Rolling Back Take

The Rolling Back Take is a dynamic and highly effective transition from top turtle position to back control. This technique exploits the opponent’s defensive posture by using momentum and timing to roll over their shoulder, landing directly on their back with control. Unlike static back takes that rely on breaking down the turtle position incrementally, the rolling back take uses explosive movement to bypass defensive frames entirely. This technique is particularly valuable when the opponent maintains a strong defensive turtle with their elbows tight to their knees, making traditional hook insertions difficult. The rolling back take requires precise timing, spatial awareness, and the ability to maintain connection throughout the roll. When executed correctly, it provides immediate access to high-value control positions and submission opportunities, making it a favorite among competitors at all levels.

Starting Position: Turtle Ending Position: Back Control Success Rates: Beginner 45%, Intermediate 65%, Advanced 80%

Key Principles

• Maintain constant connection with opponent’s upper body throughout the roll
• Use momentum and gravity rather than pure strength to complete the rotation
• Control the near shoulder to prevent opponent from turning into you during the roll
• Time the roll when opponent is static or pushing back into you
• Land with hooks already threatening to establish immediate back control
• Keep your head tight to opponent’s shoulder to maintain positional control during rotation
• Use your free hand to guide the roll and control landing position

Prerequisites

• Opponent in defensive turtle position with head down and elbows tight
• Strong grip on opponent’s far shoulder or collar
• Your chest pressure on opponent’s upper back
• Near-side control of opponent’s shoulder or head
• Clear mat space on the side you intend to roll
• Opponent’s weight distributed evenly or slightly back toward you

Execution Steps

1. Establish upper body control: From top turtle, secure a strong grip on the opponent’s far shoulder with your near arm reaching under their armpit, while your other hand controls their near shoulder or wraps around their head. Your chest should be heavy on their upper back, preventing them from standing up. (Timing: Maintain this control until opponent settles into a static defensive position)
2. Load your weight onto opponent: Shift your bodyweight forward and slightly to the side you intend to roll, loading your chest onto the opponent’s upper back and shoulder. Your head should be positioned tight to their shoulder blade with your chin tucked. This loading creates the foundation for the rolling momentum. (Timing: Execute when opponent pushes back or remains static)
3. Initiate the roll: Drive forward over the opponent’s shoulder while pulling their far shoulder toward you. Simultaneously tuck your chin and begin the forward roll, using your head and shoulder to guide the rotation. Your hips should follow in a smooth arc over the opponent’s shoulder line. (Timing: Commit fully to the roll in one explosive motion)
4. Maintain connection during rotation: As you rotate through the roll, keep your arms locked around the opponent’s upper body. Your near-side arm stays wrapped around their head or shoulder while your far-side grip maintains connection to their far shoulder. Your body should remain tight to theirs throughout the entire rotation to prevent separation. (Timing: Continuous grip pressure throughout the 180-degree rotation)
5. Control the landing: As you complete the rotation and approach the mat, extend your far leg to serve as a base and control your landing speed. Your opponent should rotate with you, ending up with their back toward the mat and you on top of them. Keep your grips tight to prevent them from turning back toward you. (Timing: Land smoothly within 1-2 seconds of initiating the roll)
6. Insert first hook: Immediately upon landing, thread your near-side leg inside the opponent’s near hip, establishing your first hook. Your heel should be inside their thigh with your knee bent. Simultaneously, use your chest pressure to flatten them and prevent them from turning back into turtle. (Timing: Hook insertion occurs during or immediately after landing)
7. Establish back control: With the first hook secured, insert your second hook on the opposite side while transitioning your grips to a seat belt control (one arm over shoulder, one under armpit). Drive your hooks deep, get your hips underneath the opponent, and establish full back control position with both hooks in and seat belt locked. (Timing: Complete back control within 2-3 seconds of landing)

Opponent Counters

• Opponent posts their far arm wide to prevent the roll (Effectiveness: High) - Your Response: Switch to a traditional back take by removing their posted arm and inserting your near hook, or use their extended arm as an opportunity to transition to an armbar or crucifix position
• Opponent turns into you during the roll to reestablish guard (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Maintain tight shoulder control and redirect to a scramble position or mount if they turn. Use your momentum to stay on top of the rotation and prevent them from recovering guard
• Opponent bases out with their head to stop the rotation (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: If they prevent the roll, immediately transition to a crucifix position by controlling their posted arm, or switch to a traditional turtle breakdown by removing their posting base
• Opponent sprawls backward as you initiate the roll (Effectiveness: Low) - Your Response: Use their backward momentum to accelerate your roll, pulling them over with you. Their sprawl actually aids your rotation if you maintain upper body connection

Common Mistakes

• Mistake: Rolling without securing upper body control first
  • Consequence: Opponent easily separates during the roll and escapes to guard or standing position
  • Correction: Always establish solid grips on both shoulders or head/shoulder combination before initiating the roll. Wait for opponent to settle into static position
• Mistake: Rolling too slowly or hesitantly
  • Consequence: Opponent has time to post and prevent the rotation, or turn into you during the roll
  • Correction: Execute the roll explosively and commit fully. The technique relies on momentum and speed to bypass defensive reactions
• Mistake: Releasing grips during the rotation
  • Consequence: Opponent separates and escapes, often ending in neutral position or opponent on top
  • Correction: Maintain tight grips throughout the entire roll. Your arms should feel locked around their upper body from start to finish
• Mistake: Landing with extended legs instead of hooking immediately
  • Consequence: Opponent uses the space to turn back into you or escape to turtle before back control is established
  • Correction: Begin threading your first hook during the landing phase. Your legs should be ready to hook before you hit the mat
• Mistake: Rolling with insufficient forward pressure
  • Consequence: Roll stalls midway through or you land beside opponent instead of on their back
  • Correction: Load your weight onto opponent before initiating and drive forward over their shoulder. Use gravity and momentum rather than trying to muscle the roll
• Mistake: Attempting the roll when opponent’s weight is too far forward
  • Consequence: Opponent easily counters by posting or you roll past them without maintaining connection
  • Correction: Wait for opponent to have neutral or slightly backward weight distribution. Create this by applying chest pressure to drive them back slightly

Training Progressions

Week 1-2: Mechanics Introduction - Basic rolling motion and body mechanics Practice the forward roll motion solo to develop comfort with the rotation. Progress to practicing with a completely passive partner in turtle position, focusing solely on maintaining connection and completing the rotation smoothly. No resistance at this stage. (Resistance: None)

Week 3-4: Grip Control and Timing - Proper grip sequences and entry timing Partner provides light resistance by maintaining turtle structure but not actively defending. Focus on establishing correct grips, loading weight effectively, and timing the roll initiation. Practice recognizing when opponent’s weight distribution is optimal for the technique. (Resistance: Light)

Week 5-8: Hook Insertion and Position Consolidation - Transitioning from roll to back control Partner provides moderate resistance during hook insertion phase. Practice landing and immediately establishing first hook, then securing seat belt and second hook. Work on preventing opponent from turning back into turtle after the roll. (Resistance: Medium)

Week 9-12: Counter Defense and Adaptations - Responding to common counters and variations Partner actively defends with common counters (posting arm, turning in, sprawling). Practice recognizing and responding to each counter with appropriate adjustments. Begin chaining to alternative techniques when the roll is denied. (Resistance: Medium)

Week 13+: Competition Application - Live implementation and timing refinement Incorporate the rolling back take into live rolling from top turtle position. Partner provides full resistance. Focus on recognizing the correct moment to execute and successfully completing against actively defending opponents. Track success rate and refine timing based on results. (Resistance: Full)

Variations

Rolling Back Take with Crucifix Entry: Instead of rolling directly to back control, capture the opponent’s near arm during the roll and land in crucifix position. This variation is excellent when the opponent posts their near arm to defend the roll. (When to use: Use when opponent extends their near arm during the roll or when you want to set up arm-based submissions)

Rolling Back Take from Single Leg Ride: Execute the roll while controlling one of the opponent’s legs with your legs in addition to upper body control. This variation provides more control during the rotation and makes it harder for opponent to turn into you. (When to use: Use against opponents who are skilled at turning into you during the roll, or when you already have leg control established)

No-Gi Rolling Back Take with Harness Grip: Adapt the technique for no-gi by using a seat belt grip (harness) during the roll instead of collar or shoulder grips. Maintain tight connection with your forearms rather than grips. (When to use: Essential for no-gi competition or MMA applications where gi grips are unavailable)

Low Rolling Back Take: Execute the roll at a lower angle, rolling more to the side than over the top of opponent’s shoulder. This variation works well when opponent has strong upward pressure and posts their head. (When to use: Use when opponent maintains very strong base with head posted or when space is limited for a high roll)

Test Your Knowledge

Q1: What is the most critical element to maintain throughout the rolling back take? A: The most critical element is maintaining constant upper body connection with the opponent throughout the entire rotation. If you release your grips or allow separation during the roll, the opponent can easily escape and the technique fails. Your arms should remain locked around their shoulder/head throughout the 180-degree rotation.

Q2: When is the optimal timing to initiate the rolling back take? A: The optimal timing is when the opponent is in a static defensive turtle position with their weight neutral or slightly backward, or when they push back into your pressure. Attempting the roll when their weight is too far forward will result in them posting and defending successfully. Wait for them to settle or create the proper weight distribution with chest pressure.

Q3: How should you respond if the opponent posts their far arm wide to prevent the roll? A: If the opponent posts their far arm, you should abandon the rolling back take and switch to alternative attacks. Options include transitioning to a traditional back take by removing their posted arm and inserting your near hook, attacking the extended arm with an armbar, or transitioning to a crucifix position by controlling their posted arm while maintaining back pressure.

Q4: What is the purpose of loading your weight onto the opponent before initiating the roll? A: Loading your weight serves two purposes: first, it drives the opponent’s weight slightly backward, creating the ideal weight distribution for the roll; second, it creates the initial momentum and connection needed for a smooth rotation. The loaded weight also prevents the opponent from standing up and establishes the heavy chest pressure needed to maintain connection during the roll.

Q5: Why is it important to begin hooking during the landing phase rather than after you’ve fully landed? A: Beginning to hook during the landing phase is crucial because it prevents the opponent from having any window of opportunity to turn back into you or escape to turtle. If you land first and then attempt to hook, the opponent can use that 1-2 second gap to defend, turn, or scramble. Threading the hook during landing ensures immediate control and prevents defensive reactions.

Q6: What adjustment should you make when attempting the rolling back take in no-gi situations? A: In no-gi situations, you must adapt your grips to use a seat belt or harness control instead of collar and shoulder grips. Your forearms and biceps create connection rather than hands gripping fabric. The core mechanics remain the same, but you need tighter body connection and may need to execute the roll more explosively due to reduced grip security.

Safety Considerations

The rolling back take requires controlled execution to ensure safety for both practitioners. Apply smooth, progressive momentum rather than explosive jerking motions that could injure the neck or spine. Ensure adequate mat space exists on the side you intend to roll to prevent injury from hitting obstacles or mat edges. When practicing, gradually build up to full-speed execution, starting with slow-motion repetitions to develop proper mechanics. Partners should tap if they feel uncomfortable during the rotation or if neck pressure becomes excessive. The practitioner executing the roll should be aware of their landing and avoid driving their weight into the opponent’s neck or head. Both practitioners should maintain awareness of other training partners to avoid collisions during the dynamic rolling motion.

Position Integration

The Rolling Back Take is a fundamental component of the top turtle attack system and represents one of the most dynamic entries to back control in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. It sits at the intersection of several positional hierarchies: it’s both a turtle top attack and a back control entry, making it valuable in multiple strategic contexts. In the broader positional framework, the rolling back take allows you to bypass the incremental turtle breakdown process, jumping directly from a neutral/slight advantage position (top turtle) to one of the highest value positions in BJJ (back control). This technique chains naturally with other turtle attacks - if the roll is denied, you can transition to crucifix entries, traditional back takes, or arm attacks. It also integrates into the guard passing system, as many guard passes end in top turtle when the opponent turns away, making this an essential follow-up. The rolling back take exemplifies the principle of position-over-submission, as it prioritizes achieving dominant position first, with submissions (rear naked choke, bow and arrow, etc.) becoming available as natural consequences of the positional dominance.

Related Techniques

• Turtle to Back Control - Parent technique category - traditional back takes from turtle
• Crucifix - Alternative when opponent defends roll by posting arm
• Seat Belt Control Back - Follow-up - primary control position after completing roll
• Rear Naked Choke - Primary submission from resulting back control position
• Bow and Arrow Choke - Alternative submission after establishing back control
• Turtle - Starting position for the technique
• Back Control - Ending position and objective of the technique
• Matrix Back Take - Related dynamic back take technique with similar principles
• Berimbolo Entry - Alternative dynamic back take from different starting position
• Armbar from Back - Submission option from achieved back control
• Gift Wrap - Alternative control position if arm is captured during roll

Expert Insights

• Danaher System: The rolling back take represents a perfect synthesis of leverage, momentum, and timing in achieving positional advancement. What makes this technique mechanically superior to static turtle attacks is its utilization of rotational energy to bypass defensive frames entirely. The opponent’s defensive turtle structure is designed to resist linear pressure - tight elbows prevent hook insertion, strong base prevents being driven forward. By introducing a perpendicular vector of force through the rolling motion, we circumvent these defensive architectures completely. The key biomechanical principle is conservation of angular momentum - once properly initiated, the rotation becomes self-sustaining through gravity and requires minimal muscular effort. However, success depends critically on the initial grip configuration and weight loading phase. The practitioner must create what I call a ‘rotational axis’ along the opponent’s shoulder line, with the grips serving as the fixed point around which rotation occurs. The timing window is also crucial - the technique succeeds when the opponent is in a static defensive posture, as any forward or backward motion disrupts the axis and allows defensive posting. Master the setup and weight loading, and the roll becomes inevitable.
• Gordon Ryan: In competition, the rolling back take is one of my highest percentage techniques from top turtle because it’s so damn fast that opponents can’t react in time. The traditional seatbelt and hook insertion game from turtle is a grind - skilled defensive players can stall there for minutes. The roll cuts through all that immediately, and more importantly, it catches people by surprise even at the highest levels. Here’s what makes it competition-viable: first, it works equally well in gi and no-gi if you adapt your grips properly; second, it chains perfectly with other attacks so even if they defend, you’re already in position for crucifix or arm attacks; third, it scores back control points immediately if you land clean with the hooks. My setup is simple - I wait until they settle into turtle after a guard pass or scramble, get my grips locked, then explode into the roll all at once. No hesitation, no telegraphing. The biggest mistake I see is people trying to roll slowly or being tentative. This technique demands commitment - you have to fully send it. If you half-ass the roll, they’ll post and shut you down. But if you commit and time it right when their weight is back, it’s basically unstoppable and leads directly to the finish.
• Eddie Bravo: The rolling back take is some ninja shit that fits perfectly into our 10th Planet system because it’s dynamic, unexpected, and bypasses all the traditional defensive bullshit. In the Twister system, we use this all the time coming out of lockdown half guard when guys turtle up, or from truck position entries. What’s sick about it is you can modify it based on what the opponent gives you - if they post the arm during your roll, boom, you’ve got crucifix. If they try to sprawl back, you use their momentum to accelerate your rotation. It’s completely adaptable. The no-gi version is crucial for us since we don’t rely on collar grips - you’ve got to use that seatbelt harness grip and really lock your hands together, almost like you’re bear-hugging them through the roll. One variation we drill constantly is capturing their leg during the roll, which sets up the truck position beautifully if you don’t quite get the back. That’s the 10th Planet approach - every technique should flow into multiple positions and create constant problems. The rolling back take isn’t just one move, it’s an entry point into our whole back attack and truck system. Plus it looks cool as hell when you hit it in competition.