Back Step Pass Attacker

The Back Step Pass is a critical guard passing technique used to escape leg entanglement danger when facing inverted guards like Grasshopper Guard. Unlike forward-pressure passes that feed into the bottom player’s sweeping and leg attack mechanics, the back step uses retrograde movement to extract your leg from entanglement while simultaneously creating a passing angle toward side control.

This technique operates on a fundamental principle: when your leg becomes endangered by hooks, threads, or rotational attacks, stepping backward removes the lever the opponent needs to complete their technique. The back step is not merely a defensive retreat—it’s a positional repositioning that converts defensive necessity into passing opportunity. As your stepping leg clears the entanglement zone, your weight shifts forward over the opponent’s torso, flattening their inverted posture and establishing the perpendicular alignment characteristic of side control.

The back step is particularly valuable against modern leg lock systems where practitioners use inversions to access heel hooks and kneebars. Against a skilled grasshopper guard player, the window for executing this pass is narrow—you must recognize the entanglement attempt early and initiate the back step before they can fully establish control. Timing the back step to coincide with their inversion transition maximizes success probability, as their legs are temporarily in flux between configurations.

From Position: Grasshopper Guard (Top)

Key Attacking Principles

What are the key principles for executing Back Step Pass?

• Initiate the back step before the opponent fully establishes leg control, not after
• Step backward and away from the entanglement direction rather than pulling straight back
• Maintain low hip position throughout the movement to avoid being elevated
• Use the clearing motion to immediately transition weight forward over opponent’s torso
• Keep the non-stepping leg as a base point while the endangered leg extracts
• Drive crossface pressure as you complete the pass to flatten opponent’s inversion
• Time the back step to opponent’s leg reconfiguration moments for highest success

Prerequisites

What do you need before attempting Back Step Pass?

• Standing or low combat base position facing opponent’s grasshopper guard
• Recognition that one leg is becoming endangered by hook or threading attempt
• Sufficient space behind the endangered leg to step backward without obstruction
• Weight distributed to allow quick transfer between legs during movement
• Upper body posture maintained to prevent being pulled forward into entanglement

Execution Steps

How do you execute Back Step Pass step by step?

1. Recognize entanglement: Identify that opponent’s legs are threatening to establish hooks behind your knee, thread between your legs, or initiate a rotational attack on your lower limb. This recognition must occur before full control is established.
2. Shift weight to base leg: Transfer your weight to the non-endangered leg, creating a stable base point from which to extract the threatened leg. Lower your hips slightly to increase stability and prevent being swept during the transition.
3. Execute back step: Step the endangered leg backward and away from the opponent’s body in an arc motion, clearing their hooks and threading attempts. The step should move at a 45-degree angle behind you rather than straight back to maximize clearance distance.
4. Clear opponent’s legs: As your leg extracts, use your hands to strip, redirect, or pin any remaining leg contact. Push their legs toward the mat or across their own body to prevent them from following your movement and reestablishing guard.
5. Drive forward: Immediately convert the backward momentum into forward pressure, driving your chest and shoulder toward the opponent’s upper body. This collapses their inverted posture and prevents guard recovery attempts.
6. Establish crossface: As you drive forward, establish crossface control with your forearm or bicep pressure across their neck and face. This prevents them from turning into you and cements the passing position as you settle into side control.
7. Consolidate side control: Complete the pass by establishing perpendicular chest-to-chest positioning with your hips low against their hips. Block their far hip with your near hand to prevent knee insertion and guard recovery.

Possible Outcomes

Result	Position	Probability
Success	Side Control	65%
Failure	Grasshopper Guard	25%
Counter	Ashi Garami	10%

Opponent Counters

How might your opponent counter Back Step Pass?

• Following with inversion - opponent rolls and reinverts to chase your retreating leg (Effectiveness: High) - Your Response: Accelerate your forward drive as they begin rolling, using their momentum to flatten them. Establish crossface before they can complete the reinversion. → Leads to Grasshopper Guard
• Shooting legs through - opponent threads their legs underneath as you back step (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Pin their legs to the mat with your hands as you extract, preventing them from following. Sprawl your hips if they manage to get underneath. → Leads to Ashi Garami
• Technical standup - opponent abandons guard and comes up to standing as you disengage (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Recognize their standup attempt early and either complete the pass before they can rise or reset to wrestling engagement at standing. → Leads to Grasshopper Guard
• Reverse De La Riva recovery - opponent switches to RDLR hook as you circle (Effectiveness: Low) - Your Response: Continue circling in the same direction and use knee slice mechanics to cut through the RDLR hook before it’s fully established. → Leads to Grasshopper Guard

Common Attacking Mistakes

What mistakes should you avoid when executing Back Step Pass?

1. Pulling leg straight backward instead of stepping at an angle

• Consequence: Opponent’s entanglement follows your movement and may actually tighten, completing the leg attack or sweep you were trying to avoid
• Correction: Step at a 45-degree angle backward and away from opponent, creating lateral distance that prevents their legs from tracking your movement

2. Initiating back step too late after opponent has full leg control

• Consequence: The pass becomes a desperate escape rather than a passing technique, and opponent can complete their attack during your retreat
• Correction: Recognize leg entanglement attempts early and initiate back step during their entry phase, not after they’ve established deep control

3. Standing up tall during the back step motion

• Consequence: Creates opportunity for opponent to elevate your hips and complete sweeping techniques as you become top-heavy and unstable
• Correction: Keep hips low throughout the back step, almost sprawling as you extract the leg to maintain stable base and prevent elevation

4. Failing to immediately drive forward after clearing the leg

• Consequence: Gives opponent time to recover guard position, reset their inversion, or come up to standing where the pass opportunity is lost
• Correction: Treat the back step and forward drive as one continuous motion with no pause between extraction and pressure application

5. Neglecting crossface establishment during the pass completion

• Consequence: Opponent can turn into you, reguard, or create enough space to reinitiate leg entanglement attempts from bottom position
• Correction: Prioritize crossface pressure as you complete the pass, driving their head away to cement the side control position

6. Releasing hand control of opponent’s legs too early during extraction

• Consequence: Opponent reattaches hooks or threads before you clear the entanglement zone, negating the back step entirely and resetting to the original danger
• Correction: Maintain active hand control on opponent’s legs throughout the entire extraction arc, only releasing once your hips have cleared past their leg range

Training Progressions

How do you train Back Step Pass (Attacker)?

Week 1-2 - Mechanics isolation Practice the back step motion without resistance. Partner holds static grasshopper guard while you drill the stepping pattern, weight transfer, and direction of movement. Focus on building muscle memory for the 45-degree angle extraction.

Week 3-4 - Timing recognition Partner actively attempts leg entanglements at 30-50% speed. Practice recognizing the optimal moment to initiate back step based on their leg positioning and movement patterns. Develop anticipation skills.

Week 5-6 - Counter integration Partner attempts to counter your back step with following inversions, technical standups, and guard recovery. Practice adjusting your timing and forward drive to defeat these counters. Build problem-solving ability.

Week 7-8 - Chain passing Integrate back step with leg drag and knee slice follow-ups. When initial back step clears entanglement but opponent recovers partial guard, flow into secondary passing techniques. Develop a complete passing sequence.

Week 9+ - Live application Incorporate back step into live rolling and specific training. Start from grasshopper guard scenarios and attempt to successfully pass using the back step against fully resisting partners. Refine timing under pressure.

Safety Considerations

What are the safety concerns for Back Step Pass?

The Back Step Pass is generally a low-risk technique when executed with proper timing. The primary safety concern is attempting the back step too late when the opponent has already established deep leg control, as explosive extraction against locked entanglements can strain knee ligaments. If your leg is deeply entangled, prioritize controlled disengagement over forcing the back step. During training, partners should allow the back step to complete rather than cranking on partially cleared leg positions. Communicate immediately if knee discomfort occurs during the extraction phase. The forward drive portion carries minimal injury risk but be mindful of your partner’s neck position when establishing crossface.