The Front Headlock to Back Take is a fundamental transitional technique that exploits the opponent’s defensive turtle position to establish dominant back control. This technique represents a critical juncture in grappling where the attacking practitioner converts head control into the most dominant position in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The transition combines elements of wrestling-based front headlock control with BJJ-specific back attack principles, creating a systematic pathway from a neutral or semi-dominant position to full back control with hooks and seat belt grip established.
The effectiveness of this transition lies in its ability to capitalize on the opponent’s natural defensive instincts. When an opponent turtles to defend against the front headlock, they inadvertently create the spatial relationships necessary for the back take. The technique requires precise timing, proper weight distribution, and methodical progression through intermediary control points. Unlike explosive scrambles, this transition emphasizes systematic progression through checkpoints: front headlock control, spiral ride position, single hook establishment, and finally full back control with both hooks and harness grip.
This technique serves as a cornerstone of modern no-gi grappling and has proven equally effective in gi competition. Its prevalence in high-level competition stems from its reliability and the difficulty opponents face in defending it once proper front headlock control is established. The transition connects seamlessly with submission attacks including the rear naked choke, making it both a positional advancement and a direct path to fight-ending submissions.
Starting Position: Front Headlock Ending Position: Back Control Success Rates: Beginner 40%, Intermediate 60%, Advanced 75%
Key Principles
- Maintain constant downward pressure on opponent’s head and neck throughout the transition
- Use opponent’s defensive turtle posture as the foundation for establishing back control
- Progress systematically through control checkpoints rather than rushing to final position
- Circle toward the side of the controlling arm to create the angle necessary for hook insertion
- Keep weight distributed forward to prevent opponent from standing or rolling through
- Establish one hook completely before attempting to insert the second hook
- Transition from front headlock grip to seat belt control at the optimal moment
Prerequisites
- Secure front headlock control with one arm around opponent’s neck
- Opponent in defensive turtle position or transitioning to turtle
- Maintain head control with proper grip (gable grip, guillotine grip, or rear naked choke grip)
- Free hand controlling opponent’s far arm or posting on their hip
- Hips loaded forward with weight distributed over opponent’s shoulders
- Angle created toward the side of the choking arm
Execution Steps
- Secure front headlock control: Establish a solid front headlock position with your choking arm wrapped around the opponent’s neck. Your chest should be heavy on their upper back, and your hips should be loaded forward. Ensure your head is positioned on the opposite side of your choking arm to create proper angle and prevent opponent from rolling through. Your free hand should control their far arm or post on their hip for stability. (Timing: Initial control phase)
- Circle toward choking arm side: Begin circling your body toward the side of your choking arm while maintaining downward pressure on the opponent’s head. This lateral movement creates the necessary angle to access their back. Take small shuffling steps with your feet while keeping your weight distributed forward. The opponent will typically follow this circle to maintain their base, inadvertently opening their back to your attack. (Timing: Continuous movement, 2-3 seconds)
- Swim inside leg as first hook: As you circle, bring your inside leg (the leg on the same side as your choking arm) underneath the opponent’s near hip. Drive your knee forward and insert your foot as a hook on the inside of their thigh. Your shin should make contact with their inner thigh, and your foot should be active with toes flexed. Maintain head control throughout this insertion to prevent opponent from turning into you or escaping. (Timing: Mid-transition, coordinated with circling motion)
- Transition to back mount position: With your first hook established, continue your circular motion to bring your hips completely behind the opponent. Your outside leg should now swing around to establish the second hook on the opposite side. Your body should be perpendicular to the opponent’s spine, with both hooks actively engaged pulling them back into your control. Adjust your upper body position to be chest-to-back rather than perpendicular. (Timing: Smooth continuation, 1-2 seconds after first hook)
- Release front headlock grip: Once both hooks are established and your chest is secured to the opponent’s back, release your front headlock grip strategically. The timing is critical: release only when your hooks provide sufficient control to prevent escape. Your choking arm should slide down from the neck position while maintaining contact with the opponent’s upper body. (Timing: After both hooks are secure)
- Establish seat belt control: Immediately transition to seat belt (harness) control by sliding your top arm over the opponent’s shoulder and your bottom arm under their armpit. Connect your hands in a gable grip or rear naked choke grip configuration. Pull the opponent tight to your chest, ensuring their back is flat against you. Your hooks should pull them backward while your upper body pulls them into your control, creating a strong structural position that makes escape extremely difficult. (Timing: Immediate transition from headlock release)
Opponent Counters
- Opponent sits back into guard before hooks are established (Effectiveness: High) - Your Response: Maintain front headlock control and use their backward movement to transition to guillotine choke or anaconda choke. Alternatively, step over into crucifix position if they expose their arm during the sit-back movement.
- Opponent rolls through the front headlock toward the choking arm (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Follow the roll while maintaining head control, transitioning to guillotine or anaconda choke during the roll. Use your body weight to control the direction of the roll and prevent them from coming on top. Land in closed guard with front headlock control maintained.
- Opponent stands up explosively before back control is established (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Maintain front headlock grip and use their upward movement to establish standing back control or transition to standing guillotine. If one hook is already in, use it to climb onto their back in a standing position. Alternatively, use the standing position to set up takedown opportunities.
- Opponent hip escapes away as you attempt to insert first hook (Effectiveness: Low) - Your Response: Follow their hip movement while maintaining front headlock control. Reset your angle by circling further in the direction of your choking arm. Use their movement to transition to alternative attacks like the anaconda or darce choke if they create space near their neck and shoulder.
Test Your Knowledge
Q1: What is the primary mechanical principle that makes the front headlock to back take effective? A: The technique exploits the opponent’s defensive turtle position by using their own structural posture against them. As the opponent turtles to defend the front headlock, they create the spatial relationship necessary for hook insertion. The attacker’s circular motion around the opponent’s head, combined with constant downward pressure, progressively opens access to the back while preventing the opponent from turning to face the attacker or standing up. The transition works because it systematically removes the opponent’s defensive options while creating offensive opportunities.
Q2: Why must the first hook be fully established before attempting to insert the second hook? A: Establishing the first hook completely provides the structural control necessary to safely insert the second hook without losing position. The first hook acts as an anchor point that prevents the opponent from sitting back into guard or rolling through the position. It also controls one side of the opponent’s hips, making it mechanically difficult for them to generate explosive movement. Attempting both hooks simultaneously divides your attention and control, allowing the opponent to defend more effectively by sitting back or turning into you. Sequential hook insertion follows the principle of progression through control checkpoints.
Q3: How should you respond if the opponent begins to stand up before you establish both hooks? A: Maintain front headlock control and use their upward momentum to your advantage rather than fighting against it. Transition to standing back control by climbing onto their back while keeping one or both hooks engaged. Alternatively, transition to a standing guillotine position if the angle is favorable. The key is to maintain head control throughout their standing motion and use their movement to establish position rather than resisting their attempt to stand. If one hook is already established, use it to climb higher on their back as they rise. Never release the front headlock simply because they stand up.
Q4: What is the critical timing for releasing the front headlock grip and transitioning to seat belt control? A: The front headlock grip should be released only after both hooks are securely established and your chest is connected to the opponent’s back. The transition from headlock to seat belt must be one continuous motion with no pause, as any gap in control creates an opportunity for the opponent to establish defensive hand fighting. The release and establishment of new grips should be simultaneous: as your arms release the headlock, they immediately move into seat belt configuration. Releasing too early allows escape, while delaying the seat belt establishment gives the opponent time to establish defensive frames.
Q5: Why is the circling motion toward the choking arm side essential for this transition? A: Circling toward the side of the choking arm creates the geometric angle necessary to access the opponent’s back while maintaining control of their head. This lateral movement positions your body perpendicular to the opponent’s spine, which is the optimal angle for hook insertion. Circling also uses the opponent’s defensive instinct to follow your movement to maintain their base, inadvertently opening their back to your attack. Moving in the opposite direction would bring you in front of the opponent or allow them to face you, eliminating the back attack opportunity. The circular motion must be continuous and progressive, covering at least 90 degrees before hook insertion.
Q6: How do you maintain control if the opponent attempts to roll through the front headlock? A: Follow the opponent’s roll while maintaining head control, using your body weight to control the direction and speed of the roll. Your goal is to follow through the rotation while preventing them from achieving top position. Transition your front headlock grip toward a guillotine or anaconda choke configuration during the roll, as the rolling motion often creates the proper angle for these submissions. Land in closed guard with head control maintained, then work to re-establish the back take sequence or finish the choke. The key is to never release head control during the roll and to use gravity to your advantage by keeping your weight distributed over them throughout the rotation.
Safety Considerations
The front headlock to back take is generally a safe positional transition when practiced with proper control and awareness. Practitioners should maintain constant communication with training partners, especially during the early learning phases. The primary safety concern involves neck and spine safety during the front headlock control phase: excessive cranking or sudden jerking motions should be avoided, and pressure should be applied gradually and controlled. When the opponent attempts defensive rolls or explosive escapes, both practitioners must be aware of potential collision with the ground or mat boundaries. Partners should agree on intensity levels before drilling, particularly regarding how much resistance will be applied during the transition phases. As the technique often leads directly to back control and submission attempts (particularly the rear naked choke), practitioners should be well-versed in proper tapping protocols and immediately release all control when a tap is given. Beginners should work this transition under supervision to ensure proper mechanics and avoid developing bad habits that could lead to injury in live training.
Position Integration
The front headlock to back take serves as a critical connector in the overall BJJ positional hierarchy, bridging the gap between neutral or semi-dominant positions and the most dominant back control position. This technique represents the primary pathway for converting wrestling-based top control into BJJ’s positional dominance structure. It integrates seamlessly with the broader front headlock system, which includes submissions (anaconda, darce, guillotine) and alternative positional advancements (crucifix, mount). The transition exemplifies the principle of systematic positional progression, requiring practitioners to move through defined control checkpoints rather than attempting to skip directly to final positions. Within competition strategy, this technique provides a reliable point-scoring sequence: establishing front headlock control, taking the back (4 points in IBJJF rules), and setting up back-attack submissions. The technique connects the standing game (via snap-downs and failed takedown defenses) to ground-based dominance, making it equally valuable for both gi and no-gi practitioners. Modern high-level grapplers often use this transition as the foundation for entire game plans, building offensive systems around front headlock control that seamlessly flow to back attacks and submissions.
Expert Insights
- Danaher System: The front headlock to back take represents a perfect example of systematic positional progression through defined control checkpoints. The technique’s effectiveness stems from its exploitation of geometric principles: by maintaining head control while circling toward the choking arm, you create an angle that makes back access inevitable if executed with proper mechanics. The critical understanding is that this is not a single explosive movement, but rather a systematic progression through stages—each stage providing the foundation for the next. The front headlock serves as your anchor throughout the transition, and you must maintain this anchor until alternative control structures (the hooks and seat belt) are fully established. Many practitioners fail this transition by releasing controls too early or attempting to skip intermediate positions. The shoulder-to-head connection must be maintained with constant pressure, preventing the opponent from creating space or changing levels. Your weight distribution is crucial: too far back and they stand, too far forward and they roll. The optimal distribution keeps them compressed in turtle while you systematically establish your back attack structure.
- Gordon Ryan: In competition, the front headlock to back take is one of the highest-percentage transitions available because it combines wrestling control with BJJ positional dominance. I’ve used this transition to score countless back takes in ADCC and no-gi worlds because once you establish front headlock control on an opponent in turtle, they have very limited defensive options that don’t play directly into your attack sequence. The key competitive insight is recognizing when opponents are most vulnerable: after failed takedown attempts, when defending guillotines, or when attempting to escape bottom positions. Your circling motion must be aggressive and continuous—any hesitation gives high-level opponents the window they need to stand or roll through. I always emphasize establishing the first hook deep and active immediately, using it as a control point to break down any remaining defensive structure before pursuing the second hook. Against elite competition, the transition from front headlock grip to seat belt must be instantaneous to prevent defensive hand fighting. This technique is particularly valuable in no-gi where grip limitations make other back takes less reliable.
- Eddie Bravo: The front headlock to back take is fundamental in the 10th Planet system because it connects our wrestling-based top game directly to our back attack system, which we call the truck position and various modifications. What makes this transition beautiful is how it flows with the opponent’s defensive energy rather than fighting against it. When they turtle to defend the guillotine or anaconda, they’re literally giving you their back. The modification we emphasize is maintaining more of a spiral ride position during the transition, which gives you that extra control point through their far armpit. This prevents explosive athletes from standing up or rolling through during your back take. We also integrate the lockdown grip with one leg during the transition phase in certain situations, giving you a hybrid position between traditional back control and our lockdown system. The innovation here is recognizing that you don’t always need both traditional hooks—sometimes one deep hook combined with alternative leg configurations provides superior control, especially against opponents who are familiar with standard back escape protocols. This transition also sets up our truck entries beautifully when opponents defend the standard back take.