Armbar from Back with Legs

⚠️ SAFETY: Armbar from Back with Legs targets the Elbow joint. Risk: Elbow hyperextension or dislocation. Release immediately upon tap.

The Armbar from Back with Legs is an advanced finishing technique that leverages the superior control position of back mount to isolate and hyperextend the opponent’s elbow joint. This variation differs from standard armbar attacks by maintaining leg control throughout the submission, using the legs to trap the opponent’s upper body while transitioning the arm across your hips. The technique exemplifies the principle of maintaining dominant control even during submission transitions, as you never fully relinquish the back position until the armbar is secured. This submission is particularly effective against opponents who defend the rear naked choke by keeping their chin tucked and arms tight, as it punishes defensive hand fighting by converting grip breaks into submission opportunities. The leg configuration creates a powerful fulcrum that makes escape extremely difficult once properly applied, though the transition requires precise timing and body positioning to prevent rolling escapes. Success depends on understanding how to use your legs not just for control, but as active submission tools that guide the opponent’s body into the finishing position.

Category: Joint Lock Type: Arm Lock Target Area: Elbow joint Starting Position: Back Control Success Rates: Beginner 35%, Intermediate 50%, Advanced 65%

Safety Guide

Injury Risks:

Injury	Severity	Recovery Time
Elbow hyperextension or dislocation	High	4-12 weeks with potential permanent ligament damage
Shoulder strain from torquing during transition	Medium	2-6 weeks
Neck compression from leg pressure	Medium	1-3 weeks
Rib cage compression from body triangle combination	Low	1-2 weeks

Application Speed: SLOW and progressive - 3-5 seconds minimum from catch to full extension

Tap Signals:

• Verbal tap (any vocal submission signal)
• Physical hand tap (on your body or mat)
• Physical foot tap (on mat or your body)
• Any distress signal or unusual sound
• Loss of resistance (treat as tap and release immediately)

Release Protocol:

1. Immediately release hip extension pressure on the arm
2. Open your legs to remove leg pressure from their upper body
3. Return their arm to neutral position gently
4. Verbally confirm your partner is okay before continuing training
5. Never jerk or spike the release - control the arm throughout

Training Restrictions:

• Never apply competition speed or explosive finishing pressure in training
• Never use this technique on partners with existing elbow injuries without explicit consent
• Always allow clear tap access - do not trap both arms simultaneously
• Never combine with neck cranking or other secondary submissions
• Begin all training reps at 30% pressure maximum and increase gradually over months
• White belts should only practice the movement pattern without any submission pressure

Key Principles

• Maintain back control throughout the transition using leg configuration to prevent rolling escapes
• Isolate the arm by using your legs to control their upper body and head while transitioning
• Create the proper angle by swinging your leg over their face to establish the armbar position
• Control the wrist with both hands immediately upon isolating the arm to prevent grip breaks
• Keep your knees tight together to eliminate space and prevent arm extraction
• Extend your hips toward their shoulder while pulling the wrist to create proper leverage
• Use your top leg across their face as both control and directional pressure to flatten them

Prerequisites

• Establish secure back control with at least one hook in and seatbelt grip control
• Opponent is defending rear naked choke by keeping chin tucked and hands fighting your grips
• You can isolate one of their arms away from their body through grip fighting or positioning
• Your body is positioned high on their back with good upper body control
• You have the mobility and space to swing your leg over their head without them rolling
• Their defensive frame is broken or their arm is extended enough to catch
• You maintain balance and base to prevent them from rolling you during the transition

Execution Steps

1. Secure the target arm from back control: From back control with seatbelt grip, identify which arm you will attack (typically the arm they are using to fight your choking hand). Use your choking-side hand to grab their wrist while maintaining your other hook and upper body control. Pull their wrist across their body toward your hip-side, breaking their defensive frame and isolating the limb from their torso. (Timing: 1-2 seconds) [Pressure: Moderate]
2. Transition your hips and establish leg over face: While controlling their wrist with both hands, remove your top hook and swing that leg over their face and shoulder, placing your calf/shin across their face and throat area. This leg acts as a barrier to prevent them from turning into you. Keep your bottom hook in place initially to maintain back exposure and prevent them from turning away. Your hips should begin to pivot perpendicular to their body. (Timing: 1-2 seconds) [Pressure: Moderate]
3. Complete hip rotation and establish armbar configuration: Rotate your hips fully perpendicular to their body while maintaining wrist control with both hands. Remove your bottom hook and bring that leg over their torso, establishing a figure-four or tight leg configuration around their upper body. Their arm should now be extended across your hips with your legs controlling their head and upper body. Ensure their thumb points upward (pronated position) for maximum elbow vulnerability. (Timing: 1-2 seconds) [Pressure: Moderate]
4. Secure wrist control and eliminate space: Grip their wrist with both hands in a strong configuration (one hand on wrist, one hand reinforcing or gripping their hand directly). Pull their wrist tight to your chest to eliminate any space between their arm and your body. Squeeze your knees together tightly, trapping their shoulder between your thighs. Your legs should be active, with your top leg pressing down on their face while your bottom leg hooks under their far shoulder. (Timing: 1 second) [Pressure: Firm]
5. Create proper alignment and angle: Ensure their arm is positioned correctly across your hips with their elbow aligned over your hip bones (the fulcrum point). Your body should form a slight angle, with your shoulders turned toward their hand and your hips elevated. Adjust your leg position so your calf is tight across their face, making it difficult for them to turn into you or look at their trapped arm. The tighter your legs, the more control you maintain. (Timing: 1 second) [Pressure: Firm]
6. Apply finishing pressure: Maintaining tight wrist control pulled to your chest, extend your hips upward toward their shoulder while keeping your knees squeezed together. The extension should be slow and controlled, creating pressure on their elbow joint by using your hips as a lever against their hyperextended arm. Keep their thumb pointing up throughout. Apply pressure progressively until they tap, never explosively. Your legs remain active, controlling their upper body and preventing rolling escapes. (Timing: 2-3 seconds progressive pressure) [Pressure: Maximum]

Opponent Defenses

• Rolling forward over their trapped shoulder to relieve pressure (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Adjustment: Anticipate the roll by keeping your top leg heavy across their face and your bottom leg hooked under their far shoulder. If they commit to rolling, follow the roll while maintaining wrist control and re-establish the position on top. Some advanced practitioners will allow the roll and finish the armbar from the top position.
• Grabbing their own gi lapel or belt to create a defensive grip (Effectiveness: Low) - Your Adjustment: This grip only delays the inevitable if you have proper position. Continue to extend their arm and elevate your hips. The defensive grip will break under sufficient hip pressure, or you can attack the fingers to break the grip before applying full extension pressure.
• Turning into you to stack your hips and compress your legs (Effectiveness: High) - Your Adjustment: This is the most dangerous defense and must be prevented early. Keep your top leg heavy across their face to prevent the turn. If they begin turning, you may need to abandon the armbar and transition to other back attacks, or quickly adjust to a belly-down armbar configuration if you can maintain arm control.
• Pulling their elbow back toward their body using their free hand (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Adjustment: This defense is most effective in the transition phase. Counter by ensuring your wrist control is established before fully committing to the armbar. Once your legs are in position and hips are aligned, their pulling strength is negated by your hip extension leverage. Squeeze your knees tighter to pin their shoulder and prevent the elbow from being pulled back.
• Hitchhiker escape by rotating their thumb downward (Effectiveness: Low) - Your Adjustment: Maintain constant awareness of thumb position throughout the submission. If you feel them attempting to rotate their thumb down, immediately adjust your wrist control to prevent the rotation. Pulling their wrist tighter to your chest and squeezing your knees eliminates the space needed for this escape.

Common Mistakes

• Mistake: Releasing back control too early before establishing leg configuration [Low DANGER]
  • Consequence: Opponent can roll forward or turn into you, completely escaping the submission attempt and potentially reversing position
  • Correction: Maintain at least one hook in place until your leg is over their face and you have secure wrist control. The transition should be smooth but methodical, never rushed. Think of your legs as transferring control, not abandoning it.
• Mistake: Failing to control the wrist with both hands during transition [Medium DANGER]
  • Consequence: Opponent can retract their arm or establish defensive grips, completely nullifying the submission attempt
  • Correction: From the moment you isolate their arm, both hands should be controlling the wrist or hand. Never release this grip during the transition. Your hands are the anchor point while your body repositions.
• Mistake: Not squeezing knees together, leaving space around their shoulder [Low DANGER]
  • Consequence: Opponent can extract their arm by pulling their elbow back, or can turn into you more easily
  • Correction: Actively squeeze your knees together as if trying to touch them. This eliminates space and locks their shoulder in place. The squeeze should be maintained throughout the entire finishing sequence.
• Mistake: Allowing their thumb to point downward instead of upward [Medium DANGER]
  • Consequence: Reduces submission effectiveness dramatically and allows the hitchhiker escape, potentially causing wrist injury instead of elbow pressure
  • Correction: Constantly monitor thumb position. Their thumb should point toward their head (supinated position). Adjust your wrist grips to maintain this position throughout the submission.
• Mistake: Explosive or jerking hip extension when applying finishing pressure [CRITICAL DANGER]
  • Consequence: SEVERE elbow dislocation or ligament rupture before opponent can tap, causing permanent injury
  • Correction: ALWAYS apply hip extension pressure gradually over 3-5 seconds minimum. The submission should feel like a steadily increasing force, not a sudden snap. Give your partner time to recognize the danger and tap. In training, never exceed 70% of maximum pressure.
• Mistake: Positioning their elbow too high on your torso instead of over hip bones [Low DANGER]
  • Consequence: Reduces leverage significantly and makes the submission feel loose, allowing easier escapes
  • Correction: Ensure their elbow joint is positioned directly over your hip bones, which serve as the fulcrum point. Your hips should be slightly elevated, with your shoulders lower than your hips. This creates the optimal lever geometry.
• Mistake: Letting your top leg become passive instead of maintaining pressure across their face [Medium DANGER]
  • Consequence: Opponent can turn into you, stack your position, or reduce the effectiveness of your hip extension
  • Correction: Keep your top leg active and heavy across their face throughout the submission. This leg should be pushing their head away and down, preventing them from looking at their trapped arm or turning into you. Think of it as a steering wheel controlling their upper body direction.
• Mistake: Attempting the submission when opponent has strong defensive posture [Low DANGER]
  • Consequence: Low success rate and wasted energy, potentially losing back control entirely during failed attempt
  • Correction: Only attempt this submission when you have broken their defensive posture and can isolate an arm. If they are maintaining strong defensive frames, work to break down their posture first or choose a different attack. Patience in attack selection is crucial.

Variations

Belly-Down Armbar Transition: If opponent begins to turn into you during the setup, you can transition to a belly-down armbar instead of fighting the roll. Maintain wrist control, allow them to turn toward you, then roll over their body while keeping the arm isolated, finishing with your chest on their shoulder blade. (When to use: When opponent successfully initiates a turn into you during the initial transition and you cannot prevent it with leg pressure. This variation converts their escape attempt into a different finishing position.)

Armbar from Body Triangle Back Control: If you have back control with a body triangle already established, you can transition to the armbar while maintaining the triangle lock. This provides even more control during the transition as your legs are already configured, making it extremely difficult for opponent to roll or escape. (When to use: When you have already secured body triangle back control and opponent is defending the choke. The locked triangle makes this variation more secure but requires excellent hip flexibility to complete the armbar transition.)

Armbar to Triangle Combination: If opponent defends the armbar by grabbing their own lapel or establishing a strong defensive grip, you can transition to a triangle choke by adjusting your leg position. Bring your bottom leg higher across the back of their head while maintaining control of the defended arm. (When to use: When opponent successfully creates a defensive grip you cannot break, or when they pull their elbow back toward their body. The armbar threat forces their arm across their body, which creates the perfect triangle setup.)

Reverse Armbar from Back: Instead of swinging your leg over their face in the traditional direction, some grapplers prefer to swing the leg over from the opposite side, creating a reverse armbar where your body faces their legs instead of their head. This can be more difficult to defend as it is less anticipated. (When to use: When opponent is anticipating the standard armbar direction and defending that side heavily, or when the reverse angle provides better control based on which arm you have isolated and your body positioning.)

Test Your Knowledge

Q1: What is the minimum application time for this submission in training, and why is this critical? [SAFETY-CRITICAL] A: The minimum application time is 3-5 seconds of progressive pressure from catch to full extension. This is critical because the elbow joint can be severely damaged or dislocated before an opponent realizes they are in danger if pressure is applied too quickly. The gradual application gives your training partner sufficient time to recognize the submission and tap safely, preventing serious injuries like torn ligaments or elbow dislocation that could require surgery and months of recovery.

Q2: Why must you maintain at least one hook during the initial transition phase? A: Maintaining at least one hook during the initial transition prevents opponent from rolling forward over their shoulder or turning into you before your leg configuration is established. If you remove both hooks too early, you lose the back control that provides the necessary control to safely isolate their arm. The hook acts as an anchor point that keeps them in place while you swing your leg over their face. Only once your top leg is secured across their face should you remove the bottom hook to complete the armbar position.

Q3: What is the correct thumb position for maximum submission effectiveness and safety? [SAFETY-CRITICAL] A: The opponent’s thumb should point upward toward their head (supinated position) throughout the submission. This pronated arm position creates maximum vulnerability in the elbow joint and ensures that hip extension creates pressure on the elbow rather than the wrist or shoulder. If the thumb points downward, the submission becomes less effective and may cause wrist injury instead of proper elbow pressure. Additionally, the downward thumb position enables the hitchhiker escape, allowing opponent to slip their arm out.

Q4: How do your legs function differently in this submission compared to a standard armbar from guard? A: In the armbar from back with legs, your legs serve a dual purpose of both control and submission. The top leg across their face prevents them from turning into you and controls the direction of their upper body, while the bottom leg hooks under their far shoulder to prevent rolling escapes. Both legs actively squeeze together to pin their shoulder and eliminate space. This is different from the standard armbar from guard where the legs primarily create the fulcrum and control the head, but you have less control over their body rotation since they start facing you. The back control origin provides superior rotational control.

Q5: What are the two highest-percentage defenses against this submission and how do you counter each? A: The two highest-percentage defenses are: (1) Rolling forward over their trapped shoulder - countered by keeping your top leg heavy across their face and being prepared to follow the roll while maintaining wrist control, potentially finishing from top position; (2) Turning into you to stack and compress your position - countered by preventing the turn early with active top leg pressure across their face and maintaining proper leg configuration. If the turn begins, you may need to transition to a belly-down armbar or abandon and return to back control. The key is preventing these defenses through proper leg positioning rather than trying to counter them after they begin.

Q6: Where exactly should the opponent’s elbow be positioned on your body for optimal leverage? A: The opponent’s elbow joint should be positioned directly over your hip bones, which serve as the fulcrum point for the submission. If the elbow is too high on your torso, you lose leverage and the submission feels weak. If too low (below your hips), you also lose leverage and create space for them to pull their arm back. Your hips should be slightly elevated with your shoulders lower, creating the optimal lever geometry where small hip extension creates maximum pressure on their elbow. The hip bones provide the hardest, most stable surface for the fulcrum effect.

Q7: What should you do immediately if your partner shows distress or makes unusual sounds during application? [SAFETY-CRITICAL] A: Immediately release all pressure by opening your legs and returning their arm to neutral position, treating any distress signal as a tap. Never wait to confirm or question unusual sounds - err on the side of caution. After releasing, verbally confirm they are okay before continuing training. Some people have difficulty tapping verbally or physically when in extreme pain or panic, so any sign of distress must be treated as a submission. This is especially critical with joint locks where permanent damage can occur in fractions of a second if someone is unable to tap properly.

Training Progressions

Technical Understanding (Movement Pattern Only) (Week 1-2)

• Focus: Learn the transition mechanics from back control to armbar position without any submission pressure. Practice swinging your leg over, establishing wrist control, and positioning the arm across your hips. Partner provides zero resistance and keeps their arm completely relaxed. Focus on smooth, controlled movements and proper body positioning.
• Resistance: None
• Safety: Understand that this is an elbow-attacking submission with high injury potential. Never apply any pressure to the elbow during this phase. Practice the release protocol multiple times per session to build muscle memory. Discuss tap signals with your partner before each repetition.

Slow Technical Refinement with Minimal Pressure (Week 3-4)

• Focus: Begin applying 20-30% submission pressure to understand the feeling of proper positioning and leverage. Partner maintains passive position but provides enough resistance to help you understand if your position is correct. Work on fine details like thumb position, knee squeeze, and hip alignment. Each repetition should take 10-15 seconds minimum.
• Resistance: Mild resistance
• Safety: Application time must be 5-7 seconds minimum from catch to tap at this stage. Partner should tap early and often to practice safety protocols. Never exceed 30% of maximum pressure. Begin each session by reviewing injury risks and proper tap signals. If partner doesn’t tap, assume your position is wrong, not that more pressure is needed.

Controlled Drilling with Common Defenses (Week 5-8)

• Focus: Partner introduces basic defenses like pulling their elbow back or attempting to grip their gi. Practice maintaining control and adjusting your position to overcome these defenses. Increase pressure to 40-50% maximum while maintaining slow, controlled application. Work on transitioning between armbar and other back attacks when defenses are successful.
• Resistance: Realistic resistance
• Safety: Application speed can increase slightly but must still be 4-5 seconds minimum. Focus on recognizing when position is compromised versus when submission is secure. Never try to force a submission from a bad position with more pressure - reset and improve your position first. Partner should tap as soon as they feel elbow pressure beyond light discomfort.

Live Situation Training from Back Control (Week 9-12)

• Focus: Start from back control with partner defending intelligently. Work to create opportunities for the armbar while partner uses realistic defenses including rolling, turning, and hand fighting. Begin integrating the submission into chains with other back attacks. Pressure can reach 60-70% maximum but never competition level in training.
• Resistance: Full resistance
• Safety: Communication with partner is critical at this stage. Agree on submission pressure limits before starting. Partner should still tap early - training is not the place to test your pain tolerance on joint locks. Review any close calls or concerning moments immediately after they occur. Never apply explosive pressure even when partner is defending well.

Integration and Competition Preparation (Week 13+)

• Focus: For advanced practitioners preparing for competition only: Practice the submission in full sparring with minimal restrictions. Develop timing for when to attack versus when to maintain back control. Build automatic responses to common defenses. Train both gi and no-gi variations. Study video of failed attempts to understand decision-making errors.
• Resistance: Full resistance
• Safety: Even in competition training, apply submission pressure gradually enough that partner can tap safely. In actual competition, this submission ends matches quickly if applied correctly - respect that power in training. Reserve explosive finishing for competition only. Partners with elbow injuries should avoid this position entirely or work at drastically reduced intensity with explicit communication.

Ongoing Technical Maintenance and Teaching (Ongoing)

• Focus: Return to slow technical practice regularly to maintain proper mechanics. Teach the position to lower belts with heavy emphasis on safety. Study high-level competition footage to see variations and setups. Develop a deep understanding of the position’s place within your overall back attack system. Refine details that separate high-percentage from low-percentage applications.
• Resistance: Full resistance
• Safety: Senior practitioners have a responsibility to model safe training practices. When teaching, emphasize safety protocols even more than technique details. Create a gym culture where tapping early to joint locks is praised, not mocked. Regularly review your own training footage to ensure you are applying submissions safely and giving partners time to tap. Remember that your training partners’ long-term health is more important than any single tap.

From Which Positions?

• Back Control
• Body Triangle
• Seat Belt Control Back
• Standing Back Control
• Gift Wrap
• Harness
• Crucifix
• Turtle

Related Submissions

• Armbar from Back
• Rear Naked Choke
• Triangle Choke Back
• Armbar from Crucifix
• Kimura from Turtle
• Straight Armbar
• Choke from Crucifix
• Armbar Finish
• Belly Down Armbar
• Triangle to Armbar
• Armbar from Mount
• Mounted Crucifix

Additional Related Content

• Back Control to Crucifix - Alternative transition from same starting position if armbar is defended
• Arm Drag to Back - Common entry to establish the back control needed for this submission
• Triangle to Back - Alternative path to back control from guard positions
• Submission Chains - Conceptual framework for combining this armbar with other back attacks
• Control Maintenance - Fundamental principle for keeping back control during submission transitions
• Armbar Escape - Defensive perspective showing how opponents will attempt to counter this technique
• Back Attack System - Overall system where this submission fits as one finishing option from back control
• Kimura - Alternative arm attack from back control when armbar is not available
• Back Escape Series - Understanding opponent’s escape priorities helps recognize armbar opportunities
• Omoplata - Another shoulder/arm attack that can be combined in submission chains from back control
• Triangle to Armbar - Shows similar transition mechanics between submissions using leg configuration

Expert Insights

• Danaher System: The armbar from back control with leg configuration represents the highest evolution of back attack finishing systems because it maintains the fundamental principle of never abandoning superior position until the submission is absolutely secured. What makes this variation particularly effective is the biomechanical reality that your legs create a frame that is nearly impossible for the opponent to escape once properly established. The critical detail that most practitioners miss is understanding that your legs must function as an active control system throughout the transition, not merely as passive holding mechanisms. Your top leg across the face is controlling the rotational direction of their upper body - it is steering their escape options toward your desired outcome. The bottom leg under the shoulder prevents rolling escapes by creating a barrier to forward rotation. These two legs working together create what I call a ‘rotational cage’ where the opponent’s movement is constrained to a very narrow range that does not include effective escape paths. The submission itself is finished with the same mechanical principles as any armbar - hip extension against an isolated hyperextended joint - but the leg configuration makes the success rate dramatically higher because you have eliminated their primary defensive responses before applying finishing pressure. From a safety perspective in training, this submission requires even more careful application than standard armbars because your control is so complete that partners may not recognize how much danger they are in until it is too late. Always apply progressive pressure over 5 seconds minimum and watch for any sign of distress, not just verbal or physical taps.
• Gordon Ryan: In competition, the armbar from back with legs is one of my highest percentage finishes because it combines the best of both worlds - maintaining back control points while attacking a submission. The beautiful thing about this attack is that even if you don’t finish, you’re not giving up the back position like you might with other submission attempts. I see a lot of competitors make the mistake of rushing the transition because they’re worried about losing the back, but that’s exactly when you get rolled or they escape. The key is being patient with establishing your leg over their face - that leg is everything. If you get that leg positioned correctly across their face before you commit to removing your bottom hook, they literally cannot turn into you no matter how hard they try. In training, I work this submission at probably 60-70% maximum pressure because the control is so good that you can seriously hurt someone before they realize they need to tap. I’ve had training partners tell me they didn’t feel threatened until suddenly they were in serious danger, which means I wasn’t communicating the progression clearly enough with my pressure application. In competition, this is a different story - once I have the position locked, the finish is fast because I know they’re not tapping early. But that competition mindset has no place in the training room. The other thing I focus on is making sure their thumb is pointing up before I extend my hips. If the thumb is down, you’re basically doing a wrist lock that won’t finish, and you’re wasting an incredible position. Small detail, massive difference in finishing rate.
• Eddie Bravo: The armbar from back with the leg configuration is one of those positions where the 10th Planet system really shines because we’ve always emphasized using your legs as active submission tools, not just hooks for points. What I love about this finish is that it fits perfectly into the rubber guard philosophy of using your legs to control and attack simultaneously. When you swing that leg over their face, you’re essentially creating what we call a ‘mission control’ type situation but from the back - your leg is controlling their head position and preventing defensive movements while setting up the submission. The beauty is that this submission actually works better in no-gi than gi in many ways, because in gi they can grab their own lapel and create that defensive frame, but in no-gi their grip options are way more limited. I teach my students to think of this as a flow position where you’re ready to transition between the armbar, a triangle from back, or even returning to standard back control based on how they defend. You’re never stuck in one attack - you’re flowing between multiple threats. From a training safety perspective, this is critical to emphasize: we train to flow and create movement, not to injure our partners. The 10th Planet culture is all about being technical and creative, but never at the expense of your training partner’s safety. When you’re working this armbar, you need to be giving your partner every opportunity to tap - slow pressure, clear communication, and immediate release when they tap. We want everyone coming back to train tomorrow, not sitting out with elbow injuries. That said, once you get good at this position, it’s one of the most satisfying submissions in jiu-jitsu because the control is just so complete and the finish is so clean when you have all the details right.