Chair Sit to Back

The Chair Sit to Back Take is a fundamental transition from attacking turtle position to establishing dominant back control. This technique exploits the opponent’s defensive turtle posture by controlling their hips and preventing forward movement while systematically climbing onto their back. The chair sit position provides exceptional control by using your leg as a barrier, preventing the opponent from turning into you while you establish the crucial seatbelt grip configuration. The technique represents a high-percentage pathway to back control because it neutralizes the opponent’s ability to counter-rotate or escape forward, creating a controlled environment for methodical position advancement. Success requires precise hip positioning, weight distribution, and grip sequencing to prevent common defensive reactions such as rolling or sitting through. The chair sit acts as a transitional control position that bridges the gap between attacking turtle and securing full back mount with hooks established.

Starting Position: Turtle Ending Position: Back Control Success Rates: Beginner 45%, Intermediate 60%, Advanced 75%

Key Principles

• Control opponent’s near hip to prevent forward escape
• Use your leg as a barrier across opponent’s thigh
• Establish seatbelt grip before attempting to climb
• Keep your weight distributed to prevent opponent rolling
• Maintain chest-to-back connection throughout transition
• Use progressive hook insertion rather than forcing both hooks simultaneously
• Control opponent’s posture by breaking them down onto their side

Prerequisites

• Opponent in defensive turtle position with weight on hands and knees
• You have control of opponent’s near side hip or belt
• Space created to insert your leg across opponent’s near thigh
• Opponent’s far arm isolated or controlled to prevent posting
• Your chest maintaining pressure on opponent’s back
• Balance established to prevent opponent’s sudden direction changes

Execution Steps

1. Establish hip control: From attacking turtle position, secure a firm grip on opponent’s near hip using your near hand, controlling their ability to move forward or turn into you. Your other hand should control their far shoulder or collar to prevent posting.
2. Insert blocking leg: Thread your near leg across opponent’s near thigh, positioning your shin as a barrier that prevents them from turning into you. Your foot should hook around their far thigh, creating a strong structural frame that controls their hip mobility.
3. Sit to chair position: Lower your hips to the mat while maintaining the leg barrier, sitting perpendicular to your opponent. Your blocking leg should remain rigid across their thigh while your far leg posts out for base, preventing them from rolling you backward.
4. Establish seatbelt grip: Release your hip grip and thread your bottom arm under their near armpit, connecting your hands in a seatbelt configuration with your top arm over their far shoulder. This creates the fundamental back control grip structure before mounting their back.
5. Break opponent down: Use your seatbelt grip to pull the opponent onto their side, breaking their turtle structure. Pull your top arm across their chest while your bottom arm drives their near shoulder forward, forcing them to post with their far arm.
6. Climb to back mount: As opponent collapses to their side, swing your free leg over their hip to establish your first hook. Remove your blocking leg and immediately insert your second hook, securing back control with both hooks in and seatbelt grip maintained.

Opponent Counters

• Opponent sits through to your blocking leg side (Effectiveness: High) - Your Response: Maintain seatbelt grip and follow their rotation, transitioning to truck position or continuing to secure back control from the new angle
• Opponent drives forward explosively (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Use your blocking leg to redirect their momentum while maintaining upper body connection, transition to side back control or gift wrap position
• Opponent rolls over their shoulder backward (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Keep your base leg posted and follow the roll, maintaining seatbelt control to establish back mount as they complete the rotation
• Opponent grabs your blocking leg and attempts leg drag (Effectiveness: Low) - Your Response: Immediately establish seatbelt grip if not already secured, and use upper body control to prevent the leg drag while transitioning to standard back take

Common Mistakes

• Mistake: Attempting to climb onto back before establishing seatbelt grip
  • Consequence: Opponent can easily escape forward or turn into guard position, losing all positional advantage
  • Correction: Always secure seatbelt configuration first, using it as the anchor point for all subsequent movement and position advancement
• Mistake: Placing blocking leg too high on opponent’s body
  • Consequence: Opponent can easily step over the leg or turn into you, defeating the entire blocking mechanism
  • Correction: Keep blocking leg low across opponent’s thigh, with your shin creating a horizontal barrier near their knee line
• Mistake: Sitting with weight distributed backward
  • Consequence: Opponent can roll you over your head or escape the position by driving forward with momentum
  • Correction: Keep your weight forward with chest pressure on opponent’s back, using your far leg as a dynamic base post
• Mistake: Rushing to insert both hooks simultaneously
  • Consequence: Creates space for opponent to escape or turn into you during the transition, losing back control entirely
  • Correction: Insert hooks progressively, securing first hook completely before attempting second, maintaining seatbelt control throughout
• Mistake: Releasing hip control before seatbelt is established
  • Consequence: Opponent immediately escapes forward or rotates away, neutralizing your positional attack
  • Correction: Maintain hip control until your bottom arm is fully threaded under armpit, then smoothly transition grips without creating escape windows
• Mistake: Failing to break opponent’s turtle structure before climbing
  • Consequence: Opponent maintains strong base and can explosively sprawl or turn, preventing back mount establishment
  • Correction: Use seatbelt grip to systematically break opponent onto their side, eliminating their posting ability before attempting to climb

Training Progressions

Phase 1: Static positioning (Week 1-2) - Chair sit mechanics and blocking leg placement Practice establishing chair sit position with partner in static turtle. Focus on correct leg positioning, hip control, and maintaining balance. Partner remains stationary while you drill entry and exit. (Resistance: None)

Phase 2: Grip establishment (Week 3-4) - Seatbelt grip sequencing from chair sit Add seatbelt grip establishment to chair sit position. Partner provides light resistance to grip attempts. Drill smooth transition from hip control to seatbelt configuration without losing position. (Resistance: Light)

Phase 3: Breaking structure (Week 5-6) - Breaking turtle and transitioning to side position Practice using seatbelt grip to break opponent’s turtle structure and pull them to their side. Partner maintains moderate turtle defense. Focus on weight distribution and grip mechanics. (Resistance: Medium)

Phase 4: Complete transition (Week 7-8) - Chair sit to full back mount with hooks Drill entire sequence from establishing chair sit through to securing back control with both hooks. Partner uses moderate resistance and attempts common counters. Emphasize smooth, controlled progression. (Resistance: Medium)

Phase 5: Dynamic application (Week 9-10) - Live training with turtle attacks Apply chair sit to back take during positional sparring from turtle. Partner uses full defensive repertoire. Practice troubleshooting common problems and adapting to opponent reactions. (Resistance: Full)

Phase 6: Integration and chaining (Week 11+) - Combining with other turtle attacks Integrate chair sit with other turtle attack options, creating decision trees based on opponent reactions. Practice flowing between different back take methods depending on defensive responses. (Resistance: Full)

Variations

Far side chair sit: Instead of blocking near leg, circle to opposite side and establish chair sit on far side. Requires different grip sequence but accomplishes same back take objective. (When to use: When opponent is defending near side aggressively or when you have secured far side underhook from turtle)

Crab ride integration: Combine chair sit with crab ride position, using seat on opponent’s thigh to control movement while establishing back control systematically. (When to use: Against opponents who attempt to sit through or turn, using crab ride as intermediate control position)

Truck transition: If opponent sits through your blocking leg, maintain grips and transition directly to truck position instead of forcing back mount. (When to use: When opponent successfully sits through but you maintain upper body control, creating twister system opportunities)

Test Your Knowledge

Q1: Why must you establish the seatbelt grip before attempting to climb onto the opponent’s back? A: The seatbelt grip provides the structural control necessary to prevent opponent escape during the transition to back mount. Without this grip, the opponent can simply drive forward or turn into you as you attempt to climb, completely neutralizing the position. The seatbelt acts as your anchor point, allowing you to break their structure and control their movement while inserting hooks. Attempting to climb first creates unnecessary space and escape opportunities.

Q2: What is the primary function of the blocking leg in chair sit position? A: The blocking leg serves as a mechanical barrier that prevents the opponent from turning into you or escaping toward your near side. By positioning your shin across their thigh, you create a structural frame that controls their hip mobility and limits their defensive options to either sitting through (which leads to truck) or attempting forward movement (which you can control with your grips). This barrier is what makes chair sit a dominant control position rather than just a temporary transition.

Q3: How should you respond if the opponent successfully sits through to your blocking leg side? A: Maintain your seatbelt grip and follow their rotation rather than fighting it. As they sit through, you transition to truck position, which offers its own submission and control opportunities including the twister. The key is not releasing your upper body connection during their movement. This exemplifies the principle of using opponent’s defensive reactions to flow into alternative attacks rather than forcing a single pathway.

Q4: Why is it critical to break the opponent’s turtle structure before attempting to insert your first hook? A: A strong turtle structure gives the opponent the base and posting ability needed to explosively escape or counter your back take attempt. By breaking them onto their side first using your seatbelt grip, you eliminate their ability to generate power from their base and create the angular positioning necessary for hook insertion. Attempting to insert hooks while they maintain strong turtle structure typically results in them sprawling their hips away or turning into you, defeating the back take entirely.

Q5: What weight distribution should you maintain in chair sit position and why? A: Keep your weight forward with chest pressure on the opponent’s back while using your far leg as a dynamic base post. Weight too far back allows the opponent to roll you over backward or simply drive forward explosively. Forward weight distribution maintains downward pressure that prevents their escape attempts while keeping you balanced and mobile enough to follow their movements. Your posted far leg acts as a stabilizer that prevents backward rolls while allowing you to adjust position as needed.

Q6: What is the correct sequence for transitioning from hip control to seatbelt grip in chair sit? A: Maintain hip control with your near hand while establishing your blocking leg position first. Once your leg barrier is secure, release the hip grip and immediately thread your bottom arm under their near armpit while your top hand controls their far shoulder or collar. Connect your hands in seatbelt configuration before attempting any climbing movement. This sequence ensures you never lose control during the grip transition, preventing the opponent from exploiting the brief moment of grip change to escape.

Safety Considerations

Chair sit to back take is generally a low-risk technique when practiced correctly, but practitioners should be aware of potential knee stress on the blocking leg. Avoid forcing your blocking leg position if the opponent is much larger or driving significant pressure into your shin, as this can cause knee ligament strain. When your training partner is transitioning to your back from chair sit, avoid explosive rolling movements backward, as this can injure their posted leg. During drilling, communicate clearly if hip or shoulder pressure becomes uncomfortable during the structure-breaking phase. For practitioners with previous knee injuries, consider using alternative back take methods that don’t require the shin-across-thigh blocking position. Always tap early if caught in any submission during failed back take attempts.

Position Integration

The chair sit to back take represents a critical component of the turtle attack system, bridging the gap between opponent’s defensive turtle position and your dominant back control. This technique integrates seamlessly with other turtle attacks, creating a decision tree where you can flow between different options based on opponent reactions. If they defend the chair sit by sitting through, you transition to truck position and the twister system. If they attempt to drive forward, you can transition to front headlock or maintain connection for alternative back takes. The position also connects to the broader back attack system, as securing back control via chair sit leads directly into the full arsenal of back attacks including rear naked choke, bow and arrow variations, and armbar from back options. Understanding chair sit mechanics improves your overall positional awareness from turtle, teaching important concepts about hip control, blocking mechanisms, and systematic position advancement that apply throughout your ground game.

Related Techniques

• Turtle - Starting position - opponent defensive posture
• Back Control - Ending position - dominant control achieved
• Seat Belt Control Back - Key grip configuration for back control
• Crab Ride - Alternative turtle control position
• Truck - Alternate destination if opponent sits through
• Turtle to Back Take - Parent category of back take transitions
• Gift Wrap - Alternative arm control from turtle attack
• Harness - Upper body control system for back attacks
• Rear Naked Choke - Primary submission from established back control
• Bow and Arrow Choke - Alternative choke finish from back control
• Armbar from Back - Submission option from back mount position
• Twister - Submission available from truck position

Expert Insights

• Danaher System: The chair sit to back take exemplifies systematic positional advancement through strategic blocking and grip sequencing. The mechanical advantage created by your blocking leg establishes a barrier that reduces the opponent’s defensive options from three dimensions to essentially one dimension of movement, creating a controllable problem rather than a chaotic scramble. The critical insight is understanding that the chair sit is not merely a transitional position but a legitimate control position in its own right, one that allows you to methodically establish your grips and break the opponent’s structure before advancing. The seatbelt grip must be viewed as your primary weapon in this sequence, the fundamental structure around which all movement occurs. Notice how the technique creates a hierarchy of control: first the blocking leg limits hip mobility, then the seatbelt grip controls the upper body, and finally the structure break eliminates base, each step reducing the opponent’s defensive capacity until back mount becomes inevitable. This exemplifies the principle of systematic position before submission, where each intermediate position serves a specific control function in the broader tactical sequence.
• Gordon Ryan: In competition, the chair sit to back take is one of the highest percentage transitions from turtle because it gives you complete control over the pace and prevents the explosive scrambles that can lead to referee standup or position loss. What makes this so effective at the highest levels is that once you establish the blocking leg, your opponent’s only real options are to sit through into truck or accept the back take, both of which are winning positions for you. I’ve hit this against world-class opponents because the position itself creates the control, not your strength or athleticism. The key competitive detail most people miss is maintaining constant chest pressure throughout the entire transition, never giving your opponent a moment where they can create separation or generate explosive movement. When drilling this for competition, focus especially on the grip fight to establish seatbelt, as this is where high-level opponents will defend most aggressively. Once you have seatbelt locked from chair sit against elite competition, the back take success rate approaches ninety percent because they simply cannot escape without giving you an alternative dominant position. This should be a staple technique in your turtle attack system because it works against opponents of any size or strength level.
• Eddie Bravo: The beauty of chair sit to back take is how it sets up the entire twister system if your opponent tries to defend by sitting through. In the 10th Planet system, we view chair sit not just as a back take but as a gateway position that leads to multiple attacking options depending on how they react. If they sit through your blocking leg, boom, you’re in truck and the twister is right there. If they try to drive forward, you can transition to lockdown or other leg control positions. What a lot of people don’t realize is you can also establish the position from half guard by using your lockdown to sweep them to turtle first, then immediately transitioning to chair sit as they try to recover. The innovative approach is combining the traditional wrestling-style chair sit with the rubber guard and lockdown concepts, creating a hybrid attack system that confuses opponents who are only familiar with one style or the other. When teaching this, I emphasize being comfortable in the chair sit itself, not just rushing through it to get to back mount. Spend time there, feel the opponent’s reactions, and learn to read whether they’re going to sit, drive, or stay static. That awareness is what separates someone who knows the move from someone who can hit it consistently against resisting opponents at any level.