Back Step

The Back Step is a fundamental leg entanglement escape and guard pass that creates immediate pressure passing opportunities when an opponent attempts to enter outside ashi-garami or other leg entanglement positions. By stepping the trapped leg backward over the opponent’s body while maintaining heavy chest pressure, you simultaneously break their leg entanglement structure and establish dominant top position. This technique is essential in modern BJJ, particularly in no-gi competition where leg locks are prevalent. The back step exemplifies the principle of using aggressive forward movement to counter defensive guard retention, turning a potentially dangerous leg entanglement situation into a dominant passing position. When executed properly, the back step not only neutralizes the leg attack but also creates a direct path to side control or knee on belly, often catching opponents off-guard as they transition from offensive to defensive positioning.

Starting Position: Outside Ashi-Garami Ending Position: Side Control Success Rates: Beginner 35%, Intermediate 50%, Advanced 65%

Key Principles

• Maintain constant forward chest pressure throughout the pass
• Step the trapped leg backward and over opponent’s body in one motion
• Keep hips low and weight distributed to prevent opponent re-guarding
• Control opponent’s near arm to prevent frames and defensive recovery
• Drive shoulder pressure into opponent’s sternum while passing
• Anticipate opponent’s leg recovery attempts and block with knee positioning
• Finish in consolidated side control with crossface control

Prerequisites

• Opponent has initiated or established outside ashi-garami position
• Your trapped leg is controlled between opponent’s legs
• You have established grips on opponent’s gi or body (no-gi)
• Your chest is driving forward with pressure toward opponent’s upper body
• Opponent’s legs are not locked in tight heel hook configuration
• You have cleared opponent’s top leg off your hip or are prepared to do so

Execution Steps

1. Establish forward pressure: Drive your chest forward and downward toward the opponent’s upper body, creating heavy pressure that forces their shoulders toward the mat. This pressure is critical as it prevents them from sitting up and maintaining strong leg entanglement structure. Keep your weight distributed over your hands and chest, not sitting back on your hips. (Timing: Immediate upon recognizing leg entanglement entry)
2. Control near arm: Secure a grip on the opponent’s near side arm (the arm closest to your trapped leg) by grabbing the wrist or tricep. In gi, you can use sleeve grips. This arm control prevents them from posting and creating frames that would allow them to maintain distance and complete their leg entanglement or sit up for better attacking position. (Timing: Before initiating the back step movement)
3. Clear top leg: Use your free hand to push or swim underneath the opponent’s top leg that is crossing over your hip or thigh. Create enough space to allow your trapped leg to move freely. In some cases, you may need to use your hip movement to create this space rather than purely hand fighting. The goal is to reduce the opponent’s control points from two legs to one. (Timing: As you prepare to extract trapped leg)
4. Execute back step: Step your trapped leg backward in a large circular motion, bringing your knee and foot over the opponent’s entire body toward their far side. This is not a small adjustment but a deliberate, committed step that completely changes your body position. Your stepping leg should end up on the far side of their body with your knee near their far shoulder or ribs. Maintain chest pressure throughout this movement. (Timing: Explosive and committed once leg is cleared)
5. Drive shoulder pressure: As your leg clears over their body, simultaneously drive your shoulder (on the side of the back-stepping leg) into the opponent’s chest or sternum. This shoulder pressure combined with your hip and chest weight creates a crushing force that flattens them to the mat and makes it extremely difficult for them to recover guard or re-establish leg entanglement control. (Timing: Simultaneous with back step completion)
6. Establish crossface control: Immediately secure a crossface position by driving your forearm or bicep across the opponent’s face and neck, with your head positioned on the far side of their head. This control prevents them from turning into you and beginning guard recovery. In gi, you can grab their far lapel or collar. In no-gi, focus on controlling their head and far shoulder with underhook or overhook grips. (Timing: As you land in side control position)
7. Consolidate side control: Settle your weight into side control position with your chest across the opponent’s chest, hips low and heavy on the mat, and your legs positioned to prevent guard recovery. Check that their near arm is controlled (underhook or pin), establish a strong crossface, and distribute your weight to make it difficult for them to breathe or create space. Anticipate and block any hip escape or elbow escape attempts. (Timing: Final position establishment)

Opponent Counters

• Opponent locks tight heel hook configuration before back step (Effectiveness: High) - Your Response: Abandon back step attempt and focus on immediate heel hook defense by hiding your heel, turning your knee inward, and hand fighting to strip their grips before attempting any passing movements
• Opponent sits up and maintains upper body posture during entry (Effectiveness: High) - Your Response: Increase chest pressure by lowering your level and driving forward harder. Consider alternative passes like knee slice or leg weave if they successfully maintain upright posture and strong leg control
• Opponent transitions to inside ashi or 50-50 as you clear their top leg (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Recognize the position change immediately and adjust your passing strategy. In inside ashi, the back step is still viable but requires more careful execution. In 50-50, consider alternative escapes and passes specific to that entanglement
• Opponent creates strong far side frame to prevent shoulder pressure (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Swim underneath their framing arm with your own arm, establishing an underhook on their far side before completing the back step. This removes their ability to frame and creates a more secure passing position
• Opponent recovers butterfly or closed guard as you pass (Effectiveness: Low) - Your Response: This indicates insufficient pressure during the pass. Restart with more aggressive chest and shoulder pressure, and ensure you’re blocking their hip movement with your own hip and knee positioning as you establish side control

Common Mistakes

• Mistake: Sitting back on hips instead of maintaining forward chest pressure
  • Consequence: Opponent easily sits up and maintains or strengthens their leg entanglement position, potentially transitioning to stronger attacking positions like honey hole or securing heel hook grips
  • Correction: Keep your chest driving forward and down throughout the entire sequence. Think about making your chest heavy on their upper body rather than fighting with your trapped leg. Your weight should be on your hands and chest, not your butt
• Mistake: Taking small, hesitant back step that doesn’t fully clear opponent’s body
  • Consequence: Opponent maintains partial leg control and easily recovers full guard or re-enters leg entanglement. Your leg gets stuck halfway and you end up in a vulnerable transitional position
  • Correction: Commit to a large, deliberate back step that brings your entire leg over their body in one motion. Your knee should end up near their far shoulder area. Think of stepping completely to the other side of their body, not just slightly behind you
• Mistake: Failing to control opponent’s near arm before stepping
  • Consequence: Opponent creates frames with their free arm, pushing your chest away and maintaining distance that allows them to keep strong leg control and prevent your pass
  • Correction: Always secure a grip on their near arm (wrist, sleeve, or tricep) before initiating your back step. This arm control is non-negotiable for successful execution of the technique
• Mistake: Neglecting to clear opponent’s top leg before back stepping
  • Consequence: Your trapped leg gets caught and stuck as you attempt to step over, leaving you in an awkward and vulnerable position where opponent can counter-attack or strengthen their leg entanglement
  • Correction: Take the time to properly clear their top leg with your hand or by creating space with hip movement. Rushing this step compromises the entire technique. A brief moment of proper clearing sets up a much more successful back step
• Mistake: Insufficient shoulder pressure after completing back step
  • Consequence: Opponent creates space, turns into you, and recovers guard position. You end up in a weak side control that they easily escape from using hip escape or elbow escape movements
  • Correction: As your leg clears over their body, immediately drive your shoulder into their chest with significant pressure. Your shoulder and chest should be crushing them flat to the mat as you establish your crossface and settle into consolidated side control

Training Progressions

Phase 1: Fundamental Movement (Week 1-2) - Back step movement pattern without resistance Partner establishes loose outside ashi-garami position. Practice the large circular back step movement over their body, focusing on proper foot placement and maintaining balance. Repeat 10-15 times per side, emphasizing smooth, committed movement. Partner provides no resistance but maintains structure to give you realistic spatial awareness. (Resistance: None)

Phase 2: Pressure and Timing (Week 3-4) - Adding forward pressure and arm control Partner establishes outside ashi with light control. Practice driving chest pressure forward while simultaneously controlling their near arm and executing the back step. Partner maintains their position but doesn’t actively counter. Focus on coordinating pressure, grip control, and stepping movement into one smooth sequence. 8-10 repetitions per side. (Resistance: Light)

Phase 3: Countering Recovery Attempts (Week 5-8) - Dealing with opponent guard recovery Partner establishes outside ashi and is allowed to attempt to sit up, maintain leg control, and prevent the pass using frames and hip movement. You practice recognizing and countering these defensive responses while executing your back step. Focus on pressure adjustment, grip fighting, and position consolidation. Begin incorporating this into positional sparring rounds starting from leg entanglement positions. 6-8 repetitions per side. (Resistance: Medium)

Phase 4: Live Integration (Week 9-12) - Full resistance and competition timing Practice back step during regular sparring sessions, specifically looking for opportunities when opponents attempt leg entanglements. Partner actively tries to complete their leg attacks and prevent your pass using all available techniques. Focus on recognizing the exact timing window for the back step and executing decisively under pressure. Include scramble situations where positions are dynamic and transitional. (Resistance: Full)

Phase 5: Advanced Variations (Week 13+) - Combining back step with other passing sequences Develop your passing system by chaining the back step with knee slice, leg drag, and other pressure passes. Practice recognizing when the back step is optimal versus when alternative passes are better choices. Work on using the threat of the back step to set up other techniques, creating passing dilemmas for your opponent. (Resistance: Full)

Variations

Back Step to Knee on Belly: Instead of settling in side control, continue your forward momentum by bringing your back-stepping leg’s knee directly onto the opponent’s belly or solar plexus as you pass. This creates additional pressure and control while establishing a dominant point-scoring position. (When to use: When opponent has strong side control escape skills but weaker knee on belly defense. Also effective when you want to maintain more mobility and transition to mount or other positions rather than staying in side control.)

Back Step with Far Underhook: As you execute the back step, immediately establish a deep underhook on the opponent’s far side arm instead of relying primarily on crossface control. This underhook provides excellent control and sets up immediate submission opportunities like kimura or americana. (When to use: Against opponents who are skilled at using near arm frames to create space and escape side control. The underhook provides more secure control and limits their defensive options while opening offensive submission paths.)

Back Step from Inside Ashi: Modified version of the back step that works from inside ashi-garami position. The mechanics are similar but require more careful attention to leg extraction since your heel is closer to their body and potentially more vulnerable to attack. Focus heavily on hiding your heel position as you initiate the step. (When to use: When opponent transitions from outside to inside ashi-garami, or when they enter inside ashi directly. The same passing principles apply but with heightened attention to heel hook defense during the transition.)

Test Your Knowledge

Q1: What is the most critical element of pressure to establish before attempting the back step? A: Forward chest pressure driving down toward the opponent’s upper body is the most critical element. This pressure prevents them from sitting up and maintaining strong leg entanglement structure, and it creates the conditions necessary for successfully clearing your trapped leg and passing to side control. Without sufficient chest pressure, opponents can easily sit up, strengthen their leg control, and prevent the pass entirely.

Q2: Why is controlling the opponent’s near arm essential before executing the back step? A: Controlling the near arm prevents the opponent from creating frames that push your chest away and maintain distance. Frames allow them to keep strong leg control and better attacking positions. By securing their near arm (wrist, sleeve, or tricep grip), you remove their ability to post and create space, making your forward pressure and back step movement much more effective and difficult to counter.

Q3: How does the size and commitment of your back step movement affect the success of the pass? A: A large, committed back step that brings your entire leg over the opponent’s body in one motion is essential for success. Small, hesitant steps leave your leg trapped halfway and allow the opponent to maintain partial control or recover full guard. The back step should be deliberate and explosive, with your knee ending near their far shoulder area, completely clearing their body and changing your angle of attack. Half-committed steps are one of the most common reasons for technical failure.

Q4: What is the relationship between the back step timing and the opponent’s leg entanglement progression, and when should you abort the technique? A: The back step is most effective when initiated early in the leg entanglement sequence, particularly when the opponent is entering or establishing outside ashi-garami but has not yet locked in tight heel hook controls. If the opponent successfully locks in a tight heel hook configuration with both legs locked and good grip position on your heel, you should abandon the back step attempt entirely and focus on immediate heel hook defense (hiding heel, turning knee inward, stripping grips). Attempting to back step from a locked heel hook position puts your knee and ankle at severe injury risk.

Q5: How should you adjust your back step execution when the opponent transitions from outside ashi to inside ashi during your passing attempt? A: When the opponent transitions to inside ashi during your pass attempt, you must adjust by placing extra emphasis on heel protection as you execute the back step. Your heel is now closer to their body and more vulnerable to heel hook attacks. Focus on hiding your heel by keeping your knee turned inward, and consider using your free hand to strip any grips they establish on your heel before completing the step. The basic mechanics remain the same, but your defensive awareness must increase. If they achieve strong inside ashi controls with good heel exposure, consider alternative escapes rather than forcing the back step.

Q6: What are the key differences in execution between gi and no-gi back step passing? A: In gi back step passing, you have more grip options for controlling the near arm (sleeve grips, belt grips) and establishing your crossface (collar and lapel grips). These grips provide more secure control but can slow down your movement. In no-gi, you rely more on direct body contact, underhooks, overhooks, and wrist control. The no-gi version requires more explosive movement and tighter pressure since grips are less secure. No-gi also sees faster transitions and counters, so your back step commitment must be even more decisive. The fundamental mechanics remain identical, but grip strategies and pressure maintenance differ significantly.

Safety Considerations

The back step is generally a safe technique when executed with proper control and awareness. However, practitioners must be extremely cautious about heel hook danger when working from leg entanglement positions. Never force a back step if the opponent has secured a tight heel hook configuration, as this can result in serious knee or ankle injuries. Always prioritize defending the submission before attempting any passing movements. When drilling, communicate clearly with your partner about resistance levels and stop immediately if either person feels vulnerable positioning. Start with slow, controlled repetitions and gradually increase speed and resistance as both partners become comfortable with the movements and safety protocols.

Position Integration

The back step is an essential component of modern guard passing systems, particularly in no-gi and submission grappling contexts where leg entanglements are common. It fits into the larger framework of pressure passing by using aggressive forward movement to neutralize defensive positions. The back step connects directly to fundamental side control consolidation techniques and can be chained with knee slice passes, leg drags, and other pressure-based approaches. Understanding the back step is crucial for any practitioner who faces leg entanglement attacks, as it provides a reliable escape route that simultaneously neutralizes the attack and establishes dominant position. This technique exemplifies the principle that the best defense against leg attacks is often aggressive forward movement and pressure rather than passive defensive positioning.

Related Techniques

• Outside Ashi-Garami - Primary starting position
• Side Control - Primary ending position
• Inside Ashi-Garami - Alternative starting position variant
• Knee Slice Pass - Complementary passing technique
• Leg Weave Pass - Alternative leg entanglement counter
• Pressure Passing - Core principle framework
• Heel Hook - Primary threat requiring defense awareness
• Knee on Belly - Alternative ending position
• Lachlan Giles Leg Lock Defense Framework - Systematic defensive context
• 50-50 Guard - Related leg entanglement position
• Saddle - Advanced leg entanglement counter context
• Headquarters Position - Alternative passing position entry

Expert Insights

• Danaher System: The back step represents a fundamental principle in guard passing that is often misunderstood: aggressive forward movement defeats defensive retention. When an opponent enters leg entanglement positions, the natural instinct is to pull away and create distance. This is precisely the wrong response. The back step succeeds because it violates the opponent’s expectation by driving forward into pressure rather than retreating. The biomechanics are clear: when you step your trapped leg backward over their body while maintaining chest pressure, you create opposing forces that break their structural control. Their legs want to control your leg moving in one direction, but you’re moving your entire body mass in the opposite direction with your chest. This mismatch in force vectors makes it nearly impossible for them to maintain control. The technique also demonstrates the importance of controlling intermediate positions. The near arm control is not optional; it’s the linchpin that prevents them from creating the frames necessary to maintain distance. Without that arm control, you’re attempting to pass against their full defensive structure. With it, you’ve removed a critical defensive component before your leg is ever in danger. Study the sequence carefully and understand that each step builds on the previous one, creating a systematic dismantling of their defensive structure.
• Gordon Ryan: I use the back step constantly in competition, particularly against leg lock specialists who try to enter outside ashi or other entanglements. The key to making this work at the highest levels is commitment and timing. You cannot be hesitant. The moment you recognize they’re entering leg entanglement position and you decide to back step, you must execute with full commitment and aggression. Half-measures get you stuck in transitional positions where they can counter-attack or strengthen their controls. In my experience, the biggest mistake competitors make is waiting too long to initiate the back step. They allow the opponent to fully establish their leg entanglement position with strong grips and structure before attempting the pass. By that point, the window of opportunity has closed and you’re playing defense against heel hooks rather than passing. The optimal timing is early in their entry sequence, when they’re still establishing their position and their controls are not yet locked in. I also emphasize the importance of the shoulder drive as you complete the step. That crushing shoulder pressure into their chest is what flattens them and prevents any guard recovery. Without it, you end up in a weak side control that they easily escape. Make them carry your full body weight on their chest as you establish your crossface and settle into dominant position. This isn’t a technical position; it’s a crushing, pressure-based position that breaks their will to continue fighting.
• Eddie Bravo: The back step is interesting because it’s one of those techniques that works in both gi and no-gi but has different flavors depending on the context. In 10th Planet system, we encounter leg entanglements constantly, so having a reliable counter like the back step is essential. What I tell my students is to think of the back step not just as an escape but as an offensive passing opportunity. You’re not running away from the leg attack; you’re turning it into your chance to pass and establish dominant position. The psychology of that mindset shift is huge. When you approach it as an offensive technique rather than a defensive escape, your whole energy and commitment level changes. One variation we work a lot is combining the back step with immediate submission attempts from side control. As you settle into position after the back step, you’re already thinking about the far arm for kimura, the near arm for americana, or setting up chokes. The opponent is usually mentally recovering from having their guard passing attempt shut down, so there’s a brief window where they’re reactive rather than proactive. That’s when you can catch them with submissions. We also practice the back step from inside ashi and other variations because in no-gi, positions flow and transition rapidly. You need to be able to recognize the back step opportunity from multiple leg entanglement contexts, not just the textbook outside ashi position. Train it live, train it under fatigue, and train it against people who are actively trying to heel hook you. That’s when you’ll really develop the timing and confidence to use it in competition.