them to defend more effectively. Wide base neutralizes your leverage advantages and makes it easier for them to hand fight.
    • Correction: Stay tight to opponent’s back and constantly attack their balance with trips, pulls, or pressure changes. Keep them moving and off-balance so they cannot establish a wide, stable base.
    • Recognition: If opponent feels stable and you’re not making progress on takedown attempts, their base is too wide.

  • Error: Loosening body lock or grip

    • Consequence: Creates space for opponent to turn into you, strip your grips, or escape entirely. Loss of grip often means immediate position loss.
    • Correction: Maintain unbreakable grip with hands locked at centerline. Squeeze elbows together and keep chest pressure constant. Never let opponent create separation.
    • Recognition: If you feel opponent creating space between your bodies or starting to turn, your grip has loosened.

  • Error: Stalling without attacking

    • Consequence: Opponent recovers, finds defensive solutions, and eventually escapes. Standing positions are energy-intensive and unsustainable without progression.
    • Correction: Immediately begin attacking with takedowns or submissions. Create movement and force opponent to make defensive choices under pressure.
    • Recognition: If more than 5-10 seconds pass without you attempting a technique, you’re stalling.

  • Error: Overcommitting to choke when takedown is available

    • Consequence: Wastes energy on low-percentage standing choke while higher-percentage takedown option exists. Can result in losing position entirely.
    • Correction: Prioritize securing mat-based back control first. Attack choke opportunistically when opponent defends takedowns and neck is exposed.
    • Recognition: If opponent’s chin is tucked and hands are defending neck, takedown is better option.

  • Error: Poor base management

    • Consequence: Makes you vulnerable to counter throws or reversal attempts. Can result in losing dominant position or being taken down yourself.
    • Correction: Maintain low center of gravity with knees slightly bent. Keep feet active and ready to step to maintain balance as opponent moves.
    • Recognition: If you feel off-balance or opponent is controlling your movement, your base is compromised.

Training Drills

  • Mat Return Drill: Start in standing back control with body lock. Practice smooth mat returns while maintaining hooks and back control. Begin at 0% resistance, progress to 50% where partner defends base but not aggressively, then 75% with active defense. Focus on hip control and timing the pull. 5 reps each side, 3 rounds.

  • Trip to Back Take Drill: From standing back control, practice inside trips, outside trips, and reaps to take opponent down. Partner provides progressive resistance: 25% standing upright, 50% defending with base widening, 75% hand fighting and defending actively. Emphasize maintaining chest-to-back pressure through the takedown. 10 total trips per round, 3 rounds.

  • Choke or Takedown Decision Drill: Partner randomly defends either neck or base. Practice recognizing which is exposed and attacking the available option. Builds decision-making speed and tactical awareness. 2-minute rounds, 5 rounds with different partners.

  • Body Lock Escape Defense Drill: Partner attempts common escapes (sit to guard, hand fighting, base widening, forward roll). Practice maintaining position and countering each escape attempt with appropriate control adjustments or takedowns. 2-minute rounds per escape type.

  • Standing to Ground Back Control Flow: Practice full sequence from standing back take → mat return → securing ground hooks → attacking choke. Focus on smooth transitions and maintaining control throughout. 5 full sequences per round, 3 rounds.

Decision Tree

If opponent has weak base:

Else if opponent defending choke:

Else if opponent standing upright:

Else (default standing control):

Position Metrics

  • Position Retention Rate: Beginner 50%, Intermediate 65%, Advanced 80%
  • Advancement Probability: Beginner 55%, Intermediate 70%, Advanced 85%
  • Submission Probability: Beginner 35%, Intermediate 50%, Advanced 70%
  • Position Loss Probability: Beginner 45%, Intermediate 30%, Advanced 15%
  • Average Time in Position: 30-60 seconds

Optimal Submission Paths

The shortest path to submission from this position: Standing Back Control → Rear Naked Choke → Won by Submission

High-percentage path: Standing Back Control → Mat Return → Back Control → Rear Naked Choke → Won by Submission

Alternative takedown path: Standing Back Control → Inside Trip → Back Control → Submission Chain → Won by Submission

Suplex to dominance path: Standing Back Control → Suplex Takedown → Back Control → Bow and Arrow Choke → Won by Submission

Graph View

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