The Back Take from 50-50 represents one of the most technically sophisticated transitions in modern leg lock systems, converting a neutral leg entanglement into the highest-scoring and most dominant control position in BJJ. This technique capitalizes on a fundamental principle: when direct leg attacks are well-defended, transitioning to back control offers an alternative path to victory that bypasses the opponent’s leg lock defense entirely.
From the 50-50 position, the back take becomes available when your opponent successfully hides their heel or when you recognize that continuing to chase leg attacks will result in a stalemate. The transition requires precise timing and understanding of weight distribution - you must release your leg entanglement control at the exact moment when you can secure upper body control, creating a brief window where your opponent cannot re-establish the 50-50 or counter-attack your legs.
This technique has become increasingly important in high-level competition as leg lock defense has improved. Rather than engaging in prolonged heel hook battles, skilled practitioners use the back take threat to create a dilemma: defend your heel aggressively and expose your back, or maintain back defense and risk the leg attack. This strategic layer makes the back take from 50-50 essential knowledge for anyone serious about leg lock systems.
From Position: 50-50 Guard (Top) Success Rate: 58%
Possible Outcomes
| Result | Position | Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Success | Back Control | 65% |
| Failure | 50-50 Guard | 25% |
| Counter | 50-50 Guard | 10% |
Attacker vs Defender
| Attacker | Defender | |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Execute technique | Prevent or counter |
| Key Principles | Release leg entanglement control only when upper body connec… | Maintain at least one arm free for framing against upper bod… |
| Options | 6 execution steps | 4 defensive options |
Playing as Attacker
Key Principles
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Release leg entanglement control only when upper body connection is secured to prevent opponent from escaping to neutral
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Use opponent’s defensive reactions to leg attacks as the trigger for back take initiation
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Maintain constant forward pressure through the transition to prevent opponent from sitting up or turning to face you
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Secure harness grip before fully committing to releasing leg control to ensure positional advancement
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Drive your chest into opponent’s back during the transition phase to establish the dominant angle immediately
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Control opponent’s hip closest to you to prevent them from turning into guard during the transition window
Execution Steps
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Secure upper body connection: While maintaining 50-50 position, reach your near-side arm over opponent’s shoulder blade and begin …
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Control near-side hip: Use your far-side hand to control opponent’s near-side hip, gripping their belt, pants, or hip bone …
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Release leg entanglement: Extract your legs from the 50-50 configuration by straightening and pulling them free while maintain…
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Circle to back angle: Immediately after leg extraction, use your hip control to rotate around opponent’s body toward their…
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Insert first hook: As you achieve chest-to-back connection, insert your inside hook by threading your foot between oppo…
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Complete back control: Finish the harness grip by connecting your hands in seatbelt configuration while inserting your seco…
Common Mistakes
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Releasing leg control before securing any upper body connection
- Consequence: Opponent escapes to neutral position or immediately re-attacks your legs without any controlling mechanism
- Correction: Always establish harness grip or at minimum a strong collar tie before extracting legs from the entanglement
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Attempting back take when still engaged in active heel hook battle
- Consequence: Creates opening for opponent to finish heel hook as you release defensive posture, resulting in submission loss
- Correction: Only transition to back take when opponent has successfully defended heel exposure and you recognize continued leg attacks are unlikely to succeed
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Moving too slowly during the transition phase between leg release and back control
- Consequence: Opponent has time to react, turn to face you, or establish defensive frames that prevent back control completion
- Correction: Execute the transition as one fluid motion with no pauses; drill until leg extraction to hook insertion is automatic and rapid
Playing as Defender
Key Principles
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Maintain at least one arm free for framing against upper body approaches while defending your heel with the other hand and your knee rotation
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Turn your hips toward your opponent immediately when you detect the shift from leg attack to back take intent to prevent them from circling behind you
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Keep your elbows tight to your torso to deny the harness grip entry points under your armpits and over your shoulders
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Use your legs to re-engage the 50-50 entanglement if opponent begins extracting their legs, pulling them back into the leg lock exchange
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Frame on opponent’s near-side shoulder or bicep to create distance and prevent chest-to-back connection during the transition window
Recognition Cues
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Opponent’s near-side arm reaches over your shoulder blade or begins threading under your far armpit instead of controlling your foot or ankle
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Opponent stops actively attacking your heel and shifts their weight forward toward your upper body while loosening their leg triangle configuration
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You feel opponent’s hip control hand grip your near-side hip, belt, or waistband while their leg entanglement pressure decreases
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Opponent begins straightening their legs to extract from the 50-50 configuration rather than maintaining the entanglement tension
Defensive Options
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Turn hips toward opponent and frame on their shoulder to prevent chest-to-back connection while re-engaging legs into 50-50 - When: As soon as you detect opponent reaching for upper body control or loosening leg entanglement tension
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Counter-attack opponent’s exposed legs with heel hook or ankle lock as they begin extracting from the entanglement - When: When opponent commits to extracting their legs and you can feel their leg control loosening while their attention shifts to upper body
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Sit up explosively using far-side posting hand while stripping opponent’s hip control grip with your near-side hand - When: During the brief transition window after opponent releases leg entanglement but before they complete the circling motion to your back
Position Integration
The Back Take from 50-50 represents a critical junction point in the modern leg lock system, bridging the leg entanglement game with traditional upper body dominant positions. From 50-50 Guard top, practitioners face a decision tree: continue pursuing leg attacks (heel hook, kneebar, ankle lock) or transition to positional control when leg attacks are being successfully defended. The back take serves as the primary positional escape route from 50-50 stalemates, converting a potentially scoreless leg battle into a 4-point scoring position with high-percentage submission opportunities. This technique connects the leg lock system to the back attack system, making it essential for practitioners who want to maintain offensive pressure regardless of opponent’s defensive strategy. Common follow-ups from the back control achieved include rear naked choke, armbar from back, bow and arrow choke, and crucifix transitions.