The Matrix Back Take is an advanced transition from turtle top position that uses a dynamic hip slide to bypass the opponent’s defensive frames and establish back control. Rather than fighting through the tight elbow-to-knee structure of a well-defended turtle, the attacker threads an arm and leg through available space, then slides the hips underneath the opponent’s center of gravity to emerge on the far side with hooks already in position. The technique derives its name from the characteristic backward lean during the hip slide phase, and it is particularly effective when the opponent is tightly defending their turtle with good base and posture that makes traditional seat belt back takes difficult.
This technique demands excellent body awareness, precise timing, and the ability to read the opponent’s weight distribution in real time. The coordinated sequence of arm insertion, leg threading, hip sliding, and systematic hook establishment must flow together without pause. Any gap in connection or hesitation during the slide creates an opening for the defender to turn in, sit back, or recover guard. When executed with proper fluidity and constant pressure, the matrix back take leaves the opponent with very few defensive options because the attacker maintains connection throughout a movement that changes the angle of attack entirely.
The Matrix Back Take has become a staple in modern no-gi back attack systems, where the absence of gi grips makes dynamic movement-based entries more viable than static grip-fighting approaches. It integrates naturally with truck entries, crab ride transitions, and traditional seat belt back takes, allowing the attacker to chain multiple options based on the defender’s reactions. Practitioners who invest in developing this technique gain a significant advantage in turtle top situations, particularly against experienced defenders who have neutralized conventional back take entries.
From Position: Turtle (Top) Success Rate: 65%
Possible Outcomes
| Result | Position | Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Success | Back Control | 65% |
| Failure | Turtle | 25% |
| Counter | Turtle | 10% |
Attacker vs Defender
| Attacker | Defender | |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Execute technique | Prevent or counter |
| Key Principles | Maintain constant connection to opponent’s hips and upper bo… | Maintain tight elbow-to-knee structure at all times to deny … |
| Options | 7 execution steps | 4 defensive options |
Playing as Attacker
Key Principles
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Maintain constant connection to opponent’s hips and upper body throughout the entire transition to prevent them from turning or escaping
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Use dynamic angular movement to bypass defensive frames rather than fighting through them with static pressure
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Control the near-side shoulder with your threading arm to limit the opponent’s ability to rotate toward you during the slide
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Distribute weight intelligently, keeping chest heavy on the upper back while hips remain light and mobile for the slide
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Establish hooks sequentially, always securing the bottom hook first before attempting the top hook
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Flow continuously without pausing at any phase, as hesitation allows the opponent to settle and counter
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Control the far-side hip with your free hand to prevent defensive hip rotation throughout the entry
Execution Steps
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Establish initial control from turtle top: Begin from a strong turtle top position with your chest heavy on the opponent’s upper back. Secure a…
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Create angle and insert near-side arm deeply: Begin to circle your body toward the opponent’s far side while maintaining pressure on their upper b…
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Step near-side leg through the elbow-knee gap: With your near-side arm deeply inserted, swing your near-side leg through the space between the oppo…
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Execute the hip slide underneath opponent’s center line: Perform the signature matrix movement by sliding your hips underneath the opponent’s center of gravi…
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Establish bottom hook immediately upon emerging: As you emerge on the opponent’s far side with your hips underneath them, immediately insert your far…
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Secure top hook and transition to seatbelt grip: With the bottom hook established and controlling the opponent’s hip rotation, bring your near-side l…
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Flatten opponent and consolidate back control: Once both hooks are established with seatbelt control, flatten the opponent by pulling them backward…
Common Mistakes
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Failing to maintain the threading arm connection to the opponent’s shoulder during the hip slide
- Consequence: Opponent can turn into you easily, eliminating your back take opportunity and potentially recovering guard or achieving a top position
- Correction: Keep constant pressure with your near-side arm anchored against the opponent’s ribs throughout the entire transition. This arm acts as the anchor that prevents the opponent from escaping while your body moves around them.
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Attempting to insert both hooks simultaneously before fully emerging on the far side
- Consequence: Creates instability and allows the opponent to counter by sitting back or turning, often resulting in complete loss of position
- Correction: Always establish the bottom hook first as your primary control point. Only secure the top hook after the bottom hook is deep and actively controlling the opponent’s hip movement.
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Rushing the hip slide and losing body positioning relative to opponent
- Consequence: Ends up in an awkward position where neither proper back control nor turtle top is achievable, creating a scramble where you may end up on bottom
- Correction: Execute the matrix slide smoothly and deliberately while maintaining awareness of your body position relative to the opponent. Quality of movement matters more than speed.
Playing as Defender
Key Principles
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Maintain tight elbow-to-knee structure at all times to deny the space needed for arm and leg insertion
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Sit back toward your heels when you feel the attacker beginning to circle or create angle on your near side
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Turn aggressively toward the attacker when you feel their arm threading under your armpit, before the hip slide begins
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Keep constant awareness of the attacker’s hip position relative to yours, as the hip slide is the point of no return
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Fight the threading arm immediately upon feeling it penetrate under your armpit, using elbow clamping and shoulder pressure
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Use the attacker’s weight commitment during the matrix entry as an opportunity for explosive escape or reversal
Recognition Cues
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Attacker begins circling toward your far side while maintaining chest pressure, shifting from directly behind you to an angled position
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You feel an arm threading deeply under your near-side armpit, reaching toward your far shoulder with the attacker’s shoulder pressing into your ribs
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The attacker’s near-side leg begins stepping through the gap between your elbow and knee, with their foot landing near your far-side hip
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Attacker’s weight shifts from heavy chest pressure on your upper back to a lighter, more mobile feel as they prepare to slide their hips underneath
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The attacker’s far hand establishes a firm grip on your far-side hip, controlling your ability to rotate your hips away from the entry
Defensive Options
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Sit back heavily onto your heels and clamp elbows tight to knees to close the entry gap - When: As soon as you feel the attacker beginning to circle toward your far side or threading their arm under your armpit, before the leg has been inserted
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Turn aggressively into the attacker by rotating your torso toward their body before the hip slide completes - When: When you feel the attacker’s arm is already threaded and their leg has stepped through, but the hip slide has not yet begun or is in its early phase
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Explosive granby roll away from the entry direction when you feel the hip slide beginning - When: As a last-resort defense when the attacker’s hips are already beginning to slide underneath you and sitting back or turning in is no longer viable
Position Integration
The matrix back take is an advanced component of a comprehensive turtle top attacking system. It integrates seamlessly with other back take methods, particularly the traditional seat belt back take, truck entries via crab ride, and crucifix transitions from turtle. The matrix entry becomes available when opponents are defending strongly in turtle with tight elbow-to-knee structure that makes direct seat belt entries difficult. It is best employed as a secondary option after probing with conventional entries, because the defender’s commitment to stopping direct back takes often creates the angular space the matrix requires. The technique connects naturally to the broader back attack system: establishing back control opens the entire arsenal of rear naked chokes, bow and arrow chokes, and arm attacks from behind. The matrix also shares entry mechanics with truck position entries, meaning practitioners can flow between these options based on the defender’s reactions. In competition, the matrix back take is particularly valuable because turtle is an extremely common position where opponents stall, and having a sophisticated angular entry system creates opportunities to secure the high-scoring back position that static methods cannot achieve.