The Two-on-One to Back Take is a fundamental wrestling-based transition that exploits control of a single arm to access the opponent’s back from standing positions. This technique leverages the asymmetrical control created when both hands control one of the opponent’s arms, creating a mechanical disadvantage that prevents effective defense while opening pathways to superior positioning. The two-on-one grip, also known as a Russian tie in wrestling, is one of the most dominant control positions in standing grappling because it simultaneously neutralizes one of the opponent’s primary defensive tools while creating clear paths to the back. The transition capitalizes on the opponent’s inability to effectively defend their back when one arm is compromised and their body rotation is controlled. This technique represents a bridge between wrestling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu methodologies, combining upper body control with positional advancement principles. The back take can be executed through multiple pathways depending on opponent reactions, including stepping behind, duck-under variations, or arm drag mechanics, making it a versatile addition to any standing game.
Starting Position: Clinch Ending Position: Back Control Success Rates: Beginner 35%, Intermediate 50%, Advanced 70%
Key Principles
- Establish dominant two-on-one arm control with proper hand positioning
- Break opponent’s posture by pulling controlled arm across their centerline
- Create angle off the line of attack to access opponent’s side
- Use opponent’s defensive reactions to determine back access pathway
- Maintain constant control pressure throughout the transition
- Secure back position before opponent can turn to face you
- Chain multiple back take entries based on defensive responses
Prerequisites
- Two-on-one grip established on opponent’s arm (one hand on wrist, one on tricep or elbow)
- Opponent standing or clinch position with upright posture
- Angle created off centerline to prevent direct counter-wrestling
- Forward pressure applied to controlled arm to break opponent’s structure
- Hip positioning that prevents opponent from squaring back up
- Head position controlling opponent’s shoulder or upper back region
Execution Steps
- Establish two-on-one control: Secure opponent’s wrist with your lead hand using a pistol grip (thumb inside their wrist). Your trailing hand grabs their tricep just above the elbow or controls the elbow joint itself. Both grips work together to immobilize the entire arm structure. (Timing: Initial engagement or transition from collar tie)
- Break posture and create angle: Pull the controlled arm forcefully across the opponent’s centerline while simultaneously stepping laterally off the line of attack. This pulling motion should stretch their arm and rotate their shoulders, compromising their base and preventing them from squaring their hips to you. (Timing: Immediately after securing grips)
- Clear head position: Drive your head past the controlled arm toward their far shoulder or place it tight against their near shoulder depending on your chosen pathway. This head pressure prevents them from turning into you while creating a barrier they cannot easily bypass. (Timing: As posture breaks and angle is created)
- Step behind or duck under: Execute your chosen pathway: either step your outside foot behind their hips while maintaining arm control (step-behind variation), or duck your head under the controlled arm while rotating around their back (duck-under variation). Both options end with you facing the same direction as your opponent. (Timing: When opponent’s structure is compromised)
- Secure seat belt control: As you reach their back, release the wrist grip and thread your lead arm under their near armpit to establish the first seat belt hook. Your trailing arm goes over their far shoulder. Lock your hands together in a gable grip or rear naked choke configuration across their chest. (Timing: As you complete rotation to their back)
- Establish hooks and consolidate: Insert your near-side hook (foot inside their thigh) first for stability, then work to insert your far-side hook. If standing, you may drive them forward to break them down to the mat or establish body triangle if flexibility allows. Maintain tight chest-to-back connection throughout. (Timing: Immediately after securing seat belt)
Opponent Counters
- Opponent pulls their controlled arm back forcefully to strip the grip (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Follow their arm pull by stepping forward aggressively and transitioning to a front headlock position or arm drag, using their pulling energy to advance position
- Opponent turns into you while you attempt to access the back (Effectiveness: High) - Your Response: Accept the turn and redirect to a body lock, collar tie, or clinch position, or chain to opposite-side back take attempt by switching your angle
- Opponent sprawls and drives their hips back to prevent back access (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Follow their hips by maintaining grip and stepping forward, potentially transitioning to front headlock, or use their backward pressure to redirect to a duck-under on the opposite side
- Opponent grabs your head or neck to prevent the duck-under (Effectiveness: Low) - Your Response: This commits their free hand, making it easier to complete the step-behind variation since they cannot use that hand for defensive framing or posting
Test Your Knowledge
Q1: What are the two primary grips that constitute effective two-on-one control and why is this grip configuration mechanically superior? A: The two primary grips are: (1) pistol grip on the wrist with thumb inside for maximum control of hand and forearm, and (2) grip on the tricep above elbow or directly on elbow joint. This configuration is mechanically superior because it immobilizes the entire arm structure from two points, preventing the opponent from generating pulling or pushing power with that limb, while creating a 2-to-1 mechanical advantage that they cannot match with their single free arm.
Q2: Why is creating an angle off the centerline critical for successful back take execution from two-on-one control? A: Creating an angle off centerline is critical because it prevents the opponent from squaring their hips to you and using their free arm effectively for defense. When you remain on their centerline, they can turn their entire body structure to face you and establish defensive frames. By moving to a 45-90 degree angle, you force them to rotate their entire body if they want to defend, which takes time and creates windows for back access. The angle also positions you closer to their back while making it geometrically impossible for them to attack you with their free hand.
Q3: What should you do if your opponent successfully turns into you while you’re attempting the back take? A: If the opponent turns into you, immediately redirect your attack rather than fighting to complete the original back take. Options include: transitioning to a body lock position, re-establishing clinch control with collar ties, attacking with a front headlock if their posture breaks, or chaining to an opposite-side back take attempt by switching your angle and repeating the sequence from the new position. The key is to flow with their defensive movement rather than forcing a compromised position.
Q4: How does the two-on-one back take exemplify the principle of creating positional dilemmas for your opponent? A: The two-on-one creates a classic dilemma: if the opponent pulls their controlled arm back to escape the grip, you can follow forward into front headlock or arm drag positions; if they try to turn into you to square up, you have clear pathways to complete the back take on that side; if they try to sprawl and create distance, you can maintain grip and work duck-under variations or opposite-side attacks. Each defensive option opens a specific offensive pathway, meaning there’s no single correct defense that shuts down all attacks.
Q5: What is the correct height to pull the controlled arm across the opponent’s centerline and why? A: Pull the controlled arm across at approximately sternum or chest height. This height is optimal because pulling too high allows the opponent to duck their head and roll forward or drop their weight underneath your control, while pulling too low creates space between your bodies and allows them to turn their hips in toward you. Chest-height pulling maximizes structural disruption by rotating their shoulders while maintaining control over their center of mass, preventing both rolling escapes and turning defenses.
Q6: When should you release your two-on-one grips during the back take transition? A: Release the wrist grip only after your lead arm has secured the first seat belt position (threading under their armpit), and maintain the tricep/elbow grip until your rear arm goes over their shoulder to complete the seat belt. Never release both grips simultaneously during transition. Some athletes maintain wrist control even longer, only releasing once both seat belt positions are secured and they’re actively working to insert hooks. Premature release allows the opponent to immediately turn and face you, eliminating the positional advantage.
Safety Considerations
The two-on-one to back take is generally a low-risk technique when practiced properly, but several safety considerations apply. When drilling with partners, maintain controlled intensity during the grip-fighting phase to prevent wrist or elbow hyperextension from forceful arm pulling. Beginners should avoid explosive duck-under attempts that might result in neck strain or head collision with partner’s hip. When the technique is completed and back control is established, the receiving partner should not attempt violent spinning escapes that could result in knee or ankle injuries from hook entanglement. During live training, both practitioners should be aware of mat boundaries when executing standing back takes to prevent out-of-bounds falls. Maintain awareness of partner’s balance during the transition phase, especially when driving forward to break them down to the mat. Communication about intensity level is essential during initial learning phases.
Position Integration
The two-on-one to back take serves as a critical bridge position in the standing phase of grappling, connecting wrestling-based control to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu’s positional hierarchy. From standing neutral positions, establishing two-on-one control represents your first significant positional advantage, creating immediate pathways to dominant positions including back control, front headlock, and various takedown entries. This technique integrates seamlessly with collar tie fighting, underhook battles, and general clinch work, providing a high-percentage option when direct takedowns are difficult. Once back control is established, you’ve achieved one of the most dominant positions in grappling with access to the highest-value submissions including rear naked choke, both-arm variations, and transition options to mount or other pins. The two-on-one also chains effectively with other standing attacks: if the back take is denied, you can flow to front headlock series, arm drag variations, or snap-down attacks, making it a versatile component of a complete standing game. Modern no-gi and MMA competition increasingly emphasizes this technique as wrestlers and grapplers recognize the value of controlling one arm to access superior positions without committing to potentially risky takedown attempts.
Expert Insights
- Danaher System: The two-on-one represents one of the clearest examples of mechanical advantage in standing grappling. When you control a single arm with both of your hands, you create a 2-to-1 force advantage that cannot be equalized by your opponent’s free arm—simple mathematics dictates they lose this battle. The genius of this position lies not merely in controlling an arm, but in what that control enables: their controlled arm cannot defend their back, cannot establish frames, cannot grip you, and cannot post for balance. You have effectively reduced a two-armed opponent into a one-armed opponent while creating clear geometric pathways to their back. The key technical detail most athletes miss is the directionality of the pull—pulling across the centerline at chest height creates maximum structural disruption by rotating their shoulders and compromising their base simultaneously. From the back position achieved through this transition, you enter what I consider the second-most dominant position in grappling, exceeded only by mount in pure control but superior in submission opportunities. The systematic approach demands you establish this control from neutral standing exchanges, use it to access the back, and then transition seamlessly into your back attack system. This is not merely a wrestling technique borrowed for jiu-jitsu; it is a fundamental positional progression that belongs in every grappler’s systematic approach to standing exchanges.
- Gordon Ryan: In competition, the two-on-one to back take is one of my highest-percentage techniques for accessing dominant position without risking a scramble or failed takedown attempt. Here’s what makes it so effective at the elite level: when I get that two-on-one control, my opponent has maybe two seconds to defend before I’m on their back—it’s that fast when executed with proper timing and aggressive intent. Most opponents try to pull their arm back, which is exactly what I want because I just follow forward into front headlock or complete the back take on the same side. The beautiful thing about this technique is the risk-reward profile is excellent: if it works, I get four points for the back take and immediate access to submission; if they defend well, I still maintain advantageous positions like front headlock or clinch control. I use this constantly in no-gi because the lack of collar grips makes the two-on-one even more dominant—without a gi, controlling one arm creates almost unstoppable offensive opportunities. My specific detail is the violence of the initial arm pull across their centerline; I’m not gently guiding their arm, I’m ripping it across their chest to destroy their structure immediately. Against other elite grapplers, this creates the split-second window I need to access their back before they can recover. The technique chains perfectly with my front headlock system and my standing back take game, making it a cornerstone of my standing approach in competition. When executed with proper intensity and timing, this technique has won me multiple matches at the highest levels against world-class opposition.
- Eddie Bravo: The two-on-one to back take is absolutely fundamental in the 10th Planet system, especially for MMA applications where we can’t rely on gi grips and need techniques that work in the chaos of real fighting. What I love about this technique is how it fits the whole ‘create a dilemma’ philosophy—when you get that Russian tie locked in, they’re screwed either way they move. They pull back, you go forward with them. They try to square up, you take the back. They sprawl, you duck under. It’s beautiful simplicity in action. We drill this constantly because it bridges perfectly between our standing game and our back attack system, which is massive in 10th Planet. One variation we use a lot is the snap-down combination when they defend the initial back take—instead of forcing it, we snap them down to front headlock and work our guillotine series or transition to Twister side control, which opens up the whole Twister system. The technique also sets up our truck entries if we take them down to turtle instead of directly to back control. In no-gi and MMA, controlling that one arm is like gold because modern fighters are so good at defending traditional takedowns, but this arm control creates immediate offensive opportunities without committing to a shot. We teach our students to hunt for this position from any standing exchange—whether it’s cage work in MMA or standing guard pulls in competition. The innovation I always push is not just using it for back takes but as a control position that opens multiple attack trees depending on how they react. That’s the 10th Planet way: nothing is just one technique, everything is a system within a system.