Danaher Straight Jacket System is a advanced difficulty Attack System system. Integrates 5 components.
System ID: System Type: Attack System Difficulty Level: Advanced
What is Danaher Straight Jacket System?
The Danaher Straight Jacket System represents one of the most comprehensive and systematically developed back control frameworks in modern Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Developed by renowned coach John Danaher, this system transforms the traditional back mount position into a multi-layered control hierarchy that progressively eliminates opponent defensive options while creating high-percentage submission opportunities. Unlike conventional back attack approaches that focus primarily on the rear naked choke, the Straight Jacket System emphasizes upper body immobilization through strategic grip configurations that severely restrict opponent hand fighting capabilities.
The system’s name derives from its primary control mechanism: a specific arrangement of grips and body positioning that mirrors the restrictive effect of a strait jacket, systematically removing the opponent’s ability to defend their neck or create escape opportunities. This methodology integrates seamlessly with Danaher’s broader back attack philosophy, which prioritizes positional dominance and control point hierarchy over opportunistic submission attempts. The framework includes detailed protocols for initial back take entries, progressive control consolidation, defensive hand neutralization, and systematic submission sequences that flow logically from the established control position.
What distinguishes the Straight Jacket System from other back attack approaches is its emphasis on creating true dilemmas for opponents - every defensive action opens a specific offensive opportunity, and every escape attempt can be converted into submission leverage. The system has proven particularly effective in high-level competition, where opponents possess sophisticated back defense knowledge. By understanding and implementing the Straight Jacket principles, practitioners develop the ability to maintain back control against increasingly resistant opponents while creating finishing opportunities with remarkable consistency across different body types and resistance levels.
Core Principles
- Upper body immobilization takes precedence over lower body control - restrict hand fighting before establishing hooks
- Progressive control hierarchy - advance through defined control levels rather than rushing to submissions
- Grip configuration creates structural dilemmas - opponent cannot defend neck without exposing arms, cannot free arms without exposing neck
- Body triangle and hook placement serve control maintenance, not primary control establishment
- Hand fighting elimination is the critical gateway - opponent with free hands can defend indefinitely
- Systematic progression from initial back take through gift wrap to straight jacket to submission
- Every defensive action creates a specific offensive opportunity - capitalize on opponent reactions rather than forcing techniques
- Maintain chest-to-back connection throughout all transitions - distance allows escape initiation
Key Components
Initial Back Take Entry (Establish foundational back control position with proper upper body connection before opponent can organize defensive structure) The system begins with establishing back control from various entry positions including turtle attacks, failed guard passes, scrambles, and standing clinch situations. Critical focus on immediately securing upper body control through seat belt grip configuration (one arm over shoulder, one arm under armpit) before concerning yourself with hook placement. The initial entry emphasizes speed and surprise to capitalize on momentary defensive lapses, with particular attention to preventing opponent’s immediate defensive turtle or turning back to guard.
Seat Belt Control Consolidation (Create stable platform for progressive control advancement while preventing immediate escape attempts through torso compression) Following initial back take, the practitioner must consolidate seat belt positioning by ensuring proper depth of the over-shoulder grip (hand reaches past opponent’s far shoulder) and correct angle of the under-arm grip (elbow pointed toward opponent’s far hip rather than straight down). This configuration creates immediate pressure on opponent’s defensive structure while setting up the transition to more advanced control stages. The seat belt must be maintained with active squeeze pressure, using back muscles to compress opponent’s torso and limit rotational escape attempts.
Gift Wrap Transition (Eliminate half of opponent’s defensive tools (one arm) while maintaining back control and creating submission entries) The gift wrap represents the first major control upgrade within the system, achieved by trapping one of opponent’s arms across their own body using your seat belt grip structure. This is typically accomplished by feeding your under-arm through to grip your own over-shoulder wrist, creating a closed loop that immobilizes opponent’s near-side arm against their torso. The gift wrap drastically reduces opponent defensive capabilities by removing one hand from the defensive equation, making neck defense substantially more difficult and creating immediate submission opportunities.
Straight Jacket Configuration (Achieve maximum upper body immobilization creating submission opportunities with minimal resistance) The system’s namesake position represents the highest level of upper body control, achieved by securing both of opponent’s arms in a crossed configuration using specific grip arrangements. Most commonly implemented through a variation where your over-shoulder arm threads behind opponent’s far-side arm to grip their wrist, while your other hand controls the near-side arm, effectively creating a position where opponent’s own arms form a barrier preventing neck defense. This configuration creates the titular ‘straight jacket’ effect, where opponent cannot effectively defend their neck or create frames for escape.
Submission Sequence Integration (Convert dominant control position into fight-ending submissions while maintaining positional dominance throughout submission attempts) From the straight jacket position, the system provides clear pathways to multiple high-percentage submissions including the rear naked choke, arm-triangle variations from the back, and arm-based attacks including armbar and kimura options. Each submission flows logically from the established control structure, with opponent’s defensive reactions to one submission opening direct entries to alternatives. The submission sequence emphasizes maintaining control throughout attempts, ensuring that failed submission attempts return to dominant control positions rather than allowing escapes.
Implementation Sequence
- Initial Back Exposure and Entry: Recognize and capitalize on back exposure opportunities from common positions including opponent’s turtle, failed guard pass recovery, scramble situations, or standing clinch positions. Execute rapid transition to back mount, immediately establishing seat belt grip before concerning yourself with hook placement. Key points:
- Speed of entry is critical - opponent’s defensive structure weakens during positional transitions
- Seat belt configuration takes absolute priority over hook insertion
- Drive chest pressure into opponent’s back to prevent immediate forward roll or granby escape attempts
- Maintain heavy hip pressure to discourage opponent from sitting back into your guard
- Seat Belt Consolidation and Initial Control: Once back position is achieved, focus entirely on perfecting seat belt mechanics before advancing to higher control levels. Ensure over-shoulder grip achieves maximum depth (hand past far shoulder), under-arm grip maintains proper angle (elbow toward far hip), and chest-to-back connection remains tight. Insert hooks opportunistically but do not sacrifice upper body control to force hook placement. Key points:
- Test seat belt depth by attempting to touch your hands together in front of opponent’s chest
- Maintain active squeeze pressure using lat muscles, not just grip strength
- Head positioning on opponent’s far shoulder creates additional control and prevents them turning into you
- If opponent has strong turtle position, use harness control variation before transitioning to full seat belt
- Hand Fighting and Grip Break Prevention: Opponent will immediately begin hand fighting to break your seat belt grips. Recognize common grip break attempts and counter them systematically. Most opponents will attack the over-shoulder grip by pulling down on your wrist - counter by lifting elbow and driving deeper. When opponent reaches for under-arm grip, this creates gift wrap opportunity. Key points:
- Anticipate grip break attempts rather than reacting after grips are compromised
- Use opponent’s grip break energy to advance control rather than simply defending position
- Every hand fighting sequence creates opportunity to trap opponent’s arm for gift wrap transition
- Maintain chest pressure throughout hand fighting to prevent opponent creating distance
- Gift Wrap Establishment: When opponent reaches across their body to attack your under-arm grip, immediately feed that grip through to connect with your over-shoulder wrist, creating closed loop that traps opponent’s near-side arm across their body. Adjust your body angle to increase pressure on trapped arm, preventing opponent from extracting it. From gift wrap, you have immediate access to multiple submissions while maintaining superior control. Key points:
- Gift wrap is opportunistic - wait for opponent to give you their arm rather than forcing it
- Once established, actively pull trapped arm deeper across opponent’s body
- Your free hand can now attack neck for rear naked choke while gift wrap prevents defense
- Maintain hook control or body triangle to prevent opponent rolling or shaking you off
- Straight Jacket Configuration: From gift wrap or seat belt, advance to straight jacket by controlling both of opponent’s arms in crossed configuration. Most reliable entry: from gift wrap position, release your feeding grip and thread your over-shoulder arm behind opponent’s far arm to grip their wrist, while maintaining control of near-side arm with your other hand. This creates maximum immobilization. Key points:
- Straight jacket requires precise timing - attempt when opponent is focused on defending immediate choke threat
- Once both arms are controlled in crossed position, opponent has virtually no defensive options
- Maintain chest-to-back pressure to prevent opponent creating space to extract arms
- From straight jacket, rear naked choke becomes extremely high percentage due to inability to defend neck
- Submission Execution from System Control: Execute rear naked choke or alternative submissions from established control position. For RNC: use free hand to establish deep grip on far collar or behind neck, slide choking arm under chin while maintaining upper body control with other arm, finish by connecting hands and expanding chest. If opponent defends neck, immediately transition to arm attacks (kimura, armbar) or maintain dominant control. Key points:
- Never sacrifice control position for low-percentage submission attempts
- If first submission attempt fails, return to previous control level and reset
- Opponent defending RNC typically raises shoulders and tucks chin - this exposes arms for kimura or creates gift wrap opportunity
- Maintain hook or body triangle control throughout all submission attempts to prevent escape
How to Measure Your Progress
Back Take Success Rate: Measures your ability to recognize and capitalize on back exposure opportunities, successfully transitioning to back mount position with seat belt control established Proficiency indicators:
- Beginner: Successfully takes back and establishes seat belt 30-40% of opportunities, often loses position within 10-15 seconds
- Intermediate: Successfully takes back 50-65% of opportunities, maintains seat belt control for 20-30 seconds against resistance
- Advanced: Successfully takes back 70-85% of opportunities, maintains seat belt control indefinitely against most opponents, can establish from multiple entry positions
- Expert: Successfully takes back 85%+ of opportunities including against highly defensive opponents, immediately establishes deep seat belt, rarely loses back position once achieved
Control Progression Speed: Evaluates how quickly and efficiently you advance through control hierarchy from basic seat belt to gift wrap to straight jacket configuration Proficiency indicators:
- Beginner: Struggles to advance beyond basic seat belt, gift wrap attempts usually fail, requires 60+ seconds to attempt control advancement
- Intermediate: Can establish gift wrap against moderate resistance within 30-45 seconds, occasionally achieves straight jacket against less skilled opponents
- Advanced: Consistently establishes gift wrap within 15-30 seconds, achieves straight jacket against most opponents within 45-60 seconds of initial back take
- Expert: Rapidly progresses through control levels (gift wrap within 10 seconds, straight jacket within 30 seconds), can maintain or advance control against opponent escape attempts
Submission Finish Rate from System: Tracks your success rate in converting system control positions into submission finishes, including rear naked choke and alternative submissions Proficiency indicators:
- Beginner: Finish rate 10-25% from back control, often loses position during submission attempts, limited to basic RNC attempts
- Intermediate: Finish rate 35-50% from gift wrap or better, maintains control during failed attempts, can execute RNC and basic arm attacks
- Advanced: Finish rate 60-75% from straight jacket position, seamlessly transitions between submission options based on defense, rarely loses control during attempts
- Expert: Finish rate 80%+ from straight jacket, finishes 50%+ even from basic seat belt, creates submission dilemmas where every defense opens alternative finish
Control Retention Against Escape Attempts: Measures your ability to maintain back control and system positions against sophisticated escape attempts including forward rolls, hip escapes, and grip breaks Proficiency indicators:
- Beginner: Loses back position to 60-70% of determined escape attempts, struggles to recover once opponent creates separation
- Intermediate: Maintains position against 50-60% of escape attempts, can recover seat belt after momentary grip loss, adapts to basic escape patterns
- Advanced: Maintains position against 70-85% of escape attempts, converts escape attempts into control advancement opportunities, adapts to sophisticated escape sequences
- Expert: Maintains position against 90%+ of escape attempts, uses opponent’s escape energy to advance control or create submissions, rarely gives up back position once established
Expert Insights
- John Danaher: The straight jacket system represents the logical evolution of back control methodology from opportunistic submission hunting to systematic position domination. Most practitioners make the critical error of viewing back control as merely a submission position rather than understanding it as a complex hierarchy of control levels, each offering distinct advantages and progression pathways. The system’s power lies in its emphasis on upper body immobilization as the primary control mechanism - once you understand that an opponent with free hands can defend indefinitely, while an opponent with controlled hands becomes helpless, the entire strategic framework becomes clear. The progression from seat belt to gift wrap to straight jacket is not arbitrary; each level represents a quantum leap in control quality, with each advancement removing specific defensive capabilities from your opponent’s arsenal. The gift wrap removes one arm from the defensive equation, the straight jacket removes both. This is not merely about making submissions easier - it’s about creating a positional context where the opponent has no viable defensive options, only choices between different forms of defeat. Train this system with the understanding that every grip placement, every body angle adjustment, and every timing decision either advances you toward this inevitable conclusion or allows opponent escape opportunities to persist.
- Gordon Ryan: In competition, the straight jacket system gives you something most back attack methods don’t - time. When you’re working against the clock and your opponent knows they just need to survive, traditional back attacks become a race where defensive athletes can often stall their way to safety. The straight jacket flips this equation completely. Once I have someone in gift wrap or full straight jacket, I’m not in a hurry anymore. They’re the ones with the problem. They’re the ones burning energy trying to create space, defend their neck, and prevent their arms from being further compromised. I’m just maintaining position and waiting for them to make the inevitable mistake. This is the competition reality that Danaher built this system around - it’s not about flashy techniques or spectacular finishes, it’s about creating a position so dominant that your opponent’s defeat becomes a mathematical certainty, just a question of when, not if. The key competition application is understanding that achieving straight jacket against a high-level opponent might take the full length of your control - you might not get it in fifteen seconds like you do in training. But if you’re patient, maintain your pressure, and advance your control systematically rather than rushing, you’ll get there. And once you’re there, the finish is almost guaranteed. I’ve finished world champions from this position because once your arms are controlled in that crossed configuration, there’s simply no effective defense to the rear naked choke. Learn to be comfortable in the progression, don’t rush, and this system will win you matches at every level.
- Eddie Bravo: What I love about the straight jacket approach is that it takes the traditional gi-based back control methodology and proves it works just as well, maybe better, in no-gi contexts where a lot of people think back control is harder to maintain. In 10th Planet, we’ve integrated straight jacket principles with our lockdown and truck systems, creating entry pathways that Danaher’s traditional approaches might not emphasize as heavily. The beautiful thing is that the core principles - upper body immobilization, progressive control advancement, creating submission dilemmas - these translate perfectly across different stylistic contexts. Where we diverge a bit is in the acceptance of unorthodox entry positions. Danaher’s system is very clean, very classical in its entries from turtle and traditional back takes. We’ll hit straight jacket control from rubber guard transitions, from twister side control, from lockdown sweeps that dump us into back control - basically, we view any back exposure as a potential straight jacket opportunity, not just the textbook situations. The other adaptation we’ve made is integrating the twister submission into the system. When you have someone in gift wrap or straight jacket and they’re defending their neck really well, the twister becomes available because their spine is already compromised by your control structure. This isn’t something you’ll see in Danaher’s original framework, but it’s a perfect example of how solid systematic principles can be adapted and expanded. The straight jacket gave us a language and framework for back control that we could then mutate and evolve within our own system’s DNA.